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Hope Is Here!

Every year at Hope we start the year off by giving our First Fruits as an offering. What does that really mean? For many of us it’s a commitment to spending 21 days fasting and praying for God’s power, His Plans, and His Provision. This challenge will be an incredible opportunity to prioritize your relationship with God and focus attention on what matters most. Whether you have a great prayer life or no prayer life at all, this is a powerful way to start 2024!

Why Fast Though?

Fasting is one of the disciplines God has established to achieve spiritual breakthroughs in our life and the lives of others about whom we care deeply. It is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God. King David said, “I humbled myself with fasting” (Psalm 35:13 (NKJV); see Ezra 8:21).

An individual praying during fasting

Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed.

Fasting is a discipline that helps to shift our priorities. It puts Him first and allows us to hear His plan, receive His direction and His blessings. If you want success in your life, in your marriage, in your work—putting God first is the key.

JESUS himself fasted on a regular basis in order to know how His Father was leading Him. In fact, Jesus’ ministry began with His baptism by John then immediately He went into the desert for a 40 day fast. “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert where for 40 days He ate nothing”. – Luke 1:1-2. Also, let’s not forget that He was Jewish and practiced all of the Jewish holidays, which included many days of fasting. But most importantly Jesus teaches, “WHEN you give” – Mat 6:3; “WHEN you Pray” – Mat 6:5; “WHEN you fast” – Mat 6:16. Did you catch the little word that seems to change everything? WHEN… Not if you feel like it…. Not if you are a religious fanatic…. WHEN. In other words, it’s an expectation of spiritual discipline that is expected in order to grow.

Who?

Anyone is welcome to join in! Feel free to invite others by simply sharing this page hopecharlotte.com/fast with them.

When?

Begins on January 8, 2024

*If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

Don’t do it alone! We’ve put together some resources to help you move forward.

Don’t do it alone! We’ve put together some resources to help you move forward. From Spotify playlists to Bible reading plans, video's on how to study your bible  to recipes for different types of fasting, and even some workout videos. Keep up with everything here and on our linktree.

This handy reference guide will help make your time with the Lord more spiritually rewarding. It provides simple steps for beginning and ending your fast, suggest a practical plan for prayer, and offers an easy-to-follow daily nutritional schedule.

Day 1: January 08

Prayer Theme: Pray for anything and everything! God cares about every detail of our lives- good or bad, big or small.  

Prayer Verse: Philippians 4:6 

Prayer Point: As we start these 21 Days of Praying and Fasting, pray about everything that can come to mind. God does not look over any detail!  

Day 2: January 09

Prayer Theme: Pray to seek God and share His love with others.  

Prayer Verse: Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” 

Prayer Point: Today, pray that God can show us ways to follow God more through our actions and thoughts. Pray for God to use you in creative ways to share His Gospel!  

Day 3: January 10

Prayer Theme: Pray for your family. God has put us together for His purpose.  

Prayer Verse: 1 John 4:11 “Since God so loved us, we also should love one another.” 

Prayer Point: Pray for your family today. Pray for restoration if you or a loved one needs it or thank God for your bond with your family if you are close! Ask God for specific ways you can lift one another this week.  

Day 4: January 11

Prayer Theme: Pray for a stable life in this unstable world.  

Prayer Verse: Philippians 4:19 “My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need." 

Prayer Point: Today, pray for God to supply our needs and to provide a supernatural sense of peace about our current situations. He goes before us, so He already knows what is to come.   

Day 5: January 12

Prayer Theme: Pray for every member of your family to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  

Prayer Verse: Luke 19:9 Jesus said, "Salvation has come to this house today." 

Prayer Point: Pray today that all your family will know about God's love. Nobody is too far gone to be saved by Jesus.  

Day 6: January 13

Prayer Theme: Pray for unity.  

Prayer Verse: Proverbs 24:3 “It takes wisdom to have a good family. It takes understanding to make it strong.” 

Prayer Point: Pray for God’s wisdom and understanding in your life. While our flesh tells us to be bitter, God commands us to forgive and make peace with others. Unity is pivotal to being the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Day 7: January 14

Prayer Theme: Pray for a desire to grow closer to God.  

Prayer Verse: 2 Peter 3:18 “… grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him now and forever!” 

Prayer Point: Let's pray to have a growing hunger to know God. Pray for grace as you may make mistakes and ask God how you can bring His glory into situations you are facing.  

Day 8: January 15

Prayer Theme: Pray for our government.  

Prayer Verse: 2 Samuel 24:25 “…Then the Lord answered his prayer for the country.” 

Prayer Point: Take time today to pray for our government officials. While our country may be divided, pray for our country together. 

Day 9: January 16

Prayer Theme: Pray for other leaders in your life.   

Prayer Verse: 2 Timothy 1:3 “I always remember you in my prayers, day and night. And I thank God for you in these prayers.” 

Prayer Point: Take time to pray for other leaders that you have (in school, work, etc.). God wants us to pray for people in positions of leadership as an act of humility and to promote unity in our lives.

Day 10: January 17

Prayer Theme: Pray for church leadership.  

Prayer Verse: Ephesians 4:11 “And Christ gave gifts to men —he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God's people.” 

Prayer Point: Pray for people who help lead Hope. Pray for their families, personal lives, and anything else that comes to mind.   

Day 11: January 18

Prayer Theme: Pray for the ministries you are involved in.  

Prayer Verse: Acts 9:31 “The church everywhere ... had a time of peace. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the group became stronger. The believers showed that they respected the Lord by the way they lived.” 

Prayer Point: Whatever area you serve in, pray for a renewed vision of that ministry to help those who already are believers and others who are still lost.  

Day 12: January 19

Prayer Theme: Pray for our church building.  

Prayer Verse: Matthew 16:18 “... I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church.” 

Prayer Point: It may seem silly but pray for the church (“Little C”: the building where we attend.) Repairs and maintenance are expensive, and little things can add up and cause unneeded stress in our lives. Praying for our building is a good way of stewarding what the Lord blessed us with!  

Day 13: January 20

Prayer Theme: Pray for Hope’s missionaries.  

Prayer Verse: Mark 16:15 “Jesus said to the followers, "Go everywhere in the world. Tell the Good News to everyone." 

Prayer Point: Pray for the missionaries that Hope supports. Across the globe, families have left everything they knew to share God’s love; being a missionary comes with blessings and challenges! 

Day 14: January 21

Prayer Theme: Pray that Hope will have a good name in Charlotte and its surrounding areas.  

Prayer Verse: Acts 16:5 “So the churches became stronger in the faith and grew larger every day.” 

Prayer Point: Pray that God blesses Hope in the eyes of Mecklenburg County and the Charlotte region. While we may have plenty of churches, pray that Hope can be a beacon of light to whoever needs it. We can always build a larger table for our Hope family to grow.  

Day 15: January 22

Prayer Theme: Pray for the Church.  

Prayer Verse: Revelation 2:29 “Let all who can hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”  

Prayer point: Pray for the Church (“Big C:" meaning the body of Christ) because the Enemy is constantly waging war to promote destruction.  

Day 16: January 23

Prayer Theme: Pray for strength and courage to lead the next generation.  

Prayer Verse: Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

Prayer Point: Take some time to pray about the rising generations. Pray for creativity on how the church can look so they can minister to effectively pray that they will be bright lights for their future generations!  

Day 17: January 24

Prayer Theme: Pray for Hope Street Food Pantry.  

Prayer Verse: Isaiah 58:10 “If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry, and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” 

Prayer Point: Today, ask God how you can help Hope Street in your prayers and actions. We have grown significantly in 2023, and we do not plan on stopping any time soon!

Day 18: January 25

Prayer Theme: Pray for the lost.  

Prayer Verse: Psalm 55:18 “But I will call upon the Lord to save me—and he will.”  

Prayer Point: Today pray for lost people that you do not know. Maybe an area or country will come to mind! Pray for the right people (and it might be you!) to meet new people and help them seek Jesus.  

Day 19: January 26

Prayer Theme: Pray for yourself.  

Prayer Verse: 1 Timothy 4:16 “Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right, and God will bless and use you to help others.” 

Prayer Point: It seems selfish to pray for ourselves, but it is needed. Pray for rest, peace, and help from the Lord to guide you in your steps.  

 

Day 20: January 27

Prayer Theme: Pray for your life to be a testimony of His goodness.  

Prayer Verse: Joshua 1:9 “Do not be afraid, and do not be discouraged. For the Lord is with you wherever you go.” 

Prayer Point: Pray for God to help others see His goodness in your life. No detail is left meaningless- if God can raise the dead, He can use what you think is minute to be a big story for others to believe in Him.  

Day 21: January 28

Prayer Theme: Rejoice in the Lord! 

Prayer Verse: Philippians 4:4-5 “Help me to always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! Let everyone see that I can be unselfish and considerate in all I do. I will remember that the Lord is coming soon. And I should not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” 

Prayer Point: Learn to rejoice! God has done amazing things in these last 21 Days; we cannot wait to see what happens in 2024 for Hope. We are blessed to be family with all of you!