NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 21 Days of Fasting and Praying Outline/Guide for 2013

REV. CARLOS L. SENIOR, PASTOR

Purpose for Fasting and Praying According to Scripture

Text taken from: Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: An introduction to biblical doctrine (390391). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House. Prayer is often connected with fasting in Scripture. Sometimes these are occasions of intense supplication before God, as when Nehemiah, on hearing of the ruin of Jerusalem, continued fasting and praying before the God of Heaven (Neh. 1:4), or when the Jews learned of the decree of Ahasuerus that they would all be killed, and there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting (Esth. 4:3), or when Daniel sought the LORD by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes (Dan. 9:3). At other times fasting is connected with repentance, for God says to the people who have sinned against him, Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning (Joel 2:12). In the New Testament, Anna was worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day (Luke 2:37) in the temple, and the church at Antioch was worshiping the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them (Acts 13:2). The church responded with further fasting and prayer before sending Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey: Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:3). In fact, fasting was a routine part of seeking the Lords guidance with regard to church officers, for on Pauls first missionary journey, we read that he and Barnabas, as they traveled back through the churches they had founded, appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting (Acts 14:23). So fasting appropriately accompanied prayer in many situations: in times of intensive intercession, repentance, worship, and seeking of guidance. In each of these situations, several benefits come from fasting, all of which affect our relationship to God: (1) Fasting increases our sense of humility and dependence on the Lord (for our hunger and physical weakness continually remind us how we are not really strong in ourselves but need the Lord). (2) Fasting allows us to give more attention to prayer (for we are not spending time on eating), and (3) it is a continual reminder that, just as we sacrifice some personal comfort to the Lord by not eating, so we must continually sacrifice all of ourselves to him. Moreover, (4) fasting is a good exercise in self-discipline, for as we refrain from eating food, which we would ordinarily desire, it also strengthens our ability to refrain from sin, to which we might otherwise be tempted to yield. If we train ourselves to accept the small suffering of fasting willingly, we will be better able to accept other suffering for the sake of righteousness (cf. Heb. 5:8; 1 Peter 4:12). (5) Fasting also heightens spiritual and mental alertness and a sense of Gods presence as we focus less on the material things of this world (such as food) and as the energies of our body are freed from digesting and processing food. This enables us to focus on eternal spiritual realities that are much more important. Finally, (6) fasting expresses earnestness and urgency in our prayers: if we continued to fast, eventually we would die. Therefore, in a symbolic way, fasting says to God that we are prepared to lay down our lives that the situation be changed rather than that it continue. In this sense fasting is especially appropriate when the spiritual state of the church is low. Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. (Joel 2:1213a) Though the New Testament does not specifically require that we fast, or set special times when we must fast, Jesus certainly assumes that we will fast, for he says to his disciples, And when you fast (Matt. 6:16). Moreover, Jesus also says, The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast (Matt. 9:15). He is the Bridegroom, we are his disciples, and during this present church age he has been taken away from us until the day he returns. Most western Christians do not fast, but, if we were willing to fast more regularlyeven for one or two mealswe might be surprised how much more spiritual power and strength we would have in our lives and in our churches.

NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 21 Days of Fasting and Praying Outline/Guide for 2013
January will be a month dedicated to fasting and praying on specific focuses for the New Hope Church Family. The purpose of the praying and fasting is: to acknowledge the issues that exist in our lives, communicate directly to God about the issues, and allow God to bring a resolution to the issues. Please join us in 21 days of fasting and praying starting January 11 through January 31. We will fast for 21 days and pray daily for one hour on each monthly topic. If God leads you to do more, please follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Before fasting, please consult with your physician to ensure it wont cause any health problems if you plan on doing a food fast. Here are examples of fasting that can be done: Traditional Fasting: Daniels Fast which consist of eating only vegetables, fruit, some type of protein and drinking water & fruit juices. General Fasting: This is where you give up things that you enjoy doing or that are pleasurable to you, i.e. TV, video games, shopping, social media, telephone, certain types of food. Combinational Fasting: A combination of the first two bullets - a Daniels Fast and a General Fast where you give up something.

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Dedicated Prayer Line

There will be a daily prayer line open at 7:30 a.m. 7:40 a.m. Monday thru Saturday. Someone will be designated to be on the line to facilitate the prayer focus of that days topic, discuss the bullet points and then pray collectively for the church.

To access the daily prayer line:

Free Conference Call Conference Dial-in Number: (559) 546-1000 Participant Access Code: 603486# Participant: When prompted, enter the assigned access code, followed by the # key. Once connected to the free conference call, please mute your phone. The facilitator will announce themselves and will start the prayer focus for that day. ================================================================================

Dedicated Prayer Services at the Church:

There will be specified prayer services at The Hope during the 21 days of fasting. The dates are as follows:

Day 5 Day 12 Day 14

January 15th Healing Service 6:30pm January 22nd Praying Service 6:30pm th January 24 Being Persistent in Prayer 6:30pm

Day

Date

Facilitator

Prayer Focus

Scripture/Passages

Day 1

Friday, January 11

Pastor Senior

Moses' prayer for the Israelites

Exodus 32:7-14

Day 2

Saturday, January 12

Rev. Shepherd Hannah's Prayer 1 Samuel 1:9-18

Scripture Points Interceding for congregational sin 1. Turned from HIS commands (What has HE commanded the church to do?) 2. Made for themselves idols (How pure is our worship?) A Prayer for new birth 1. A prayer for a fertile ministry 2. A prayer for a righteous seed Asking God to intercede against the enemies of faith 1. Laying letters on the altar 2. City of Men versus the City of GOD Rededicate the church 1. Petition - that GOD would choose this place 2. People would come there to make their sacrifice of time, talent and treasure 3. That this would be a place of restoration Prayer for Healing 1. Diagnosis, Prognosis, Petition and Remission 2. Laying on of hands Ministers, Deacons, Deaconess

Day 3

Sunday, January 13

Emphasized during Worship Service

Hezekiah's prayer about the king of Assyria

2 Kings 19:14-19

Day 4

Monday, January 14

Min. Chris Graham

God promises to hear prayers from the temple

2 Chronicles 7:1118

Day 5 Day 6

Tuesday, January 15 Wednesd

Sis. Mayo McCall

Hezekiah's prayer for health Nehemiah's prayer

2 Kings 20:1-11 Nehemiah 1:4-11

Sis. Sonya Graham ay, January 16

Day 7

Thursday, January 17

Min. Eric Hall David's prayer of repentance Psalm 51:1-19

and Ministry leaders with a heart for GOD's people (Continued on next page) 1. A burden for the things of GOD 2. A burden for the people of GOD 3. Moved to: Pray / Praise / Repent / Commit / Build / Heal the hurt / Meet needs Leader's with a heart for personal holiness 1. Leaders who confess their sin 2. Leaders who seek mercy 3. Leaders who are turn away from sin That we would be a people who are sensitive to sin 1. A congregation that confesses sin 2. who seek mercy 3. who turn away from sin
That we would overcome the enemies of prayer 1. Stay faithful 2. Knowing God is in control 3. Have a disciplined prayer life That our hearts are tuned into GOD's will during prayer 1. Pray sincerely Private & Public 2. Be honestly persistent Before

Day 8

Friday, January 18

Pastor Senior

God refuses to answer the prayers of a wicked people

Isaiah 1:10-17

Day 9

Saturday, January 19 Sunday, January 20

Rev. William Shepherd

Daniel's practice of prayer

Daniel 6:1-12

Day 10

The Lord's Prayer Emphasized during

Mathew 6:5-15

Worship Service Monday, January 21 Tuesday, January 22 Wednesd ay, January 23

Day 11

Min. Chris Graham Sis. Mayo McCall

Jesus curses the fig tree

Matthew 21:18-22

you start to pray, make sure you mean what you say That we would pray with: 1. Expectancy 2. Authority 3. Faith That we would pray with: (Continued on next page) 1. frequency 2. intensity 3. time Asking for more of the Spirit, seeking for more, receiving more 1. Keep asking keep getting 2. Keep looking keep finding 3. Knock it shall be opened Praying for more patience in prayer 1. Pray constantly live for Him each day expecting Him to answer 2. We grow in character, faith, and hope when we are persistent in prayer 1. Pray in the authority and power of Christ Jesus 2. Pray according to Gods character and will 3. Pray that we dont use His name like a magic formula to fulfill our selfish desires As disciples 1. We belong to God 2. Pray for God to keep us in His care and safe from

Day 12

Jesus prays in Gethsemane

Mark 14:32-42

Day 13

Sis. Sonya Graham

Ask, Seek, Knock

Luke 11:5-13

Day 14

Thursday, January 24

Min. Eric Hall The persistent widow and the unjust judge Luke 18:1-8

Day 15

Friday, January 25 Saturday, January 26

Pastor Senior

Praying in Jesus' name

John 14:8-14

Day 16

Jesus Prays for His Disciples Rev. William Shepherd

John 17:1-19

Day 17

Sunday, January 27

Emphasized during Worship Service

Jesus Prays for other believers

John 17:20-26

Day 18

Monday, January 28

Min. Chris Graham The Spirit helps believers to pray Romans 8:26-30

Satans power 3. Make us pure and holy as we trust and obey His Holy Word Pray for future believers 1. To be of one heart and mind 2. Work together in humility 3. Serve God in unity and truth Pray for the Holy Spirits help 1. In praying teach us how to pray and what to pray for (Continued on next page) 2. With daily problems God is working everything out for our good Joy of the Saints 1. A prayer of praise for New Hopes growth is good works 2. Pray for overflowing love for each other 3. Keep growing in spiritual knowledge and insight 4. Let us be a source of joy for one another Effective Prayer 1. Faithful Prayer - for spiritual and physical healing 2. Corporate Prayer essential to the life of the church 3. Prayer of confession To

Day 19

Tuesday, January 29

Sis. Mayo McCall

Paul's prayer for the Philippians

Philippians 1:3-11

Day 20

Wednesd ay, January 30

The effective prayer of faith, Sis. Sonya Graham

James 5:13-18

God and to man Day 21 Thursday, January 31 Min. Eric Hall Prayer from a heavenly perspective Revelation 8:1-5 Let our prayers be as a sweet smelling savor as it drifts up with our sincere praise and worship to a Holy God