Prayer

Prayer Gatherings

Maryland & Lake Norman

Saturday, January 10
“Second” Saturday Prayer
Bel Air 9am
Rising Sun 9am
Middle River 9am
Lake Norman 10am

Sunday, January 11
Sunday Gatherings

Monday, January 12
7-8pm

Tuesday, January 13
7-8pm

Wednesday, January 14
7-8pm

Thursday, January 15
7-8pm

Friday, January 16
Night of Worship
Bel Air: 7-8:30pm
Lake Norman: 7-8:30pm

Hot Springs

Saturday, January 10
“Second” Saturday Prayer
10am

Sunday, January 11
Sunday Gatherings

Monday, January 12
6-7pm

Tuesday, January 13
6-7pm

Wednesday, January 14
6-7pm

Thursday, January 15
6-7pm

Friday, January 16
Night of Worship
6-8pm

Jersey City

Saturday, January 3
First Saturday Prayer
9am

Monday, January 12 – Thursday, January 15
7-8:30pm
Wednesday: Youth Led

Friday, January 16
7-9pm

Friday, January 30
Night of Worship
7:30pm-9:30pm

FASTING

Overview

Fasting is one of the least used of all the spiritual disciplines. Yet for millennia, it has been a core practice for apprenticeship to Jesus. All the great heroes of the Old Testament fasted. The first story we read about Jesus’ adult life is of him fasting for forty days and nights, like Moses and Elijah before him. The central characters of the New Testament continued this practice, as did the early church, which fasted twice a week – every Wednesday and Friday – for over a millennia. It’s not until quite recently that fasting fell out of favor.

And that comes as no surprise. We live in a culture not only of food, but of excess and luxury and addiction to what pyschologists call “the pleasure principle.” Yet for so many of us, the desires of our body have come to hold power over us. In the battle with our “flesh,” we have become its slave, not its master.

Fasting is an ancient Christian discipline to break the power of the flesh in our life – our desires, sins, and cravings – and to feed on the Holy Spirit.

If you want a “value added” experience, here are three other things you can do:

Break a Habit – Identify a specify sin or habit or pattern in your “flesh” that you want to break. Spend the day in prayer for freedom in that area.
Journal – Take a little time for self-reflection. Get your journal out or go for a walk and think about what this Practice is revealing about you. Richard Foster said, “Fasting reveals the things that control us.” If you just feel “hangry” all day, or if you can’t make it more than a few hours, ask yourself, “Why do I feel this way?” Treat yourself compassionately, as God does, yet honestly as well. Remember: the point isn’t a guilt trip but freedom.
Read Scripture – “Feed” on the word of God, like Jesus did in the wilderness.

On-Ramp

For 2026 we are going to up the ante and continue to press in on the discipline of fasting.

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. If you have medical or health issues that prevent you from fasting full meals, please do not despair. You may want to consider fasting something else like social media or television in addition to certain types of foods.

A few days before your fast begins, begin to wean yourself off of caffeine and sugar, so that your body can assimilate and regulate.

Please use the following tracks to guide you as we unite together as a Church family to intentionally disconnect from distractions for the next 7 days, so you can hear from God and experience the full life He has for you!

ONE DAY ON-RAMP

Days 1-3:

Choose a food item such as caffeine, coffee, sweets, fast food, or meat to fast for the day. Maintain your normal eating schedule with the exception of the item you are fasting and be sure to set aside some intentional time to pray and seek the Lord.

Days 4-6:

Choose a meal- breakfast, lunch or dinner – to fast for the day. During the time you would be eating that meal, intentionally pray and seek the Lord.

Day 7:

Fast from sun-up to sun-down. Each time you feel a hunger pain or think about food or take a lunch break (with no lunch!), use it as a prompt for prayer. Turn your heart to God and ask him to starve your flesh and feed your Spirit. Use your imagination to “see” yourself drawing strength from God himself.

THREE DAYS ON-RAMP

Days 1-2:

Choose a meal- breakfast, lunch or dinner – to fast for the day. During the time you would be eating that meal, intentionally pray and seek the Lord.

Days 3-4:

Day 5-7:

Normal Fast – drink only water and some light juices. Each time you feel a hunger pain or think about food or take a lunch break (with no lunch!), use it as a prompt for prayer. Turn your heart to God and ask him to starve your flesh and feed your Spirit. Use your imagination to “see” yourself drawing strength from God himself.

SEVEN DAYS ON-RAMP

Days 1-7:

Day 1-7:

Need prayer?

We would be honored to stand with you in prayer.