We are so glad you have decided to participate with The Crossing Church in an extended time of prayer, fasting, and personal devotion. There really is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about refreshing in every area of our lives than through prayer and fasting.

Awakening 21 was intentionally designed to be flexible so that you can participate at any level. Whether you have done a twenty-one-day season of prayer and fasting before, or if this is your first time, you can start where you are and experience what God has in store for you in a powerful way.

We have provided several tools and resources on our website to help you navigate through your personal twenty-one-day journey. As you read over the information, please consider how it applies to you and your personal circumstances and convictions.

We pray that you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next twenty-one days. May God continue to bless you and enlarge you as you seek Him first!

“…But the days will come when the bridegroom
will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
Matthew 9:15b NKJV

• Pray for marriage partners to receive God’s grace for their relationships
• Pray for our men to learn how to walk in the freedom and power of God
• Pray for every person to receive the fullness of the Spirit’s gifts
• Pray for our students to radically impact their schools and families

• Fasting can be used to mourn or to petition the Lord for something huge BUT these times should be the rarest of occasions not the norm.
• Regular times of prayer and fasting help us: 1. Get ride of the “gunk” we accumulate in our bodies and souls (mind, will, and emotions) over time. 2 Reset our spiritual compass 3. Hear the will and way of the Lord more directly and clearly 4. Regain our first love in the joy of the Lord.
• If you have placed your trust in the name of Christ, remember that you are under the “New Covenant” when you fast! You are already forgiven, loved, accepted and approved, so don’t spend unwarranted time begging God for things you already possess in full!

• Make a personal fasting calendar that fits your convictions and level of experience with fasting. When we plan what we are going to do and how we are going to do it, we position ourselves to finish strong.
• Make an effort to disconnect from the “noise” that is a normal part of daily life. Television, newspapers, Twitter and Facebook are not bad in and of themselves, but they can be a distraction. If at all possible try to limit their use for the next 30 days so you can give full attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
• Keep your fridge and pantry stocked with the items you need. Being unprepared to fast sets you up to give into temptation.
• Set aside a time each day (the morning works best for most people) to read your Bible and and devotional. Find a quiet spot where you can be alone, and write down your own reflections and the things God shows you as you pray and read.
• Don’t make a long laundry list of prayer needs. Write down just two or three things that you are focusing on during these 30 days and pray for them daily.
• Make it a priority to attend church over the next 30 days. Being around other believers will encourage you to keep on going when fasting gets difficult.
• Fasting requires reasonable precautions. If you have any health concerns, please consult your physician prior to starting your fast - especially if you are taking medication, have a chronic condition or if you are pregnant or nursing.

Remember that fasting is an individual endeavor. We are all at different places in our walk with God, and our spirituality should never be a cause for comparison or competition. If you mess up, don’t get discouraged. Just get right back on track and keep going. God’s mercies are new every morning. He wants us to finish, and He will give us the grace and strength to do it.

We pray that God does great things in your life through this year's corporate fast. One of the greatest things we can do in the church is to testify, or tell others about the great things God does in our lives when we pray and fast. We have developed a special web page that allows you to do just this! Click here and Tell us your story! We are planning on using these stories to highlight the First Wednesday service in March.

• Fasting Tips from Jentenzen Franklin
• Preparing for your fast by Ron Lagerquist
• Daniel Fast Resources - Jentezen Franklin
• Juice Fasting - Ron Lagerquist
• Water Fast - Ron Lagerquist
• Fasting Recipes

You can visit Awakening 21 for additional resources.