a 21 day prayer & fast.
Each January we invite our church family and others to participate in a prayer and fast with the intent of deepening our relationship with God. 21 Days of Prayer is a partial fast recognized as an effective means to receive direction for our lives as we begin the new year. Fasting itself is a spiritual discipline which provides an avenue for us to renew our spiritual commitment to serve God’s purpose for our lives.
The goal of fasting is to become more sensitive to the voice of God in our everyday lives. We do this by dedicating more time to spend with Him in prayer and Bible reading each day and by refraining from certain foods. When the fast is over, we should discover a new strength to overcome the cravings that may seem to control our lives at times.
We invite you to seek the Lord with us for a time of prayer and fasting. As we begin the new year we are committing to seek God so we can hear from the Holy Spirit. We are confident we will encounter His presence in a fresh and impactful way. We believe He will give us insight and direction we so desperately need to walk in victory and navigate our life journey as individuals and as a church in 2024. “…thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV). As we earnestly seek the Lord in prayer we will experience the breakthrough we need as we commit to live for Him and serve His purpose for our lives.
Our 2023 theme and focus at Refuge was “A Year of Fulfillment,” where we intentionally set out to discover, believe and receive the fulfillment of promises in His Word. We have learned that for every problem we face God has given us a promise to embrace. For 2024 our theme and focus is “Live For More in 2024.” 2024 is a year to live out God’s promises.
As believers we are not just called to “talk the talk”, we are called to “walk the walk”. 2024 will be a year to live the life we were meant to live in Christ. A life where we experience freedom from sin, shame, and the things that are holding us back. A year where we step into the life God has called us to live.
We invite you on this 21-day journey as we embark on '21 Days of MORE,' a focused season of prayer and fasting dedicated to cultivating 'More' of Jesus in every facet of our lives. Each day is a deliberate exploration of a unique aspect of His character and presence. Throughout this journey, we'll delve into scripture, spend intentional time in prayer, and engage in fasting to create space for 'More' of Jesus.
We pray that these 21 days would be a catalyst for an encounter with 'More' of Jesus in our lives as we begin this new year.
Pastor Deb and I thank you for joining us for 21 Days of Prayer as we seek Him to live the life we were meant to live. We are confident that God will meet us in a significant way as we commit to seek Him through prayer and fasting.
God Bless,
Pastor Matt Mallek
“God does nothing apart from PRAYER and everything through it.”
21 days of prayer is designed to restrict normal food intake by cutting away many of the foods we commonly eat to satisfy our appetites. As we begin to fast, we replace the time and focus that we place on food and meals, to attention and growth in our spiritual life.
Not only are there physical benefits to fasting, there are spiritual benefits as well. Fasting was important in the life of the early church among believers and is still important in the church today to deepen our relationship with God.
For 21 Days of Prayer we use what is known as the “Daniel Fast,” following the guidelines for fasting described in the book of Daniel. Those with physical professions, etc. may add fish for additional protein. The Daniel Fast is a partial fast where some foods are eaten while others are restricted. We follow this method of fasting for 21 consecutive days.
Please remember that this prayer and fast is completely voluntary. We recommend that those with medical conditions consult a medical professional before beginning the fast.
We also strongly encourage separate consideration for children who participate. Fasting is a good principle to teach children, but with careful diet restrictions, especially depending upon age. Fasting things like television, social media, unhealthy snacks or sweets can be better options for children.
Each day we are focusing on a different prayer topic
Each day we will have a prayer focus and daily devotional for you to follow along with. It is a collection of thoughts and scriptures to help you know God and discover your purpose. Use these devotionals as prompts to dig deeper - to slow down, listen and lean in. We encourage you to carve out time every day to meditate on the prayer focus and spend time with God.
All of the daily blogs will be available on our App and website starting January 1.
From January 1-21, We will have open prayer Monday-Saturday from 7-8am at Refuge AND Tuesday night prayer from 6-7pm at Refuge!
You are invited to join us!
The food plan below is what is recommended. Feel free to make substitutes if you are on a special diet.
Included foods: fruits, vegetables, salads, soups, baked or boiled fish, whole grains, potatoes, beans, brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, sprouts, & nuts
Included drinks: water, herbal tea, 100% fruit juice, smoothies, & protein drinks
Other: natural sweeteners, vitamin supplements, protein supplements, & mineral supplements
Not included: white refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, candy, desserts, white flour, eggs, dairy, meat, preservatives, fried food, soft drinks, & caffeine
What is the value of fasting?
Recognizing the value and benefits of fasting is important. It can and should become a viable part of your lifestyle. Fasting helps you increase the quality and quantity of your prayer life. It also gives you the opportunity to focus on areas of personal and spiritual change.
What results should you expect?
You will discover a new intensity when studying the scriptures and a more productive prayer life. You will also overcome cravings that usually control your life and a greater dedication to serve the purpose and will of God for your life.
Do i have to adhere to the exact diet?
The precise details of your fast are between you and God. In Romans 14:20-23, the apostle Paul describes how we should relate in love to one another in the matter of what we eat or choose not to eat.
