By: Kurt Barnes

As the dawn of a new year greets us, the profound truth of Jesus’ words, “…apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 ESV), resonates with a fresh intensity. At Silver Creek Fellowship, we recognize that everything we hope to achieve is reliant on God’s work and presence in our lives. In acknowledgment of this truth, we are inviting our church family to embark on 21 days of fasting and prayer—a journey designed to root us more deeply in our purpose as God’s people.

Why Fast and Pray?

Fasting and prayer are transformative practices that align our hearts with God’s. Fasting is not a manipulative tool to coerce responses from God but a way to step back from worldly distractions and refocus our attention solely on Him. It humbles us, revealing our deep need for God by awakening us to how often we are driven by our desires. As you contemplate fasting, I encourage you to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Consider the type of fast that calls to you:

• Selective Fast: Consider eliminating certain foods or types of food. A common choice is the “Daniel fast,” which consists of eating only fruits and vegetables.
• Partial Fast: Refrain from eating during specific hours of the day. You could skip a meal or fast from sunup to sundown.
• Complete Fast: Abstain from all food, consuming only liquids like water or juice for a day or longer.
• Non-Food Fast: If dietary fasts aren’t feasible, consider abstaining from activities like social media, television, or other routines that often occupy your time.

Prayer, our spiritual lifeline, is the vital breath of our relationship with God. While prayer does take commitment and discipline to develop into a daily habit, we also want to remember that it’s a “get to” not a “got to.” It’s a privilege to be able to come to God in prayer.

Making the Most of This Journey

To truly immerse yourself in this experience, I encourage you to commit to a dedicated time for prayer each day. Find a quiet, undisturbed space to meet with God. Keep Scripture and prayer points visible—perhaps as a phone screensaver or shared online—to keep your focus steady throughout the day.

Journaling is another powerful tool, offering a way to document your prayers and meditate deeply on Scripture. Consider setting regular times to pray with others. You can join us on Tuesday mornings at 6:30 am or Wednesday nights at 7 pm, these opportunities to connect in prayer can strengthen our community and deepen our faith. As a church family, let us heed God’s invitation: “‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV). May these 21 days of fasting and prayer be a time of earnest seeking, where we eagerly await His revelation and instruction.