January 13 - February 3 (21 days)

1. Take the Challenge: Make a commitment to fast and pray for 21 days—January 13 - February 3 (21 days)—I’m talking about a biblical fast.
   
   Definition of biblical fast: Denying yourself food for a spiritual reason for a particular period of time to see the hand of God move miraculously in your life.
   
   
2. Know why you are fasting: The reason of the fast is the most important thing. Why are you fasting? What are you asking God to do? The need for taking the time to concentrate on the things of God in an urgent way is important. It is our way of letting God know that we are serious about the requests we are bringing to him.
   
   “Jesus replied, ‘This kind (of miracle) can only come out by prayer (and fasting).’”  Mark 9: 29
   
   Jesus began his earthly ministry with a 40 day fast (Matthew 4). Reasons to fast:  **Spiritual growth, finances, marriage, job (direction), losing or have lost your house, relationships with kids, family or friends addicted to drugs, alcohol or sexual addictions, severe health issues, Covid 19—physical issues—spiritual decline in your walk with God-apathy (you need encouragement, strength, depth, passion, purpose and direction), fear, anxiety, discontentment, discouragement, depression, losing heart, loneliness, un-forgiveness, grief and despair, loved ones or friends who need salvation, peace in our country, strength to fast, strength and encouragement to fulfill your New Year’s resolutions (goals and dreams), and more.
   
   
3. Our faith and hope are in our Lord; who hears and answers our prayers.  “A vast army is coming against you…Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.’ As they began to sing…”   2 Chronicles 20
   
   Because the people of God went to God and fasted—he heard and answered their prayer and gave them a victory beyond what they had hoped! God wants to do the same for you today. The hope is for God to do a miracle in your life—direct your life—answer a prayer that can only come from his hand!
   
   “Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, ‘Seek my face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek." ~Psalm 27:7-8
   
   There is great power in believing. Do you believe that Jesus can do that for you today? I believe that spending time with the Lord can give you the needed faith to believe. It’s true that it’s hard to understand it all—I know I don’t. But I do know that, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). So, faith matters!
   
   
4. The instruction on how to fast:  “At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.” Daniel 10:2-3
   
   

2 TYPES OF FAST:

1. Normal  fast: Going without food for a period of days. Usually drinking lots of water, juices and broth.
   
   
2. Partial  fast: Eliminating meat, bread and sweets, “Daniel’s Fast” above.
   
   Again, the key to fasting is the reason for the fast. What are you fasting for? This is the key to a fast. Spending the time you would eat for time with God. Investing time in prayer and God’s Word is key. From January 10-30 (21 days), I’m asking you to focus on your walk with God—give him all of your life, those impossible things that are happening right now. With life’s many distractions and temptations, you need this time with God. I invite you to join me for these 21 days with God.
   
   If 21 days is too much, decide how many days you will fast. How you implement your fast is between you and God. You can fast one meal or all 3 meals—you can fast partial meals for the 21 days (Daniels fast).
   
   The important thing is to make the decision to fast. I believe this special time with God can change you like nothing else can.
   
   Would you be willing to take the 21 day challenge?
   
   “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:33

One last thing: If you are making the decision to fast, for any time, please let me know by sending me a text or email. I am going to put a list of all of us who are fasting this month together. I will send encourage texts, and we are going meet a couple of times in these 21 days for special prayer.

Pastordwayne@gracepointnaz.net and 760-518-6732 (cell)

Believing God for great things! 

Pastor Dwayne

Note: As part of your fast, I want to encourage you to begin memorizing our new 2025 Memory Verse.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him.”   Colossians 3:17