Every year at River Valley, we begin the year together with 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. This intentional time creates space for God to move in powerful ways, bringing clarity and breakthrough in our lives. It helps re-center our hearts on what matters most and aligns us with God’s purposes for the year ahead. As we seek Him together, we believe God will do amazing things—not only in our personal lives, but throughout our church community as well.

Each week we’ll focus on one of these topics:

  • How to Pray

  • How to Hear God

  • Why We Fast

JOIN US FOR CORPORATE PRAYER

  • TUESDAYS @ 6am (In Person at Church)

How to Participate

  • Here are a few ways you can begin a powerful and personal daily prayer time with God.

    1. Pick a time and place

    We can pray anytime, anywhere. We encourage you to pray spontaneously, but we don’t need to leave prayer up to spontaneity. Pick a consistent time when you can be alone with God.

    2. Listen before you speak

    Prayer is a conversation. Just as God speaks to us through the Bible, He is listening when we pray. When you sit down to pray, let God have the first word.

    3. Prioritize the spiritual

    We should spend as much time praying for our souls, for the salvation of our loved ones and for the spread of the gospel as we do praying about anything else.

    4. Ask for anything

    Jesus invites us to keep asking, interceding and praying. God knows what’s best for you, and He’s listening, so don’t be afraid to pray and ask Him for anything!

  • Participate in an all-day fast each Tuesday throughout the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting. You can learn more about fasting in the resources section below!

  • Join us for a worship night at the end of the 21 days, as we set aside devoted time for prayer and worship as a church family. We believe that one moment in the presence of God can change everything! No childcare provided.

Daily Prayer Focuses

Week One: How to Pray
‍
Day One: Building A Personal Relationship With God
Day Two: Worship His Name
Day Three: Align Your Will With God’s Will In Prayer
Day Four: We Look To The Lord For All Our Needs
Day Five: Forgive & Be Forgiven
Day Six: Combatting Spiritual Opposition
Day Seven: Rely On God’s Strength & Power

Week Two: How to Hear God’s Voice
‍
Day Eight: God Speaks Through His Word
Day Nine: God Speaks To Us In Prayer & Worship
Day Ten: God Speaks Through His Spirit & Still, Small Voice
Day Eleven: God Speaks Through Preaching Of The Word
Day Twelve: God Speaks Through Dreams & Visions
Day Thirteen: God Speaks Through People & Godly Counsel
Day Fourteen: Walking In Obedience To What You Hear

Week Three: Why we Fast
‍
Day Fifteen: To Strengthen Prayer & Seek God’s Guidance
Day Sixteen: To Repent & Express Humility
Day Seventeen: To Seek Deliverance or Protection
Day Eighteen: To Overcome Temptation
Day Nineteen: To Express Grief Or Mourning
Day Twenty: To Prepare For Ministry
Day Twenty-One: As an Act Of Worship

Week 1

  • ROMANS 8:14-15

    "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father."

    ~ OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN

    Building A Personal Relationship With God

    When Jesus' disciples asked him, "Lord, teach us to pray," He responded by saying, "When you pray, say: 'Our Father in heaven."" What an incredible statement. This opening phrase immediately establishes an intimate relationship with God as a loving Father and forges a collective identity for all believers as children of one heavenly parent. The God of the universe, the one who created all things, gives us this beautiful expression of His deepest desire.

    God put into motion a work of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ, precisely so we could have this personal connection.

    He desires to be our Father. He is unlike any earthly father in that He is perfect in every way. We can celebrate that this relationship is possible and place our complete trust in Him. Each day, we can wake up with the assurance that the Creator of all is the one who is our Father. He is always for you, always working in your life and He is able to lift your burdens and lighten your load.

    Jesus said "Our Father." While He is my and your Father, we can learn more about Him as we embrace Him as Our Father.

    He desires both individual relationships and relationships within the context of community.

    PRAYER POINT:

    The Lord loves His children. He loves when we spend time with Him. Everything He does is out of His great love for us.

  • PSALM 29:2

    "Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."

    ~ HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME

    Worship His Name

    When we pray the words, "Hallowed be your name," we are making a radical statement. "Hallowed" means to treat something as holy and sacred. We're not just saying, "God is holy," we're saying,

    "Let God's name be made holy in my life."

    This is where the prayer becomes personal. How do we make God's name holy? By letting Him take the driver's seat. We hallow His name when we turn our lives over to his Lordship. This is the practical choice to use our talents, resources and time not for our own glory, but for His honor.

    We can put this into practice every single day. Take a moment each morning to acknowledge Him. Ask Him, "God, guide and direct my steps today." When we choose to live according to His Word-even when it's difficult or goes against the crowd — we are honoring His name and showing the world that He is the most revered thing in our lives.

    PRAYER POINT:

    Think of all the names of God. He's my Healer. Sanctifier, Deliverer, Shepherd. He is holy and to be reverenced. Worship Him with all your

  • 1 JOHN 5:14-15

    "And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."

    ~ YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

    Align Your Will With God's Will In Prayer

    Prayer is an intimate conversation with the living God-an act of both speaking and listening. How incredible that the King of Kings desires to commune with us, to be involved in every detail of our lives! Jesus modeled this perfectly, saying in John 5:19 that He only did what He saw the Father doing. That's our pattern too-to align our hearts with the heart of the Father.

    When we pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done," we are not repeating empty words-we are declaring Heaven's authority to invade the earth. Through the cross, Jesus gave us full access to the Father's presence and the resources of His Kingdom. By His blood, we can approach the throne with confidence, knowing that when our prayers align with His will, Heaven responds with power.

    God not only hears-He delights to answer. As beloved sons and daughters, we carry royal access. So what have you left unrequested that Jesus already paid for? Sit with the Holy Spirit today and let Him reveal the promises that belong to you. Then rise up and pray bold, faith-filled prayers that bring Heaven to Earth.

    PRAYER POINT:

    What is God's agenda? What is He passionate about? This is what we can pray for. Things like the world needs Jesus, caring for the poor and downtrodden, freedom from bondage (He came to set the captive free). Pray the Father's agenda.

  • PHILIPPIANS 4:19

    "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

    ~ GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

    We Look To The Lord For All Our Needs

    In Philippians 4:19, we find a powerful promise that speaks directly to the heart of every believer. The verse reassures us that our God is not a distant observer but a loving and providing Father.

    The assurance is clear-He will supply every need we have.

    There is no lack of God's riches in glory. So then there is no lack in God's supply.

    As we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life, it's easy to become anxious about our needs -whether they be physical, emotional, financial or spiritual. However, this verse encourages us to shift our focus from our circumstances to the boundless riches of our heavenly Father.

    God's provision is not limited by our circumstances or resources.

    His supply is sourced from the richness of His glory in Christ Jesus.

    It's a reminder that our needs are not met based on our own merit or efforts but on the unmerited favor and love of God.

    God's abundance is more than enough to meet your needs.

    Allow this promise to anchor your faith and bring peace to your heart.

    As you surrender your specific concerns to Him, rest in the assurance that your Heavenly Father is faithful to fulfill His promise - to supply every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

    PRAYER POINT:

    The Father is the supplier of all our needs. Ask the Lord for what you need today. Family, marriage, work/school, financial, emotional/ mental health, physical need. He is our good, good Father.

  • MARK 11:25

    "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

    ~ FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS

    Forgive & Be Forgiven

    One of the most beautiful and profound acts of God toward a sinful and rebellious humanity is the forgiveness that He extends to us. Three words are often closely connected to the forgiveness of God-compassion, love and mercy. Compassion, because God knows we are bound in our sin and we can't free ourselves.

    His unconditional love made Him willing to have His own Son take the punishment for our sins, making forgiveness possible.

    And finally, mercy, which is the act of kindness and grace that declares us forgiven. In Christ, we have received love, compassion and mercy we didn't deserve or earn.

    It is for that reason God says in Mark 11:25 (ESV) "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that our Father also who is in heaven may forgive your trespasses."

    Forgiving those who have hurt us isn't easy. We don't forgive because we "feel" like it. In fact, we may never feel like it. It is an alignment with the will of God. It's a choice to forgive like Christ does, by extending mercy to people who will never be able to deserve it or earn it. It means releasing what they've done into the hands of Christ. It allows the grace of God to bring healing to the wounds of our heart. Ask the Lord if there is someone you need to forgive.

    PRAYER POINT:

    Forgiveness is in the heart of our Father. He forgives us of all our sins, therefore, we must forgive others who have offended or hurt us.

    Ask the Lord who you need to forgive.

  • EPHESIANS 6:10-12

    "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

    ~ AND DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE

    Combatting Spiritual Opposition

    We live in a world full of temptation. In the spiritual battle that is being waged, temptation is a powerful weapon that the enemy of our souls uses to get us off mission. We are confronted with evil every day, sometimes from the world around us and often from the evil desires that lurk within us. It can sometimes feel like we are walking through a spiritual minefield. In the Lord's Prayer, this phrase "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" is a humble plea for divine protection in a world full of pitfalls. Praying this way daily fosters vigilance without paranoia. It invites God to guide our paths away from avoidable snares while equipping us for the unavoidable ones.

    Psalm 37:23 promises that "The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord." With God's help, we can have the wisdom and guidance to take careful steps. And as followers of Jesus, it is so good to know that we are being led by one who has navigated the treacherous road of temptation perfectly. Jesus faced and defeated temptation on our behalf, so when we face temptation, we can be confident that we will defeat it too.

    PRAYER POINT:

    We acknowledge that we do have an enemy that wants to kill, steal and destroy. But the Lord has given us the armor to stand against the schemes of the enemy. We must know how to use our battle armor and understand the authority the Father has given us to overcome all the enemy's traps.

  • 1 CHRONICLES 29:11

    "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things."

    ~ FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER

    Rely On God's Strength & Power

    We have spent this week learning how to pray. In prayer, we exalt the name of Jesus and can boldly come before Him to ask for what we need and desire! As we close this first week of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, we must remember that in seeking God for answered prayer, the glory, the power and the honor all must go to Him.

    If we receive the glory at the end of an answered prayer, our heart posture is off-kilter and our prayers are off the mark. Everything in Heaven and on Earth is from the Lord! Therefore, all answered prayer will ultimately build His Kingdom, not ours.

    The best way to align our hearts with God's is to begin to praise Him. Praise Him for what He has done in your life thus far!

    Praise Him for your salvation and how He has transformed you!

    Praise Him for what you see Him doing in your life right now!

    Praise Him in advance for how He will meet your needs and the desires of your heart! Sometimes praising God before your breakthrough is difficult at first. However, as we praise Jesus, faith begins to rise and this causes doubt and fear to flee. Even if we find our hearts need to realign to God's and our desires need to shift, trust God in this process. He is faithful to fulfill His promises and this includes aligning our hearts to His best for our lives.

    PRAYER POINT:

    All glory, honor, praise and victory are His! Worship Him for His greatness and mighty power.

Week 2

  • 2 TIMOTHY 3:16

    "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."

    ~ GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS WORD

    When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He responded to Satan three times by saying, "it is written." He didn't say, "it was written." God's Word isn't a relic from the past, meant only for people long ago. The Bible is written, and it still speaks with power and authority today-just as it did when the Holy Spirit first inspired it. The truth of Scripture doesn't fade with time; it endures. Every promise, every command, every word of encouragement still carries the same divine breath that first brought it to life.

    When we open our Bibles, we're not just reading ancient history-we're hearing the voice of the living God. His Word has the power to renew our minds, strengthen our faith and guide our steps. Through Scripture, the Holy Spirit reminds us who we are and who God is.

    What do you need from the Lord today? Peace? Strength?

    Wisdom? Hope? As you read His Word, you will meet Him there.

    His truth will satisfy your deepest needs and the living words of God will bear lasting fruit in your life-because God's Word never returns void. So today, open your Bible with expectation. The same Word that sustained Jesus in the wilderness is the Word that will sustain you right now.

    Prayer Point:

    Daily reading of God's Word is essential in our walk with God. When we read it, God speaks to us about who He is and where we need to adjust our way of life to be in alignment with His commands and truth. Daily reading of His Word is our spiritual food. Reading the Word is great, but digesting it and allowing the Lord to speak to us is life-changing.

  • PSALM 27:8

    "My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me.' And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming.'“

    ~ GOD SPEAKS TO US IN PRAYER & WORSHIP

    God urges us to draw close to Him. He desires for us to learn of Him-His character and His heart. The Lord longs for us to talk to Him with full openness. He longs for us to share our hearts with Him like we would with a close friend.

    In Psalm 27:8, God commands David: "Seek My face." What does it mean to genuinely seek God's face? To really seek His face instead of His hand means the most important thing is not deliverance from the dark trial, but seeing Him in the midst of the darkness.

    May God give us grace today to respond to Him as David did in Psalm 27:8, "When You said, 'Seek My face', my heart said to You,

    "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.''

    And what is important about the face of God? His face shines.

    Light comes from Him. Goodness is found in the face of God.

    This is where His eyes are, which look at us and we can look back to Him and find a really true heart to heart connection. God is saying to us today and every day, "Come and find me, look for me." As we do, we are blessed abundantly just by being in His presence.

    Prayer Point:

    As we spend time in prayer and worship to the Lord, He will speak to us. It's important to also take time to be quiet before Him and allow Him to speak to you. Be ready with your journal to write those things down you sense the Lord is sharing with you.

  • JOHN 14:26

    "But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you."

    ~ GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS SPIRIT & STILL, SMALL VOICE

    God loved us so deeply that He refused to leave us powerless or alone. He sent the Holy Spirit-our advocate, our helper, our comforter-to live within us! The Holy Spirit isn't distant or impersonal, He desires relationship; He dwells in us. He walks beside us, speaks to us, teaches us and fills us with the very presence of God.

    When life becomes difficult and our minds get pulled in many different directions, the Holy Spirit becomes that still, small voice whispering peace and truth. He strengthens our minds to stay steadfast, renewing our minds with the word of God and His good and perfect will. He reminds us who we are and whose we are!

    What a glorious gift — the Spirit of the Living God lives in us! We can access His power, His wisdom and His comfort at any moment.

    Take time today to welcome Him. As you do, expect His fire to fill your heart, His Word to rise within you and His love to overflow through you. Holy Spirit, fill us afresh! Teach us, empower us and let Your presence burn brightly in us today.

    Prayer Point:

    The Holy Spirit is our friend, our advocate and our teacher.

    He will remind us of God's Word. He will lead us in the right way.

    He will speak to us through a still, small voice (inner voice within us). His words to us will always align with God's Holy Word.

  • ROMANS 10:14

    "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"

    ~ GOD SPEAKS THROUGH PREACHING OF THE WORD

    Every time we gather together as the body of Christ, God desires to speak to us through His Word. Each message carries the potential to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Him. But if our hearts are distracted, weary or hardened, we may leave unchanged-hearing the words but missing the power behind them.

    Romans 10:14 reminds us that faith begins with hearing.

    But hearing is more than sound reaching our ears. It's truth reaching our hearts. A tender, responsive heart allows God's Word to take root and transform us from within. During these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, we have an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to prepare and soften our hearts. When we come before God with humility and expectancy, His Word speaks with clarity and power. A soft heart is not weak. It's ready. It listens, obeys and is shaped by truth.

    May this season be one where we don't simply listen to messages and sing the words of songs, but where we encounter the living God. Let's be people who not only hear, but respond-allowing God to form in us a faith that is living, active and contagious. As our hearts stay soft before Him, His Word will do what it always does: bring life, conviction and lasting change.

    Prayer Point:

    Every time we gather together as the body of Christ to hear the preaching of the Word, God will speak to us if we are listening.

    Sometimes we may come and hear the preaching of the Word, but our heart may be hard. We need to ask for a soft, pliable heart to not only be a hearer of the Word but a doer.

  • JOB 33:14-16

    "For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds."

    ~ GOD SPEAKS THROUGH DREAMS & VISIONS

    The Lord is so good to us; He cares so much for the situations we are in and problems that we encounter that He will not only speak to us when we are awake but while we are asleep. He not only gives us visions when awake but dreams while we sleep.

    Consider asking the Lord to help you recall the dreams and visions that He has given you that maybe you haven't pursued or asked Him about. We see in I Kings 3:5-15 that the Lord gave Solomon wisdom through a dream. The Lord is ready to download solutions to your problems, strategy to walk out the purposes He has laid out for you and vision for your future.

    Trust Him; you won't regret it. The Lord is faithful and good.

    Prayer Point:

    There are numerous examples in scripture of God speaking to people through dreams and visions. God still does that today.

    There may be times when God could speak to you through a vision or dream. Have trusted leaders who can help you navigate when those moments happen to discern the voice of the Lord.

  • PROVERBS 1:5

    "Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance."

    ~ GOD SPEAKS THROUGH PEOPLE AND GODLY COUNSEL

    When Jesus taught us to pray, He began with two powerful words: "Our Father." Those words remind us that faith was never meant to be a solo journey. When we become followers of Christ, we are brought into the family of God-a community designed for connection, encouragement and growth.

    We were meant to do life together. Part of that calling is helping one another, lifting each other up and sharing what God is teaching us.

    Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom." God speaks through His people-through words of strength, encouragement and comfort.

    Even Moses, one of the greatest leaders in Scripture, needed wise counsel. When he struggled to lead the people of Israel through the wilderness, he listened to the advice of his father-in-law, Jethro-and it changed everything. We all need those voices in our lives-mature believers, trusted friends, mentors and pastors-people who love God and can help us apply His wisdom to our lives.

    So when you face decisions or challenges, don't go it alone. Seek out the counsel of those who walk closely with Christ.

    Prayer Point:

    The Lord will speak to us through Godly counsel and people in our life. When we are walking through a difficult situation, we seek trusted people in the body of Christ to help discern what we should do. They may share God's Word with us to help shine His light in that difficult area.

  • JONAH 1:2-3

    "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.' But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish."

    ~ WALKING IN OBEDIENCE TO WHAT YOU HEAR

    Jesus said in John 14:23 (NLT), "All who love me will do what I say.

    My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them." Why does Jesus equate obedience with our love for Him? Because obedience is far more than rule following-it's rooted in a loving, personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. To obey His commands is to honor Him, worship Him and trust that His ways are good even when we don't fully understand them. We may not always grasp why He asks us to take certain steps of faith, but we trust Him because He is faithful and His plans for us are good. Scripture reminds us that He rewards faith and obedience; it's where we experience the greatest joy, freedom and adventure. In His will, we encounter His power and His promises. What is God asking you to do? Continue to pursue His will and He will give you what you need.

    Prayer Point:

    When God speaks to us, it's always important to obey what He has spoken. In the example of Jonah, he heard the Word of the Lord, but chose not to obey. The Lord brought about circumstances in his life that had him rethink his choice. Through this example, we see it is always good to obey whenever the Lord speaks to us.

Week 3

  • ACTS 13:2-3

    "One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.' So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way."

    To Strengthen Prayer & Seek God's Guidance

    Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that is available to every Christ-follower. There are many reasons why we may fast and pray. In these particular verses we see godly men at the church of Antioch setting aside time to pray and fast in order to hear from God regarding an important decision. It was during their time of worship and fasting that the Holy Spirit said to them, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2-3). Paul and Barnabas were called by God into missionary service. They were called to preach the gospel or "good news" of forgiveness and new life by believing and following Jesus Christ.

    This same opportunity is available to us today as we take time to fast and pray. There may be some of us who will be called and set apart just like Paul and Barnabas for missionary service. It could also be that during our time of prayer and fasting that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you what your next assignment is in His Kingdom work. Whenever you are in need of wisdom and guidance regarding an important decision, take time to fast and pray and listen to what the Holy Spirit reveals to you.

    PRAYER POINT:

    Fasting is an important discipline in the life of a Christian.

    There are times we need God's guidance in making difficult decisions. Fasting and prayer would help discern the Lord's direction, just as we see in this example with Barnabas and Saul.

  • JONAH 3:5-7

    "The people of Nineveh believed God's message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.

    When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city."

    To Repent & Express Humility

    The prophet Jonah was given a difficult assignment by God to go to the great city of Nineveh and warn the people about God's coming judgment because of their wickedness. Nineveh was considered a very brutal and immoral nation, and Jonah fled from this assignment because he feared they might actually repent and escape judgment. As we know, the Lord got his attention, and he eventually delivered the warning. What happened next is amazing-the king of Nineveh declared a fast, and the people fasted, prayed and repented and God relented.

    There were also times in our nation's history when the president of the United States proclaimed national days of fasting and prayer, including during the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln and Harry S. Truman both called the nation to prayer and fasting. Think about the great challenge we are living through right now. As we fast and pray today, pray for revival in our nation.

    PRAYER POINT:

    There are times in God's Word where we see His people were living in disobedience to Him. A time of deep humility, repentance and fasting was called for by the leader. Such is the example in the city of Nineveh. There may be times when the Lord will call us individually or as a nation to humble ourselves, repent and fast for God's mercy and forgiveness. Because of fasting and prayer, God's judgment was removed.

  • ESTHER 4:16

    "Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and will do the same.

    And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die."

    To Seek Deliverance or Protection

    History is marked by moments when God's people were under siege, facing an enemy intent on their total destruction. The story of Queen Esther is a striking testament to this. She saved the Jewish people from extermination in the Persian Empire by revealing Haman's treacherous plot. Crucially, Esther first called the Jews in Susa to a three-day fast. When she finally appeared before the king, God's favor was with her, ensuring the people's ultimate protection and deliverance.

    We may not face a threat as immediate as the one in Susa, but the need for divine protection remains constant. Parents can fast and pray for their children's defense against the world's many harmful traps. Likewise, we can intercede for unsaved loved ones, praying and fasting for their deliverance from spiritual bondage.

    This commitment to prayer and fasting is a mighty, unseen weapon given to us by God. Where in your own life are you currently seeking this profound protection and deliverance?

    PRAYER POINT:

    Fasting was commanded by Esther to God's people during a time of their potential annihilation. All the people fasted and prayed for three days. Fasting and prayer broke the enemy's plans!

  • MATTHEW 4:1-11

    "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights He fasted and became very hungry."

    To Overcome Temptation

    In this life, we are all guaranteed to face trials and temptations.

    Our theme Scripture today shows us that Jesus went before us, being tempted in every way, yet He was ultimately victorious over every lure the enemy placed before Him. During His 40 days in the desert, Jesus engaged in deep prayer and fasting.

    What can we learn from His example? First, prayer and fasting are essential tools for overcoming temptation. When we deliberately set aside food, we willingly sharpen our spiritual focus, increasing our sensitivity to the Lord's voice. Second, Jesus overcame each temptation through the power and declaration of God's Word.

    If you are currently struggling to gain victory over a certain temptation, follow Jesus' pattern: enter a dedicated time of prayer and fasting. It does not need to be a 40-day commitment, but do whatever the Spirit leads you to do.

    The miracle of fasting is this: while you may feel physically depleted, you will become significantly more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, sensing a supernatural strength and power that enables you to triumph.

    PRAYER POINT:

    When we are dealing with temptation, fasting is an excellent discipline to add in our life. As in the example of Jesus in the desert for 40 days being tempted by the devil, Jesus was victorious over all those temptations.

  • 2 SAMUEL 1:11-12

    "David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord's army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day."

    To Express Grief Or Mourning

    In our theme Scripture today we see David and his men in deep sorrow and grief at the news of the death of Saul and David's very dear friend, Jonathan. It was David and his men's first response to weep, fast and pray. The Lord reminds us in Psalm 34:18,

    "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." It's interesting to note that David is the one who wrote this psalm. Could it be that this tragic loss of his dear friend is what prompted him to write this? We all, at times, will experience loss of some kind. It is encouraging to know that the Lord is with us so closely in those moments.

    As we choose to tast and pray, it can be our way to pour out our heart to Him in our sorrow, grief and mourning. We are confident that He is faithful to His promise; the intentional discipline of fasting helps quiet the noise of our grief, allowing us to feel His presence more tangibly, knowing He will mend our broken spirits and replace our sorrow with His abiding comfort.

    PRAYER POINT:

    There are times when we may be going through grief or mourning, fasting and prayer would be a discipline that expresses our deep sorrow for a death of a loved one or something of great significance that is no longer there.

  • ACTS 14:23

    "Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust."

    To Prepare For Ministry

    There are many times in our lives when we have big decisions to make. It may be a job change, making a big move, what school to attend or whether to marry a particular person. These are just some of the bigger decisions one makes in life. Paul and Barnabas are great examples of leaders who didn't make major decisions based on their own ideas, but relied on God-such as when they appointed elders in every church. It was with prayer and fasting they sought the Lord's leading and guidance. They wanted to hear from the Lord who should be appointed as elders in the church.

    We can follow their example and take time to pray and fast before we make big decisions. When we do, we can be confident that we are hearing from the Lord and following His leading and guiding in our decision-making. Do you have any big decisions in your life that would benefit from a time of fasting and prayer? Be assured the Lord wants to speak and share His heart with you.

    PRAYER POINT:

    When we have a big decision in our life where we need to hear from the Lord, fasting and prayer is an excellent discipline to incorporate in this decision-making process.

  • LUKE 2:37

    "Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.

    She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer."

    As an Act Of Worship

    We can fast and pray simply as an act of worship to the Lord.

    In our theme verse today, we met a widow named Anna who was an 84-year-old prophetess. The Bible tells us that she did not go out from the temple, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer. What a beautiful picture of someone's absolute devotion, love and adoration to the Lord.

    Did you know that fasting and prayer can be a regular part of our weekly schedule? There are some people who schedule a specific day of a week or month for fasting and prayer. It is their spiritual discipline-an act of worship to the Lord. Fasting demonstrates a physical and spiritual posture of humility, acknowledging a greater reliance on God than on one's own strength or desires.

    It also positions us for greater spiritual growth because we are taking more time to come away from the distractions of life and enjoy God's presence.

    PRAYER POINT:

    Regular fasting and prayer can be an excellent way to express our worship to the Lord. It shows to the Lord we have a surrendered heart and desire to love and honor Him in a sacrificial way.

Prayer & Fasting Resources

Why Do We Fast?

Types of Fasts