FAST DEVOTIONAL

SUGGESTIONS FOR FASTING

FAST PRAYER FOCUS

As a church, our heart is to take the gospel to everyone, everywhere.
This starts in our community and extends to the nations of the world.

One of the most powerful things we can do for missions is pray. Together, we'll spend these next 10 days praying for our city and the nations.
We're blessed to partner with incredible people across the world.
Let's lift them up in prayer and believe God will increase their impact and influence in the nations.

Prayer 

Mark 11:17 

17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” 

This house at INC will be a house of prayer for all nations, including our nation. 

For the coming 10 days we will unite with one heart, one voice to pray for our mission partners around the globe. 

The Power of Prayer 

Your prayer is powerful and truly makes a difference in the spiritual realm.  

The apostle Paul often requested the believers pray for Him, knowing that prayer released the power of God.  

Eph 6.18-20 
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. 

Our Mission partners on the frontline know how powerful our prayers are.  

They eagerly desire our prayer on behalf of them and the ministry they do.  

Your prayer is powerful and truly makes a difference in the spiritual realm.  

Our Mission partners eagerly desire our prayer on behalf of them and the ministry the do.  

Breakthroughs, open doors, and gospel opportunities flowed out of that atmosphere of prayer. Paul often requested the believers he wrote to pray for Him, knowing it released the power of God. (Eph 6.19) 

Our partners around the globe value our prayers knowing they make a immeasurable difference. 

Why Prayer + Fasting?  

Combining prayer and fasting is a powerful Christian discipline practised for thousands of years by believers.  

• Daniel prayed and fasted for his people. 

• Nehemiah prayed and fasted for his city.  

• Ezra prayer and fasted. 

• Joel prayed and fasted. 

• Jesus prayed & fasted! 

When we fast and pray we follow the example of our Lord Jesus who modelled it for us. 

Jesus taught his disciples recorded in Matthew 6:16–18 
 
16 “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. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 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. 
 
In this passage Jesus says “When you fast…”- implying His followers will fast.  

Fasting is simply voluntarily giving up food- or other pleasures like technology, social media and entertainment - for a set time to seek God in prayer. (Fasting without prayer is simply a diet). It helps sharpen our spiritual focus and add urgency and hunger to our prayers.  

Suggestions for Fasting 

• Fasting a meal or two a day. 

• The Daniel Fast (Vegetable and fruit) 

• Turn down technology, social media and entertainment 

• Use our Devotional guide His Last Command Our First Priority. 

• Use our guide to pray and seek God for 10 days. 

PRAYER FOCUS FOR 10 DAYS