Week of Prayer and Fasting
PRAY BIG PRAYERS
GOD IS IN THE CAMP
Monday 21st September to Sunday 26th September
We have always believed that prayer is essential, and should underpin everything we do. so, as we head into a new church year with a fresh approach to how we outwork the vision God has given us, we are dedicating a week to prayer and fasting. Be encouraged to spend time with God, seeking his input to your life on both a personal level and as part of the New Life Church family.
Let’s pray big prayers for this new season.
Why fast as well as pray?
The Bible reveals several reasons to fast as well as pray. Here are four things to consider:
Fasting does not change whether God hears our prayers but it changes how we pray, helping to focus our minds on God and our desire to see his will done on Earth.
By focusing our minds it helps us to be more receptive to his voice and guidance.
In the book of Nehemiah we read that fasting is a tangible sign of concern for the work God is doing.
It is an act of worship and love. John Piper says, ‘What we hunger for, we worship.’
If you haven’t combined fasting with prayer before, take a look at these resources from the 24–7 prayer movement. We would encourage you to try fasting from food, but if you have a medical or other reason that makes that unwise please consider the other options suggested.
During the week there are various organised prayer times that you can join – see below. We also encourage you to be creative in making time and space to pray with other people, as well as individually.
The prayer room at The Ridgeway Centre is available to book during the day when the building is open. Book here.
Gathering points for adults:
In-person prayer times
Tuesday 22nd September 7:30pm New Bradwell
We encourage you to join our regular Tuesday evening prayer gathering. This week will be at New Bradwell and will focus on the key elements of being Better Together.
You are also welcome to join the staff team at 9:30am in the prayer room at The Ridgeway Centre on this Tuesday morning.
Sunday 27th September
Our week of prayer and fasting will draw to a close with our usual Sunday services. Do come to the pre-service prayer times at the service you attend:
Wolverton Mill – 8:30am – Prayer room
New Bradwell – 9:15am
Wolverton Mill – 10:45am – a special gathering for those committing to our 11:15am community – Prayer room
Online
Early morning Zoom call 6:00 – 6:30am Monday to Friday.
These will follow the format of PRAY = Pause, Reflect, Ask, Yield and focus on the Bible verses (see below) for each day.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 931 1258 5931
Passcode: 239833
Day by day prayer and fasting
Verses for today
Hebrews 10:19–26
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Monday 21st September | Looking up to Father God
Personal prayer suggestions:
Thank Jesus for who he is and what he has done – vs 19–22
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a way to encourage someone today – vs 24–25
Praying with other people
Pray for one another, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal more of God’s faithfulness. You could share some stories of how God has moved in your life and then offer up thanksgiving for all he has done.
Day by day prayer and fasting
Tuesday 22nd September | Take a seat at the table
Verses for today
Acts 2:42–47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Personal prayer suggestions
How is God calling you to sit at the table with him? Which of our Sunday gatherings will you commit to?
What is he asking you to bring to the table? Abundance comes when everyone brings what they have to the table.
Praying with others
Can you meet with two or three other people from the Sunday service you attend? If so, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in praying for that specific community.
Day by day prayer and fasting
Wednesday 23rd September | Practice hospitality
Verses for today
Romans 12:9 –13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Personal prayer suggestions
Ask God to give you a renewed love for your neighbours, and to reveal who they are (beyond just being the people living next door)
Ask him how you can be hospitable. Who is he asking you to invite to your table?
Praying with others
Is God asking you to host a table? Can you gather some people together to pray about leading one or more City groups?
Day by day prayer and fasting
Thursday 24th September | Help lay the table
Verses for today
1 Corinthians 12:12 –14, 21–27
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many.
[…] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Personal prayer suggestions
Ask God to reveal the gifts and skills he has given to you. How might you use who you are to serve the body of Christ?
Pray for everyone to play their part so we can reach more people with the good news of Jesus.
Praying with others
If you are already serving in a team, consider gathering together to pray either in person or online today. Ask God to reveal how your team can multiply for his kingdom.
Friday 25th September – Global Family at the table
Verses for today
Matthew 28:16 -–20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Personal prayer suggestions
New Life Church has a large global family in more than a dozen nations. Ask God how you can include someone from that family at your table – maybe they can’t be physically with you, but you can pray regularly for them and send them encouragement.
Might God be calling you to visit in person? Ask him to reveal if this is something for you in this coming season. If so, where might you go?
Day by day prayer and fasting
Day by day prayer and fasting
Saturday 26th September – Who could you meet with today?
Verses for today
Matthew 18:19 - 20
Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Praying with others
Meet up with friends or family and prayer walk your local neighbourhood, asking for God encounters for those who live nearby
Consider gathering together with others to pray about the coming year. Spend some time at the Lord’s table, remembering what he has done for us through the emblems of bread and wine.