22 Days of Prayer and Fasting | Hillside Baptist Church

Journey Through 22 Days of Prayer and Fasting

How To Journey

WHEN:
Jesus got up very early in the morning to spend time with His heavenly father. Find a time that works best for your day. Maybe the best time is in the morning, or before you go to bed, or during a break some time during the day at work or school. Make an appointment with God and do your best to keep it.

WHERE:
Your prayer place should be an undistracted environment where you can pray and focus. Perhaps that is in your favorite chair, at your kitchen table, in your vehicle, or somewhere at work – whatever space you can find that is uninterrupted, quiet space for you to spend time with God.

HOW:
For our 22 Days of Prayer, Hillside staff have created short, daily videos (typically 3-5 minutes long) for you to start off your day praying. After finishing the video, spend time reflecting on the Scripture reading for the day and then talking to God about the things mentioned in the video. Maybe you even need to take time and pray for forgiveness or talk to God about something you’re struggling with or take some next step He is prompting you to make. Wrap up by thanking God for all he has done in your life and the plans he has for you today.

WHY:
What better way for our church to begin the new year in 2022 than to focus our attention more intentionally upon God. Our leadership has several key objectives for 22 Days of Prayer. Here’s the ‘why’ behind this spiritual initiative:

• To catalyze a movement of prayer that will significantly strengthen and unify our church as we begin a new year
• To encourage Hillsiders in a growing relationship with God each day through prayer, fasting (optional), and the establishment of a more consistent quiet time
• To call upon God for fresh breakthroughs and transformation in our lives, families, church, and the world as we continue to navigate a global pandemic and be faithful to our Beyond Our Walls vision
• To renew and deepen our church’s overall culture of prayer
• To see God move hearts resulting in more people who will come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord in 2022

For more information about 22 Days of Prayer, check out the FAQs.

FAQ

“How can I make the most of 22 Days of Prayer?”

Growth rarely happens without commitment. This is true for any endeavor, activity, or discipline in life. Thus, to make the most of 22 Days of Prayer, you’re encouraged to make these 3 commitments.

First, commit to a daily quiet time with God. This is the most important invitation and, to assist you, we’re providing daily videos with an accompanying Bible reading and prayer request to help you establish this daily habit. These resources will conveniently arrive in your inbox early each morning starting on Jan. 22^nd.

Second, commit not only to praying, but also to try fasting. The discipline of fasting is a vital spiritual practice modelled by Jesus and many others throughout the Bible. Yet, it has often been significantly overlooked by believers today. This is unfortunate! Realizing many aren’t familiar with the biblical practice of fasting, we are providing more information below in the FAQs to help you get started.

Third, plan to attend “The Prayer Course” starting on Wed, Feb. 2^nd, at 7pm. This 8-week course will be led by Pastor Jerry on Zoom. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner of prayer, this course is designed to encourage and equip you as you seek to deepen your relationship with God. Interested? Sign up here in order to get the Zoom link.

“Why is prayer so important?”

At its very core, prayer is simply paying attention to God. As we grow in our love for God, we want to spend more time with Him making him a greater priority in our daily lives. In addition to communing with God, Scripture teaches us that prayer has many other benefits as it also releases God’s wisdom, peace, strength, and supernatural help into our lives. That’s why, for these and many other reasons, prayer should be our first priority, not our last resort. And, as a church, we see a passion for prayer was very evident in the early church. Here’s a sampling of just a few verses from the New Testament to encourage and envision us: Acts 12:5, “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him”. Col. 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”. Rom. 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”. Phil. 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.

“Why Our Three Bold Prayers”

To strategically unify our church, our team has organized the three weeks of prayer and fasting around the three pillars of our “Beyond Our Walls” Vision 2023. By aligning our prayer efforts, 22 Days of Prayer will be a strong catalyst to strengthen the unity of our church and propel ministry forward. In such a fragmented time due to COVID, there is no time like now to recommit our hearts and minds upon the fulfillment of the vision God has called us to as a church. Thus, our three bold prayers are:

Bold Prayer #1 “For Families” (Day 1-8)

“Father God, we pray for all families. During these stressful days of this pandemic, we focus our eyes on you. Would you help each family establish healthy habits and spiritual practices that would strengthen, encourage, heal, and fill more homes with greater hope & faith rooted in you. We also ask that you would open the hearts of any family members (parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, extended family) who don’t know you as Saviour that they would make you the Lord of their lives in 2022”.

Bold Prayer #2: “For Community” (Day 9-15)

“Our gracious Lord, we know that you created us for community, not loneliness or isolation. Realizing that we flourish best when we’re vitally connected to others, we pray that each Hillsider would find one or two spiritual friends who will help them grow stronger in their faith. We also pray that we would each take the time to intentionally reach out in practical and loving ways to encourage others within our Hillside family who may be lonely or struggling.”

Bold Prayer #3: “For the World Around Us” (Day 16-22)

“Father, our world is deeply broken, hurting, divided, and ultimately hopeless without you. Thankfully, you loved the world so much that you sent your Son to reconcile and restore all that was broken. As the hands and feet of Jesus, we pray that together we would experience the joy of extending more blessings to our local and global partners demonstrating your love in action through acts of compassion, kindness, and generosity”.

We will be seeking God’s favour on these three bold prayers along with the needs and breakthroughs that we know each of us will also be seeking for ourselves, our families, friends, and God’s kingdom purposes here and around the world.

“What is a quiet time?”

A quiet time can take many forms, but at its simplest it means stopping, pausing to pray, and being in a posture where you’re seeking to listen and hear from God. This unhurried time alone with God (“Be still and know that I am God” Ps. 46:10) can last a few minutes or for longer periods of time. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:6 capture the essence of it: “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace”.

There is no fixed way to have a quiet time. Typically, it involves Bible reading, reflection, and prayer. Also, having a notebook or journal to write down thoughts and prayer requests is often very helpful. You can pray silently while sitting. Or, depending on your personality, you may find that praying out loud while walking is an engaging approach for you that helps you concentrate on God better. The key is not to be rushed, distracted, or ritualistic about it.

Helpful Quotes:

“If we don’t maintain a quiet time each day, it’s not really because we are too busy; it’s because we do not feel it is important enough… Late nights kill the quiet time… Quiet time is not just a helpful idea, it is absolutely necessary to spiritual growth.” George Sweeting

“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man (person) is powerful on his knees.” Corrie ten Boom

“What about fasting?”

Biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Our primary focus in fasting is to fix our eyes on Jesus and to listen to hear the voice and direction of God. It is vitally important for us to pay attention to our motives behind the commitment we’ve made to ensure that we’re fasting for the right reasons. We fast not for recognition or spiritual pride. Rather, we fast to draw closer to the Lord and to fervently intercede for ourselves and others. We also fast to help us remember we are dependent on God more than anything and are obedient to God above our appetites and desires. Fasting was a common spiritual practice in the Bible as seen in the life of Moses, Daniel, Esther, Job, Nehemiah, Anna, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul among others. It was also practiced by God’s people both in the Old Testament and by the early church in the New Testament.

Insightful Quotes:

“The discipline of fasting can focus our prayers in the way that a magnifying glass can focus sunlight to start a fire.” Pete Greig

“Fasting is an opportunity to lay down an appetite – an appetite for food, for media, for shopping. This act of self-denial may not seem huge – it’s just a meal or a trip to the mall – but it brings us face to face with the hunger at the core of our being. Fasting exposes how we try to keep empty hunger at bay and gain a sense of well-being by devouring creature comforts. Through self-denial we begin to recognise what controls us. Our small denials of the self show us just how little taste we actually have for sacrifice or time with God. This truth is not meant to discourage us. It’s simply the first step in realising that we have to lay down our life in order to find it again in God.” Adele Calhoun

Helpful Verses:

“They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:3–4

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry… Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.” Luke 4:1–2, 14

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:2–3

The motive for Fasting:

“Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted… was it for me that you fasted? – Zechariah 7:5–6

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16–18

“If our fasting is not unto God, we have failed. Physical benefits, success in prayer, the ending with power, spiritual insights – these must never replace God as the center of our fasting.” – Richard Foster

“First, let [fasting] be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven.” – John Wesley

Fasting from any nourishment, activity, involvement or pursuit—for any season—sets the stage for God to appear. – Dan B. Allender

We fast because it helps to give us balance in life. It makes us more keenly sensitive to the whole of life so that we’re not so obsessed by our consumer mentality. – Richard J. Foster

A Few Helpful Tips:

Take baby steps: it’s always good to walk before you run. If you’ve never fasted from food before then just start with one meal. This is called a partial fast. Then, gradually take next steps from there. In fact, here’s an option you may want to consider:

Beginner: fast for 1 meal per day for the 22 days
Intermediate: fast for 2 meals each day then breaking your fast at 6pm with supper
Advanced: do a complete fast abstaining from all meals and limiting yourself to liquids (water and juices) for hydration and broth.

Varied weeks option: some may want to consider starting with the beginner stage for week 1, then go to the intermediate stage for week 2, and then go to the advanced step for week 3. Or, maintaining one of the stages consistently for all 22 days ways. Pray and commit yourself to what you sense God is leading you to do.
Use the time you would normally be eating to read your Bible and pray. Pay attention to your heart. What is God revealing to you? What needs to change? Where do you need to grow and trust God more?
Consider a soul fast: if your circumstances prevent you from fasting from food, you have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you sense the Lord is leading you to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance, this may be a great option for you. You can ask God to open your eyes to what He may want you to fast. For example, you might choose to stop using social media, limiting screens and devices (cell phone, computer, video games, tv or Netflix), shopping, or sports games – things that take our time, energy and passion that could be redirected to the things of God during a fast.
Breaking a fast of any kind early can cause people to feel guilty and like they’ve sinned. While, on the other hand, achieving a fast can cause people to feel pride and like they’ve earned favour with God. Watch out for both of these reactions as neither are healthy nor a Biblical picture of fasting. Fasting should be based upon love (our love for God) not legalism.
If you have potential medical concerns, you should check with your doctor or healthcare professional to make sure that you are physically able to participate as you intend. A chronic or severe medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, may prevent you from fasting in the manner you’d like. You should also consult your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing in order to enter into the fast in the most informed way.

For an additional information and tips about fasting, check out this resource: https://renovare.org/articles/fasting-a-practical-guide

What People Are Saying About 22 Days of Prayer & Fasting?

I just want to thank you so much for the 22 Days of Prayer & Fasting!! This is a wonderful way for us, as a church family, to be ‘in sync’ as we pray God’s love poured into families. What a powerful testimony!!

Thank you for being such a faithful church!

I love our church family!!

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I wanted to thank you for this day 3 devotional. As family we were watching and reflecting about it through the Philippians 4:5-7.

This video has been used by God for us, by helping us to come back to the Lord in prayer when feeling anxious or fear for something at school or at work.

Blessings

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Thank you for starting off with the focus on families. I feel that it is so crucial now as we navigate through these times. I must say that we have been blessed with not only our personal family but a great church family. I look forward to setting aside time each day to focus on things that are so important.

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I’m really enjoying praying with my Hillside family and doing these devotionals every morning. Even if we are not physically together, these still connects all of us together and to me, this brings me comfort so thank you for taking the time to put these together Hillside and continuing to find ways to keep us engaged and growing in our relationship with each other and most importantly, with our Heavenly Father.

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Hello Hillside!

Loving this call to fast and spend this extra saved time in deepening my relationship with God!!

I’ve done this alone in the past but doing it with my Hillside community is very special, motivating and powerful. May we see great spiritual growth in individuals and as a church family!

Thank you for this!!

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Thank you… inspirational and thought provoking.. love is spelt T I M E with…

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As I was praying along with the videos I suddenly had this picture that I am taking part in a much bigger picture as I realized its not just little me praying by myself this morning in my secret spot but I pictured so many Hillsiders praying before the Lord for our families all together as one entity, the church, interceding before the Lord with one single bold prayer for this week.

I have been struck by what God must be seeing when we pray like this all alongside each other before the Lord with the same prayer!

Thank you for leading us as a church so well during these 22 days.

Bless you and thank you.

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Good morning!

God’s timing is always perfect! ❤️

What a better time to do this 22 days of prayer & fasting than now!!! Snowy/cold days and “shut- in”, with Covid. 😊

I look forward each morning to watch the video, read Scriptures and spend time in prayer.

I also introduce the message at the dinner table for a bit of conversation.

Thank you for your leadership in this, knowing that God is in the centre ❤️

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Hello Pastors and staff!

As we are both diabetics, it is a little tricky to maintain good glucose control and fast, so we are omitting one meal daily (lunch) and replacing it with a smoothie. As well, we are “fasting” with regard to our consumption of Netflix and other similar video providers.

It has been so good to draw near to the Lord through this discipline. The daily online devotional has been a great tool to help us focus. We are praying especially for our children and their families, and all the members of our growth group. And we have a regular practice of praying for all of you church leaders daily, especially considering the stresses imposed by the pandemic!

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Hillside staff,

Just wanting to let you know we are enjoying the 22 days of prayer. We appreciate all you are putting into it!

May God bless you as you lead us on this journey!

The Prayer Course

Go deeper in prayer with others by participating in an eight-session journey through the Lord’s Prayer. This online video-based course features the teaching of Pete Greig. Pete is a pastor from the UK who has written several books on prayer, previously served as the Prayer Lead for the Alpha Course and on the staff team at Holy Trinity Brompton with Nicky Gumbel, and is an international speaker on the topic of prayer. Pastor Jerry Reddy will facilitate this practical course on Wednesday nights (starts Feb 2^nd at 7pm). Various tools and kinds of prayer that have enriched believers through the centuries will also be introduced during this course.

Interested? Sign up here and we’ll send you a Zoom link.

Week 1

BOLD PRAYER – For Our Families

“Father God, we pray for all families. During these stressful days of this pandemic, we focus our eyes on you. Would you help each family establish healthy habits and spiritual practices that would strengthen, encourage, heal, and fill more homes with greater hope and faith rooted in you. We also ask that you open the hearts of any family members (parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, extended family) who don’t know you as Saviour that they would make you the Lord of their lives in 2022.”

After watching the daily video, read slowly and thoughtfully through the Scripture reading for the day and then reflect upon/answer the questions below.

What did you hear? What did God say to you as your read today’s Bible passage? What word or phrase was most meaningful to you?
What do you think? What does this passage mean to you? How can you apply the scripture – the principle, the promise, the idea – to your life?
What is your prayer? Write out a prayer to God or simply pray to Him in response to this Scripture. What have you observed and applied to your life?

DAY 1

SCRIPTURE

‘For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

But continue to grow and increase in God’s grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

PRAYER

Pray that each family member would be motivated with a fresh desire to grow in the Lord and that their roots will run deep in Him.

FASTING

According to Scripture in Galatians 5: 16-18, the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. Fasting is an effective way to “starve” your flesh and an opportunity for you to “feed”your Spirit.

If you are new to fasting, maybe try fasting one meal today and use that time to spend with God in Prayer.

DAY 2

SCRIPTURE

Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:2-4 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray for love, respect and unity in the family.

FASTING

Fasting is a spiritual journey. Consider journaling your experience. Write down any insights, struggles or wins you may have throughout your fast.

DAY 3

SCRIPTURE

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7 (NIV)

But continue to grow and increase in God’s grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

PRAYER

Pray for online and “from home” learning during this particular phase of Covid. Pray for high schoolers as they study and prepare for their January exams.

FASTING

What are you hoping to get out of this fast? What prayers are you hoping to have answered?

DAY 4

SCRIPTURE

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. And love your neighbour as yourself. Mark 12:30, 31 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray for the children and youth who attend our NextGen Ministries (Kidzone, The Launch and HSM), that they would love the Lord with all their heart and be a loving witness to those who don’t know God.

FASTING

If you’ve only been fasting one meal a day, why not try fasting 2 meals today?

Chances are you might be getting headaches. This is normal as your body is flushing out toxins. Drinking lots of water will help.

DAY 5

If you’ve slipped along the way, it’s no big deal. Simply dust yourself off and just start over. Remember, it’s all about motive.

If you’re journalling, we encourage you to go back and read your entries and see how God’s been speaking to you this past week.

Week 2

BOLD PRAYER – For Our Community

“Our gracious Lord, we know that you created us for community, not loneliness or isolation. Realizing that we flourish best when we’re vitally connected to others, we pray that each Hillsider would find one or two spiritual friends who will help them grow stronger in their faith. We pray also that we would each take the time to intentionally reach out in practical and loving ways to encourage others within our Hillside family who may be lonely or struggling.”

After watching the daily video, read slowly and thoughtfully through the Scripture reading for the day and then reflect upon/answer the questions below.

What did you hear? What did God say to you as your read today’s Bible passage? What word or phrase was most meaningful to you?
What do you think? What does this passage mean to you? How can you apply the scripture – the principle, the promise, the idea – to your life?
What is your prayer? Write out a prayer to God or simply pray to Him in response to this Scripture. What have you observed and applied to your life?

DAY 9

SCRIPTURE

Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life. Acts 2:42-47 (TPT)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

PRAYER

Pray that each person in our church community would prioritize setting aside time to connect deeply with God and with others, as the pandemic allows.

FASTING

Are you still on track? If you’re doing a full fast, you’re over the first hump. The major hunger pains should be subsiding. It should be getting a bit easier, and you’re probably a little less irritable. 🙂

If you’re doing a smaller fast, you should also be noticing some differences. Are you feeling a release from the thing you’re fasting from or is the desire more intense? Be aware of these things. Remember, the purpose of fasting is to bring your flesh into submission and using that time to draw closer with God by feeding your spirit.

DAY 10

SCRIPTURE

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (NIV)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray for a humble spirit of understanding and reconciliation in all of our relationships and dealings with others. Pray that our hearts are filled with love for God and others.

FASTING

You’re doing amazing! Keep your eyes on the prize. Your breakthrough could be just around the corner.

DAY 11

SCRIPTURE

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9 10 (NIV)

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray for our Hillside church family that we would be intentional to reach out and practically and lovingly help and encourage others, both within our family and beyond our walls. Pray for our health care workers, teachers and government officials, as they undergird, support and make decisions that affect the livelihood of our community during this stressful and ever changing time.

FASTING

Ok, let’s be real… if you’re doing a full fast, you haven’t eaten in 11 days. You might be feeling weak and you’ve most definitely lost some weight.

Jesus speaks to us about being in this state, in the book of Matthew 6:16-18. He says, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Keep pushing forward!

DAY 12

SCRIPTURE

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Encourage each other every day, while you still have something called “today.^” Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change. We have the honor of sharing in all that Christ has if we continue until the end to have the sure faith we had in the beginning. Hebrews 3:13-14 (ERV)

PRAYER

Pray that our Hillside church family would be intentional in finding one or two spiritual friends who would help them grow stronger in the faith.

FASTING

What are you learning so far during this fast? Do you feel closer to God? Do you also find that you seem to have more time?

DAY 13

SCRIPTURE

Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. Revelation 4:11 (NIV)

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150 (NIV)

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray that we as Hillsiders would set aside individual time for worshipping God through expressed love and adoration, sitting in quiet reverence, expressing our praises to Him for his faithfulness and loving character.

FASTING

Are you fasting hoping God will take away your “thorn”? Perhaps God wants you to give it up for Him. Try asking for strength to let it go.

Don’t give up! We’re all in this together!

DAY 14

SCRIPTURE

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

PRAYER

In your quiet time today, ask God to reveal any sin in your life. Have a time of confession and repentance. As you confess your sin, thank God for his forgiveness.

FASTING

Fasting puts you in a great position to be vulnerable and to hear the Holy Spirit.

Have you been convicted of sin during this period of fasting?

DAY 15

SCRIPTURE

Beloved children, our love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds. I John 3:18 (TPT)

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. I John 4:7-8; 11-12 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray that God will raise our awareness for how He can lead us to impact and practically love someone in our church family.

FASTING

Almost at the finish line! Keep pressing in, God will honour your commitment.

Week 3

BOLD PRAYER – For The World Around Us

After watching the daily video, read slowly and thoughtfully through the Scripture reading for the day and then reflect upon/answer the questions below.

What did you hear? What did God say to you as your read today’s Bible passage? What word or phrase was most meaningful to you?
What do you think? What does this passage mean to you? How can you apply the scripture – the principle, the promise, the idea – to your life?
What is your prayer? Write out a prayer to God or simply pray to Him in response to this Scripture. What have you observed and applied to your life?

DAY 16

SCRIPTURE

I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Romans 8:23-26 (The Message)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray that we would be good stewards of the earth and be focused kingdom builders, having a powerful impact upon our city, region, and world, as we wait for God to make things right again. Pray for the weariness and brokenness in our world. Thank God that he will redeem the time and that his purposes for mankind will prevail.

FASTING

Are you still on track with your fast? Fasting is between you and God, so perhaps He’s asking you to abstain from something new this coming week.

DAY 17

SCRIPTURE

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 (ESV)

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Ephesians 3:20, 21 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray for the Pregnancy & Wellness Centre that their Christmas prayer and “wish” for video resources and volunteers would be answered.

FASTING

If you’ve been doing an advance fast all along, your body is probably in a “coasting” state. The hunger pains are mostly gone and your biggest challenge is avoiding late night food commercials on TV. It’s a great time to turn the “tube” off and spend some time in prayer.

DAY 18

SCRIPTURE

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 (NLT);

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1 (NIV)

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray for our CBM global partners, Darrell and Laura Lee Bustin, as they minister in Rwanda. Pray for hope, good health, and protection from the threat of Covid. Pray that Rwanda experiences recovery from the losses, turmoil and discouragement from the last three years. Pray for Bruno and Kathleen Soucy, CBM partners in Latin America. Pray for their partners to be intentional to know their communities, to pray effectively and to be agents of justice and peace.

FASTING

Are you doing a Daniel fast? Although your body thanks you for all that nutrition, I bet you’re getting tired of fruits and veggies. It’s ok! You’ve only got a few more days to go.

God knows the sacrifice you’re making to draw closer to Him and He will honor you.

DAY 19

SCRIPTURE

The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29 (NIV)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5, 6 (NIV)

PRAYER

Pray for Camp Wildwood that 100 people will pray for this ministry for 100 days. Ask God if you should be one of the 100 people.

FASTING

Have you noticed a new spiritual awareness in your life from doing a fast that you’ve not noticed before? Do you feel God has been speaking to you during this time? If you’re willing to share, we’d love to know what He’s been saying to you. Let us know… info@hillsidemoncton.org

DAY 20

SCRIPTURE

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37-3-5 (NLT);

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (NIV)

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38 (NLT)

PRAYER

The ministry of Teen Challenge is praying for a new walk-in freezer; and Harvest House is praying for the resources to be able to complete renovations in their recovery and housing programs. Pray that God would favor both of these ministries with the desires of their heart and that many of their partners will be inspired to generously give.

FASTING

It’s been 20 days. Can you imagine only drinking water all this time? Now imagine doing that for another 20 days! That’s what Jesus did. It goes to show us how much he valued his relationship with the Father and how dependant he was on Him.

Fasting is an important practice that positions us to depend on God. It should be more than something we do once a year; as believers, it should be a frequent practice.

DAY 21

SCRIPTURE

None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.

For, as the scripture says, “The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 10:24, 26 (GNT)

PRAYER

Pray for our local partners Beaverbrook School for food security and safety for their student body; and pray for the Second Mile Food Bank for a new building that would better meet the needs of their clients.

FASTING

As you fast today, I encourage you to pray for those who have no choice but fast today because of lack of food. It’s hard to believe that many people in the Greater Moncton region woke up hungry and will go to bed hungry today.

As you continue to press in to hear God’s voice, be sure to pause long enough to listen. He may ask you to answer your own prayer and help someone in need.

He will put the righteous people at his right and the others at his left. Then the King will say to the people on his right, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.’ The righteous will then answer him, ‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!’ Matthew 25 33-40

DAY 22

SCRIPTURE

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16–20 (NLT);

I remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (ESV)

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)

PRAYER

Pray for the ministry of Compassion Canada that more children will be connected to a sponsor and to Jesus.

FASTING

You’ve reached the finish line!

IMPORTANT: If you’ve been doing a full fast for the past 22 days, as tempting as it is, don’t run off to the Keg for a 12 oz steak just yet. Start introducing soft foods, like soup and yogurt to your diet for a few days. This will allow your digestive system time to wake up and get used to processing food again.

How has this fasting season been for you? We would really love to hear from you. Let us know at info@hillsidemoncton.org.

DAY 23 - What's Next?

“22 Days of Prayer & Fasting” is meant to be a beginning to launch us into a growing relationship with God throughout 2022. So, what’s next? Well, to encourage you going forward, here are some practical “Day 23” resources. As with most activities in life whether going on a trip, making a meal or engaging in a workout, it’s always more meaningful when you have a plan. In other words, preparation is key. The same is true when it comes to having a meaningful quiet time. Preparation matters. It’s so important that you prepare in advance by choosing a reading plan and scheduling time in your day to slow down, breathe, relax in God’s presence, read a portion of Scripture, reflect, and take time to pray. And, for even more spiritual enrichment, there are other resources listed below that can take you deeper in the adventure of enjoying greater intimacy with God. Be sure to check them out below.

Daily Bible Reading Plans

Bible In One Year

Pick A Great Reading Plan From YouVerison

Top 5 Bible Reading Plans

Reading Plans From Bible Gateway

Reading Plans

Tip: Choose a plan that works for you. The goal isn’t to rush through Scripture, but to slowly read a portion each day until something speaks to you. When that happens (it could after reading a verse, a few verses, or a chapter or more) then stop, reflect, write down a key thought, pray, and act upon whatever the Lord has revealed to you. Typically, a good place to start is to focus on one book of the Bible and take your time reading through it giving the Holy Spirit some time and space to speak to you.

How to Have a Quiet Time by Rick Warren

How To Have A Quiet Time With God (PDF)

3 Books on Prayer Recommended by Pastor Jerry to get started…

-Pete Greig, “How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People”

-Richard Foster, “Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home”

-Mark Batterson, “Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears”

Plus 7 Other Books on Prayer/Spiritual Formation to Round Out a Top 10 List

-John Mark Comer, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World”

-Tim Keller, “Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God”

-Dallas Willard, “Hearing God”

-Ruth Haley Barton, “Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation”

-Gary Thomas, “Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God”

-Bill & Kristi Gaultiere, “Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional & Spiritual Growth”

-Pete Scazzero, “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Its Impossible to be Spiritually Mature While Remaining Emotionally Immature”

Helpful Websites on Prayer & Spiritual Disciplines

24-7 Prayer

The Prayer Course

Renovaré

Ruth Haley Barton

Rule Of Life – Bridgetown Church

Unhurrying With A Rule Of Life