2021 Prayer Journal Table of Contents

2021 PRAYER JOURNAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Fasting 101 2 Why We Fast 2 Fasting Tips 5 Food Prep 6 Foods To Include 6 Foods To Avoid 7 Worship Playlist 8 Daily Devotion Introduction 9 Daily Devotions 11 Final Thoughts 52 1 Introduction Light can be defined as the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 14, Jesus tells His listeners that we are the light of the world. If light exists to stimulate sight and make things visible, then this would mean that as the light, we are called to do those very things. Matthew 5:14-16 goes on to say, “A town on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Have you ever questioned how we are to be light if we ourselves are stumbling in the darkness? Or how we are to keep this light burning? Over the next several days, as we fast and pray, these are two questions we will present to God. We will invite the light of God to expose the “bowls'' we have hidden our lights under. The hope is that this guide can be something like a friend, one of wit and wisdom. Encouraging you on this fast, while also challenging you to go deeper in your relationship with God. At the end of this, it is the hope that your light will shine vividly before others so that your Father in heaven may be glorified. Fasting 101 1 Scripture is filled with mentions of fasting. In the book of Matthew Jesus fasts before 2 beginning His earthly ministry. In the Psalms David fasted as a means to humble himself. Some 3 of the most notable mentions of fasting in Scripture are found in the book of Daniel . From each of these instances we can deduce that we fast for the purpose of humbling ourselves, depleting ourselves of self-dependence, drawing closer to God, and petitioning. If we are to fast, we should do so well. Here we have provided you with a short break down of the purpose of fasting to help you further prepare your heart and mind. Why We Fast To Know God Intimately: It’s easy to diminish fasting to spiritual bartering. We abstain for a number of days in exchange for God to answer a prayer or work a miracle. When this is our motive for fasting, we miss its most notable intent. That being an opportunity to know God more intimately. 1 Matthew 4:2 NIV 2 Psalm 35:13 NIV 3 Daniel 1:8-14, 9:3 NIV 2 Many of us have resigned our relationship with God to survive off the breadcrumbs of scripture and theology we gather from others. Rarely taking the time to enjoy the feast of knowing Him personally for ourselves. During this time of fasting you will have an extended amount of time to be with God. Jeremiah 29:13-14 teaches us that when we seek Him with our whole heart we will find Him. God wants to be found, He wants to be seen, He wants to be heard. 4 Priscilla Shirer posed the question, “Do you think God loved you enough to die for you but not talk to you?”. Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us once, and He still desires to dwell among us today. Fasting is an opportunity to invite Him to dwell with us. Prayer: God, as I fast, I pray that I encounter you for myself. Reveal to me who you are today and in every season. 5 Family Time : One of the big reasons we fast is to_________? What does Jeremiah 29:13-14 teach us? What are some ways we can get to know God more intimately during our fast? To Be Transformed: Pro tip, the power of fasting is not found in the diet. Stop, put down the donut and let me finish. While it is important for us to abstain from specific foods, activities, and habits throughout this time of fasting, abstaining is not what changes us. The power of fasting lies in our decision to surrender to the Spirit of God. In the willingness to abstain for the purpose of eliminating distractions in order to hear God more clearly. Author and speaker Lisa Bevere said, “A diet changes how you look, while a fast 6 changes how you see”. T he issue with believing that the power lies in the abistnation is that it gives off the false notion that we have the power to transform ourselves. While the power of the 7 Holy Spirit does reside in us, transformation does not come from our might or power . We often attempt to change ourselves through the modification of our behaviors. Changing what we do does not result in long lasting change, we must change our hearts. That is only accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit. The act of fasting acknowledges that it is only that power in which we can truly depend on. It is from this heart posture of surrender that transformation happens. Prayer: God, I acknowledge that it is not by my actions that I am changed, but only by your Spirit. Throughout this time of fasting, I pray that this truth would go from being common knowledge to a deep rooted belief. Show me what you desire to transform in me. 4 Discerning The Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer 5 Throughout the fasting guide we have included Family Time prompts. We hope this can be an opportunity for your family to come together during this fast and seek God together. We hope this prompts can be a springboard into deeper family conversations. 6 Revival Ministries, “John & Lisa Bevere 2016-Fasting!”. 7 Zechariah 4:6 3 Family Time: The power of fasting lies in you? True or False. What are some things you have been trying to change about yourself? Do you think if you gave them to God He could change them? To Love Others Well: As you are transformed, the work that God does in you begins to change the relationship you have with yourself. That relationship in turn changes the way you interact with and relate to others. As our hearts are transformed, we will find we have a greater desire to serve others more selflessly and love others more compassionately. Prayer: God, as You transform my heart, I ask that You teach me how to love You first, love myself well, and love others better. Convict me if I am living a life in service to myself and not in service to others. Challenge my selfishness and deepen my compassion. Family Time: How does our relationship with ourselves affect the relationships we have with others? Name one person you believe you can love better. Petition: While we do not fast with the intent of getting things from God, but instead to get to know God, this does not mean we cannot come to Him with our petitions. God desires for you to come to Him with your needs and wants. The reality is that everything we petition Him for we will not receive. Do not let this 8 discourage you in asking. God withholds no good thing , His no is still your best yes. So as we fast, let's ask Him for our healing, lets seek Him for that answer, lets request He grant that desire. As we do so, let us not forget that His will surpasses our greatest plans. We ask from God what we believe we need, but we submit what we ask to His all wise, all good plan and we 9 10 say like Jesus, “Not my will, but your will be done” . Ask, seek, knock. Prayer: Take a moment to write out your requests to God. Family Time: What is something you want to ask God for as we fast? 8 Psalm 84:11 NIV 9 “Prayers of Petition”, SheReadsTruth.com 10 Matthew 7:7-11 NIV 4 Fasting Tips 11 In the book of 1 Corinthians Paul instructs us to run to win. His analogy of running a race is used to highlight the discipline and preparation needed to live out our Christian lives well. Fasting is no different. Fasting well depends greatly on commitment, accountability, and preparation. Commitment While flattering, it would be foolish to choose to fast simply because your church is doing it. If this be the reason you have chosen to abstain from certain delicacies and luxuries, I can assure you that midway through this fast you will be looking for a new church. Your decision to fast is not a commitment to VIVID, it is a commitment to God. It is imperative that you keep your why in mind. At times your why will be the last thing tethering you to your commitment and buffering temptation. In order to fast well you must commit to not quit. Family Time: When you are tempted, what is something you can do to remind yourself why you are fasting? Accountability 12 Ecclesiastes 4 tells that two are better than one. We know Solomon’s wisdom preceded the Life Alert, because he goes on to say that if one falls alone, he has no one to help him up.

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