The Agape Christian Church 2025 - Our Year of Victory

Prayer & Fasting

Introduction: What is Prayer and Fasting?

Fasting is the one of the most powerful spiritual disciplines of all the Christian disciplines. It is God’s prescribed method of dealing with urgent needs.  How badly do you want an answer? How much do you want a breakthrough and deliverance from the destructive habit, mindset, and addiction? How badly do you need God’s intervention in that situation- marriage, health, ministry, business, relationship, career, purpose/destiny? Do you want it enough to give up food or some other gratifications?  If the answer is yes, then come to God in Prayer and Praise coupled with Fasting. Prayer and fasting is a proven biblical system of advantage for a serious believer in Christ.

Definition: Prayer and fasting is the act of voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with GOD. Drinking of water is recommended; especially, with prolonged days of fasting.  According to medicine, one can live without food for one week, but only three days without water.

Welcome to 2025, our year of victory! This is a declaration of triumph and assurance that God will stand by us and deliver victory in every battle we face.

Our theme for January and February encourages us to move forward in faith and obedience: “Move on! Don’t remain stagnant” (Deuteronomy 2:3-4, NKJV).

This is a clarion call to break free from stagnation, take bold steps, and embrace the great plans God has for our lives in 2025.

As we embark on this 21-day fast, beginning January 3, 2025, let us focus on seeking God’s face, realigning our hearts with His will, and preparing ourselves to walk in victory and purpose. Fasting is not just a religious ritual; it is a spiritual discipline that positions us for breakthroughs, empowerment, and intimacy with God.  As we delve into this season of prayer and fasting, let's explore the significance, tools, environment, and benefits of this powerful spiritual discipline.

Significanceof Prayer and Fasting

Prayer and fasting are vital elements in drawing closer to God, seeking His guidance, and experiencing transformative spiritual breakthroughs. Prayer and fasting allow us to align our hearts with God's will and cultivate a deeper intimacy with Him. The mystery of fasting is a major principle throughout the bible.  It is essential to accessing the infinite possbilities of the Kingdom life.

Generally, Prayer and Fasting facilitate six major purposes:

1.) Purity: Fasting starves the flesh so that the Spirit can be nourished. It facilitates the breaking of the bondage of sin in our lives- Isaiah 58:6; I Cor. 9:27; Matt. 16:24

2.) Revival: Fasting brings an awakening of our spirit-man. It gives you a renewed & constant awareness of God’s presence- Isaiah 58:9, Daniel 9:1-3, Jonah 3:5-10

3.) Guidance/spritiual sensitivity: Fasting facilitates fellowship and intimacy with God; which in turn quickens your senses of interaction with the realm of the spirit, such that you are able to receive guidance and direction by the Spirit- Is. 30:21, II Corinthians 4:18, Is. 40:29-31

4.) Humility/Brokenness: Fasting brings you to a place of brokenness. A place where you see yourself as worth nothing; a place where you absolutely need God in your life- Is. 58:5

5.) Power: During fasting, you experience fresh power to overcome unseen forces militating against you- Is. 58:6, Luke 4:14a, Matthew 17:14-21, II Chronicles 20:1-30

6.) Healing/Deliverance: According to Paavo Ariola(Health expert), “ Fasting is the oldest therapeutic method known to man, even before the advent of medicine & the healing arts.  Man instinctively stopped eating when feeling ill and abstains from food until his health was restored.”  Fasting is the body’s most natural way of getting rid of harmful toxins and causes the mind to think clearly.- Is. 58: 11b&c; Mark 9:28-29.

Tools of Prayer and Fasting:

Prayer: Communication with God through dialogue, supplication, and intercession.

Fasting: Voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with GOD.

Environment of Prayer and Fasting:

Follow the steps below to help you during this month long fasting and praying exercise.

1.) Make a commitment: Pray that God will help you

a.) Limit/restrict certain physical and social activities  

b.) Identify how much time you will devote to prayer and Word of GOD.

2.) Prepare yourself spiritually: The primary foundation of fasting is repentance.  Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers.

3.) Prepare yourself physically: Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first; especially, if you are on prescribed medication or dealing with chronic ailment. Few pointers include:

a) Do not rush into your fast

b) Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat or high-sugar foods.

c) Eat raw vegetable and fruits for two days before engaging in a long fast.

d) Limit your physical & mental activity

e) Avoid medications, even natural herbal medication and homeopathic remedies. Pls consult your physician if your’re on prescribed medication.

f) Exercise moderately and rest your body as much as you can.

g) Prepare yourself for the body’s natural reaction to the new restrictions/conditions- e.g. crankiness, irritability, hunger-pains, dizziness and even headaches, which may be the result of sugar and caffeine withdrawal.  

h) GROOM YOURSELF WELL & SMELL FRESH. Only God should know that you’re fasting.

4.) Prepare yourself mentally: Put yourself on a schedule and be discipline enough to follow the schedule( Avoid Television & Social Media or other distractions that will dampen your spiritual & mental focus): Set aside ample time with God during your fast. The more you spend time alone with Him, the more you will hear Him speak and reveal things to you. Create a dedicated space for prayer, minimizing distractions. Surround yourself with worship music, scripture, and prayer resources.

a.) MORNING:

  • Begin your day in Praise & Worship

  • Read and meditate on God’s Word

  • Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you during the fast

  • Invite the Holy Spirit to possess your spirit, mind, and body complete

b) NOON:

   • Get back to GOD in prayer and God’s Word

   • Take a short prayer walk

c) EVENING:

   • Spend some unhurried alone time in the presence of the Lord just seeking His face

   • If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayers.

   • Log on the Zoom Platform at 7PM each day for a corperate prayer of faith.  

   • Expect results!

Benefits of Prayer and Fasting:

   • Spiritual clarity and discernment (Daniel 9:3).

   • Breakthrough in personal and communal challenges (Matthew 17:21).

   • Strengthening of faith (Mark 9:29).

   • Deliverance from spiritual bondage (Isaiah 58:6).

   • Increased sensitivity to the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2).

Theme for January & February:

"Move on! Don’t remain stagnant” (Deuteronomy 2:3-4)

Motto for 2025:

“And the LORD your God will fight against your enemies and give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4) NLT

PRAYER TOPIC GUIDE FOR CHURCH-WIDE PRAYER & FASTING

Friday, January 3, 2025
Monday, January 6, 2025
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Friday, January 10, 2025
Monday, January 13, 2025
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Friday, January 17, 2025
Monday, January 20, 2025
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Friday, January 24, 2025
Monday, January 27, 2025
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Friday, January 31, 2025