As you begin your fast on January 1, 2022, we encourage you to spend some time preparing your heart for what is ahead. Matthew 6:16-18 tells us, fasting is something we do before God, not before others. It enables us to focus on His heart and His Spirit. It is an intentional form of sacrifice that clears a path for us to spend more time with Him and understand His heart and kingdom desires. It is a personal and private discipline that draws us into intimacy with our Father. It is an act of sacrifice that moves us into the realm of faith. As you commit yourself to this discipline, ask God to meet you in a very real way this month.

We want to seek God to know His ways, to pursue answers to decisions that are coming into play in our lives, and to intentionally draw closer to Him. John 15 explains to us the importance of us, as branches, staying connected to the Vine. This time of fasting is for you as an individual to seek God for your life’s direction.

If you’re on the cusp of a major life change, seeking answers on your health, fasting from social media, focusing more on your finances etc., this fast should be uniquely tailored to your desire to hear from God as an individual. Fasting requires focus on what you are abstaining from, while you seek God. It’s always good to clear your calendar of busyness and extraneous activities so that you can further your heart and mind on God’s Will for your life. Again, this is an individual fast, you can set aside your days and times to seek the Lord.

Here are some key points to help you prepare for and successfully carry out your fast:

1. What is it that you are giving up this month as part of your fast?

2. Take some time to reflect on why you have chosen to fast.

3. What are you hoping to gain from this time of intimate fasting?

4. Set some objectives in your heart and offer them to him.

Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Scriptures: Matthew 6:16-18, Luke 14:28-30, Ephesians 3:20-21