February Prayer & Fasting Day 1

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Good morning everybody.

Whether you’re a part of Perth Hills Church or you’re just tuning in for the first time, my name is Brad.

I’m the shearing pastor, and the church I pastor, Perth Hills, is going on a journey of 21 days of prayer and fasting.

I want to encourage you to visit our website where you can download the fasting guidelines and booklet. Click here for the Devotional booklet.

https://29ca416e-012a-48bc-a646-5610cb582b22.filesusr.com/ugd/042b66_b52994c73a774de6b37d7ad8c4633b33.pdf

This will help you walk through our 21 days of corporate prayer and fasting.

Biblical fasting is abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. It’s not dieting and it’s not starving, and it always involves prayer. It’s about disconnecting for a season so we can connect more intentionally with God.

In the introduction of the booklet we have a really important step to take on day one, which we’re on today, February 1st. That important step is to define your fast. Write down what you’re going to fast from. Some people can’t fast from food due to medical reasons or underlying health issues, and there are other ways to fast outlined in the introduction.

Then define your spiritual purpose. What are you praying for? What are you seeking God for? Most importantly, the goal is simply to draw near to God.

In James 4:8 it says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Notice we make the first move — God is waiting for us to draw near to Him. Fasting and prayer is one of the fastest ways, I believe, to grow spiritually.

So in this season, as you draw near on day one, I want to encourage you: God is leaning toward you.

A quote in our day one devotional says, “God is more ready to meet with us than we are to meet with Him.”God is eager and keen to meet with you. Every morning your eyes open to a brand new day, God is waiting for you because He loves you so much.

God doesn’t desire religion — He desires a relationship.

So from day one of this prayer and fasting, let me encourage you: this is not about religion. This is not about something we have to do. This is an invitation to draw near to God, and as you do, He promises He is drawing near to you.

So expect a fresh sense of God’s presence.

Father, I pray for everybody beginning this season of prayer and fasting. As we draw near to You, I thank You for the promise that You will draw near to us. We seek You first in 2026.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God bless you.