A CALL TO PRAY AND FAST

John 13:3 (NIV) “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Oftentimes in a season of fasting and prayer, we can expect breakthrough or increase in our lives. However, this passage is such a strong reminder that despite what happens in our lives, the posture of our hearts should always be towards humility, and how can we serve those around us? Jesus came to serve, and he reminds us even in some of His last moments with the disciples.

Matthew 11:12 (NIV) “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people take it by force.”

Those who actively pursue the Kingdom of Heaven will certainly take hold of it!

What is the difference between a moving train and the Kingdom of Heaven? While a train doesn’t allow people to just jump on board the side of the train while it’s moving, the Kingdom of Heaven is clear about “those who take it by force.” One of these ways is through prayer and fasting. If you are fasting..expect to be moved!

Psalm 73:28 (NIV) “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

God wants to be with us — that’s why He sent His Son to die on our behalf, so that we could have relationship with Him. If you are in a season where you feel troubled, challenged, or brokenearted, let this Psalm be a reminder that God’s nearness = our good. Amen.

Psalms 73:25 (NIV) “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

As we continue in this season of prayer and fasting, be reminded that He is the only portion. He is the only One who can satisfy, who can sustain, and who can be our source of life. If you are in a place of desperation in this season — look to Him!

Matthew 4:4 (NIV)  ^“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

In this season of fasting and praying, it is such a crucial time to be reminded of the heart behind it: we depend on Him for everything. When we pray and fast and seek the Lord, we are reminded that He is the One holding our lives together. Amen.

Joshua 3:5 (NIV) “Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

As we let God take priority in our lives, He will surely fill those spaces and empty places with His Holy Spirit. He will increase our capacity for more as we continue to make room for more of Him. Let Him do the work He wants to do. It is time for more.

John 14:6 (NIV) “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

This concept that Jesus was talking about in this passage is much deeper than we initially think. God, teach us to walk in your ways. Teach us to walk in the path of the righteous. Jesus is talking about more than just identity — He is telling us to fix our eyes on Him, because in Him there is all we need.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

As we continue to fast and pray in this season, the joy of the Lord is in the fulfillment of His word and in the fulfillment of His promises. We see this firsthand in the story of Jesus: for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. His road was paved with obedience. In Him is the fullness of joy!

Romans 12:1 (TPT) “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.”

As we continue to hand things over to the Lord in this season, the act of being “living sacrifices” unto Him are truly in the everyday. Reminding ourselves to focus on the Lord, and releasing fear, pride, gossip, and any issues of the heart, to Him. When we surrender all, He can come in and do the work He wants to do.

During this season of fasting and prayer, our awareness of our desperate need for God has only increased. There is only so much we can do on our strength and power. We desperately need the presence of God and the Holy Spirit to lead our lives. It is so much better when He leads our lives, and not our own flesh.

Matthew 5:6 (NIV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

We want to desire God more than we ever have before.

Physically, when we are depriving ourselves of food and water, we are constantly thinking of the food we crave (that we cannot have). How much more if we could be overtaken by our hunger for the Lord? Our prayer is that our everyday living would be overcome by the One who is our daily bread and true source of life. Amen.

Colossians 3:1 (NIV) “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

This season of fasting and praying is such an incredible opportunity to fix our eyes on Him, refocus, and draw closer to Him as the things of this world will continue to fade.

When we’re hungry and thirsty, we do things we wouldn’t usually do. In Daniel, the Hebrews refused to bow down and stop seeking the Lord. Instead, they had hearts filled with boldness. We pray you would be filled with a fresh boldness as you continue to fast and pray in this season. Open our eyes to see those who are hungry and thirsty for more of God. Help us be bold in our prayer for others to encounter you. Come and reveal yourself, Lord. Amen.

John 15:4 (NIV) “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

During this specific season of prayer and fasting, we bless your ability to abide in Jesus. We pray you would draw closer to Him as you abide in Him, hear His voice, and continue to ask His presence to fill your lives. Amen.

In Matthew 20 (The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard), all of the workers were paid the same amount. If you happened to be joining in late in this season of prayer and fasting together, it is not too late — there is more available for everyone!

Psalm 31:1 (NIV) “In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. ² Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. ³ Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me."

Psalm 31:14 “But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
¹⁵ My times are in your hands;”

In this season of praying and fasting, we are trusting God all the more. He is faithful to His word, true to His promise, and will do exceedingly more than anything we could ever ask for!

2 Kings 2:4 (NIV) “Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

³ Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. ⁴ Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

What if we are in a season of gathering jars — could be small, could feel insignificant — and bringing them to Him. As we make space for more of Him in our lives, He pours out more than enough.

James 5:16 (NIV) “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

The reminder that Elijah was as human as we are, but he prayed earnestly knowing his prayers were powerful. Our prayer is that we become more dependent upon Him, and that our prayers would prepare the ground for what God wants to do in us, and more importantly in His the Body of Christ. Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV) “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Although we may not know how long our difficulties, trials, and tribulations may endure, the Lord is true to His word and He is mighty to save! Stand firm in hope, faith, and steadfast in love as we trust in the Lord for this year in 2026!

Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, God’s goodness and faithfulness remains the same. Through Jesus, we have been set free. He has already purchased our freedom!

Just by drawing near and getting closer to God, miracles can happen and circumstances can change.

Proximity can unlock power.

Whether it’s example of the woman with the issue of blood who just needed to get in proximity of Jesus - just a touch of His presence, or whether it is being like Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, when we draw close to Him, He draws close to us.

Luke 10:39 “She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worriedand upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Isaiah 6:3-7 (NIV) “And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” ⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. ⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” ⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

As we continue to pray and fast in this season, the reminder that staying in a place of humility positions us to receive all that God has for us (and more) is so important.

Matthew 4:1 (ESV) “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

God is the only One who can sustain us. He is the source of life, in Him there is life and He is light! We aren’t fasting and praying to “prove” something to God, but to turn to Him and fill our lives with more of Him.