P R A Y E R & F A S T I N GG U I D E

FOR EMERGING FROMTHE PANDEMIC

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PREPARE YOUR HEART AND MINDTO EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC

Unlike any time in history, the people of Greater Austin and beyond, are

beginning to rise out of a time of disconnection and forced seclusion due to

the Covid pandemic. Thankfully, we have been given a great assurance from

God in His word that He can and will use all things for good.

As we see in Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work

together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to

His purpose.”

Do you believe that God can and will use the pandemic to work together for

good to those who love Him?

We believe that God has called us to place Him at the center of our lives and to

live fully on mission for Him. So during our time of prayer, we will be focused

on committing our lives to God and asking for His wisdom, guidance and

empowerment for us—both as a church family and as individuals—to emerge

from this pandemic with a renewed focus on Him.

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GUIDE TO PRAYER

We will be using this time to ask God to fix our eyes on Him so that we—both as a

church family and as individuals—emerge from the pandemic with Him as our

highest priority. These are the areas we will focus on during our time of prayer.

As the family of Hill Country Bible Church, how will “we” emerge from

the pandemic?

As a follower of Jesus, how will “I” emerge from the pandemic?

“Will we resume our pre-pandemic approach to ministry and servingothers? Is God revealing something to us concerning changes to makein how we serve Him and one another? Let us ask Him to reveal any changes to our church leaders and ourchurch family in our prayer time, and ask for the boldness and courageto follow through.

Will I resume my pre-pandemic ways, which for many of us this was alife of overcommitment and busyness, or will I boldly ask God to showme how to put Him first and keep Him there?Do I believe God may want to reveal something to me concerningchanges to make in my personal life, my family, my job, and my serviceto Him and others? Ask Him to reveal any changes to you during yourprayer time and ask for an obedient heart to do whatever He reveals toyou!

GUIDE TO PRAYER

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PRAYER THEMES

These are the prayer themes to help guide you through your time with God. As

you go before God, pray for both our church family and yourself.

Pray we—both as a church family and as individuals—will prioritize our

spiritual life as the first and most important daily decision.

Pray for each of us to apply our spiritual gifts to serve God and the

people He puts around us in these areas…

Pray we will set aside time daily to read His word, seeking guidance anddirection. Pray we will look for opportunities daily to share the gospel with others.Pray we will seek to serve others daily.

in our ministriesin our familiesin our neighborhoodsin our workplaces

PRAYER THEMES

PRAYER THEMES

Pray that we, by knowing our identity in Christ, and understanding that

we’ve been called by God to live with purpose, go “all-in” with the

specific passion and gifting God has given us. Ask God to give us the

desire to serve Him and others, which is better than living for the next

vacation, next technology advancement, next promotion, and so much

more.

Pray for all ministry leaders to serve others in the church well by leading

them to walk in obedience with God, making Him their top priority. Ask

God to equip ministry leaders to be strong encouragers by helping

others to take their next steps spiritually, which will spur them to grow

both personally and in overall kingdom ministry impact.

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PRAYER THEMES

Meditate on the following scriptures as you come before God with your prayers andpetitions.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who loveGod, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” “Since welive by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16 and 25)

“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unlessit remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine,and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear muchfruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvestif we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

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SCRIPTURE FOCUS

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SCRIPTURE FOCUS (CONTINUED)

““But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be mywitnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."(Acts 1:8)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not bediscouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

DEFENDING FASTING

DEFINING FASTING

A right approach to fasting requires an appreciation for the biblicalrecord of fasting, a clear definition of fasting, and a correct distinctionbetween “religious” and biblical fasting.

The biblical record on fasting reads like a “Who’s Who” of Scripture. Moses, David,Jehosophat, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and many other men andwomen of Scripture fasted. Though Jesus never commanded His followers to fast, HeHimself fasted and assumed His followers would fast. (Matthew 6:16, Mark 2:18-22)

Fasting is the voluntary abstinence from food for a limited time for the purpose ofexpressing to God one’s desires, dependence, and/or dedication. The normal fast wasthe total abstinence of food (but not water), and it could last anywhere from one toforty days. Abstaining from food and caloric drink is an accurate picture of fastingand represents the approach taken by the leadership of Hill Country Bible Church.

GUIDE TO FASTING

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DISTINGUISHING FASTING

Many world religions practice fasting as one of many“good works” done in the hope of earning God’sacceptance and forgiveness. Biblical Christianity, however, recognizes that man cannotearn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Instead of manworking his way up to God, Biblical Christianityteaches that God has reached down to man bygraciously offering the free gift of eternal life toanyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ. Biblicalfasting, then, is not something done in pursuit of arelationship with God, but is in response to arelationship with God (Isaiah 58).

In addition to requiring a good definition, a rightapproach to biblical fasting also necessitates a clearunderstanding of purpose.

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One of the primary results of fasting:Dependence What we know to be true in theory becomes crystal clear inexperience. Without food, we begin to waste away physically,and apart from a growing relationship with Christ, we witherspiritually. When David compared his hungering andthirsting for God to physical hunger and thirst in thewilderness, he concluded that worship was the only thingthat satisfied him (Psalm 63). Fasting moves us to humbleworship of our Provider and promotes a craving for deeperfellowship with our Savior. Jesus said, “Man does not live bybread alone, but by every word that proceeds from themouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Job said, “I have treasured thewords of His mouth more than my daily bread.” (Job 23:12b) With a clear understanding of definition and purpose, all thatremains are some helpful suggestions on what to do whilefasting. A suggested agenda follows some common-sensewarnings.

In God’s Chosen Fast, Arthur Wallis wrote, “The man whoprays with fasting is giving heaven notice that he is truly inearnest.”

A study of each of the passages in Scripture on fasting revealstwo primary reasons for fasting and one significant result offasting.

Two of the primary reasons for fasting:To petition God intensely To pursue God intimately

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Before fasting, it is good to consult your physician where there may be implications for anyexisting health conditions. For example, those on prescription medicines or with chronicillnesses like diabetes should definitely seek the advice of their doctor. However, everyoneshould expect some physical discomfort while fasting. Common sense and wisdom shouldalso be exercised regarding how to break a fast, especially extended fasts.

During fasting, hunger pains can serve as a reminder to pray and worship. If at all possible,commit the time that is normally spent in the preparation and eating of three meals toprayer and worship. Following is a suggested guide to spending an hour in prayer andworship. Begin with worship by singing favorite praise choruses and hymns.(10 minutes) Continue by responding to God in prayer, acknowledging dependence upon Him.(15 minutes) Move to a time of personal reflection and confession of sin.(5 minutes) Allow time for Scripture reading.(10 minutes) Express your desires, longings, and concerns to God in prayer.(15 minutes) Close with a time of thanksgiving for God’s goodness and provision.(5 minutes)

AWARENESS

AN AGENDA

FASTING (CONTINUED)

NOTES

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NOTES

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HILL COUNTRY BIBLE CHURCH12124 RR 620 N.

AUSTIN, TX 78750

HCBC.COM