21 Day Fast Information

HAVE YOUR HEARD? Light & Life is turning 70 years in 2024! As we enter this very important milestone year for our church we want to take time for consecration, thanksgiving, and radical dependence on God who has shown himself faithful yesterday, today, and will be forever!

Our 21 Day Fast will also be coupled with a three-week series that will help us look to the God who is always doing a NEW THING. He’s been good to us for 70 years and we trust that he is still working and are asking for 70 more years of fruitful ministry! We've got a lot to share with you in the coming weeks about what we believe God is wanting to do at Light & Life in the next 70 years, in the meantime, dive deep into prayer and fasting and use the daily Scripture & devotional guide below to be guided and encouraged daily. Starting Monday, January 8th, we will be releasing a daily video devotional on our app and social media. Be sure to download our app and enable push notifications so you don't miss any of our devotionals and daily reminders! Do you need more guidance on what and how to fast? Read our guide below the schedule!

WEEK 1 | GOD OF YESTERDAY

1/8 BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE BORN | Psalm 90:2

1/9 FORGETTING PAST SINS | Isaiah 43:25

1/10 WONDERS OF OLD | Psalms 77:11

1/11 WARNING FROM THE PAST | 1 Corinthians 10:11

1/12 MOURNING INTO DANCING | Psalm 30:11-12

1/13 RESTORE YOUR PAST | Joel 2:25

WEEK 2 | GOD OF TODAY

1/14 A NEW SEASON | Isaiah 42:9 

1/15 NEW MERCIES EVERYDAY | Lamentations 3:22-23 

1/16 AT WORK IN YOU | Philippians 2:13 

1/17 JESUS ALWAYS IS | John 8:58 

1/18 REVIVAL FOR TODAY? | Jonah 3:8-9 

1/19 SEEK THE LORD | Isaiah 55:6 

1/20 MAKING THE MOST | Ephesians 5:15-16

WEEK 3 | GOD OF FOREVER

1/21 FOREVER GUIDE | Psalm 48:14 

1/22 A THOUSAND GENERATIONS | Deuteronomy 7:9 

1/23 SINGING INTO THE FUTURE | Psalm 89:1 

1/24 PRESSING FORWARD! | Philippians 3:13 

1/25 AGES TO COME | Ephesians 2:7-9 

1/26 FUTURE PLANS | Jeremiah 29:11 

1/27 THE FORMER THINGS | Revelation 21:4

1/28 No devotional, fast concludes with Sunday services.

MORE ON FASTING

Scripture does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or demand it from Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when fasting from food. Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). Everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God.

By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more faithfully turn our attention to Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

For many years the pastors of Light & Life have made a habit calling a fast at the beginning of the year. More than ever, we desire God’s favor and closeness as we enter a season of celebrating God’s faithfulness for the last 70 years! will you join us?