A 21-DAY DEVOTIONAL ON PRAYER AND FASTING

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A 21-DAY DEVOTIONAL ON PRAYER AND FASTING

TABLE of

CONTENTS

Introduction

3

Fasting Tips

5

Bible Reading Plan

7

21?Day Devotional & Fast

8

One?Year? Bible Plan

30

Resourcing the Kingdom

48

Heart for the Harvest

49

Prayer Goals

50

Notes

52

FAITH PROMISE CHURCH 1

2 21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

Introduction

It is hard to believe that the new year is upon us. How time flies! On January 1st we will all begin reading the same Bible plan for 2014. Thousands of us reading the same sacred text every day, knowing we are not alone? how cool! Then on January 13th, we start a three-week fast together. I am so excited, I can't stand it. This is going to be our best year yet! I believe we will gain spiritual momentum like never before. We are on this amazing journey together as we seek His face.

As you already know, our church's theme for 2014 is, You Won't, If You Don't. When you love the things of this world and sow ungodly seeds, that is exactly what you will reap. But we are told in the Scripture to "set our minds on Him" and seek after godly things. If you sow the things of the Spirit, you will be blessed and reap the things of the Spirit. You won't reap if you don't sow, but also make sure you're sowing in the right place!

Our theme verse is Genesis 26:12: "And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him..."This verse is so cool. Isaac sowed and in that same year reaped 100 times as much! All this year we will return to this theme. Let's meditate on what comes before the harvest?the sowing. Let me give you some things to think about and pray for that we will harvest this year:

1. Souls (Acts 1:8) 2. Spiritual Fruit (Galatians 5:22?23) 3. Healthy Physical Body (3 John 2) 4. Prosperity (3 John 2) 5. Personal Spiritual Growth (Ephesians 4:14?15) 6. 2014 Church Goals (page 50) 7. A Spirit of Generosity Throughout FPC (Weekly Offerings,

Heart for the Harvest Offering, and year-end giving)

Imagine the harvest this year as thousands of us fast and pray and seek His face together. We will create a symphony of agreement as we all believe God for a great harvest. As you pray, please intercede for the rest

FAITH PROMISE CHURCH 3

of us praying today for our own personal harvest. Pray we plant the right seed so we reap the right harvest. Our God has no limits and as such is able to "Ephesians 3:20" each of us and our church together. Please know I am fasting and interceding for you today as we prepare to begin our exciting journey together. Love you, Pastor Chris Stephens P.S. Please consider sharing key passages and testimonies of how God is working in your life with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use #fpBiblePlan.

4 21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

Fasting TIPS

From time to time, Pastor Chris will call our church to a time of fasting. The specific reason may vary slightly for each instance, but in general our fasting always centers around Faith Promise doing our part in expanding God's kingdom, seeing people saved, and asking God to do works of restoration and healing in people's lives.

WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY FASTING? In the life of the Christian, fasting is giving up something as an act of devotion to Jesus. Generally, fasting involves giving up all food and only drinking water or juice for the duration of the fast, but some people will choose a variation of this--eating no solid foods, eating only fruits and vegetables, or giving up a particular kind of food for the duration of the fast.

If fasting is new to you, you may also choose a partial fast--giving up a meal or two meals a day for the duration of the fast.

Although there are many different ways to fast, what is most critical is that you set aside time for prayer each day. Without prayer, fasting is merely dieting.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that every believer should have in their lives. Jesus did not say "if you fast." He said "when you fast." (Matthew 6:16)

THE DANIEL FAST In the Old Testament, there are two passages that describe the fasts of Daniel. Combining those two brief descriptions, the Daniel Fast is now commonly used to refer to a fast that only includes vegetables and fruits to eat and water to drink. Dairy, meats, breads, and processed foods are avoided completely.

HOW CAN I KEEP FROM THINKING ABOUT FOOD ALL THE TIME? During the first few days of the fast, it's natural to think about food more often than normal. Your body will tell you that you're starving to death, but you're not. Instead, you're breaking the patterns of eating that your body is accustomed to. Try to use these hunger pains as an opportunity

to focus your mind and attention baFcAk tIoTwHaPrdRGOoMd.ISE CHURCH 5

Each time you find yourself absentmindedly thinking of food, make the conscious decision to remember God and pray to Him.

ISN'T IT WRONG TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU'RE FASTING? Jesus clearly warned people against drawing attention to themselves when fasting (Matthew 6:1?18), so we must be careful as individuals not to try to impress people through our actions; we're doing this for God, not for people. Even still, there are many times throughout Scripture when God called groups of people to fast collectively--together demonstrating their dependence on God.

The best rule of thumb is to only tell people who need to know that you're fasting.

ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW BEFORE I BEGIN FASTING?

? Headaches and fatigue are a normal during the first three days. ? Hunger will diminish as you proceed through the fast. ? Fasting will not impair the health of a healthy person, but

medical conditions must be taken into account. Consult your physician if you have questions. ? During the fast, make sure that you're drinking plenty of water so that you don't become dehydrated.

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

Fasting information on Jentezen Franklin's website

Daniel Fast Recipes

6 21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

BRIBeLaEding PLAN

Beginning January 1, 2014, Faith Promise will begin the process of reading through the One Year? Bible Plan together as a congregation. The plan is listed alongside each day of the devotional that begins on January 13th, but the entire plan can be viewed on page 30. You can also read the plan on our website at bibleplan. The One Year? Bible plan can also be accessed in the YouVersion Bible app. In order to have your daily reading align with the rest of the congregation, you will need to start the plan on January 1st.

FAITH PROMISE CHURCH 7

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