Prayer and Fasting
Annual Prayer Initiative
January 15 - February 5, 2011
January 15 - February 5, 2011
"The General Conference’s 2011 Annual Prayer Initiative
will take the form of a Conference-wide Call to
Prayer and Fasting for 21 days, January 15 – February 5.
Fasting is not required of New Testament believers, but it
is a source of rich blessing — an effective weapon of spiritual
warfare available to the church. Jesus’ language, “When you
fast” (Matthew 6:16-18), suggests He expects His followers to
engage in this practice. It is to this end that this time of fasting
has been scheduled.
Fasting, the practice of abstaining from food for a time in
order to focus entirely on the Lord in heartfelt prayer, fi nds
much support in Scripture. Prominent Old Testament characters
such as Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel fasted during times of
spiritual need and corporate crisis and when making important
decisions, breaking spiritual bondage and oppression, and
seeking God’s favor for His people. In the book of Acts,
fasting is notable in the spiritual formation of the early church.
In both Testaments, prayer combined with fasting resulted
in repentance, revival, restoration, and refreshing for God’s
people, personally and corporately.
Various types of fasts are observed in Scripture, including
absolute -abstaining from both food and water (“Do not eat or
drink for three days, night or day,” Esther 4:16, NIV); normal
- abstaining from food only (“[Jesus] ate nothing during those
days . . . ,” Luke 4:2, NIV); partial -restricting one’s diet to
certain foods (“I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched
my lips,” Daniel 10:3, NIV).
Regardless of the type of fast, careful consideration should
be given to one’s health and any physical and/or medical
concerns that could be compromised by extended periods of
abstinence from food and water. Those dealing with pregnancy,
diabetes, chronic illness, and other conditions are discouraged
from fasting. Should they choose to fast, they must seek
medical advice.
Unlike in previous years, specifi c prayer focus is not provided
for each day, except for Sabbaths when the Church is gathered
corporately. Additional prayer needs are listed, but participants
are encouraged to pray as they are led.
Sabbath, January 15
The Church gathered today provides a unique
opportunity to launch this corporate spiritual exercise
together. Pray that many will be drawn to prayer and
fasting over the next three weeks, resulting in corporate
repentance, renewal, the outpouring of the Spirit, and
God’s supernatural favor upon the Church of God
(Seventh Day) in 2011.
Read Isaiah 58:1-7.
Sabbath, January 22
Pray for corporate renewal through the rediscovery of
God’s Word in its power and centrality in the life of the
Church. For focus, pray through the “Year of the Bible
Declaration,” published in the January-February Bible
Advocate.
Read 2 Kings 22.
Sabbath, January 29
Health, uncommon wisdom, prosperity during drought,
and the restoration of family relationships are promised
in Isaiah 58, that well-known passage dealing with the
fast God delights in and the blessings that flow from our
delight in the Sabbath. Review these blessings and claim
them in prayer.
Read Isaiah 58:8-12.
Sabbath, February 5
Give thanks for the blessings received during this time,
and pray for ongoing spiritual renewal, that the blessings
of the Lord upon the Church will continue unceasingly
and in increasing measure: “Now to Him who is able to
do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory
in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever
and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20, 21, NKJV).
Suggested Prayer Needs
• Individual and corporate repentance, and spiritual
renewal.
• Emotional healing, forgiveness, and restoration of
broken relationships.
• Spiritual fortification of families and marriages.
• Breaking of bondages, repairing of breaches,
reversing of curses.
• Revitalization of fledgling congregations.
• Re-energizing of pastors and lay pastors through the
pursuit of personal holiness and walk in the Word,
preaching from the overflow of intimacy with God.
• Spiritual insights into addressing the Church
leadership crisis.
• A sense of calling on a fresh crop of young men and
women to the Church’s vocational ministry.
• Supernatural release of resources for developing the
professional ministry.
• Care and spiritual nurture of the Church’s children
and youth and the bridging of generational barriers.
• Breakthroughs in children’s curriculum development.
• Unity of the Church.
• Battling spiritual apathy and doctrinal confusion.
• Greater organizational accountability and
commitment, and cultivation of a culture of
excellence.
• Guidance and wisdom for board of directors,
executive leaders, and Denver office staff.
• God’s special favor upon the Conference Vision
and the tangible reflection of its values in the life of
the Church: Christ-centered; Bible-based; Sabbathobserving;
Spirit-formed; Distinct, Not Exclusive;
Passionate in Worship; Compassionate in Service;
Aggressive in Witness; Strong in Fellowship;
Committed to Discipleship.
• A new season of fruitfulness.
• Blessings upon this year’s Biennial Convention.
Pray that the Church will experience the blessings of
“prevailing prayer” all year long.
Thanks for praying
Denying our physical appetites in order to address our
spiritual needs, saying no to the flesh so we may say yes
to the Spirit, looking steadfastly upon the Lord by turning
away from our temporal concerns, are keys to unlocking
the resources of heaven. Doing so corporately poises the
Church for uncommon blessings. And doing it early in the
year sets the spiritual course for the remaining months.
The Church of God (Seventh Day) will never be the same
because you prayed. Thank you!
Praying,
Whaid G. Rose
Conference President"
