Closer – Start Here
Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from prayer. Here at Crosspoint City, we believe that which is why we call our church to pray and fast for 21 days at the top of every year. This year we’ll start on January 14th, and we’re calling the season Closer because our goal is simple: we want to draw close to God believing his promise that in doing so he’ll draw close to us.
Over the course of these 21 days, we’ll provide resources on our app and website to help you pray and spend time in God’s Word. We’ll give you a fasting guide so that you can understand its purpose and be intentional about giving God your undivided attention. Then we’ll close out the season with a series of Revival Nights where we’ll gather for worship, prayer, and preaching.
So mark down January 14th on your calendars, be on the lookout for those online resources, and make it a point to join us for the Revival Nights, February 1-3. And let’s be praying right now for God to show up and work in unexpected, undeniable ways as we draw close to him.
-Pastor James
How to Use This Guide
Over the next 21 days of prayer, we hope that the Lord will use this time in a significant way in your life. This is a time to clear out the distractions of life, focus your heart, and seek the Lord together as a church. These posts contain a daily Psalm reading, reflection section, and a prayer for you to use during this 21-day period. Our hope in providing this resource is that it will assist you in focusing your heart each day. Here are some ways to make the best use of your reading each day:
READ
Each day will begin by reading a passage in Psalms. Above all else in this booklet, this is the most important part! Begin each day by hearing from the Word that God has spoken to us. The daily Psalm is directly connected for the daily “theme” that is the middle section.
REFLECT
After reading each passage on your own, you will find a short reflection on what you have just read. Spend time going over each reflection and continue to think through what the Scripture is teaching you and how God wants to use that truth in your life.
PRAY
Each day you will find a short personal prayer in response to the Scripture reading from that day. During this time of prayer, begin to pray over whatever the Lord may prompt in your heart each day.
Come close to God and God will come close to you
- James 4:8
Fasting Guide
Over these 21 Days of Prayer, many will find it important to fast during this intentional period. Below is a short guide for those considering fasting: What is Fasting? The goal of fasting is to draw near to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose. Fasting is a way to express our desire for God and our holy discontent in a fallen world. Remember, your fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body and your options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
Scripture References for Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 9:14-15
Luke 18:1-14
Types of Fasts
Complete Fast: In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
Selective Fast This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
Partial Fast: This fast is called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or from sunup to sundown.
Non-Food Fast: This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting from food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting from food, or wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses after the fast.