It's Our Time! 21-Day Fast

Why are we fasting? Fasting is a willingness to separate yourself from the things of this world and put your focus solely on the Lord. It has been a powerful spiritual tool used by Christians and ministry leaders and was modeled in biblical contexts throughout Scripture in times of trial, in seeking divine direction, and for deliverance from sin and evil.

The spiritual benefits and rewards of fasting are clear. But not only does it open the door to greater revelation through the Holy Spirit, our bodies are actually designed to live a fasted lifestyle. Fasting provides many health benefits, as well. Before you begin a fast, it is important to put yourself in a position to receive from God spiritually.

No matter what you are seeking from the Lord, decide the purpose of this fast before you begin. Find God’s promises that cover your situation, and believe you receive before the fast begins. Open your fast in prayer, dedicating this time to the Lord and expressing a desire to fellowship with Him. Minister to the Lord by reading, praying, and speaking of His Mighty Works.

God’s favor is upon our lives. We believe that as we fast and pray, seeking the face of God, we will see an accelerated harvest of souls; we will see tangible evidence of His hand moving in our families, our finances, on our jobs, and in our relationships. New opportunities will present themselves; dreams will be realized; wrongs will be set right, and losses recovered. God is rebuilding the wastelands; our labor will be rewarded; lives will be transformed, and moreover, we will never be uprooted.

As we enter into this consecrated time of fasting and prayer, Cris and I are so excited about what God will do in us individually and as a corporate body.

Many have asked, so we have created this guide to assist you during these next 21 days. Each day contains a scripture, reflection, prayer and reflection questions.

Day 1 — Consecration

Scripture: Joel 2:12

“Now, therefore," says the Lord, "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."

Reflection:

The beginning of a fast is not simply about changing what we eat or adjusting our routines. It is about consecration. It’s about setting ourselves apart for God.

Consecration is the act of intentionally turning our hearts back toward the Lord. It is a moment where we pause and say, “God, I want You more than anything else.” Throughout Scripture, fasting often began with a return to God. It was a declaration that His presence, His direction, and His voice mattered more than comfort, routine, or personal preference.

The Lord is not just looking at the outward act of fasting; He is looking at the posture of our hearts. When we consecrate ourselves, we invite Him to search us, refine us, and realign us with His will.

Today is a day to lay things before the Lord: the burdens you have been carrying, distractions that have pulled your focus, and areas where your heart may have grown tired or distant. Consecration is not about condemnation; it is about realignment. It is the moment where we return fully to the One who restores us.

As you begin this fast, remember that God is not distant. He is drawing near. When we take a step toward Him, He responds with grace, mercy, and renewed strength.

This fast is not about striving; it is about positioning yourself to encounter God.

And in this moment of consecration, we remind ourselves:

• It's our time to return.

• It's our time to seek Him wholeheartedly.

• It's our time to allow God to prepare us for what is ahead.

Prayer:

Lord, today I consecrate my heart to You. I lay aside distractions, burdens, and anything that has pulled my focus away from You. Search my heart and align my life with Your Will. As I begin this fast, prepare me for what You want to do in me, for me and through me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What distractions or habits might God be asking me to lay down during this fast?

• In what areas of my life do I need to realign my heart with God?

• What am I hoping God will do in me during these 21 days?

Day 2 — Hunger for God

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."

Reflection:

Fasting brings us face-to-face with hunger. We feel it in our bodies, and it reminds us that we were created to depend on something beyond ourselves. Yet the hunger we feel physically points to an even deeper reality; our souls were designed to hunger for God.

Many times in life, we try to satisfy that deeper hunger with other things: success, approval, busyness, comfort, or even distraction. For a moment those things may seem to satisfy, but eventually we realize they cannot truly fill what only God can. The human heart was created with a longing that can only be satisfied by His presence.

Jesus said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, not because hunger is comfortable, but because hunger positions us to receive from God. When we acknowledge our need for Him, we open the door for Him to fill us with His truth, His strength, and His presence.

During this fast, physical hunger becomes a spiritual reminder. Each time you feel it, allow it to redirect your attention back to God. Instead of focusing on how hungry you are, or what you are giving up, focus on what you are seeking. Let every moment of hunger become a moment of prayer, worship, and reflection.

God promises that those who hunger for Him will be filled. Not partially. Not temporarily. But as the amplified translation says: …for they shall be completely satisfied!”

This is a season where God is stirring a deeper desire in His people. He is awakening hearts that have grown tired, distracted, or spiritually dry. As you lean into this hunger for Him, you may discover that the very thing you thought was weakness is actually an invitation into a deeper relationship with God.

Today, remind your heart:

• It's our time to seek Him more deeply.

• It's our time to hunger for what truly satisfies.

• It's our time to pursue the righteousness and presence of God.

Prayer:

Lord, awaken a deeper hunger in my heart for You. Let my desire for Your presence become stronger than any other desire in my life. Fill me with Your righteousness, Your truth, and Your Spirit as I seek You during this fast. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What things have I been turning to for satisfaction instead of God?

• How can I redirect moments of physical hunger into moments of prayer?

• What would it look like for my heart to truly hunger for God's presence?

Day 3 — Repentance

Scripture: Psalm 51:10

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

Reflection:

Repentance is one of the most powerful gifts God has given us. It is not meant to bring shame or condemnation; it is meant to bring restoration and renewal.

Often when people hear the word repentance, they think only of wrongdoing or failure. But biblical repentance goes deeper than simply acknowledging mistakes. It means turning our hearts back toward God. It is a moment where we pause, recognize what is not aligned with His will, and allow Him to reshape our hearts.

In Psalm 51, we see a season where David has drifted far from God’s ways. When he realized it, he did not try to hide or justify his actions. Instead, he cried out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” David understood that only God could restore what had been broken inside him.

That same invitation is extended to us today.

During a fast, Holy Spirit gently reveals things that may have been hidden beneath the busyness of life: attitudes, habits, fears, unforgiveness, pride, or distractions that have slowly pulled our hearts away from God. When those things come to the surface, it is not a moment for guilt, instead it is an opportunity for freedom.

Repentance clears the path for intimacy with God. It removes barriers that keep us from experiencing His presence fully. When we honestly bring our hearts before Him, His response is not rejection, it’s mercy.

Scripture reminds us that God is faithful to forgive and restore. His grace is greater than any failure, and His desire is always to bring His people back into closeness with Him.

Today is a day to allow God to search your heart with compassion and truth. As He reveals anything that needs to change, respond with humility and trust that His goal is not to expose you, but to restore you.

Remember:

• It's our time to release what has weighed on our hearts.

• It's our time to receive God's forgiveness and grace.

• It's our time to walk forward with renewed hearts.

Prayer:

Lord, search my heart and reveal anything that is not aligned with Your will. I surrender every attitude, thought, or action that has pulled me away from You. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me so that I may walk closely with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Is Holy Spirit revealing anything in my heart that I need to surrender to God?

• Are there attitudes, habits, or thought patterns that may be hindering my spiritual growth?

• What step can I take today to realign my life more fully with God's will?

Day 4 — Dependence

Scripture: John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Reflection:

One of the greatest lessons fasting teaches us is how deeply we depend on God.

In our everyday lives, it can be easy to rely on our own strength, wisdom, and ability. We make plans, solve problems, and carry responsibilities, often believing that success depends on how capable or prepared we are. Over time, self-reliance can quietly replace God-reliance.

But Jesus gave us a powerful picture in John 15. He described Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches. A branch has no life apart from the vine. It receives its nourishment, strength, and ability to produce fruit from the vine itself.

As it is with us, our spiritual life flows from our connection with Christ. When we remain connected to Him, through prayer, Scripture, and obedience, our lives begin to bear fruit such as peace, wisdom, patience, love, and strength. But when we try to live independently of Him, we often find ourselves feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or spiritually dry.

Fasting gently reminds us that we were never meant to carry life on our own. When we step away from our usual routines and comforts, we become more aware of our need for God’s presence and guidance.

Dependence on God is not weakness; it is the source of spiritual strength. The more we lean on Him, the more we discover that He is faithful to sustain us.

Today is an invitation to release the pressure of trying to manage everything yourself. Instead, allow this moment to reconnect your heart to the True Source of life and strength.

Remember:

• It's our time to stop striving and start abiding.

• It's our time to rely on God's strength instead of our own.

• It's our time to stay connected to the One who gives life.

Prayer:

Lord, help me remain connected to You. Teach me to depend on Your strength, Your wisdom, and Your guidance in every area of my life. I abide in You, and You in me. I can do nothing without You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• In what areas of my life have I been relying on my own strength instead of God's strength?

• How can I intentionally stay connected to Christ throughout my day?

• What would it look like for me to truly abide in Him and trust Him with the outcomes of my life?

Day 5 — Strength in Weakness

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Reflection:

Fasting often reveals our limitations. We may feel tired, uncomfortable, or stretched in ways we did not expect. Yet it is in these moments that we discover one of the greatest spiritual truths: God's strength is revealed in our weakness.

The apostle Paul understood this. When he felt weak, God reminded him that His grace was sufficient. Instead of removing every challenge, God provided the strength Paul needed to continue.

Sometimes we believe we must be strong on our own. But the Kingdom of God works differently. God does not ask us to rely on our own strength; He invites us to rely on His.

And can I just say: the areas where we feel the least capable are the very places where God wants to demonstrate His faithfulness the most. What feels like limitation to us can become a testimony of God's strength working through us.

During this fast, if you feel weary, stretched, or uncertain, allow it to become a moment of surrender rather than frustration. Let it remind you that your life is not sustained by your own ability, but by God's grace.

Paul eventually came to understand this and declared, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

In other words, the very places where we feel weak can become the places where God's power rests upon our lives.

Remember:

• It's our time to release the pressure to be strong on our own.

• It's our time to receive the grace that God freely gives.

• It's our time to walk in the strength that comes from Him.

Prayer:

Father, today I come before You honestly, acknowledging that there are places in my life where I feel weak, stretched, and sometimes insufficient. At times I feel overwhelmed by responsibilities, uncertain about the future, or aware of my own limitations. Yet Your Word reminds me that Your grace is sufficient and that Your strength is made perfect in weakness.

Teach me not to hide my weakness from You or to try to carry burdens on my own. Instead, help me bring every struggle, every fear, and every limitation before You with humility and trust. Remind me that my weakness does not disqualify me, instead it creates space for Your power to be revealed.

Where I feel tired, fill me with Your strength. Where I feel discouraged, fill me with Your hope. Where I feel inadequate, remind me that Your grace is enough.

May every place where I once felt weak become a testimony of Your faithfulness and Your strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What weaknesses or struggles have I been carrying recently?

• How might God be using this season to reveal His strength in my life?

• How can I rely more on God's grace rather than my own ability?

Day 6 — Seeking God First

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

Reflection:

As we like to say: “life be lifing” lol, but for real, life has a way of filling our schedules, filling our thoughts, and filling our energy with many different priorities. Responsibilities, work, family needs, finances, and future plans can easily compete for our attention. Without realizing it, we can begin to place these concerns ahead of our pursuit of God.

In Matthew 6, Jesus addressed people who were worried about everyday needs—food, clothing, and the uncertainties of life. Instead of encouraging them to focus more on those concerns, He gave them a different perspective: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

Seeking God first means placing Him at the center of our lives. It means allowing His will, His Word, and His presence to guide our priorities and decisions. When God holds the first place in our hearts, everything else begins to fall into its proper order.

Fasting helps us return to that place of alignment. By intentionally setting aside certain comforts or routines, we are reminded that our greatest need is not temporary provision but a deep and abiding relationship with God.

When we seek God first, we are not ignoring the realities of life. Instead, we are acknowledging that God is the source of wisdom, provision, and direction for every situation we face. Our pursuit of Him becomes the foundation upon which everything else is built.

Today is an opportunity to examine where your attention and energy have been directed. As you continue this fast, allow it to be a reminder that God deserves the first place in your thoughts, your time, and your desires.

Remember:

• It's our time to place God at the center of our lives.

• It's our time to realign our priorities with His kingdom.

• It's our time to pursue Him above everything else.

Prayer:

Lord, help me place You first in every area of my life. Teach me to seek Your kingdom above my own desires and concerns. Align my priorities with Your will and guide my steps as I follow You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Reflection Questions:

• What priorities or responsibilities have been competing with my pursuit of God?

• How can I intentionally seek God first in my daily life?

• What changes might occur if I consistently placed God's will at the center of my decisions?

Day 7 — Hearing God’s Voice

Scripture: Isaiah 30:21

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”

Reflection:

One of the greatest blessings of drawing close to God through fasting is the renewed ability to recognize His voice. God is not distant, silent, or uninterested in guiding His sons & daughters. Throughout Scripture, we see that He consistently speaks, leads, and directs those who seek Him.

Unfortunately, we allow the pace of everyday life to make it difficult to recognize His voice. Our minds can become filled with noise, filled with responsibilities, worries, opinions, social media, and constant activity. When life becomes crowded with competing voices, the gentle leading of Holy Spirit can become harder to discern.

Fasting helps create space for quiet. It slows our pace and allows our hearts to become more attentive to God. As distractions are removed, our spiritual sensitivity begins to grow. We start to recognize how God communicates with us through His Word, through prayer, through a deep sense of peace or conviction, and through the guidance of Holy Spirit.

In Isaiah 30, God gives us this picture of His guidance. He promises that His people will hear a voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” This reminds us that God is not trying to hide His will from us. Nooo…He delights in leading those who seek Him with sincere hearts.

Sometimes God's voice comes as confirmation of what we already sensed in our spirit. Other times it comes as gentle correction, redirecting us away from a path that is not His best for us. In every case, His voice leads toward wisdom, peace, and alignment with His truth.

During this fast, take time not only to speak to God but also to listen. After reading Scripture or praying, allow moments of quiet where you simply invite Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Pay attention to what He highlights or brings to your mind.

The more we spend time in God's presence, the more familiar His voice becomes.

Remember:

• It's our time to quiet the noise around us.

• It's our time to become attentive to the voice of the Shepherd.

• It's our time to walk confidently in the direction God reveals.

Prayer:

Lord, quiet the distractions in my life so that I can hear Your voice clearly. Help me recognize the leading of Your Spirit and give me the courage to follow the direction You reveal. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Reflection Questions:

• What distractions in my life may be making it difficult to hear God's voice?

• How has God spoken to me in the past through His Word, prayer, or the prompting of Holy Spirit?

• What step of obedience might God be inviting me to take as I seek Him during this fast?

End of Week One — Keep Going🎉🎉

Yayyyy, you have completed the first week of this fast, and that is something to recognize. The beginning of a fast is often the most challenging because your body, mind, and routine are adjusting. Yet even in these early days, God has already been at work, drawing your heart closer, renewing your focus, and reminding you that His presence is your true Source of Strength.

Throughout this first week you have consecrated your heart, allowed God to stir a deeper hunger for Him, opened your life to repentance and renewal, learned to depend more fully on Him, discovered strength in weakness, realigned your priorities, and created space to hear His voice. These are not small steps; they are foundational movements of the heart that prepare you for what God desires to do next.

As you move into the next week, remember that fasting is not about perfection; it is about pursuit. Some days may feel easier than others. Some moments may feel deeply meaningful, while other moments may feel quiet or ordinary. But even when you do not feel it, God is still working beneath the surface, strengthening your spirit and aligning your life with His purposes.

Do not lose heart. Stay consistent in prayer. Stay grounded in Scripture. Continue bringing your thoughts, needs, and hopes before the Lord.

The discipline of seeking God always produces fruit.

If the first week has stretched you, take encouragement in knowing that God meets us in our perseverance. Each day you continue is another opportunity to grow deeper in your relationship with Him.

So, keep going.

• Keep seeking.

• Keep listening.

• Keep trusting.

God is preparing your heart for the days ahead.

You have started strong.

Now continue forward with faith.

The Lord is with you every step of the way. ✨