Pashtun and Afghan Prayer Resources
This year, we have committed to pray for the Pashtun people, many of whom live in Afghanistan. Many Pashtuns and other Afghans also live in Fremont, and our prayer is that they would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Here are some prayer guides to assist us in praying for them.
Previous Resources - Prayer and Fasting
Fasting is deliberately replacing the normal routines of life with focused time in prayer and the study of God’s word. It is an act of surrender that helps us humble ourselves before God and positions us to experience spiritual breakthroughs in our lives. Fasting is one of the most powerful Christian disciplines through which the Holy Spirit can transform our lives and also invite God‘s favor towards issues concerning our communities and nation. Fasting is not easy and requires self-discipline. We need to be deliberate to remain faithful through the duration of fasting and plan for increased time in prayer during our 21 day fast. When we pray and fast, we can expect increased intimacy with God and a deeper clarity of His will and desire for our lives. Prayer and fasting increases our conviction towards sin, righteousness and judgment and breaks the power of sin as God purifies our attitudes, cleanses our bodies and souls. Prayer and fasting results in a profound personal change, breakthrough for difficult personal, church and national issue (Joel 2:12-14).
What breakthrough are you seeking this year? What is something big on your mind? A loved one far from Christ? A critical decision in the life of your family? A relationship that is falling apart? What great matters are in front of your church or ministry? An evangelistic outreach? A financial crisis? A desire to grow deeper in Christ?
We invite you to join our 21-day fasting experience starting next week Monday, Jan 18 to Feb 7. During the fast, you may feel somewhat weaker than normal; you may feel tired, irritable or even get headaches. Lightening your workload and cutting down on exercise is advisable to maintaining your health and morale. Drink plenty of water (at least 6-8 glasses per day). If you have any long-standing illnesses or a physical condition that may be affected by fasting, or if you are currently on any medication, please consult your doctor before starting any fast.
Decide how you will fast:
Daniel fast: Eating only vegetables, fruit, water and juice (minimal amount of carbohydrates and giving up meat, alcohol, sugar, etc). Check out this website for a detailed description of a Daniel fast (https://www.daniel-fast.com), which gives a strict version but you can determine which foods you will give up during your fast.
Partial Fast: Not eating one or two meals on a specific day.
All-day Food Fast: Abstaining from food for one day or multiple days per week.
Activity/Media Fast: Forgoing a time-consuming activity such as entertainment, hobbies, television, internet, sports, etc. and praying instead
Set fasting goals & write them down
Begin with clear personal goals as well as breakthrough goals for your church. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of your marriage or resolution of family issues? Are you facing difficulties? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Write these requests in a journal or a notebook. Keeping a journal throughout your fast is a great way to track and remember all God does during your fast.
Immerse yourself in God’s Word
Fasting is ultimately an expression of humility and dependence on God. It is about replacing the daily intake of food, entertainment and human contact with focused times of prayer, spending large amounts of time feeding on the Word of God and spiritual listening. The YouVersion Bible App and bible.com have a variety of 21- day Bible reading programs.
Prepare your heart
Sin separates us from God and keeps us from experiencing His presence. Prepare your heart for the fast by asking God to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life, or any sinful habits. Then ask for forgiveness and dedicate time during the fast to pray for breakthrough in uprooting any entrenched sin patterns. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and surrender your life fully to His Lordship.
Prepare your body
Don't rush into the fast. Eat smaller portions and cut out high-carb and sugary foods before you start.
Increase your water intake and try to eat only fruits and vegetables a day or two before your fast.
Expect God to move
Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, for anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Enter your fast in faith, believing that God has the power to answer your prayers and give you a breakthrough. You will only experience God's power to the extent that you believe. Whenever you feel doubt, ask God to help you to overcome them and to increase your faith. Remember to pray! Fasting is about depending on God and taking extra time to connect with God through prayer, it is not simply about going without food or Facebook.
I pray that we will each have life-changing encounters with God as we embark on this fast!
Lord we desire to encounter you this year…
Click below for a suggested format of how to spend an hour in prayer. Below is the prayer guide we used in 2020 for 40 days of prayer with scripture and suggested areas of prayer. Please check out the links below!