As we move towards Easter Sunday through the season of Lent, Christians around the world will use this time to give more focus and attention to their relationship with God.  Here at GracePointe, as we move into a new season of ministry, we want to invite you to join us for a “40 Days of Prayer & Fasting.”

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Prayer combined with fasting is a way to declare our dependence on God to work in our lives, our family, church, community and world.  As a church family we want to pray and fast for spiritual direction, vision, unity, spiritual and relational breakthrough, and expansion in ministry.

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• Why should our church commit to fast together?

Many times in the Bible large groups of God’s people prayed and fasted together for specific purposes. In I Samuel 7:6 the people fasted in repentance. In 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 the people fasted for protection and victory. In Ezra 8:21-23 the people fasted for direction and unity. In Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus fasted in preparation for His public ministry.  In Acts 13:1-3 the people prayed and fasted in preparation for expansion of their ministry.   God is blessing us individually and as a church family, but there are areas in our lives, families, church, community and world where breakthroughs are desperately needed.  It is time for us to pray and fast for spiritual breakthroughs.

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• So how do we fast? The Bible tells us of many types of fasting. Although there are several times in the Bible when people went without food for weeks and even for 40 days, it is not necessary for us to do that in order to participate. The following are two options for you to consider. The important thing to remember is that when you fast it should be from a heartfelt desire for God’s transformation in your life. 

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• Skip one meal or skip all meals one day and replace the skipped meal times with times of prayer and reading God’s Word.  If you are choosing this option we would like to encourage you to fast from a meal/meals on Wednesday.  This is midway through the week when a time of intense spiritual refocusing could be significant.  

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• Don’t eat or drink a specific food or beverage that you currently have every day – such as pop, coffee, sugar, meat, etc.  Each time you would normally eat or drink these things – or when you think about wanting to partake of them – pray.

 

• Isaiah 58:6-8 is God’s description of a time of prayer and true fasting.

Reading this passage can help you understand the power that comes when you add fasting to prayer and do it from the heart – not just as a religious practice. When we pray and fast as the people of God, we are transformed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to impact our world for Him. God says in Isaiah 58 that when we do it His way we will see outcomes of justice, freedom, compassion, vision, direction, healing, right living and protection. And He will be glorified. Isaiah 58:9 says, “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer.”