Join Us for Our First Love Fast

Join us as we respond to the invitation of the Lord. We are kicking off the new year with a 21-Day First Love Fast, January 4 – 24.

Casting vision for fasting.

“When you [fast to] practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well” (Matthew 6:16–18 MSG).

Jesus assumed that that his followers would engage in the spiritual discipline of fasting as a way of saying “no” to something in order to say a better “yes” to something else. Fasting with prayer helps us to cultivate a greater awareness of the Lord. And, the Lord promises rewards and benefits for our pursuit of him.

Corporate fasting and prayer have been a significant part of our history at Calvary.

Throughout the 1990’s, we would fast and pray for long periods of time for particular assignments. For example, in 1993, we fasted and prayed for 30 days as a part of Praying Through the 10/40 Window where the majority of unreached peoples live. Churches were asked to pray about a nation to adopt for prayer and fasting. Then, we were to travel to that nation to pray with insight onsite– prayerwalking. The Lord led us to adopt Nigeria. Calvary sent a team to Nigeria in October 1993. Because of a relationship which we had through Eddie Smith back in 1990, Rev. Mosy Madugba hosted our team as we traveled and prayed throughout the country of Nigeria. We took a prayer notebook of prophetic words, declaration, and promises which the youth put together from our time of corporate prayer and fasting. We gave that resource to Rev. Mosy. Our relationship with Ap. Mosy, Ministers Prayer Network, and Nigeria continues to this day.

For more than a decade, we took on times of fasting and prayer for revival and other emphases. We sometimes fasted for up to 40 days.

Through the years, some members of Calvary continued to fast and pray regularly through the Global Bridegroom Fast, or some engaged in fasting as a personal spiritual practice. But for the most part, we really didn’t engage together in corporate times of focused prayer and fasting.

That all changed in 2019. The Lord spoke to us about returning to our first love. Our church responded to the Lord’s leadership by fasting and praying once a week from August – December 2019, Return to Our First Love: Remember. Repent. Renew.

Earlier in 2019, the Lord spoke to our staff team about calling the church annually to a fast to start each new year. After the 5 months of focused prayer and fasting in 2019, Calvary entered into a 21-Day First Love Fast for January 2020.

In praying about our focus for our 21 days of prayer and fasting to start 2021, your staff team at Calvary felt like the Lord is leading us in to another 21-Day First Love Fast.

Why are we starting 2021 with 21 days of fasting and prayer?

• Because we want to respond to the invitation of the Lord by starting the new year focused on Lord (Revelation 2:4-5; Jeremiah 29:11-14, esp. vs. 13).
• Because we want to start the year off on the right foot by getting our perspective on the right place and on the right person: Jesus (Matthew 4:19, 6:33).
• Because we want to posture ourselves in humility before the Lord (Isaiah 58:5; 2 Chronicles 7:14 James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5-7).
• Because we want to focus on the simplicity of loving Jesus first and of saying “no” to other things which vie for our attention and affection (Matthew 6:10; 2 Corinthians 11:3).
• Because Jesus emphasized that the Father rewards fasting (Matthew 6:16-18).
• Because we want to take everything that hit us in 2020 and lay it at the Lord’s feet to begin 2021.
• Because fasting with prayer is about surrendering and remembering.
  • Specifically, we want to begin the year by surrendering:
    • “Let thy kingdom come, let thy will be done in me and in earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
    • “Not my will but thine be done” (Matthew 26:39).
  • And, we want to remember the Lord by putting him first in our attention, affections, and activities (Matthew 22:37-39).

Actions:

1. In the coming weeks, we will post online some blogs, fasting resources, and devotionals to help us come together as one to seek the Lord.
2. We are asking each member of Calvary to fast as the Lord leads.
   • There are different types of fasts.
   • The level at which a person engages in fasting from food should be determined according to age and physical limitations. Those with a physical disability, illness, or eating disorder should not fast, except under the supervision of a physician. Minors are discouraged from fasting food. Minors who desire to fast are encouraged to consider non-food abstentions, such as TV, movies, Internet, video games, and other entertainment. The Bible never calls children to fast food.
3. So, please mark your calendar for our 21-Day First Love Fast, Jan. 4 – 24.
4. Prayer: Lord, we ask you to grant to us your spirit of grace and supplication. We need your grace to pray, to fast, and to press into a deeper relationship with you. And, we ask for your help in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Go to our website for more information and equipping on fasting.

1. We have posted resources on our website about fasting.
2. Fasting tips from Mike Bickle.
3. Practical Tips for Fasting from Luke 18.
4. Third, Mike Bickle has a free ebook called The Rewards of Fasting.
5. This book by John Piper, A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer, is a great resource on fasting.