Week of Prayer + Fasting

Week of Prayer + Fasting 2026

It can be tempting to rush into 2026, but let's start by making space for God to speak. Our Week of Prayer & Fasting is January 12–16; an opportunity to slow down and practice hearing God’s voice as a church family. A Daily Prayer Guide is available below and in print at your campus Information Desk starting January 10.

Join us January 14 for our next churchwide Prayer Night, a perfect midweek encouragement in your prayer and fasting journey! FAC family, let’s begin the year listening to what God wants to say to us.

View Daily Prayer Guide

Getting Ready: About Fasting

What is Fasting?

Fasting, in its simplest definition, is understood as “voluntary abstinence from food or drink, especially as a religious duty.” As followers of Jesus, the purpose of all spiritual disciplines, including fasting, is to help us become more like Jesus. We follow in His footsteps. Fasting helps us, both personally and corporately, become aware of how God desires to work in us and through us.

We should never be motivated by the idea that our fasting will move God to do what we want; we can't manipulate God. The purpose of our fasting is to draw us closer to God and to seek His will for our lives.

“One of the greatest spiritual benefits of fasting is becoming more attentive to God — becoming more aware of our own inadequacies and His adequacy, our own contingencies and His self-sufficiency — and listening to what He wants us to be and do.” (E.L. Towns)

When God’s people fast with the right posture of seeking His will with a humble and repentant spirit, amazing things happen! This is our moment. We’re going to pray and fast as a church community. We’re going to seek God’s will for our lives, our church, our communities, our country, and our world.

Deciding How Long

Choose either a 1-, 3-, or 5-day fast from food or another significant comfort item. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you when making this decision. Beginners are advised to start slowly.

Keep yourself hydrated at all times.
Drink plenty of water and juices.
Remember to replace your time of eating with prayer and reflecting on Scripture.

What to Expect

When you fast, your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort, such as headaches and irritability, during withdrawal from caffeine and sugar. And naturally, you’ll have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately; take time to rest.

You’re following Jesus’ example when you fast. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the usual distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God’s will for us.

As you enter this time of heightened spiritual devotion, be aware that Satan will do everything he can to pull you away from your prayer and Bible reading time. When you feel the enemy trying to discourage you, immediately go to God in prayer and ask Him to strengthen you in the face of difficulties and temptations.

Ending a Fast

Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. This can cause nausea, stomach aches, or diarrhea. Introducing regular foods slowly will help you break a fast safely, without disrupting your digestive system.

Words of Caution

Please consult your family physician before attempting to fast if you have a physical condition that’s affected by your food intake, have any type of chronic illness, and/or are taking any kind of prescription medications. If you’re unsure whether you should participate for any reason, please consult your family physician.

Infants and small children should not fast. Older children who can understand fasting can participate by choosing a food they usually have each day and giving that up during the fast. The important thing is to explain to them that we are giving up something to focus on God.

Daily Prayer Guide

Tap on each day to view your daily prayer guide content:

Day 1: Joining Jesus in 2026

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5)

Points to Ponder

God is constantly drawing people closer to Himself. Many of us struggle to figure out how to connect with Him. Prayer and fasting are not mechanisms to manipulate God but a means of helping us to hear Him more clearly. In Scripture, fasting often accompanies moments of seeking God’s direction, repentance, and empowerment for mission.

Fasting and prayer create space for God to speak, stripping away distractions and self-reliance so that we can become more Christ-like. Jesus modeled this rhythm. Before launching His public ministry, He fasted for forty days in the wilderness (demonstrating that spiritual strength flows from connection with the Father, not from physical food.

He frequently withdrew to pray, prayed before major decisions and taught that fasting should be done in humility . His example shows that prayer and fasting are relational, not ritualistic—they align our hearts with the Father’s will and empower us for Kingdom work.

We can set aside one day, three days, a week or longer to fast from food or another significant comfort item. We can use that time to seek God’s presence and listen for Him to speak. As we begin 2026 we want to step more into being a church that is all praying. This starts with you!

Video

Scripture

Spend a few minutes reading the scriptures below. Take time to think about how they apply to your life.

Ezra 8:21-23; Matthew 4:1-4; Luke 6:12; Acts 13:2-3; Matthew 6:16-18

Reflection

Why do you think fasting often precedes significant movements of God in Scripture?
How does Jesus’ example of prayer & fasting play into your current spiritual practices?
What might God be inviting you to surrender so you can hear from Him more clearly?

Pray

God, I want to surrender to your will this year.

In order for me to do that, I need to hear from you. Would you speak very clearly to me this year? I want to draw closer to you by being in conversation with you.

Amen.

Day 2: Does God Still Speak?

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1 & 2 NIV)

Points to Ponder

God spoke in the past, and He continues to speak today. Throughout Scripture, we see that His voice was never silent, and Hebrews reminds us that in these last days, He speaks through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God—everything we need to know about the Father is revealed in Him.

Hearing God is not optional for believers; it is essential for a living relationship and for walking in obedience. When we listen to His voice, we align our lives with His will and experience His guidance in every area.

There are several ways mentioned in today’s video of how God speaks to us:

The Bible
An Audible Voice
Pictures
Feelings or Impressions
Dreams or Visions

Video

Scripture

Spend a few minutes reading the scriptures below.

Ask: “Lord, what do you want to say to me?”

Jeremiah 33:1-3; John 10:27; John 15:7-8; Philippians 4:6-7

Reflection

How do you personally experience God speaking to you?
What practices help you become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings?

Pray

God, I know your thoughts are greater than my thoughts. What do you think about when you think about me? Help me to see myself the way that you see me. Lord, what do you have for me this year?

Amen.

Listen & Act

Write down what you heard or sensed God speak to you. Ask others if they see these things in you. Keep these points somewhere where you will look at them and remind yourself of how God sees you and what He has for you.

Day 3: Hearing Like Jesus

“For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.” (John 12:49 NIV)

Points to Ponder

Jesus modelled perfect listening to the Father. He said He only did what He saw the Father doing, which shows us that hearing God is central to living in His will.

As His followers, we are His sheep, and Jesus says that hearing His voice is normal for us. Every revelation we receive will always align with Christ’s character and teaching. If it doesn’t reflect Jesus, it isn’t from God.

Although we hear things for ourselves, which draws us closer to God, at some point we need to conclude that in order to join Jesus, we need to be asking God what He wants us to say to or do for others. This moves our time with God past just our own needs to the needs of others.

Scripture

Spend a few minutes reading the scriptures below. Take time to think about how they apply to your life.

John 5:19; John 10:1-10; John 10:27; John 11:41-42; John 14:15-21

Reflection

Pray and ask Jesus what He wants you to understand about listening and modelling like He did.
How does Jesus being the Good Shepherd shape your understanding of hearing His voice?
What practical steps can you take to follow His leading more closely?

Pray

Father God, I long to hear your voice, not only for myself so I know how you feel about me, but also so that I can do your will. I long to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. I want to join Him in the renewal of all things. Please help me hear you correctly.

Amen.

Wednesday Night Prayer

Attend the Prayer Gathering at your campus tonight.

Day 4: Discerning

Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “this is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21 NIV)

Points to Ponder

Not every voice we hear, nor every feeling we get will be from God. So we need to test and confirm what we see, sense or feel. The first test is always scripture—God will never contradict His word. Does what I am receiving line up with what the Bible says?

We should also always seek wise counsel from other mature believers who can help us discern. And finally, we should look for fruit; if what you heard is encouraging or uplifting for yourself or someone else than it is likely from God. If it leads to pride or confusion than it is not from Him.

The easiest way to check is to ask if this is Jesus or the Holy Spirit you are hearing from. The enemy cannot respond as one of the God head.

Video

Scripture

Spend a few minutes reading the scriptures below. Take time to think about how they apply to your life.

Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 4:2-4; Romans 12:2

Reflection

Do you test what you hear from God or accept it at face value?
What might change if you sought others discerning input before you acted on what you thought God was saying to you?

Pray

Father God, I long to only hear your voice. Help me discern what is from you. Please help me quiet other voices that may want to pull me away from hearing from you. I long to hear what you want me to do and say this year.

Amen.

Listen & Act

Write down what you heard or sensed God speak to you.

Ask others to help you discern what God spoke to you.

Act on those that align with scripture and the discernment of others.

Day 5: Sharing

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appoint you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give to you.” (John 15:16 NIV)

Points to Ponder

Throughout scripture, God speaks to His people and His voice calls for a response. We have already read about Jesus saying, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” Hearing from God is not the end in itself—it leads us to obedience and often involves sharing what He reveals to us.

What God reveals is for the building up of others. It’s for Encouragement and Edification—when God speaks, His words bring life. Sharing what we hear can strengthen ones faith, provide guidance, mobilize them to change or act on God’s words.

You may hear, see or sense something negative. Perhaps it is a sin someone is committing. Remember sin is a byproduct of other thigs that have or are happening in their life. And Jesus’ Kingdom flips what we know upside down.

Remember to pray and ask God what He wants you to do with what you received. Perhaps He wants you to pray the opposite over them or encourage them. Or perhaps now is not the time to act on it? We only know what we are to do with what we receive when we push further into conversation with Him.

Video

Scripture

Spend a few minutes reading the scriptures below. Take time to think about how they apply to your life.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-21

Reflection

Think of a time you sensed God speaking to you, did you share it? Why or why not?
What fears or barriers keep you from sharing what you heard from God?

Pray

Father God, thank you for loving me enough to have a relationship with me.

Thank you for guiding my life. Father, use me to help others. Use me to draw others closer to you. As I discern your voice, help me to encourage and edify others.

Amen.