21 Days of Prayer + Fasting
Praying for Our Church — As God Shapes Our Hearts
What is fasting?
“Simply stated, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.”
- Jentezen Franklin, Fasting
Fasting is abstaining from food to focus on God. If you’ve ever wanted to go deeper in your walk with God, but haven’t been sure how, fasting is a way to start fresh and dive in.
FASTING IS A NORMAL SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
In His most famous sermon, Jesus gives instruction on how His followers are to give, pray, and fast. He assumes these disciples are already part of their lives and focuses instead on the heart and the purpose behind them — seeking God.
“So when you give to the needy, …”"
”And when you pray, …”
”When you fast, …”
— Jesus, Matthew 5:2a, 5a, 16a (NIV)
Taking time out of your schedule to stop eating — and instead spending that time praying — creates a guaranteed space to focus on God.
Throughout Scripture, we see many examples of fasting, both personal and corporate (Daniel 9:3; Nehemiah 1:4; 2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Esther 4:16; Ezra 8:21; Acts 13:2-3).
Types of Fasts
Partial fasts involve giving up particular foods for an extended period of time (see Daniel 1:8-16 and Daniel 10:2-3). This can also include skipping a specific meal — breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Absolute fasts involve going entirely without eating or drinking for a period of time (Esther 4:16; Ezra 10:6).
In the Bible, fasting was always about abstaining from food. It reveals how dependent we are on it — and choosing to set it aside and spend that time with God helps ensure our focus remains on Him.
FASTING ALTERNATIVES
That said, we encourage you to start small and not push yourself to extremes, especially if feasting is new for you.
There may also be health reasons that lead you to choose a different type of fast. in those cases, you may fast from screen time, social media, or other distractions. The key is that you are using that time to pray, not simply avoiding an activity and filling the time with something else.
Fasting is about intentionally filling that space with the Lord.
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AS WE BEGIN
So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.
— Ezra 8:23 (NLT)
We know that prayer changes things. When God’s people pray for His Church, He answers!
(Luke 18:1-8; Galatians 6:9; Colossians 4:2; James 5:16-18)
We believe God will answer our prayers as we fast and seek Him during these 21 days!
(2 Chronicles 20; Daniel 10:12; Joshua 14:10-12)
We also believe that we are engaging in real spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) and planting spiritual seed for prayers that God desires to answer not only during these 21 days, but over the next 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and beyond — for our lives personally, our church corporately, and our world globally.
Let’s seek the Lord together.
— The Pastoral Team at First Assembly
Daily Prayer Focus
Setting Our Focus: Seeking God First
Scripture: Matthew 6:16-21
Ask God to realign our hearts toward eternal treasure, not temporary reward.
Pray that our church would begin these 21 days with humility, hunger, and expectancy.
Commit to your fasting plan and ask God to meet us as we seek Him together.
01
Waiting on the Lord
Scripture: John 15:1-8; Psalm 27:4, 13-14
Pray that our church would learn to abide in Christ, not rush ahead of Him.
Ask God to deepen our trust as we wait on His timing and direction.
Pray for patience, clarity, and renewed strength as we remain connected to Him.
02
Connect to God
Scripture: Acts 2:42; John 4:23-24
Pray that our church would grow deeper in worship, prayer, and discipleship.
Ask God to stir a fresh hunger for His presence and His word.
Pray that connection to God would be the foundation of everything we do.
03
Love Others
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47; John 13:34-35
Pray that our church would be marked by genuine love, unity, and compassion.
Ask God to help us see one another the way Christ sees us.
Pray that our love would be a witness to those watching from the outside.
04
Reach the World
Scripture: Acts 1:8, 2:47
Pray that our church would carry the gospel beyond our walls - locally and globally.
Ask God to give us boldness and opportunities to share our faith.
pray for a renewed burden for lost people near and far from us.
05
Spirit-Driven
Scripture: Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:25
Pray that our church would be led by the Holy Spirit in power and obedience.
Ask God to sharpen our sensitivity to His voice and His leading.
Pray for Spirit-empowered lives, ministries, and decisions.
06
Committed to the Next Generation
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 78:4
Pray for our kids, youth, and young adult ministries.
Ask God to raise up faith in the next generation.
Pray for parents, leaders, and volunteers who disciple young hearts.
***volunteers?
07
Church Leaders + Volunteers
Scripture: Mark 10:45; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Pray for our pastors, leaders, and volunteers to serve with joy and strength.
Ask God to protect them spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Pray that many in our church would step into serving with willing hearts.
08
Local Missions + Our Community
Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16; Jeremiah 29:7
Pray for Freehold Twp. and the surrounding communities.
Ask God to use our church as a light through outreach, compassion, and presence.
Pray for partners like Freehold Open Door and EHAP to be strengthened and effective.
09
Relevant
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Pray that our faith would be lived out clearly in today’s world.
Ask God to help us represent Christ well at work, school, and home.
Pray that our church would hold truth firmly while engaging culture wisely.
10
Bible-Based
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105
Pray that God’s Word would shape our beliefs, actions, and decisions.
Ask God to make us biblically literate and gospel-fluent.
Pray for a deeper love for Scripture across our entire church.
11
Christians Worldwide + The Persecuted Church
Scripture: Hebrews 13:3; Ephesians 6:18; Revelation 2:10
Pray for believers facing persecution for their faith.
Ask God to strengthen, protect, and encourage the global church.
Pray that we would never take our freedom to worship for granted.
12
Global + Current Events
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Proverbs 21:1
Pray for wisdom and peace in our nation and world.
Ask God to move in situations we read about, but feel powerless to change.
Pray that our first response would be prayer, not fear or outrage.
13
Global Missions
Scripture: Matthew 9:37-38; Romans 10:14-15
Pray for the missionaries and ministries our church supports worldwide.
Ask God to provide protection, resources, and fruitfulness.
Pray for open doors in difficult regions and for our hearts that are ready to receive the Gospel.
14
Our Families
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Colossians 1:28
Pray for marriages, children, and extended family members.
Ask God to strengthen faith in every generation.
Pray for God’s grace and presence in every season of family life.
15
Our Friendships (Intercession)
Scripture: Romans 10:1; 1 Timothy 2:4
Lift up specific friends by name who need Christ.
Pray that God would draw them to salvation and truth.
Ask God to work in their hearts in ways only He can.
16
Intentional Discipleship
Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 4:11-16
Pray that our church would help people grow to spiritual maturity.
Ask God to use groups, mentoring, and teaching to shape lives.
Pray that we would become more like Jesus in every way.
17
Healing + Miracles
Scripture: James 5:14-16; Isaiah 53:5
Pray for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing.
Ask God to demonstrate His power and compassion among us.
Pray for faith to believe God still heals today.
18
Thanksgiving
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 107:1
Thank God for His faithfulness to our church.
Reflect on answered prayers and ongoing grace.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help cultivate a grateful heart in every circumstance
19
Surrender to God’s Will
Scripture: Luke 22:42; Proverbs 3:5-6
Pray for our hearts to be fully yielded to God’s plans.
Ask God to remove any resistance and replace it with trust.
Surrender personal agendas to His greater purpose.
20
Personal Renewal + Holiness
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 51:10; Galatians 2:20
Ask God to renew your heart and mind.
Pray for a holy life that reflects Christ.
Commit yourself afresh to living a life fully surrendered to Jesus.