Pray together.
Prayer is how God's children talk with their Father. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, and He still invites us to bring Him everything. These guides can help you pray on your own, with your family, and with your church.
Share a prayer request.
Use the form on our Prayer & Care page. Tell us as much or as little as you want.
Send a prayer requestWe pray as a church.
On the first Sunday of each month, our church prays together during the Sunday morning worship service.
Pray through your reading.
The PRAYS guide walks you through your daily time with God in five steps. Pray, Read, Apply, Yield, and Share. It keeps prayer and Scripture together, so the Bible shapes what you pray.
Make room for God.
Jesus assumed His followers would fast, just as they would pray (Matthew 6:16). Fasting is a normal part of the Christian life. It is a way to depend on God, to put His kingdom first, and to glorify Him with our lives.
Fasting never earns God's favor. Through it we make space for Him to work in us and through us, and we say, "Lord, You are my sustenance and strength." Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). When we fast, we confess that God's presence sustains us more than food or anything else this world offers.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
WhyWhy do we fast?
- To glorify God alone. Fasting is worship. It declares that God is worth more than anything else.
- To depend on God. Fasting humbles us and reminds us that we rely on God for strength, provision, and direction (John 15:5).
- To seek His kingdom first. Fasting clears away distractions so we can focus on His purposes and line up our hearts with His will (Matthew 6:33).
- To pray with greater intensity. In Scripture, fasting often goes with fervent prayer, for repentance, for guidance, and for others (Ezra 8:21, Acts 13:2–3). It makes us more aware of spiritual realities and sharpens our prayers.
HowWays to fast
- Complete fast. Go without food for part of the day, such as sunrise to sunset, and drink water or light liquids. This reminds us that our true food comes from God (Matthew 4:4).
- Partial fast. Skip a specific meal, like breakfast or lunch, or give up certain foods such as sweets or meat. A Daniel fast, eating only vegetables and drinking water, is one form of this. Let the hunger turn your heart to feast on God's Word and His presence.
- Activity fast. If your health keeps you from fasting from food, set aside distractions like social media or television. This makes quiet space to hear God and enjoy Him.
PracticalGuidelines for fasting
- Choose a way of fasting that is meaningful to you and fits your health. If you have a medical condition, adjust your fast and talk with your doctor.
- Drink plenty of water, especially during a complete fast.
- Break your fast with something light and easy to digest, especially if you are new to fasting.
- Use the time you would spend on meals to pray and read God's Word. Let each hunger pang remind you to seek Him.
- If your fast becomes too hard, adjust it without guilt. Drawing near to God is the point. The method serves that.
- Tell a trusted friend or your small group that you are fasting, so they can encourage you and hold you accountable.
Books on prayer.
Five books we recommend for anyone who wants to grow in prayer.
- Power Through PrayerE.M. Bounds
- The Power of PrayerE.M. Bounds
- Transforming PrayerDaniel Henderson
- A Praying LifePaul E. Miller
- Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual ReformationD.A. Carson