Prayer & Fasting: A Beginner's GuideSample

Preparation

I was still new to prayer and fasting but had signed up for a 21-day fast with our church. At a service to kick off the fast, a pastor told us that we could break it into three seven-day units and choose to fast something different each week and that we could also pray for different things each day or each week. That presentation made me realize that no two fasts have to look alike and that we can tailor them to our lifestyles.

Completing a time of prayer and fasting boils down to praying, planning, preparing, and executing. In the Old Testament, Esther exemplified this when she sent word to Mordecai with instructions for how the Israelites were to pray and fast and for how long. (Esther 4:15-17)

If we pray and fast corporately with others, we will know the dates and duration beforehand. However, when fasting alone or with a partner, we get to determine when it will happen. Either way, there are many other things to consider as the prayer and fasting time approaches.

Leading up to the start of the fast, we should pray about it. As was stated before, this is not a solo effort. By choosing to do this, we are joining with God in what He is doing, so preparation for prayer and fasting should not be separate from Him. We should pray over the following:

• What, when, and how to fast
• Our prayer list
• The ability to hear God clearly during prayer and fasting
• The ability to stay committed to both prayer and fasting
• What, if anything, should be added to our routines during those days
• How to nourish the body, spirit, and mind during the fast?
• The hope of receiving a life-changing perspective during the time of prayer and fasting
• And, for it to be a beautiful time of communion with God.

Writing all of this down in a unique journal or document will help us keep track of our fast. It will also serve as a reminder in case we forget what we committed to.

Also, once the prayer and fasting time has started, let's leave room for the Holy Spirit to make changes. We may discern that He's directing us to amend specific prayers or add something to the fast. Writing these down and incorporating them into the process shows how dynamic prayer and fasting are!

Praying through and planning all the details of our prayer and fasting increase the likelihood of success. As we write our prayer and fasting plan, it is vital to commit to what we think is achievable. So, let's make the decisions prayerfully!