WHY PRAYER?
Prayer is the way we communicate and connect with God. It involves setting aside dedicated time to intentionally be with Him, in order to become more like Him and partner with Him in the world. Jesus prayed often in Scripture, making it an integral part of his life on Earth.
We are excited about what God is going to do in your life during the next 21 days. We say this often, but at The Local Church, prayer is our first response, never our last resort.
Our prayer focus is designed to keep us all united together in moments of intentional prayer throughout the next 21 days and we are believing that God is going to do some incredible things during this time. Remember, as Pastor Eric recently shared, God can do more in 21 days when we’re focused than 21 years when we’re distracted!
The most important step is committing to regularly entering God’s presence through prayer. Prayer connects us to God’s presence!
WHY FASTING?
Fasting is a powerful practice that Jesus used to integrate our entire person, including our body, around God, by going without food for a set amount of time. The ultimate aim of fasting is to get in touch with our hunger for God, awakening our body and soul to its deep yearning for life with the Father.
There are many different fasts to choose from. Some may include omitting a particular food, or perhaps you commit to giving up a habit. Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
*Please consult with a medical professional before taking part in a fast if you have any health concerns or are under the care of a physician.
DAILY PRAYER FOCUS
PRAYER + FASTING = DEPENDENCY
We know that prayer + fasting takes commitment and requires discipline to develop into a daily habit, we also want to remember that it’s a “get to” not a “have to.” It’s a privilege to be able to come to God in prayer!
The biggest thing we want to focus on throughout this time, is prayer and fasting as a process of dependency. Surrendering and releasing what we think we can do and what we think we need in order to receive His direction – that’s dependency.
We’ll be praying for each and every one of you as you step out in faith over the next 21 days. That God will release His presence upon you in the ways you’ve hoped and dreamed for as you release everything to Him in response to who He is.
As you discover the beauty of daily conversation with God, we pray that you’ll experience His life-changing presence! You’ll be reminded…
Before the day begins
Before you go to bed
Before you go to work or school
Before you send that text
Before you eat, drive or travel
Before you worry….in every situation…. PRAY FIRST!
Prayer changes everything!
We love you, Familia!
Prayer is most effective when it isn’t something we do every now and then, but when it’s a lifestyle we cultivate. To understand how to have a lifestyle of prayer, we can look at the example Jesus gave during His life on earth.
Have A Certain Time
Jesus got up early in the morning to spend time with His Heavenly Father. Make a daily appointment with God — whether it’s first thing in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening — and faithfully keep it.
Have A Certain Place
Jesus had a specific place He went to pray. Having a designated place to pray helps us remove distractions and frees us to worship and pray out loud.
Have A Certain Plan
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He gave them
a prayer outline. We call it “The Lord’s Prayer.” Our desire is for this resource to be a guide for your time with God. As we pray every day, consider incorporating some worship music, or additional time to read the Bible or journal. Not everyone’s approach will look the same, but it does help to have a plan for connecting regularly with God!
“Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)
GET THE DAILY PRAYER FOCUS
ON THE APP
Download the The Local Church App and click the 21 Days Of Prayer button on the home screen.
RIGHT HERE!