Day 1

Verse
"Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted." - Psalm 127:1a (NLT)

Thought
We’ve been praying at 1:27 p.m. every day because of this verse – a daily reminder that this whole project is God’s, not ours. So, set that alarm and join us! Let’s make sure we’re building something that truly lasts – something for His glory, not just bricks and beams.

Prayer
Lord, this building is just a tool, but You? You are everything. Let it be a place where people meet You, feel Your love, and experience Your presence. Fill it with joy, grace, and life-changing moments. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Types of Fasting

You might be wondering, "How do I even fast?" Great question! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and the focus isn’t on being “extra holy” based on your choice. The whole point of fasting is to draw closer to God by removing distractions and creating more space for Him in our lives.

So, before you start, take a moment to pray and ask God what He’s leading you to do. Below are a few different fasting options – pick the one that feels right for you!

Types of Fasts:

🥦 Selective Fast – This involves cutting out certain foods from your diet. A great example is the Daniel Fast, where you eliminate meat, sweets, and bread and instead eat fruits and vegetables and drink water/juice.

💧 Complete Fast – This is a liquid-only fast, where you drink only water (and possibly light juices). If you choose this one, listen to your body and consult a doctor if needed!

⏳ Partial Fast – Sometimes called a "Jewish Fast," this means skipping meals for part of the day, like fasting from sunup to sundown or following intermittent fasting (for example, eating only between 12 PM - 8 PM).

📱 Soul Fast – Not everyone can fast from food (and that’s okay!). A soul fast is about stepping away from things that consume too much of our time or attention – like social media, TV, video games, or other distractions. This is also an excellent option for families! You can sit down with your kids and decide together what to set aside – maybe video games, tablets, or favorite shows – and replace that time with prayer and Scripture as a family.

No matter which fast you choose, the most important thing is using this time to focus on God. Let’s step into these 21 days expectantly, seeking His presence, His voice, and His direction in our lives.

Are you ready!? Let’s do this together! 🙌

Introduction

So, why do followers of Jesus take time for prayer and fasting? There are some great reasons behind it! One major reason is that we find it highlighted in Scripture—just like Daniel, who devoted 21 days to humbling himself before God and seeking understanding (Daniel 10). And let's not forget, Jesus fasted as well!

Right before Jesus began His public ministry, He spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying (Matthew 4:1-11). During that time, He was tempted by the enemy. But because He was spiritually strong and relied entirely on God, He overcame every test. Fasting wasn’t about suffering – it was about strengthening. It was a way for Jesus to step fully into His purpose, totally focused on His Father. If fasting was essential to Jesus, it should be necessary for us, too!

Mark 9 shows the importance of fasting again. As Jesus’ disciples struggled to cast out a demon, he told them, “This kind can only come out by prayer and fasting.” Fasting gives us spiritual power, aligning our hearts with God’s and making room for Him to work in ways we can’t even imagine.

We’re stepping into an exciting new season as a church family! After waiting for over a year, we will soon (Lord willing) be moving back into our newly renovated church building – how amazing is that!? This space is a gift from God, providing more opportunities for more people to hear more about Jesus. While it’s certainly a reason to celebrate, we also recognize that significant changes come with significant challenges. That’s why we felt this was the perfect time to set aside 21 days for prayer and fasting as a church family – to prepare our hearts and seek God’s direction for what lies ahead. Not just corporately but also individually.

This isn’t just about our church building – it’s also about you and your walk with Jesus. Where’s your heart at? Are you spiritually healthy? Will people see Jesus in us when they walk through our church doors? Is our excitement about this new season rooted in what we want or what God wants?

Our hope for these 21 days is simple:

• That we grow closer to Jesus.

• That we step into this season with anticipation and enthusiasm for what God has in store for us as a church and in our lives.

• That we pray bold prayers – asking for God’s blessing, provision, and protection over everything ahead.

We never want to step into anything without giving God our first and best. This is our chance to make sure He’s at the center – not an afterthought. Let’s use this time to go all in, seek Him with everything we’ve got, and remember why He alone is worthy of our worship and praise!

Are you in!? Let’s do this together!