40 Days of Prayer and Fasting
The God of the Scriptures hears and answers prayer! There is no prayer too big, no prayer too small, to pray – especially if our greatest desire is to see the will of God be done here “…on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-13).
In the Bible, prayer is sometimes accompanied by fasting. Fasting is willingly doing without food, a portion of food, or a specific activity/necessity, for a set period of time in order to invest our energies and focus in prayer.
We are launching into a 40-day journey asking God to move powerfully in our personal relationship with Him, in our church, in our community, nation and the world. We would like to for someone to be fasting and praying for all 40 days during this time.
Why 40 Days? Throughout scripture, God used 40 days to prepare someone for His purposes.
Noah’s life was transformed by 40 days of rain.
Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai.
The spies were transformed by 40 days in the Promised Land.
David was transformed by Goliath’s 40 days of challenges.
Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from a single meal.
The entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave the people 40 days to change.
Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.
The disciples were transformed by 40 days with Jesus after His resurrection.
Why fast? For spiritual preparation: Fasting is a discipline that is often seen in Scripture as preparing us for our next season.
Before a major project. Nehemiah fasted and prayed before setting out to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4).
Before a time of spiritual renewal. “Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly” (Joel 2:15–16a).
Moses fasted for 40 days while receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28).
Daniel fasted for three weeks before receiving his vision (Daniel 10:2–6).
Elijah fasted for 40 days before receiving fresh direction from God (1 Kings 19:8).
Jesus fasted for 40 days in preparation for his new season of public ministry Matthew 4:1–11).
