Start Here: How to Seek God First for 21 Days
Bible passage: Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 1:17–19
Welcome to 21 Days of Seeking God
Thank you for joining our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting as we step into 2020. A new year lies ahead of us, and a new decade with it. Before we fill it with plans, we are going to do the most important thing first. We are going to seek God.
Jesus put it very simply. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else.” Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
For the next three weeks I am asking you to join me in praying for God’s leading in our lives, our families, our church, Wythenshawe, Manchester and beyond. My longing is that our church will be a place of refuge and restoration for everyone who comes, and a place where each of us can connect, grow and use what God has given us to make Jesus known wherever He has put us.
My prayer for you comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He asks God to give them spiritual wisdom and insight so that they may grow in their knowledge of Him, and to open the eyes of their hearts to the hope, the inheritance and the power that are theirs (Ephesians 1:17–19).
What Is Prayer?
Talking with Your Father
Prayer is speaking to God and listening to Him. It is as simple as that, and it is open to everyone.
Bring Him everything. Paul tells us to pray about everything and to thank God for all He has done, and he promises that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6–7).
Keep it going. To pray without stopping (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is to keep the conversation open all day, at home, at work and on the move.
It is a privilege. Prayer takes commitment, but it is something we get to do, not something we have got to do. The Creator of the universe wants to hear from you.
Why Do We Fast?
Hunger Pointed in the Right Direction
Fasting is laying something aside for a time so that we can give ourselves to God. Moses fasted. So did David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, the first Christians and Jesus Himself. When Jesus taught on it, He said “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16), which tells us that He expected His followers to do it.
Fasting is never a way of earning anything from God. Every time we feel the lack of what we have given up, we are reminded how much we need Him, and we turn that hunger into prayer.
Four Ways to Fast
A complete fast. Liquids only, usually water and perhaps a little juice. Start small, with one meal or one day, and build up.
A selective fast. Leaving out certain foods. Many people follow the pattern of Daniel and go without meat, sweets and bread.
A partial fast. Eating nothing for a set part of each day, such as from six in the morning until three in the afternoon, or from sunrise to sunset.
A non-food fast. Putting down social media, television or another habit for the 21 days.
A note on health: if you have a medical condition, are pregnant or are unsure whether a food fast is safe for you, please speak to your doctor first or choose a non-food fast.
Before You Begin
Four Things to Do
Set some goals. What would you love to see God do in these 21 days, for you, for your family and for our church? Be specific and write it down.
Feast on the Word. Fasting from food is a chance to feast on Scripture. Choose a book of the Bible or a reading plan and stay with it for the three weeks.
Open your life to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you most need Him. When God seems far away, it is usually we who have moved.
Expect God to move. God rewards those who sincerely seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). If you find that hard to believe, ask Him to increase your faith (Luke 17:5).
Each daily guide gives you a Bible passage, a short reflection, some steps to take and a prayer. Keep a notebook with you. And please do not let this become a weight on your shoulders. The aim is to draw close to God and to enjoy Him.
For the King and the Kingdom,
Pastor Ras
Prayer for Today:
Father, at the start of this new year I choose to seek You first. Give me a spirit of wisdom and insight, so that I may know You better. Open the eyes of my heart. Give me grace to fast and a hunger to pray. Show Your power and Your faithfulness in my life, in my family and in our church. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
Let us pray with you: send a prayer request.
Join one of our prayer meetings.
