Our next church-wide focus on prayer & fasting at Jersey begins March 5! Explore this page for tips on how to approach this upcoming 40 days of prayer & fasting!
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:20-21
Why we pray
We pray because it is our primary way to communicate with God - it is direct access to God. Prayer is a time to praise God for who He is and what He has done. It is also a time for us to confess and turn from our sins. We can thank God for all he has done as well as spend time praying for the needs of ourselves and others. Prayer can be a time to sit in silence in God’s presence as well as a time to lift our songs of praise. Prayer can be done alone or in groups, in silence or aloud, it can be formal or informal. We pray to develop our trust in the Lord.
Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit's wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.
Ephesians 6:18
Prayer Model
Listed is a Prayer Model suggestion - there are many options this is one example to try.
ACTS
A - Adoration: praising God for who He is
C - Confession: owning our sins
T - Thanksgiving: thanking God for all he has done
S - Supplication: prayers of request for ourselves and others
why we fast
The bible does not command us to fast, but does give us many examples of fasting. Fasting gives us a new perspective and helps us grow in our reliance on God. It deepens our relationship with God. By taking our eyes off of the things around us, we can turn our thoughts and desires more fully on God. In scripture we see fasting before important decisions.(Acts 13:2, Acts 14:23) We even see Jesus fasting (Matthew 4:2) Even though scripture shows fasting from food, abstaining from anything for a period of time in order to focus on God can be considered a fast.
TYPES OF FASTING WE PRACTICE:
Full Fast: Abstaining from all food and only consuming water
Liquid Fast: Consuming only liquids for a specific period of time
Partial Fast: Abstaining from specific kind of food
Media Fast: Abstaining from certain technologies, like social media
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
Matthew 6:33