A PRAYER & FASTING GUIDE DRAW NEAR · 2020. 8. 15. · and be transformed from the inside out. (Proverbs 28:13 1 John 1:9 2 Corinthians 7:9-11) T = THANKSGIVING Prayers of thanks

DRAW NEARA PRAYER & FASTING GUIDE

A u g u s t | 2 0 2 0O P E R AT I O N P I V O T

DRAW NEAR | A PRAYER & FASTING GUIDE

2

THE INVITATIONI want to take a moment just to say thanks to all of you at North Metro Church that have agreed to endeavor on this journey after the heart of God on this day. I truly believe that this practice of fasting and prayer are absolutely essential to the Christian life, and I know that by embarking on this pivotal sacrament that we are not only believing that God will change the world for His glory but also that we ourselves will be transformed in the process. I also hope and pray that for you this will be a launching off point as well, a starting point into a life enriched by experiencing the presence of God in this intimate and powerful way.

// INTRO

Clark BeasleyNMC Worship Pastor

3


4

FASTING | THE GOALThe goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.

Here are the different types of fasts that you can explore:

Complete FastIn 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 sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00am to 3:00pm, or from sunup to sundown.

Soul FastThis fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to 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 at the conclusion of the fast.

// THE WHY BEHIND FASTING

5


6

PRAYERAlong with the act of fasting, we wanted to provide you with tools to help you during your time of prayer. Since historically people have fasted by taking the times that they would normally eat and instead use that time to feast on God and His presence in prayer, we wanted to separate this guide into different “diet” plans, if you will, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This guide is created to be just that, a guide. It’s a jumping-off point in this two-way street of communication with God. So as you pray, if God takes your prayers into a new direction, follow Him where He leads.

If you are approaching this day as a family, we invite you to use this time as a way of teaching your children the life-giving practice of fasting and prayer. You can use this guide as a way to take your whole family through the day together.

// GUIDED PRAYER

7


8

THESE SESSIONS OF PRAYER WILL FOLLOW THIS ORDER, A COMMON FORM OF PRAYER KNOWN AS A.C.T.S. PRAYER:

A = ADORATIONPrayers of adoration for God. Consider His names: Almighty King, Lord of Lords, and Most High God. Consider His character: loving, protecting, and guiding. Consider His roles: creator, comforter, and provider. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Psalm 63:2-4)

C = CONFESSION Prayers of confession. Things you’ve thought said or done that aren’t of God OR things you should think, say or do but haven’t. This could include lustful thoughts, harsh words spoken to family or friends, or seeking comfort and fun in drugs and alcohol. It may also include not caring for or doing anything about people struggling with poverty, addictions or homelessness. Find freedom from guilt and be transformed from the inside out. (Proverbs 28:13 1 John 1:9 2 Corinthians 7:9-11)

T = THANKSGIVING Prayers of thanks. Thanks for blessings in your life, who the Lord is and what He is doing in your life and for you. Things like good health, provision for your family, a job, comfort through painful life stuff. (Psalm 136 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

S = SUPPLICATION Prayers of request. Things you’d like to bring to God or ask the Lord for yourself or others. Things like healing for physical sickness, food, clothing, and shelter for you or someone else you know, restoring a broken relationship. (Philippians 4:6 Ephesians 6:18)

// THE A.C.T.S PRAYER

9


10

PRAYER PLAN | BREAKFAST

Before beginning, pause and reflect - Invite the Holy Spirit to join you and have His way in your time with Him.

Read Ps. 46

AdorationSpend some time adoring God as:El Shaddai Lord God Almighty (Gen. 17:1)Jehovah Jireh The Lord Will Provide (Gen. 22:14)Jehovah Shammah The Lord Is There (Ez. 48:35)Jehovah Shalom The Lord is Peace (Jdg. 6:24)

ConfessionTake a moment and let the Holy Spirit bring anything to your mind that you would need to confess so that you can be free to have a clear connection to Him and His desires in this time.

ThanksgivingReflect and remember God’s goodness in your life to bring you to this place right here. As Ps. 46 says, He is our Refuge, our Strength, our Help, and our Fortress. Thank Him for all that He has done to protect during this unprecedented season of the pandemic. Above all, thank Him for Jesus and the sacrifice that He paid so that you could have this connection and communion with the Father right now.

SupplicationWe’ll take this time to pray for our schools, administration, faculty, staff, and students.

// PRAYER PLAN | BREAKFAST

11


12

Local School Districts

• Cobb County Superintendent Chris Ragsdale• Marietta City Superintendent Dr. Grant Rivera• Fulton County Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney• Paulding County Superintendent Dr. Brian Otott• Cherokee County Superintendent Dr. Brian V. Hightower

Local Private Schools

• Mount Paran Christian • North Cobb Christian • Arrows Academy • Cornerstone Prep• Dominion Christian School • Whitefield Academy

Any and all home school organizations, co-ops, and independent homeschooling families.

Prayers for Administration, Faculty & Staff

1. Godly wisdom “Lord, grant Godly wisdom to everyone to handle the vast needs of a new system of instruction” (James 1:5)

2. Patience & peace “God, grant all patience and peace to work through the challenges of a new system” (Phil. 4:6-7)

3. Love “Father, may the students and staff of schools experience Your love through the Christians they know in profound and authentic ways” (John 13:35).

4. Truth “Lord, release truth in schools. Help students to rightly discern truth and not believe false teachings” (Proverbs 23:23).

5. School board “I pray blessings on each school board member. Father, may your will be done at board meetings” (Romans 13:1).

6. Principal “May principals and superintendents recognize the God-given responsibility he/she has for the best interests of the children who attend the school. May they walk in wisdom, integrity, grace, and truth” (Proverbs 2:1-11).


13


14

7. Failing students “Lord, I ask you to encourage those children who are struggling with their studies or having a hard time with new systems and virtual programs. Strengthen their minds. Help their teachers and parents know how to help them learn. Protect them from feelings of worthlessness and shame” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

8. Christian students, teachers, and administrators “Grant the Christian students who attend these schools wisdom and boldness in living out their faith. May the Christian teachers and administrators be a city on a hill, a light shining bright for Christ in their schools. Help them share effectively the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ with their classmates and co-workers.” (1 Timothy 4:12; Matthew 5:14-16).

9. A chosen generation “Father, may your kingdom come. From the students at school, raise up a generation of people who worship you in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23,24; 1 Peter 2:9).

10. An open door “Lord, may there be an open door in schools for the gospel to be shared with students and staff. Allow full advantage to be taken of every opportunity to name the name of Jesus” (Matthew 7:7; 1 Corinthians 16:9).

11. God’s provision “Father, I pray You would make a way for every student to have the resources and space they need to have the best education possible. Also, with many students going to virtual learning, I understand that there are many students that will be without the food that the school provides. Please supply all that they need. Impress upon us anything that we can do to provide financial resources to help supply these students.”

Finish your time with praising God again for Who He is and what He’s done. Maybe spend a moment or two praising Him in song,

using the Spotify playlist located at northmetro.org/operation-pivot.


15


16

PRAYER PLAN | LUNCH

AdorationSpend some time adoring God as:

Jehovah-Raah The Lord My Shepherd (Ps. 23)Jehovah Mekoddishkem The Lord Who Sanctifies You (Ex. 31:13)Jehovah Tsidkenu The Lord Our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6)Jehovah Rapha The Lord That Heals (Ex. 15:26)

ConfessionConfess your need for God right now, both in salvation and in mercy where you’ve fallen short of His best for you. Ask for His forgiveness for the times when you looked past someone in need or looked down at someone for being different or having less than you.

ThanksgivingThank God for Jesus - for His grace in saving you despite your actions. Thank Him for never giving up on you, but always being the Father from the story of the prodigal son - the Father waiting every day on the front porch of his house waiting for you to return home. Thank Him for the ways that the global Church has shown you Who God is and what He’s done for you. SupplicationWe’ll take this time to pray for North Metro and other churches in the community that are endeavoring to be God’s hands and feet in our neighborhoods.

// PRAYER PLAN | LUNCH

17


18

Rob McDowellLead Pastor

John MaggardExecutive Pastor

Bud DarrAdult Ministries Pastor

Rebecca RossNext Generation Pastor

Matt Solik Creative Arts Pastor

Becky EveretteGroups Pastor

Justin WoelkOnline Campus Pastor

Matt Johnston Student Pastor

Clark Beasley Worship Pastor

Daniel Hicks Groups Pastor

Nathan WoodwardChildren’s Pastor

NMC Leadership

NMC Pastors

Board of AdvisorsClint Owens, Quentin Primas, Lindsey Ritsema, Leslie Olds, Mark Rambeau, John Maggard, Owen Adair, Shawn Holland, Melissa Crosby, Chip Renno, Chris North, Doug Cunningham, Henry Salley

Council of EldersRush Bailey, Herb Johnson, Owen Adair, Rob McDowell, Bobby Shirley, Nicholas Yeomans, Donald Olds, Mark Adams, Ward Townsend, Jose Diaz, Shawn Holland

Prayers for the Church1. Godly wisdom. “Lord, grant the leadership of North Metro

Church and other churches in our area the Godly wisdom to clearly hear the Spirit’s prompting as to the mission that You called us to. Give us the faith in You to courageously walk that mission out as You direct us.

2. Patience and peace. “God, grant the leadership of the Church a patience and peace to walk alongside the hurting and broken in our neighborhoods and churches, and a patient and teaching heart to help all of us as your ministers of the Gospel to do the same.” (Phil. 4:6-7)


19


20

3. Love. “Father, may our neighbors, co-workers, family and friends experience Your love through us Your body in profound and authentic ways” (John 13:35).

4. Truth. “Lord, I pray that You would once again recapture our hearts and minds for the truth of Your word. Let us not be swayed by the world’s ways of looking at life, but be led by what You say about us and others.” (Proverbs 23:23).

5. Encouragement. “Lord, I ask you to encourage those people who are struggling with feeling isolated or discouraged during this unprecedented time. Strengthen their minds. Help us as Your people know how to best walk alongside them. Protect them from feelings of worthlessness and shame.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

6. A chosen generation. “Father, may your kingdom come. Raise up a generation of people who worship you in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23,24; 1 Peter 2:9).

7. An open door. “Lord, may there be an open door in our neighborhoods for the gospel to be shared with those we live alongside. Allow full advantage to be taken of every opportunity to name the name of Jesus” (Matthew 7:7; 1 Corinthians 16:9).

8. Unity. “I pray for any senseless violence between people to come to an end. May we see more of the similarities in each other than our differences. May we see our utter dependence upon You that makes us all in the same position in Your eyes. May we be one as You, Jesus, are one with the Father.”

9. God’s provision. “Father, I pray You would provide for those that are without basic needs in our communities. Help us to see the Gospel of Jesus in such a way that it would propel us to be Your hands and feet in the world around us.”

Finish your time with praising God again for Who He is and what He’s done. Maybe spend a moment or two praising Him in song, using the Spotify playlist

located at northmetro.org/operation-pivot.


21


22

PRAYER PLAN | DINNER

AdorationSpend some time adoring God as:

El Elyon The Most High God (Gen. 14:18)Adonai Lord, Master (Gen. 15:2)El Olam The Everlasting God (Gen. 21:33)Jehovah Sabaoth The Lord of Hosts (1 Sa. 1:3)

ConfessionTake a moment to let go of any feelings that you’ve harbored towards someone else that doesn’t line up with the way that God sees them. Ask for forgiveness for thinking or acting as though they were less than made in the image of God.

ThanksgivingTake some time to thank God that He didn’t see you in the filter of your sin, but as someone who is covered in the blood of Jesus. Thank Him for Heaven, when all things will be made new again.

SupplicationWe will spend this time praying for our local, state, and national leaders.

// PRAYER PLAN | DINNER

23


24

Leaders of Our Country

• President Donald Trump

• Vice President Mike Pence

• Supreme Court Justices John Roberts, Jr., Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg,

Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Jr., Elena Kagan,

Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh

• U.S. Senators | GA David Perdue & Kelly Loeffler

• U.S. Representatives | GA Buddy Carter, Sanford Bishop, Jr., Drew Ferguson, Henry

“Hank” Johnson, Jr., Lucy McBath, Robert Woodall, Austin Scott, Doug Collins,

Jody Hice, Barry Loudermilk, Rick Allen, David Scott, Tom Graves

Leaders of Our State

• Governor Brian Kemp

• Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan

Mayors of nearby Cities

• Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin

• Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood

• Dallas Mayor Boyd L. Austin, Jr.

• Austell Mayor Ollie Clemons

• Roswell Mayor Lori Henry

• Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling

• Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman

• Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul• Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques


25


26

Prayers for government

1. Give _____ Godly wisdom to handle the vast needs of those under their influence.

2. We pray patience and peace for ______ to work through the challenges of their position.

3. Love. “Father, may _____experience Your love through the Christians they know in profound and authentic ways” (John 13:35).

4. Truth. “Lord, reveal Your truth to ____. Help ______ to rightly discern truth and not believe false teachings” (Proverbs 23:23).

5. Blessing. “I pray blessings on _______. Father, may your will be done at meetings and gatherings.” (Romans 13:1).

6. Responsibility. “May ______ recognize the God-given responsibility he/she has for the best interests of the people they lead. May they walk in wisdom, integrity, grace, and truth” (Proverbs 2:1-11).

7. Encouragement. “Lord, I ask you to encourage _______ who may be struggling with a new way of leading their daily life. Strengthen their minds. Protect them from feelings of worthlessness and shame” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

8. Christian leaders. “Grant ____ the wisdom and boldness to live out their faith. May _____ be a city on a hill, a light shining bright for Christ in their community. Help them share effectively the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Grant them favor in the sight of men as a pathway for Your good news to be shared.” (1 Timothy 4:12; Matt.5:14-16).

9. A chosen generation. “Father, may your kingdom come. Raise up a generation of leaders who worship you in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23,24; 1 Peter 2:9).

10. An open door. “Lord, may there be an open door in ___ for the gospel to be shared. Allow full advantage to be taken of every opportunity to name the name of Jesus in their offices.” (Matthew 7:7; 1 Corinthians 16:9).

11. God’s provision. “Father, I pray You would make a way for ____ to have every resource and space they need to fulfill Your plan and purpose.”

Finish your time with praising God again for Who He is and what He’s done. Maybe spend a moment or two praising Him in song, using the Spotify playlist

located at northmetro.org/operation-pivot.


27

2305 Barrett Pkwy | Marietta, GA 30064 | 678.290.7830NORTHMETRO.ORG

Documents

A PRAYER & FASTING GUIDE DRAW NEAR · 2020. 8. 15. · and be transformed from the inside out. (Proverbs 28:13 1 John 1:9 2 Corinthians 7:9-11) T = THANKSGIVING Prayers of thanks