Day One: Encountering Jesus
PREPARING FOR PRAY FIRST
As we begin the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, we are seeking the Lord for specific things (which will be shared more in the coming days). Certainly, you have things you are asking the Lord to do in your life, or you may not be sure why fasting matters.
If anything, fasting has a way of centering our lives around the things of God. As we minimize our physical need for food or set aside the things that consume our hearts, God will meet us in this time, and we’ll experience his presence, power, and blessing in new and amazing ways.
During this fast, the most important thing we can ask is to know God in a deeper and greater way. Our prayer is that during these next few weeks, we will encounter Jesus, understand His plan and purpose for us, and that the Holy Spirit would overflow in our lives to those around us.
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Abstaining from all food for a specific period, such as from 6 AM to 6 PM or for several days. During this fast, only liquids (water, broth, juice) is consumed.
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Most know this as some form of intermittent fasting. Choosing to skip a particular meal, like breakfast or dinner, to focus on prayer and seeking God.
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Partial does not mean it’s a lesser form of fasting. Choosing to remove specific types of food, such as in the Daniel Fast. In this case, it should be something that would feel like a sacrifice to give up.
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Abstaining from TV, social media, or other technologies for a period of time. This is a great option for those with health issues or who may be new to Biblical fasting.
WHY DO WE FAST?
We want to make prayer and fasting a regular part of Rock City Church. This is the time to take our focus off of our earthly concerns and listen to what God has for us as a church and as individuals.
Fasting is Biblical — Prayer and fasting is practiced regularly through the Bible. We see God’s people in both the Old Testament and New Testament pray and fast in order to seek God’s face and what He is calling them to. Read more about this in Nehemiah 9, Esther 4, and Matthew 4.
Fasting is expected— Jesus, when asked why his disciples didn’t fast, said that “the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” (Matt. 9:15) Notice that Jesus doesn’t say his followers might fast, but they will fast. He leads us as His followers to do the same!
Fasting is not salvific — It is possible to be a follower of Jesus and not practice fasting. It’s not connected to our salvation, and we don’t intend for this to become an issue for anyone. However, we believe it is our responsibility as a church to call each person into their next step and greater walk with Christ; fasting is a key part of that call.
DAY ONE DEVOTIONAL
In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
Encountering Jesus
The greatest thing we can take from this time of prayer and fasting isn’t just answered prayers (although we do hope to experience those!) but having a real encounter with Jesus, getting to know Him and who He is–not just what we think or have been told. This passage teaches us at least three things about Jesus:
Jesus is God (Read John 1 for full context)
Jesus created everything
Jesus is our source of eternal life
Hear From God
Pull out a journal or your notes app, and take a few minutes to reflect on these verses.
Highlight –– Write down part of the Scripture that stood out to you
Explain –– Answer the question, “What is the Bible teaching?” Ask the Holy Spirit for insight, and use the resources below to help.
Apply –– How can you apply this in real life?
Respond –– Use what you’ve learned to pray, write out a next step, or consider who you can share this with.
