We know that the order in which we do things matters.
The Bible says, “Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God.”
During the month of January, The Cornerstone Church family will begin 2023 with 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. During that time, we will intentionally do things that disconnect us from the world and connect us more to God and His purpose in our church, families, and ourselves. We want to experience God’s plan and purpose for 2023 and 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting is a great way to start.
Let’s do this together!
We will begin Monday, January 9th. If you are unable to start the fast with us that day, no problem! Simply start when you are able to. Whether it’s food, media or hobbies, the goal is the same, remove it and replace it with more of God. Let’s take the time and energy that we spend with something we value and spend it on seeking God instead.
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help!
First...
FIRST make sure you sign up for daily emails that will give you 21 days of daily scripture and prayer points.
HAVE A FAMILY? Make sure you pick up a FAMILY MOMENTS GUIDE from cKids on Sunday!
Fasting
The goal of fasting is to draw us near God. It hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out.
Fasting enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God. It prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. When deciding on a fast, we encourage you to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
Here is some reference scripture about fasting:
Types of Fasts
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as a nutritious option.
This fast is most commonly known as the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either occur in specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. An example of a Selective Fast is a “David Fast” in which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet.
This fast is a perfect option for first time fasters, or if you have health issues which prevent you from fasting. Simply choose one or more elements of your life and go without them for the fasting period.
For example, you can choose to stop using social media or watching television during the period of the fast. After the fast is over, you can slowly start reintroducing the “fasted” elements back in your life in healthy doses.
In addition...
As a church there will be weekly corporate fasting themes to both connect us as a body of believers, but also to help ease you in and provide focus over the next 21 days.
See this image for our upcoming fasting themes.
PRAYER
Prayer is our first response, not our last resort. Prayer is our communion and communication with God. Every time we pray God draws us closer to himself.
In 21 days, we deliberately SEEK for God to move in our lives. We trust he will and we know he will strengthen our relationship with him.
There are many ways to pray – you can have a conversation with God as you would with a friend, you can write your prayers down in a journal, or you can even incorporate prayer into your daily routines. Moves of God begin with great expectation of God through prayer. We encourage you to pray big, bold, specific prayers.
If you don’t know where to begin in prayer you can begin with scripture. When you sign up for our 21 Days of Scripture and Prayer email series, you will be sent a daily scripture and prayer that you could use or you could begin with the Lord’s prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13.
If you're seeking the Lord for something specific and would like prayer, please feel free to request prayer here. Remember, prayer changes everything!
We also want to join together and pray as a church family!
Join us as we intentionally seek God in prayer and believe for Him to move in powerful ways.
Need more information?
Here are some additional resources on fasting and prayer:
DISCLAIMER
We understand that all will not be able to conduct a food related fast. Fasting requires reasonable precautions, especially for those with an illness. If you have a chronic illness, take prescription medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you struggle with disordered eating, always consult your physician before you fast.
If you fall under one of the previous categories, consider the following options over the next 21 days:
A Partial Fast A partial fast is fasting from certain foods but not all food. Thus, you’re only “partially fasting” from food. Everyone can fast from certain foods, while not abstaining from all food. In this way, you are not depriving your body of necessary nutrients. For example, you can abstain from coffee (caffeine), soda, processed foods, sweets, snack food, junk food, fast food, candy, etc.
Choose something from your daily routine (e.g. television, other media, technology, non-essential errands, etc.), abstain from it and pray instead.
Fast from media use for pleasure (as opposed to what is needed on your job). This is a good idea for everyone, even those without an illness who are engaging in a full fast. Now days, we are glued to some form of technology or media — television, social media, tablets, laptops, smartphones. And it replaces prayer and time in God’s word
Give up something else that might have control in your life or be preventing you from experiencing spiritual growth. Replace that time with prayer and study of God’s word. Examples include sports, magazines, fiction books, shopping for pleasure. Replace the time you would spend in these things with prayer and time in the word.