MONDAY, JANUARY 6TH - SUNDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 2024
Join EDEN for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Click below to join us on the Bible App.
21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING
“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” - William Carey {1761 – 1834}
God is at work in the Bay Area. We are excited and expectant for this season, praying together to see God transform lives, tear down strongholds, and spread hope in our city.
When we seek God together, He aligns us with His plans and we see amazing things happen that only God can do. God invites us to join Him where He has placed us; in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools & communities. He is at work here and wants to involve us.
We are so grateful for you. As we’re on this journey together, we would love to hear about your experience! Share with us via email at hello@eden.church and let us know how God is at work in your life.
Get a free Bible for your phone, tablet, and computer. The Bible App is completely free, with no advertising and no in-app purchases.
Enjoy a Plan with Friends. Life is better together. Keep up with your friend’s progress, and talk over each day’s reading in a private discussion area.
Build a daily habit. We recommend setting up a daily reminder in the app to help build a healthy habit of daily time with God. (Best Practice - set a personal schedule to read & pray at the same time each day to help build consistency.
Questions? Please email us at hello@eden.church for more info.
WHAT IS FASTING?
When we fast, we decrease our physical consumption to increase our spiritual connection to God. We lay down our appetites and allow God to sustain us, change us, and lead us.
Biblical fasting involves eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God & prepares our hearts for all of the things God desires to bring into our lives.
A personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
Don’t fast from food if you are sick, pregnant, breastfeeding, have an eating disorder, or previously had an eating disorder. Please check with your doctor if you’re unsure. If you have medical concerns, and you'd like to participate, consider an alternative fast, such as fasting from social media, or entertainment, etc.
When we partner our prayers with fasting, we are able to see God do the miraculous!
WHY DO WE FAST?
Jesus Fasted (Matthew 4:2)
Jesus Expected Us to Fast (Matthew 6:17-18)
It was Common Practice in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 7:6; Nehemiah 1:4)
The Early Church Fasted (Acts 13:2-3)
Spiritual Breakthroughs in Human History Were Connected to Seasons of Prayer and Fasting - Luther, Knox, Wesley, Spurgeon.
We fast to dedicate ourselves to God, to listen to Him and align our lives with His will.
We fast to humble ourselves before God and learn to depend on Him. (Psalm 35:13, Ezra 8:21)
When We Fast, We Pray to See Transformative, Christ-Centered Revival In Us & Our City
When We Fast, We Pray to See the Lost Come to Faith in Jesus
When We Fast, We Pray to See the Broken Healed
When We Fast, We Pray to Pierce the Darkness with the Light of the Gospel
Join Us on the Bible App for 21 Days Together
BEFORE YOU FAST
Prepare physically and spiritually. Take time to ask God how you should fast, then plan what you will do. If you are new to fasting, plan to start gently and work up to a longer fast.
Prepare spiritually by drawing close to God through prayer and reading the Bible.
Prepare physically for fasting from food. A gradual taper will be key to success. One week before you fast, start reducing caffeine, salt, and sugar, to prevent headaches and gradually cut down the size of your meals.
HOW TO FAST
There are several ways to fast, such as the Daniel Fast - limiting consumption to fruits & vegetables, or fasting on certain days, or certain times of the day, or a complete fast.
Complete Fast: Drink only liquids, typically water and light juices and broths.
Partial Fast: Remove certain food from your consumption, such as the Daniel Fast. You can also do a partial fast by fasting during specific times of the day, for example, from sunup to sundown.
Alternative Fast: Instead of food, you can fast from a distraction to increase your focus on God. This can be a fast from social media, tv, etc. The time normally spent on these things is then spent with God instead.
As you fast, stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Be mindful that you will have less energy than normal. Be sensitive to how your fasting affects those around you.
Break your fast with small portions of food, not a huge meal.
“And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
