2021 Fasting Guide: 21 Days of Spiritual Awakening
Hey Family!
2020 was definitely an infamous year that we will never forget. Many of us believed that we were coming into our best in this new decade and the new generation. However, many of us experienced insurmountable troubles within our families, jobs, and communities.
Nevertheless, 2021 is here, and we are hoping to start anew. We are hoping that the chaos in our nation’s capital will not define the year for us. But what is God saying?
How is God calling us to consecrate this year to him? What does he want us to focus on?
Fasting is a practice that we preach and do to consecrate the year to our Lord.
We fast not to get God to perform a certain action, but we honor the experience as a time to connect with God even closer.
So how should you fast this year? Read this guide for tips.
We will be fasting for 21 days from Jan 7 - Jan 27. Depending on your health situation and personal conviction, there are many ways you can fast.
Complete fast: This is a fast from all food for a period of time (1 or more days). Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, this one is recommended for those who are home and not working in a public setting. We believe that God wants you to be okay spiritually and physically, and taking care of your body is just as important this season.
Partial fast: Fasting from a meal or for several hours each day with a break from the fast at a specific time (such as fasting from breakfast every day).
Daniel Fast: Fasting from meat, sweets, and junk food. This fast focuses mainly on plant-based foods.
Clean food fast: Fasting from any junk food or sweets. This is recommended for those who cannot fast from food for medical reasons (such as pregnant women or people with medical conditions, see below).
Distraction Fast: This is a fast that we can all do in conjunction with whichever fast we choose. We urge you to fast from excess screen time, social media time, and any other habits that distract you from time with God (such as shopping, watching sports games, video games, etc.)
You should not engage in any fast that requires you to not eat if you match any of the following criteria*:
People with metabolic conditions like diabetes
Those who take medications that require food
People with conditions that require a specific diet to maintain health (such as thyroid conditions, congestive heart failure, seizure disorders, anemia)
Pregnant women, those looking to get pregnant, or breastfeeding mothers.
You may want to be cautious if you work the night shift
(*Information courtesy of Pastor Jill, Registered Dietitian. Please contact your doctor if you have any specific medical concerns during this fast.)
What should you do while you fast?
Take this time to sit with the Lord and pray, journal, and seek to understand him more. Thank him for what he has done in your life. Read the Word to gain more insight into the God that you serve. Meditate on your chosen worship songs as an honor to God. Don’t just focus on telling God all of your problems. Let’s take this time to grow deeper with God!
Here are 7 prayer topics that you can focus on as you fast and pray (see more here):
Schools - Students, Teachers, Administrators, Staff, Parents, Resource, and Support team members.
Government - Local, State, and Federal
Safe Neighborhoods - Reduction in Violent Crime Rate, Resources, Healthy Community and Police relationships
Churches - Hill City PVD, Your Pastors, Unity among the Churches
Families - Marriages, Parent/Child relationships, Healing, Financial Stability and Security
Coronavirus Relief - Frontline Workers, Small Business owners, wisdom for government leaders.
Revival - Matthew 6:10! “On Earth As It Is In Heaven.”