Fasting is abstaining from food, pleasure, and exertion to seek the face of God and to pray.
Today’s discussion will help us understand biblical fasting and discover practical ways to participate meaningfully in 21 days of prayer and fasting, even in a busy world.
Although people have daily responsibilities at home, at work, and in other areas of life, careful planning and spiritual discipline can help them participate meaningfully in a period of fasting and prayer.
Biblical Foundations
The following scriptures provide guidance on prayer and the practice of seeking God:
These passages are referenced in the footnotes at the end of this study.
How a Busy Person Can Successfully Participate in 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer
1. Choose a Suitable Fasting Plan
Decide on a fasting plan that takes account of your personal health, age, and daily responsibilities.
Examples include:
- Full fast.
- Partial fast.
- Abstaining from certain foods or pleasures.
The plan should be appropriate to your circumstances and responsibilities.
2. Set Definite Prayer Times
Fix specific times each day for personal and family prayer.
Once you have established your prayer times, make a conscious effort to remain consistent throughout the 21 days.
3. Identify Convenient Prayer Venues
Choose quiet and suitable places at home, at work, or at church where you can pray without distractions.
Having a suitable prayer venue can help you make prayer a regular part of your daily routine.
4. Prepare a Written Prayer List
Prepare a written list of prayer requests covering:
- Personal needs.
- Family.
- Church.
- Community.
- The coming year.
Be specific in your prayer requests and review the list regularly.
5. Maintain Consistency and Balance
Continue fulfilling your work and family responsibilities while being intentional about participating in the fasting and prayer programme each day.
Combine fasting with:
- Personal Bible study.
- Fellowship.
- Acts of kindness.
Effective participation requires consistency, proper scheduling, and spiritual discipline.
Important Health Considerations
Anyone who is pregnant, managing a medical condition, taking medication that requires food, or otherwise at risk from food restriction should seek medical guidance before participating in a food fast.
Such individuals may participate through prayer and other appropriate forms of self-denial.
Remember
Effective fasting requires more than enthusiasm. It requires careful planning, proper scheduling, spiritual discipline, and a sincere desire to seek God.
As we participate in the 21 days of fasting and prayer, we should approach the period with intentionality, consistency, and a sincere desire to seek God’s face.
Discussion Questions
- Question 1: What Is Fasting, and Why Is Today’s Discussion Very Important?
- Question 2: What Practical Steps Can Any Busy Person Take to Participate in the November Fasting Programme?
- Question 3: What Groups of People Need Counselling Before Joining the Fast?
- Question 4: Can You Give Examples of Busy People in the Bible Who Engaged in Fasting and Prayer, and What Results Did They Get?
Scripture Footnotes
The following passages are quoted in full from the King James Version (KJV).
- Mark 1:35 – “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” ↩︎
- Daniel 6:10 – “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” ↩︎
- Matthew 6:6 – “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” ↩︎
- Colossians 4:2 – “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” ↩︎
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.” ↩︎
