Suggestions for Fasting 

There are degrees of fasting.  A family should decide together how to observe the day, and those who
do not want to participate should be excused.  Consult with your doctor before fasting if you have a
medical condition.

(1)    A strict fast would include only water (or juices) for the day. For some, health may not make this 
        advisable.  Nor would this be recommended for children.

(2)    A family may elect to have only one meal during the day. Or there could be one full meal and 
        one or two light snacks. The time ordinarily given to a full meal would provide the opportunity for 
        prayer and meditation.

(3)    The least demanding type of fast would be to omit one main staple, such as meat, for the day.

(4)    It should be remembered that this is an occasion:

        (a)    for repentance, in view of the unprecedented moral and spiritual crisis in our land and 
                around the world;

        (b)    for claiming God’s promise of forgiveness and mercy on a repentant and contrite 
                people (2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 29:11-13); and

        (c)    for entreating God to pour out the Holy Spirit upon our church, our nation and our world.

Prayer for Renewal through the Holy Spirit 

As you pray:

(1)    Think for a moment on the miracle and marvel of prayer, in which there is communication 
        between the God of the universe and you.

(2)    Thank God for Himself, as we know Him in Jesus Christ. “He who has seen Me has seen the 
        Father.” (John 14:9) Dare to believe God hears and answers as we talk with Him. “Ask and it will 
        be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

(3)    We cannot think of God’s goodness without knowing deep within us our own unworthiness—
        we feel guilty. “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Let us 
        confess that all the sins and evils of our day find an echo in the heart and life of each of us. We 
        are a part of the moral breakdown of our day. There are specific things that stick in the conscience 
        of each—talk honestly with God about them. Ask God to make you sincerely repentant for your sins 
        and to give you a sincere determination to turn from them. Believe God when He calls you by name 
        and says: “Thy sins are forgiven.”

(4)    Look into your heart and acknowledge your inability to be and do what you ought to be and do.  
        Be honest about your need of God’s Holy Spirit to enable you to follow Christ. Ask God to change 
        your heart and life by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(5)    Think of your church and the church in our nation and in the world. Ask that God’s Spirit may 
        move powerfully to change the unhappy conditions all over the world. Pray that God will bless our 
        nation by an awakened church. Pray that signs and wonders will be done in Jesus’ name and for His 
        glory; that our church and our world may be renewed. Cry out to God often and give Him your heart 
        for your church and for your country. “Call (cry out) to me and I will answer you, and show you great 
        and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3) [On Faith’s website, click on the link 
        “Fulton Street Revival” to see how God used one man to bring revival to America in the mid-1800’s, 
        and to view the “Call to Corporate Prayer”.

“If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
(2 Chronicles 7:14) 

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give
you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And
you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

Lord God, revive your church and make your people a light in darkness. By your Spirit unify your people,
give peace to our world, wisdom for those who face decisions, healing for the sick, peace to the dying,
comfort to the sorrowful. Give faithfulness and fruitfulness to every witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  
In the renewal of your church bring healing to your world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.