OVERVIEW

In the most basic form, fasting is abstaining from food. However, there is more to fasting than merely not eating. Fasting is not about getting or receiving something; biblically speaking, fasting is done in response to a serious, grievous, or sacred moment―sin, fear, sickness, needs, threats, uncertainty, preparation, etc. It is realizing our lack of control over a situation or ‘moment’, mourning our inadequacy, and seeking to place our whole being into the presence of God. It is a holistic action that stimulates our heart, mind, soul, and body. Only God forgives, brings peace, heals, provides, protects, gives revelation, etc. It is not about seeking the “end goal”, but simply placing our ‘moment’ into God’s presence to allow him to deal with it―how he deals with it is up to him!

FASTING & FEASTING

Jesus, in response to a question on fasting, stated, “The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” (Luke 5.35). While Jesus was on earth, the kingdom of God was physically present. Now, we live in the in-between, where Jesus is ascended and we await his return―which will be celebrated with a feast (Isa. 25.6-9; Luke 14.1-24; Rev. 19.6-9). Fasting, then, can be seen as craving God’s kingdom (reign) on earth. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6.10). This is not merely a future hope of the kingdom, but a current desire for God’s ruling presence. God’s kingdom is breaking into the present and he uses his Spirit-filled people to reveal and share that kingdom (Rom 14.17-18). When we realize and feel the weight of the brokenness, injustice, and oppression in the world, and we fast in response to its condition, God’s response is to bring his reign of healing, justice, and freedom. Fasting, then, brings us into partnership with God in what he is doing in and around our contexts.

CHOOSING A FAST

1. Full Fast

Full Fasts are when you abstain from all food and drink for a full day―or more. Traditionally, Jewish fasting is from sun-down to sun-down. Examples: Jesus fasting forty days (Matt. 4.2); Paul fasting in response to Jesus (Acts 9.9).

2. Daniel Fast

Daniel Fasts are when you eat only certain foods―fruit, veggies, or nuts―to sustain (not fill) you through the fast period which can last days or weeks (Dan. 1.12, 10.2-3).

3. Intermittent Fast

Intermittent Fasts are when you abstain from food and drink for a certain period of time. This could be from sun-up to sun-down or skipping a meal or two a day. It could go for a day or over multiple days

4. Lenten Fast

Lenten Fast is removing beloved foods or drinks to help to turn attention to God over a number of weeks. This could be the likes of chocolate, soda, or coffee.

5. Soul Fast

Souls Fasts are when you remove some thing from your life for a number of weeks. It might be television, social media, video games, or pleasure reading―anything that can be a distraction from seeking God.

P.R.E.P. DURING A FAST

During your fast, it is important to remember to actually spend time seeking God. Do not feel like it has to be for the entire fast (as in you cannot do anything else), but that you take time during your fasting periods to P.R.E.P.

1. 1. Pray
   2. Read Scripture
   3. Engage in worship
   4. Perceive the leading of the Spirit

OVERVIEW

Lectio Divina is a way of praying Scripture. It literally means “Divine Reading” and allows an individual or group to listen, meditate, and pray their way through short passages of the Bible. It slows down our typically rushed reading, allowing us to chew and savor it in a personal and applicable way. Lectio is not to be confused with Bible study, nor is it intended to replace Bible study. It is about our heart, not our head; formation, not instruction.

As we practice Lectio, our desire is to conform ourselves to the likeness of Jesus―the Living Word of God. It stresses the belief that Christ is truly present in Scripture, so it can act as a conduit for God to speak to us. The Bible is understood to be incarnational. As Jesus is inseparably man and God; the Bible is inseparably human thought and divine inspiration. It is in this incarnate state that the Bible speaks to us in our humanity and calls us to be conformed to Jesus’ likeness.

When Lectio is done within a narrative passage, it can be beneficial during reading to connect to one of the characters in the story. If you are in a group setting, and not the reader, close your eyes and imagine you are in the scene. Who do you most connect with? What happens or is said to the character which connects you to them?

KEY FEATURES

1. Recognition that the text is a gift given, not a problem to solve.
2. In order to receive what the text has, it must be read slowly.
3. It is a way of prayer…

• • • Before reading―pray.
    • During reading―allow the reading to move you from meditation into prayer.
    • After reading―keep a phrase in mind so that prayerful reading becomes prayerful living.

PERSONAL LECTIO

• Find someplace comfortable to sit and remove any distractions (phone, tv, etc.)―play soft, quiet music if there are any distracting noises.
• Take three slow, deep breaths.
• Pray: “God, speak to me through this passage of your divine word.”
• Slowly begin reading:
  • • First Reading ― Listen
      • (Pause)
    • Second Reading ― Ponder
      • (Pause)
    • Third Reading ― Pray

{See below for an example of a personal Lectio}

GROUP LECTIO

1. One person reads the passage slowly.
2. Each person identifies a word or phrase that catches their attention―write it down.
3. Anyone who desires to can share the word or phrase around the group (no discussion).
4. Another person reads the passage slowly (From a different translation, if possible).
5. Each person identifies where this passage impacts their life today―write it down.
6. Anyone who desires to can share (no discussion).
7. The passage is read a third time slowly (Another reader and translation if possible).
8. Each person names or writes: “From what I’ve heard and shared, what do I believe God wants me to do or be? Is God inviting me to change in any way?”
9. Each shares their answer.
10. Each prays for the person on their right, naming what was shared in other steps.

OVERVIEW

Daily Prayer Commitment: 5 min

Blessing Prayer is a prayer practice that differs from intercession in that we are not speaking to God about a person or place but are calling down the reign and presence of God over that person or place in Jesus’ name. The Bible is full of blessings and calls to bless (Gen. 12.1-3; Num. 6.24-27; Luke 6.28; Rom. 12.14). The act of blessing to benefit others. As priests of God, we have the God-given capability to bless—which is one of the most precious gifts God has given us.

When we speak a blessing, we are not just saying idle words, we are speaking goodness for that person. We’re standing in God’s presence as one of his chosen people and priests, welcoming His goodness and the power of His name into the life of another. In blessing, we are asking God to bring about those good things that only He can.

CHOOSE YOUR PEOPLE

Use the page below to map your context and prayerfully consider who to bless.

BLESSING PRAYER

Begin praying blessings over the 5 people you have chosen. These can be spoken over others while you are with them or indirectly spoken over them while praying for them when you are apart. Example:

“Today, by the authority that God has given me as a son/daughter of the King, I bless   names of people   with peace, hope, faith, and generosity. I bless their families to flourish, their work to be fruitful, and their lives to be a blessing to those around them.”

B.L.E.S.S.

Utilize the B.L.E.S.S. acronym to pray for those God is calling you to love. When you bless, you are authoritatively and holistically declaring God’s favor in their lives. Take different days to pray blessing over various areas of their life.

• • • B (Body): Bless health, protection, strength
    • L (Labor): Bless work, security, provision, reward
    • E (Emotional): Bless joy, peace, hope, love
    • S (Social): Bless relationships—family, friends, etc.
    • S (Spiritual): Bless salvation, revelation of God

OVERVIEW

Daily Prayer Commitment: 5-10min

The 30-Day Prayer Calendar is an amazing way to begin a daily prayer habit of praying for others. It was introduced by David and Paul Watson in their book Contagious Disciple Making. It only takes about five minutes a day, but can easily turn into a movement of prayer that grows into many hours of prayer a month!

PREPARE

• • • Use the template below, make your own from a sheet of paper, or use a calendar (electronic allows for reminders).
    • Write the name of a person on each numbered line, beginning with those closest to you, who would be most likely to answer a phone call or return a text. (Include those who might join you in disciple-making efforts or might make their own prayer calendars in the future).

PRAY

Each day, look at your list or calendar and call/text the person noted for the day (If it is the 2nd, call/text the person on line 2). This exchange will take ~5 minutes:

• • • Let them know you will be praying for them throughout the day―If they are someone who would like to join you, explain the Prayer Calendar to them.
    • Ask them if there is anything specific that they need prayer for.
    • If you are talking to the person: ask if you can pray for them right now. If you are texting with them: write out your prayer or send a voice message.
    • Ask them if they will let you know when God answers their prayer.

MULTIPLY

After a few months, invite three people (or more!) on your list to start their own prayer calendars. Teach them how you set up your prayer calendar and then follow up by periodically asking them how it is going. Don’t forget to ask if they have any great stories of how God is working. By sharing stories of what God is doing, we encourage and inspire one another.

If three of the people on your calendar start their own calendars, and they each invite three more people who also start calendars, you move from 2.5 hours of prayer to 32.5 hours of prayer and from 30 to over 300 people being prayed for each month. Can you imagine how this increased prayer could transform a local church?

The discipline of a prayer calendar helps to create connections between people in the body of Christ. More people will be interested in starting a prayer calendar when they hear about answers to prayers. As relationships develop and answered prayers are shared, a prayer calendar can create more and more momentum for prayer.

The prayer calendar is a small habit to start, but it can have a profound impact over time. As people continue to reach out to others, ordinary miracles will begin to happen. Their hearts become more and more oriented toward impacting others for Christ. When this happens, you have the beginning of a prayer movement!

MORE CALENDARS

Create calendars for specific people groups in your life and add calendars if you are able:

• • • Extended Family Members
    • Neighbors
    • Co-workers
    • Non-believers

OVERVIEW

Daily Prayer Commitment: ~1min
As disciple makers we want to take to heart Jesus’ command to, “Ask the Lord of the harvest… to send out workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10.2; Matt. 9.38). We want to see people arise and go into the places we live, work, and play to be on mission, share the gospel, and make disciples. Disciples do not have to leave the confines of their city, or even neighborhood, to be sent out into the harvest.

CONTEXT

Jesus sends out the Twelve (Luke 9.1-9), then sends out the Seventy-Two (Luke 10.1-24) to prepare the way and proclaim the kingdom of God drawing near. Jesus observes, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” He acknowledges the need for more people to prepare and proclaim, so he commands his disciples to “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

• • • There is a great harvest ready for the picking, but far too few workers.
    • The Lord is ready to answer the prayer and send people out all over the world.
    • We are not wanting people to be persuaded or convinced to go, but for motivated disciple makers who want to see God’s kingdom on earth.
    • Harvesting is entering into the Lord’s field; where he is already at work!

THE PRAYER

• • • Set an alarm to go off at 10:02 or 9:38 (from Matthew’s version) every day.
  • • Simply pray: “Lord of the harvest, send out workers into your harvest field. Amen.”
  • • Invite others to join with you in this prayer.

TIPS

Although this is a simple prayer, do not think it is insignificant. It is ultimately praying scripture and following a command of Jesus which in no way is weak!

Try to focus on simple geographic areas, especially areas that you are close to: where you live, work, or play. That way you can see the answer to this prayer.

This is not a one-time prayer. Think of Luke 18 (The Parable of the Persistent Widow) and continue with it.