10 Day Prayer and Fasting
20-29 January 2025
What does it mean to fast and why do we do it?
Biblical fasting is something that was very common throughout Scripture, both in the Old and New Testament. It is a way of humbling ourselves and intentionally seeking more of God. The 10-day fast is commonly based on the Daniel 1 passage where Daniel had been practicing what we call a partial fast. He abstained from rich food and meat He basically only ate vegetables and drank water. For more details about what the traditional Daniel fast includes check out the link (Daniel Fast).
Daniel's fast in Daniel chapter 1 was in response to King Nebuchadnezzar's plan to select "only strong, healthy and good-looking young men" and to make sure they are "well-versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good sense and have the poise needed to serve in the royal palace" (verse 4). The king then "assigned them a daily ration of the best food and wine from his own kitchens" (verse 5). This was to go on for 3 years before deciding who would be selected to serve as the King's advisors. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were chosen to go through this process. Verse 8 says, "But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given by the King. He asked permission to eat other things". Although this went way outside of what was permitted (because the official was afraid they would look pale and weak from only eating vegetables and drinking water), Daniel asked if the four of them could be given only vegetables and water and tested during that time to see how they looked in comparison to the other young men who were eating the rich food provided by the King's kitchen. Verse 15 tells us that "at the end of the 10 days, Daniel and his 3 friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who were eating the assigned food".
Is fasting magical? Is the outcome always miraculous like in this situation for Daniel and his friends? Not necessarily. It is more about surrender. The Daniel Fast or any partial or full fast is a helpful way to focus on God. When we change our habits to not rely on the comforts of food, it can be a reminder (physical hunger or habit of eating) that we need to rely on God. We know that true satisfaction is found only in Christ. It is important that our motives for fasting are for the right reasons.
In the New Testament, Jesus fasted for 40 days. This prepared Him for the beginning of ministry. Remember though, after he prayed and fasted for 40 days, satan tried to tempt Him to surrender to him. Read Matthew 4 1-11 for more about this time of prayer, fasting and temptation by satan.
During this 10 day time of prayer and fasting, please choose the fasting you feel the Lord leading you to do. You can do a partial fast (like the Daniel Fast) or a complete fast (make sure you have medical clearance to do so). You might also choose to fast from something other than food or food and something else (ex: social media).
The most important part is that you are seeking the Lord, spending time with Him in prayer (alone and corporately), listening for His voice and obeying what He says. We look forward to what the Lord will do in and through this time of fasting and prayer.
*Each day the church building will be open for anyone (congregation and community) to come to pray.
Below you will find the dates, focused of prayer for that day, Scripture to read (with a link to the Scripture) as well as the hour the church will be open on that date.
Biblical fasting is something that was very common throughout Scripture, both in the Old and New Testament. It is a way of humbling ourselves and intentionally seeking more of God. The 10-day fast is commonly based on the Daniel 1 passage where Daniel had been practicing what we call a partial fast. He abstained from rich food and meat He basically only ate vegetables and drank water. For more details about what the traditional Daniel fast includes check out the link (Daniel Fast).
Daniel's fast in Daniel chapter 1 was in response to King Nebuchadnezzar's plan to select "only strong, healthy and good-looking young men" and to make sure they are "well-versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good sense and have the poise needed to serve in the royal palace" (verse 4). The king then "assigned them a daily ration of the best food and wine from his own kitchens" (verse 5). This was to go on for 3 years before deciding who would be selected to serve as the King's advisors. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were chosen to go through this process. Verse 8 says, "But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given by the King. He asked permission to eat other things". Although this went way outside of what was permitted (because the official was afraid they would look pale and weak from only eating vegetables and drinking water), Daniel asked if the four of them could be given only vegetables and water and tested during that time to see how they looked in comparison to the other young men who were eating the rich food provided by the King's kitchen. Verse 15 tells us that "at the end of the 10 days, Daniel and his 3 friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who were eating the assigned food".
Is fasting magical? Is the outcome always miraculous like in this situation for Daniel and his friends? Not necessarily. It is more about surrender. The Daniel Fast or any partial or full fast is a helpful way to focus on God. When we change our habits to not rely on the comforts of food, it can be a reminder (physical hunger or habit of eating) that we need to rely on God. We know that true satisfaction is found only in Christ. It is important that our motives for fasting are for the right reasons.
In the New Testament, Jesus fasted for 40 days. This prepared Him for the beginning of ministry. Remember though, after he prayed and fasted for 40 days, satan tried to tempt Him to surrender to him. Read Matthew 4 1-11 for more about this time of prayer, fasting and temptation by satan.
During this 10 day time of prayer and fasting, please choose the fasting you feel the Lord leading you to do. You can do a partial fast (like the Daniel Fast) or a complete fast (make sure you have medical clearance to do so). You might also choose to fast from something other than food or food and something else (ex: social media).
The most important part is that you are seeking the Lord, spending time with Him in prayer (alone and corporately), listening for His voice and obeying what He says. We look forward to what the Lord will do in and through this time of fasting and prayer.
*Each day the church building will be open for anyone (congregation and community) to come to pray.
Below you will find the dates, focused of prayer for that day, Scripture to read (with a link to the Scripture) as well as the hour the church will be open on that date.
1/20/2025
PRAY FOR SELF AND CONGREGATION TO FULLY SURRENDER TO THE WILL OF THE LORD
JAMES 4:7-8
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 8AM-9AM
PRAY FOR SELF AND CONGREGATION TO FULLY SURRENDER TO THE WILL OF THE LORD
JAMES 4:7-8
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 8AM-9AM
1/21/2025
PRAY FOR PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
1 PETER 2:24
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 6AM-7AM
PRAY FOR PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
1 PETER 2:24
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 6AM-7AM
1/22/2025
ASK THE LORD TO HELP YOU/CONGREGATION BE OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD AND TO WHAT HE IS SPEAKING
1 SAMUEL 15:22
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 12 Noon-1PM
ASK THE LORD TO HELP YOU/CONGREGATION BE OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD AND TO WHAT HE IS SPEAKING
1 SAMUEL 15:22
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 12 Noon-1PM
1/23/2025
PRAY FOR POWERFUL INDIVIDUAL/CORPORATE REVELATION AND BREAKTHROUGH
ACTS 14:1-3
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 2PM-3PM
PRAY FOR POWERFUL INDIVIDUAL/CORPORATE REVELATION AND BREAKTHROUGH
ACTS 14:1-3
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 2PM-3PM
1/24/2025
PRAY WE ARE READY FOR WHAT THE LORD DESIRES FOR US TO DO (INDIVIDUALLY AND CORPORATELY)
JEREMIAH 29:11-13
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 9AM-10AM
PRAY WE ARE READY FOR WHAT THE LORD DESIRES FOR US TO DO (INDIVIDUALLY AND CORPORATELY)
JEREMIAH 29:11-13
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 9AM-10AM
1/25/2025
PRAY FOR THE LORD TO OPEN DOORS NONE OF US COULD OPEN AND CLOSE THOSE THAT ARE NOT FOR US
PROVERBS 3:5-6
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 6PM-7PM
PRAY FOR THE LORD TO OPEN DOORS NONE OF US COULD OPEN AND CLOSE THOSE THAT ARE NOT FOR US
PROVERBS 3:5-6
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 6PM-7PM
1/26/2025
PRAY FOR THE CHURCH TO EFFECTIVELY REACH THE COMMUNITY
PSALM 96
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER BEFORE AFTER MORNING SERVICE
PRAY FOR THE CHURCH TO EFFECTIVELY REACH THE COMMUNITY
PSALM 96
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER BEFORE AFTER MORNING SERVICE
1/27/2025
PRAY FOR UNITY AMONG FERGUSON COMMUNITY CHURCHES
EPHESIANS 4:2-3
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 5PM-6PM
PRAY FOR UNITY AMONG FERGUSON COMMUNITY CHURCHES
EPHESIANS 4:2-3
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 5PM-6PM
1/29/2025
PRAY FOR THE MISSOURI DISTRICT LEADERSHIP AND PASTORS
EPHESIANS 1:15-23
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 6PM-7PM
(prayer service and breaking of fast together)
PRAY FOR THE MISSOURI DISTRICT LEADERSHIP AND PASTORS
EPHESIANS 1:15-23
CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER 6PM-7PM
(prayer service and breaking of fast together)
