21 Days of Prayer, Fasting & Kindness

For 21 days starting on Ash Wednesday, February 26th, we will gather for prayer and to encourage you to fast. Out of your prayers and fasting, we also invite you to provide a random act of kindness each day during the 21 days.


For the fasting portion of the 21 days, you are welcome to decide the type and duration of your fast. Read below for more information on fasting. 

Kindness

Everyday during our 21 days you are challenged to do at least one random act of kindness. You can buy someones coffee or simply hold the door open for someone. If you would like to share your act of kindness, be sure to post it to your Facebook or Instagram account with the hashtag #blessingNP

Prayer

One way we practice the discipline of prayer is by praying on our own and whenever we get together. In our 21 day journey we will provide additional prayer resources via social media. For more information or tools to help you pray fill out our connect form.

Fasting in the Bible

Fasting is not for fanatics, weight-loss, or manipulating God. In the Bible, fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. In Matthew 6, Jesus reminds us that fasting, like praying and giving, is a normal part of Christian life.


Although fasting uses the practice of taking something away, it is much more about receiving more. Fasting is a spiritual discipline whose primary purpose is to unclutter our life from the things of the world so we might be more sensitive to the things of God.  


Fasting is about being filled with more and more of the presence and power as well as love and joy of the Lord Jesus.  


The prayer of fasting is to experience a breakthrough, a fresh anointing of the Spirit, or a blessing. The Spirit may give us a word of wisdom, clarity about the Father’s will, or a deeper intimacy with Jesus.


3 Types of Fasts

  • Absolute Fast (No Food And No Water)

    This is an extreme fast which should only be done for very short periods of time. We are not recommending an absolute fast this year.

  • Normal Fast (No Food And Lots of Water)

    Depending on the length of a normal fast, some will supplement water with clear broth or juices in order to maintain physical strength. Drink at least one gallon of water per day.

  • Partial Fast (No To Certain Foods And Certain Drinks)

    The partial fast allows most people to engage in a more extended fast if so led by the Holy Spirit. For instance, King David engaged in partial fasts. On one occasion, David refused to eat choice meat and sweets (he ate vegetables and drank water).

Duration of a Fast

The Bible tells us of three-day, seven-day, 21-day, and 40-day fasts as well as half-day and 24-hour fasts. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, engaged in a 24-hour fast every Friday of every week.


During the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting and through all of Lent (February 26 to March 17), we are inviting people to first consult their doctor and then engage in a 21-day partial fast called the “Daniel Fast.” The Daniel Fast eliminates meat, bread, and sweets for 21 days. With your doctor’s approval, this is a fast most of us can engage. We will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 26th.

A Word of Caution

Without daily prayer as well as daily time reading the Bible, fasting is no more than dieting. In other words, there is very little spiritual benefit or blessing. You may pray without fasting, but never, ever fast without praying! If you are not prepared to make the time to pray each day and read/study your Bible each day, then we encourage you to not engage in fasting.