A PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE FOR SETTING UP YOUR 2025 ARIGHT

As we prepare for the arrival of the new year and begin fasting and praying in January, the Church has also dedicated the month of December to prayers in preparation. This means we have two months devoted to prayer. Therefore, we have put together this guide to help you engage in a time of fervent prayer and fasting.

THE PURPOSE OF PRAYERS: The purpose of prayer is for God’s will to be established here on earth and in our lives. Prayer has always been about God’s will (1 John 5:14-15). God’s will includes meeting all your needs too. This is why it is important to place great emphasis on doing the will of God in your life. Heaven recognizes you as someone who can be trusted with His will, and this makes a significant difference.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THIS TIME OF PRAYING? 

1. Be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6)  Do not pray anxious prayers. 

2. Find a Scripture that aligns with the promise you are praying for. In John 15:7, Jesus said, ” If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (NKJV).   

3. Meditate on this Scripture day and night to plant its seed in your heart. By meditating, you engage with the Word and the Holy Spirit who inspired it, fostering deep fellowship as you keep the Word in view and in your heart. As a result, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of that Word to your heart, and you will come to know it—this is called FAITH! Faith comes from hearing, not just reading. As you listen to the Holy Spirit, faith will rise for the prayer topic you’re focusing on. Remember, there will be competing voices, so it is essential to fill your heart with the Word of God.

YOUR RESOURCE MATERIAL: All your inheritance in Christ and all your blessings are already yours. Therefore, seek out all the benefits of the Cross, rooted in His love for you. (1 John 4;9 Psalm 103;1-5 NKJV); His Grace (Titus 2:11); and His Mercy (Psalm 107:1): “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136): 

REMEMBER ALSO HIS PROMISE TO US ..(Ps 118:15-17) “Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!16 The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!17 I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done.” NLT

HIS PROMISES ARE OUR ARMOR..‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭4 ‬“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” NLT

‭‭HERE ARE A FEW PRAYER POINTS TO GUIDE YOU 

1. Pray for your eyes of understanding to be opened:
   “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.” (Ephesians 1:18)
2. Pray for the knowledge of His will in your life: “We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col 1:9)
3. Pray to be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ: Eph 3:17-19

PRAYING AND FASTING FOR 2025 Prayer should not be a ritual, but a real-time of fellowship with the Trinity; the Father, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It is a sacred time of intimate family discussion between a loving Father -Abba Father and His children. A father who gives liberally, James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” NKJV

MEDITATION ON THE WORD IS KEY. Spend time in the Word and meditate on those Scriptures on which you base your prayers and faith. Always find Scriptures that promise you what you are praying about. (John I5:7). 

MAKE DEFINITE REQUEST SUCH THAT YOU CAN IDENTIFY THE ANSWERS WHEN THEY MANIFEST. Make definite requests, not a generic prayer. Ask in such specific terms that when the answer comes you can identify it. If for instance, you are asking for a blessing. the question will be, “what particular blessing?”. God wants to know exactly what you want Him to do for you. (Matthew 20:9-33). 

WHEN DO I STOP ASKING?  Stop when you have inward peace that the answer has been granted. Switch to thanksgiving and do not waver. You pray until you have that inward assurance that the answer has come; then stop asking and start praising God. Let your ‘yea be yea'”… If you believe He has answered you, then remain steadfast, giving glory and honor to His name, until it manifests physically, (James 1: 6-7). 

FASTING: Fasting is not a payment for what God gives. We always receive freely as the Bible says; there are no specific instructions in the Bible on how long to fast or how many meals to skip. We see that people miss meals during their fasting but there is no instruction in the Bible from the Old Testament to the New on how long a fast should last or how many meals to miss. Therefore it is up to you and the Holy Spirit on how you want to fast.

NOTE: We do not recommend fasting for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Infants and children and all minors (there are child abuse laws and we are commanded to obey those in authority). Those using medication; should please consult their doctors as to how to fast without aggravating their situation. If you have a medical condition please consult your doctor and do not fast until you have sought medical advise and clearance. Also the elderly may not engage in fasting. Make sure you are adequately hydrated during this fast.

SEVERE AND LONG FAST    Long fasts must be done only if the LORD GIVES THAT INSTRUCTION; never fast on presumption. Fasting does not change God, for God does not change. Fasting does not take the place of Jesus Christ as the only way to God. Fasting does not eliminate the need to pray in Jesus’ name because only faith in Christ opens the door to Heaven; His name alone has authority and recognition in heaven. We come to God trusting in the Blood of the Lamb and the Name of Jesus and, not in our good works and holiness. John 14:6 : “Jesus told him, ” I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me” NLT

Heb 10:19 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.” NLT

Once again, remember to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done. “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7.

If you need additional assistance, such as finding appropriate Scriptures or seeking further clarification, please contact the Prayer Ministry Team via email: E-mail: prayer@ftlw.org and  Tel: (862) 235-9852 

HAVE A GLORIOUS 2025 IN HIS PRESENCE!