21 Days of Prayer & Fasting
January 1, 2026
Message from Pastor Blake
As your pastor, I’m excited for what God is going to do in your life as you step into 2026 through these 21 days of prayer and fasting. Whether this is your first time or a familiar rhythm for you, know that this journey of removing something of the world and replacing it with more of God will be very powerful. As you seek Him and make your requests known, I look forward to how He will move in your life. I believe you’ll experience a closeness to the Lord like never before, and that together, God will work powerfully in Journey Church as we commune with Him and seek Him wholeheartedly.
What is Fasting?
A fast in the Bible is a voluntary abstinence from food for a set time for the purpose of devoting oneself to seeking God. Fasting denies our flesh what it wants so that we can focus more clearly on strengthening our spirits.
Types of Fast
Complete Fast | Water Only
A complete fast means removing all food while continuing to drink water.
Partial Fast | No Food From Sunup to Sundown
A partial fast, sometimes referred to as a Jewish fast, means abstaining from food from sunup to sundown (approximately 6:00am to 3:00pm). This typically involves removing breakfast and lunch and eating one healthy, nutritious dinner without overindulging.
Selective Fast | Limited Foods
A selective fast, sometimes called a Daniel fast, involves removing specific foods from your diet. This often includes eating fruits and vegetables and drinking water and juices.
Non-Food Fast | Something Other Than Food
We encourage everyone to participate in both a food fast and a non-food fast, if physically able.
A non-food fast involves removing something you enjoy in order to disrupt normal daily rhythms and refocus your heart and mind on the Lord. This could include things like social media, television, video games, or other similar activities.
Scripture on Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Joel 2:12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Nehemiah 9:1-3 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.
Learn More
Here are a few great resources to learn more about fasting:
How to Begin
STEP 1: Decide Your Fast
Start by choosing the type of fast.
Food Fasts
Complete Fast – No food, only water
Partial (Jewish) Fast – No food from sunup to sundown
Selective (Daniel) Fast – Removing certain foods for a set time
Non-Food Fasts
Social media
TV or streaming
Video games
Sports or entertainment
Other
You could choose a food fast, a non-food fast, or a combination of both.
Set a Time
Decide how long your food fast will be:
1 meal
1 day
3 days
7 days
21 days
______
Write it out: My food fast will be: ____________________ For this amount of time: ___________________
My non food fast will be from: _________________ for 21 days.
STEP 2: Plan It Out
Purpose & Replacement
Your Purpose
Every fast should have a clear spiritual purpose.
Potential purposes might include:
Repentance
Drawing closer to God
Seeking God’s favor
Seeking wisdom or guidance
Breaking a stronghold or temptation
Write it out: My purpose for fasting:
Your Requests
Bring your specific prayers before the Lord.
Examples:
Wisdom for a decision
A friend or family member to come to Jesus
Direction or provision for a job
Write it out: My prayer requests:
Your Replacement
Fasting is not just removing something — it’s replacing it with time with God.
During this fast, commit to:
Daily prayer
Time in Scripture
We’ve created daily devotions developed by people in our church to help guide you. Download this devotional book below:
STEP 3: Remember the Goal
Fasting is about closeness, not comparison
The goal of fasting is to draw closer to the Lord, not to become spiritually elite or to impress others.
Matthew 6:16–18 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites… But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Fast with humility, expectancy, and joy — trusting God to meet you as you seek Him.