21 Day Fast & Prayer

May these 21 days cause The Advancing Church to experience a profound deepening of our faith and intimacy with God, allowing His Word to transform our life.

**Day 1: The Call to Fast**

**Old Testament Story: Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28)**

**Scripture Reference:** Exodus 34:28 - "So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments."

**New Testament Story: Jesus’ Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11)**

**Scripture Reference:** Matthew 4:2 - "And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."

**Reflection:** Understand the purpose of fasting as a means to seek God’s presence. Pray for strength to overcome every temptation that may arise during our fast. Journal about the temptations you face and the words God has given you to speak against them. Jesus declared the Written Word of God in the midst of temptation.


**Day 2: Seeking God's Heart**

**Old Testament Story**: Solomon Asks for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-14)

**Scripture Reference**: 1 Kings 3:9 - "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people."

**New Testament Story**: The Prayer of Jesus (Luke 11:1-4)

**Scripture Reference**: ‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.””

**Reflection**: Pray for wisdom and understanding during your fast.


**Day 3: The Power of Prayer**

**Old Testament Story**: Hannah's Prayer (1 Samuel 1:9-20)

**Scripture Reference**: 1 Samuel 1:10 - "She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly."

**New Testament Story**: The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)

**Scripture Reference**: Luke 18:1 - "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."

**Reflection**: Commit to persistent prayer and express your heart to God.


**Day 4: Trusting God's Provision**

**Today’s Scripture Reading**:

**Old Testament Story**: Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)

**Scripture Reference**: 1 Kings 17:14 - "For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty.'"

**New Testament Story**: Feeding the 5000 (John 6:1-14)

**Scripture Reference**: John 6:11 - "Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated."

Do you have any fears when thinking about giving? If so, what are they?

**Reflection**: Reflect on God’s abundant provision in your life and believe that God will increase it just as He increased the boy's five loaves and two fish.



Day 5: Walking in Faith

**Old Testament Story**: Abraham's Faith (Genesis 12:1-4)

**Scripture Reference**: Genesis 12:1 - "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you."

**New Testament Story**: The Faith of the Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13)

**Scripture Reference**: Matthew 8:10 - "When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, 'Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.'"

**Reflection**: Take a step of faith in a specific area of your life.

Faith Challenge: Bless someone with a $10 Smoothie King gift card and a written word of encouragement inspire by Holy Spirit. 


Day 6: The Importance of Community

**Old Testament Story**: The Unity of the People (Nehemiah 8:1-12)

**Scripture Reference**: Nehemiah 8:10 - "And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

**New Testament Story**: The Early Church (Acts 2:42-47)

**Scripture Reference**: Acts 2:44 - "And all who believed were together and had all things in common."

**Reflection**: Engage with your church community and pray for one another. We will be meeting at the church every Wednesday during the fast, so be sure to make this a top priority. When you come to the house, identify someone different and ask them what they need from God; then intercede for them—no specifics needed.



Day 7: God’s Faithfulness

**Old Testament Story**: The Israelites in the Wilderness (Exodus 16:1-36)

**Scripture Reference**: Exodus 16:4 - "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you.'"

**New Testament Story**: Paul’s Assurance (Philippians 4:10-20)

**Scripture Reference**: Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

**Reflection**: Reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life.


Day 8: The Call to Repentance

**Old Testament Story**: Jonah's Mission to Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-10)

**Scripture Reference**: Jonah 3:10 - "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them."

**New Testament Story**: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

**Scripture Reference**: Luke 15:20 - "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him."

**Reflection**: Spend time in confession and repentance, asking God for forgiveness.


Day 9: Love and Forgiveness

**Old Testament Story**: Joseph Forgives His Brothers (Genesis 50:15-21)

**Scripture Reference**: Genesis 50:20 - "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."

**New Testament Story**: Forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-15)

**Scripture Reference**: Matthew 6:12 - "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

**Reflection**: Reflect on those you need to forgive and seek reconciliation.


Day 10: The Gift of the Holy Spirit

**Old Testament Story**: The Spirit of the Lord Comes Upon David (1 Samuel 16:13)

**Scripture Reference**: 1 Samuel 16:13 - "Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David."

**New Testament Story**: Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)

**Scripture Reference**: Acts 2:4 - "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues."

**Reflection**: Pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit in your life.


Day 11: The Power of Praise

**Old Testament Story**: Jehoshaphat’s Victory (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)

**Scripture Reference**: 2 Chronicles 20:21 - "And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord."

**New Testament Story**: Paul and Silas in Prison (Acts 16:25-34)

**Scripture Reference**: Acts 16:25 - "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God."

**Reflection**: Spend time in worship and praise God for His goodness.



Day 12: The Beauty of Creation

**Old Testament Story**: Creation Story (Genesis 1:1-31)

**Scripture Reference**: Genesis 1:31 - "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good."

**New Testament Story**: Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
  - **Scripture Reference**: Mark 4:39 - "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!'"

**Reflection**: Spend time in nature, appreciating God’s creation if the weather permits. Thank God for His peace.



Day 13: The Importance of Scripture

**Old Testament Story**: The Law Read to the People (Deuteronomy 31:9-13)

**Scripture Reference**: Deuteronomy 31:12 - "Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns."

**New Testament Story**: Jesus and the Scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11)

**Scripture Reference**:
Matthew 4:4 - "But he answered, 'It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone.”'"

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,”

**Reflection**: Dedicate time to reading and meditating on Scripture and pray for a hunger for God’s WORD.



Day 14: The Gift of Grace

**Old Testament Story**: The Covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17)

**Scripture Reference**: Genesis 9:13 - "I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth."

**New Testament Story**: Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11)

**Scripture Reference**: John 8:11 - "And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'"

**Reflection**: Reflect on God’s grace in your life and extend grace to others.


Day 15: Serving Others

**Old Testament Story**: David served his brothers before becoming king  (1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

**Scripture Reference**: ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - “And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers.”

**New Testament Story**: Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet (John 13:1-17)
  - **Scripture Reference**: John 13:15 - "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."

**Reflection**: Look for ways to serve and love those around you.


Day 16: The Fruit of the Spirit

**Old Testament Story**: The Vine and the Branches (Isaiah 5:1-7)

**Scripture Reference**: Isaiah 5:7 - "For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel."

**New Testament Story**: The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26)

**Scripture Reference**: Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience..."

**Reflection**: Assess the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Memorize all nine fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5.


Day 17: The Importance of Worship

**Old Testament Story**: David Dances Before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:12-23)

**Scripture Reference**: 2 Samuel 6:14 - "And David danced before the Lord with all his might."

**New Testament Story**: The Woman at the Well (John 4:19-24)

**Scripture Reference**: John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

**Reflection**: Spend time worshiping God in spirit and truth. If you prefer, put on some worship music. I often use anointed instrumental worship music so that I can hear from God. Just my preference.


Day 18: The Assurance of Salvation

**Old Testament Story**: The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:4-9)

**Scripture Reference**: Numbers 21:9 - "So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole."

The bronze serpent is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of Christ’s crucifixion. In John 3:14-15, Jesus refers to the bronze serpent when He speaks of His own impending crucifixion, stating, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” In this light, the bronze serpent becomes a symbol of sin being lifted up and dealt with through Christ’s sacrifice, offering salvation to all who believe.

**New Testament Story**: The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43)

**Scripture Reference**: Luke 23:43 - "And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

**Reflection**: Rejoice in the assurance of your salvation and share that with others.



Day 19: God’s Plan for Your Life

**Old Testament Story**: God’s Call to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

**Scripture Reference**: Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you."

**New Testament Story**: Jesus Calls His Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22)

**Scripture Reference**: Matthew 4:19 - "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"

**Reflection**: Seek God’s direction and purpose for your life.


Day 20: The Hope of Eternal Life

**Old Testament Story**: The Promise of Restoration (Isaiah 65:17-25)

**Scripture Reference**: Isaiah 65:17 - "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth."

**New Testament Story**: The Resurrection (John 11:25-26)

**Scripture Reference**: John 11:25 - "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.'"

**Reflection**: Meditate on the hope of eternal life and what it means for your faith.


Day 21: A New Beginning

**Old Testament Story**: The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

**Scripture Reference**: Jeremiah 31:33 - "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts."

**New Testament Story**: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)

**Scripture Reference**: Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."

**Reflection/action**: Commit to living out your faith and sharing it with others as you conclude your fast. Share your faith with three people this upcoming week and invite them to a worship service with you and lunch after to discuss what spoke to them in the message.