WIXLIB

BeforeYouFast:Preparing for7 Days ofPrayer andFasting

B E F O R E YO U FA S T :P R E PA R I N G F O R 7 D AY S O FP R AY E R A N D F A S T I N GThis January we want to partnertogether as a church family and go beforeGod with 7 days of prayer and fasting sothat we might experience the greatnessof his leadership and power.We are asking that you participate withus by fasting at some level for each of the7 days beginning Monday, January 10th.Since we are doing 7 days this year wewould like to encourage you toparticipate in a water only or liquid fast.P A G E 0 2Enclosed is a practical guide that willhelp you prepare to fast for 7 days.B E F O R EY O UF A S T

Y O UF A S TP A G E 0 3B E F O R EIn recent years many have seen fasting as an extremepractice for very religious people and fasting has gonelargely unpracticed. But when Jesus speaks about fastingin the New Testament, he assumes that all of his followerswill practice fasting as a normal habit in their life and theirrelationship with him.As his followers, we’re not interested in empty religious activity, but we are deeply interested in Jesus. He practicedthe discipline of prayer coupled with fasting, and we wantto be like him.In the Bible, fasting always refers to food and means toeat less or stop eating for a period of time in order to focus on prayer. God has chosen to unleash his power whenhis sons and daughters couple their prayers with fasting.Combining fasting with prayer can result in aspiritual atomic bomb that pulls down spiritualstrongholds and releases the power of God in yourlife and the life of your church, its pastor, its leaders,and its members.–Bill Bright (Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ)

TA B L E O FCONTENTSPAG E 0 6S t e p 1 : C l a r i f y Yo u r P U R P O S EPAG E 0 8S t e p 2 : P r e p a r e P H Y S I C A L LYPAG E 1 0Step 3: Ask God for GUIDANCEPAG E 1 2Ste p 4 : M a ke a P L A NPAG E 1 4Key Resources and Impor tant DatesPAG E 1 57 Days of PrayerPAG E 1 6Day 1: Praying for a Move of GodPAG E 1 7Day 2: Listening to the SpiritPAG E 1 8D a y 3 : P r a y i n g f o r Yo u r S o u lPAG E 1 9D a y 4 : P r a y i n g f o r Yo u r F a m i l yPAG E 2 0D a y 5 : P r a y i n g f o r Yo u r N e i g h b o r h o o dPAG E 2 1D a y 6 : P ra y i n g fo r t h e Wo r l dP A G E 0 4PAG E 2 2D a y 7 : P r a y i n g f o r Yo u r E n e m i e sBAC K PAG EPrayer & Fasting DeclarationP O R T F O L I OB O O K L E T

Y O UF A S TP A G E 0 5B E F O R EOne day as theywere worshippingGod, they werealso fasting asthey waited forguidance, theHoly Spiritspoke - Acts 13:2 (MSG)

step 1C L A R I F Y YO U RPURPOSEThe Ninevites fasted to communicate the sincerity of theirrepentance (Jonah 3:5). The Antioch church fasted to obtainGod’s direction (Acts 13:2). Esther fasted for a series ofmiracles (Esther 4:16). As we fast, it’s helpful to understandour purpose. As a church, our desire is to experience more ofGod’s power and gain more of his direction, like this:“God, I really want food. But more than that,I want power and direction for our church.”P A G E 0 6“God, I really want food. But more than that,I want healing for my nephew.”“God, I really want food. But more than that,I want freedom from my addiction.”B E F O R EY O UF A S T

Y O UF A S TP A G E 0 7B E F O R EHow will you pray for Vancouver Church, yourself, andanother person or group of people outside of thekingdom of God?The prayer I’m praying for Vancouver Church:The prayer I’m praying for myself:The prayer I’m praying for my churchless neighbors:

step 2P R E PA R EP H Y S I C A L LYDon’t rush into your fast. Do your body afavor and wean yourself off caffeine,nicotine, and sugar prior to going without.If you are planning to eat nothing, it canbe helpful to eat only raw foods for a dayor two before your fast.P A G E 0 8For those with health concerns (includinga history of eating disorder) or prescribedmedications, please consult your doctor.B E F O R EY O UF A S T

Y O UF A S TP A G E 0 9B E F O R EHere are a couple questions to think through as youprepare:Do you need to wean yourself off caffeine, nicotine,sugar, etc? If yes, How will you do this?When considering your physical health andmedications, do you need to consult your doctor?When is your appointment?How will you eat during the 2-3 days leading up to thefast in order to set yourself up for success?

step 3ASK GOD FORGUIDANCEAsk the Holy Spirit what kind of fast He wants you to do.He will give you strength when fasting is difficult, and itwill make your time with him more meaningful. Here aretwo kinds of biblical fasts to consider:P A G E 1 0 Regular Fast - Refrain from all solid and liquid food,drinking only water for 7 days. Partial Fast Sunup to Sundown - eat a modest meal onceeach day, only after sunset. Liquid Only - refrain from solid food, while drinkingbroth, juices, etc.B E F O R EY O UF A S T

Y O UF A S THere are a couple of ways to pray as you consider thetype of fast you’ll do during the 7 days: “Lord, what kindof fast would you like me to do? Regular or partial?” And“How should I customize this fast to be more effective andsuccessful?”What kind of fast do you believe God is asking you to do?What adjustments will you make to your fast to ensuresacrifice and success?P A G E 1 1B E F O R E

step 4MAKE A PLANThere’s a lot more to fasting than just NOT eating.“Without a purpose and a plan it’s not Christianfasting, it’s just going hungry.”- David Mathis, Executive Editor of Desiring GodP A G E 1 2As with any new opportunity, it’s wise to considerwhat challenges you might experience. You caneven plan in advance what you will do and howyou’ll respond if those challenges do arise.B E F O R EY O UF A S T

Y O UF A S TP A G E 1 3B E F O R EHere are some questions to consideras you develop your plan:1. What will you do instead of eating?2. When will you spend time with God?3. How will your fast affect others? Coworkers?Family members? How will you offset this?4. What will you say when someone asks you tolunch or coffee?5. Who can encourage and cheer for youthroughout your fast?6. How will you engage differently with yourchurch family during your fast?7. What will you do to celebrate your successfulfast?

KEY RESOURCES ANDIMPORTANT DATESWe want you to succeed, and we’re providingyou with lots of amazing resources to help youout:Daily Prayer at VCJan 10 - Jan 15Afternoon and EveningVancouver Church SanctuaryPrayer PromptsFocus on the daily prayer prompts we will befocusing on as a church family.“How to Pray” by Pete GreigVideos & handouts that go with each topicPrayerCourse.org/sessions - videosParticipate in the churchwide 7 Day FastJanuary 10 - January 16, 2022Use the booklet How to Pray with KidsP A G E 1 4Attend new Monthly Prayer MeetingsJan 12, Feb 8, March 9B E F O R EY O UF A S T

Y O UTHE FOLLOWING GUIDEPROVIDES 7 SPECIFIC DAYS OFPRAYER AND LISTENINGOUTLINED FOR YOU. THIS WILLHELP GIVE YOU VISION ANDFOCUSED PURPOSE FOR YOURFAST.7 DAYS O FP R AY E RThe seven days will focuson these seven topics andprompts:1 Pray for a move of God2 Listen to the Spirit3 Pray for your soul4 Pray for your family5 Pray for your neighbor6 Pray for the world7 Pray for your enemiesThe world is continually vying for our attention,asking us to listen. We are starting off 2022 witha series called Love Listens. Along with theseries we want to start off our year by stoppingand listening to God first.It is easy to allow the voices of the world tobecome louder than the voice of God. But thisyear as individuals and as a church family, wewant to corporately fast and pray for God’svoice to reign in our lives.We want to start the year being hungry for thethings of God. In the natural world, we becomehungry by not eating, in the Spirit we becomehungry by feeding on the things of God. Themore we consume the more we want.F A S TP A G E 1 5B E F O R E

Prayer pointsStart your fasting by prayingfor a move of God. Whetherthe parting of the seas,raising dry bones to life,healing a woman of sevendevils or Christ’s resurrectionGod is on the move. Fromthe time of creation Godhas wanted to partner withHis children in a relationshipto see his Kingdom come. Pray for a move of Godthrough your fast Pray for a move of God inyour life in 2022 Pray for a move of God atVancouver Church Pray for a move of God inClark County, Washington,the US and the world.DAY 1 PRAYING FORA MOVE OF GODBUT JESUS LOOKED AT THEM AND SAID, “WITHMAN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WITH GOD ALLP A G E 1 6THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.” MATTHEW 19:26B E F O R EY O UF A S TWhat are some of your thoughtsor reflections God impressed uponyour heart today?

Y O UF A S TP A G E 1 7B E F O R E‘CALL TO ME AND I WILL ANSWER YOUAND TELL YOU GREAT AND UNSEARCHABLEBut the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,whom the Father will send in myname,will teach you all things andwill remind you of everything I havesaid to you. John 14:26My sheep listen to my voice;I know them, and they follow me.John 10:27THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW.’ JEREMIAH 33:3DAY 2 LISTENINGTO THE SPIRITPrayer pointsJesus talks of having “ears to hear”; our desire is that we wouldhave ears to hear him today. To hear his still small voice in eachmoment of our day. Today we want to practice hearing the voice ofthe spirit; our advocate, counselor, teacher all throughout our day.Use the prompts below throughout your day. God,God,God,God,God,whatwhatwhatwhatwhatdo you want me to know?do you want me to do?do you want to tell me about this current season?do you want to tell me about this situation?scripture do you want me to highlight to me today?Today, focus on practicing asking God specific questions and listening for Him to speak.What are some of your thoughts or reflections God impressed uponyour heart today?

DAY 3 PRAYING FORYOUR SOULPrayer pointsHow is your soul? How are you doing spiritually,physically, mentally and emotionally? Howoften do you take the time to check in withyour soul? Today we want to focus on allowingGod to search us, show us, lead us and buildus up stronger. Pray Psalm 139:23. Allow God to reveal toyou the state of your heart and soul. What do you need to surrender? What are you grateful for? Pray for your mental, physical, and spiritualhealth. Pray for your upcoming year. For vision anddirection. Pray that God gives you a word for 2022,something to focus on.TRULY MY SOUL FINDS REST IN GOD;MY SALVATION COMES FROM HIM.P A G E 1 8PSALM 62:1B E F O R EY O UF A S TSearch me, God,and know my heart;Test me and knowmy anxious thoughts.See if there is anyoffensive way in me,And lead me in theway everlasting.Psalm 139:23-24What are some of your thoughtsor reflections God impressedupon your heart today?