2024 has been an exciting year for Vision Church, and we are embarking on and anticipating so much more to come. There has been tremendous growth, both physically and spiritually as church body. As we think about what's ahead, we want to be intentional about hungering and thirsting for God and His righteousness. We are going to set aside 7 days to intentionally connect with God and disconnect from the world.
Throughout scripture, God's people intentionally connect with God through prayer. Prayer is vital in a person's relationship with God. The goal of prayer is not to get something from God, but to know God, to be with the Heavenly Father, and to worship God.
Also, many people (both OT and NT) disconnected from the world through fasting. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose.
What To Expect
November 3-10, 2024
The fast will begin at 6:00pm on Sunday, November 3rd. Beginning on Monday, Nov. 4th, we will open the doors of Vision from 6-8am and also from 6-8pm for the remainder of the week. The challenge is that every person who calls Vision home (or who wants to join us in prayer), would make it a point to stop by, come in the worship center and pray every day of that week. We know that might not be feasible for everyone, so plan to come as much as you can. Each day there will be a prayer emphasis on the screen in the worship center, but we encourage you also to pray for anything the Holy Spirit leads you to pray for. Sunday night at 6:00pm, we will break the fast as a church family and eat BREAKFAST!
The fast will begin at 6:00pm on Sunday, November 3rd. Beginning on Monday, Nov. 4th, we will open the doors of Vision from 6-8am and also from 6-8pm for the remainder of the week. The challenge is that every person who calls Vision home (or who wants to join us in prayer), would make it a point to stop by, come in the worship center and pray every day of that week. We know that might not be feasible for everyone, so plan to come as much as you can. Each day there will be a prayer emphasis on the screen in the worship center, but we encourage you also to pray for anything the Holy Spirit leads you to pray for. Sunday night at 6:00pm, we will break the fast as a church family and eat BREAKFAST!
Prayer Prompts
Our verse for the month is Romans 8:5-6. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Each day, we will be praying for God's Spirit and His power to mark our lives - our worship, families, communities, leaders and church.
As you pray, before asking God for anything, we encourage you to spend time pausing, praising and confessing. Then move into a time of asking. If you need help, you can use the P.R.A.Y. model - Pause/Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield.
As you pray, before asking God for anything, we encourage you to spend time pausing, praising and confessing. Then move into a time of asking. If you need help, you can use the P.R.A.Y. model - Pause/Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield.
Sunday - Revival
Pray that through this week, you would intentionally connect more with God and disconnect from the world. Pray that you would experience a personal revival. Pray Vision would experience revival. Pray that revival would sweep across the world.
Monday - Church Unity
We’re praying that God would unify His people. We want to be a sign of God’s unity and peace to a world filled with worry, fear and division.
Pray that we bring peace to the environments we inhabit (work, school, etc.)
Ask for God’s help to love those who disagree with you
Pray that disagreements are had with humility and gentleness
Pray against gossip, slander and disunifying speech
John 17:23 – “I am in them and You are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent me and that You love them as much as you love me.”
Pray that we bring peace to the environments we inhabit (work, school, etc.)
Ask for God’s help to love those who disagree with you
Pray that disagreements are had with humility and gentleness
Pray against gossip, slander and disunifying speech
John 17:23 – “I am in them and You are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent me and that You love them as much as you love me.”
Tuesday - Trust in God's Power Over our Nation
We're seeking a deeper trust in God’s power over our own. We believe that He is in control. May our trust in the Lord lead to hope and peace.
Pray for the 2024 election, that followers of Christ would vote biblically and that God would be honored and glorified best during the election.
Pray we trust in the Holy Spirit’s power to give us peace, hope and joy in difficult circumstances. Meditate on God’s strength and faithfulness.
Romans 15:13 NLT - I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for the 2024 election, that followers of Christ would vote biblically and that God would be honored and glorified best during the election.
Pray we trust in the Holy Spirit’s power to give us peace, hope and joy in difficult circumstances. Meditate on God’s strength and faithfulness.
Romans 15:13 NLT - I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday - God's Guidance for direction & BEYOND
As a church, we are specifically praying for the growth of Vision and our BEYOND offering. Pray that God speaks to you about what you are to do and give during BEYOND. Pray for next steps with the master planning of the future of Vision Church. For God's Will, God's Wisdom, and God's Way to be accomplished.
Personally, are you looking for His direction in your life? Ask Him to help you surrender to His perfect will
Psalm 25:4-5 NLT - Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Personally, are you looking for His direction in your life? Ask Him to help you surrender to His perfect will
Psalm 25:4-5 NLT - Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Thursday - Vision's Bylaws and the 2025 Budget
We are praying over the upcoming votes for our Bylaws and the 2025 Budget. We pray that any questions are asked and answered. We pray against a spirit of disunity. We pray the Father blesses through the approval of the amended bylaws. We pray for the preparation, planning, and presenting of the 2025 Budget, as well as the voting. We pray God gives His infinite wisdom and direction on how best to be good stewards of what He has given us.
Friday - Power to Reach the Lost & Missions
This is where we’re praying that the power of the gospel reaches the hearts of those who aren’t following Jesus.
Pray for those who do not know Jesus as their Savior.
Ask God to open their hearts to the gospel.
Pray for boldness to share the love of Jesus with our words and our lives.
We are praying for our missions partners and our missions team for guidance and direction concerning upcoming trips, partnerships, etc.
Pray for God to give you more of a heart for missions - both locally and internationally.
Romans 1:16 NLT - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
Additional Scripture: Acts 1:8
Pray for those who do not know Jesus as their Savior.
Ask God to open their hearts to the gospel.
Pray for boldness to share the love of Jesus with our words and our lives.
We are praying for our missions partners and our missions team for guidance and direction concerning upcoming trips, partnerships, etc.
Pray for God to give you more of a heart for missions - both locally and internationally.
Romans 1:16 NLT - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
Additional Scripture: Acts 1:8
Saturday - Interceding for Vision's ministries and families
We’re praying for the people of Vision Church. Pray for our pastors, staff, and ministry leaders. We are praying for blessings, revelation, protection, wisdom, and discernment. We are praying for a bigger reach and a bigger vision moving forward.
We are also praying for the families of Vision. Call on God on behalf of the people you know at Vision. Ask God to meet their needs and draw them closer to Himself
Pray for healing, provision and spiritual growth in others
Pray against Satan’s mission to discourage, distract and destroy
1 Timothy 2:1 NLT - I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
We are also praying for the families of Vision. Call on God on behalf of the people you know at Vision. Ask God to meet their needs and draw them closer to Himself
Pray for healing, provision and spiritual growth in others
Pray against Satan’s mission to discourage, distract and destroy
1 Timothy 2:1 NLT - I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
Sunday - Personal Repentance & Requests
We’re spending time in honest confession. Bring your shortcomings and faults before God and know that because of Jesus' sacrifice, forgiveness is available. There is power in repentance.
Pray sin breaks your heart the way it breaks God’s
Confess to Him (and a trusted person if needed)
Ask God to empower you to turn from sin and toward Jesus.
Then, lift your personal prayer requests and cry out to your Heavenly Father.
Psalm 51:17 NLT - The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Pray sin breaks your heart the way it breaks God’s
Confess to Him (and a trusted person if needed)
Ask God to empower you to turn from sin and toward Jesus.
Then, lift your personal prayer requests and cry out to your Heavenly Father.
Psalm 51:17 NLT - The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Tips For The Week of Prayer and Fasting
Set alarms for 6-8AM and 6-8PM on Monday November 4, through Sunday November 10, to remind you to pray.
Put the verse of the month (Romans 8:5-6) somewhere you can see it every day.
Locate a quiet place for prayer, if possible. Somewhere free from distractions.
Feel free to journal as you pray. Write down what God sets on your heart, people you're praying over, and what you’re believing Him for!
Listen to worship music as part of this time.
When you feel hungry, that is a reminder to stop and pray, right then!
Find someone to hold you accountable – a friend, your D-Group your LifeGroup, etc.
Put the verse of the month (Romans 8:5-6) somewhere you can see it every day.
Locate a quiet place for prayer, if possible. Somewhere free from distractions.
Feel free to journal as you pray. Write down what God sets on your heart, people you're praying over, and what you’re believing Him for!
Listen to worship music as part of this time.
When you feel hungry, that is a reminder to stop and pray, right then!
Find someone to hold you accountable – a friend, your D-Group your LifeGroup, etc.
common Types of fasts
Complete Fast
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices or broth as an option for the entirety of the fast.
Selective Fast
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example is the Daniel Fast, in 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 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.
Soul Fast
This fast is a great option if you don't 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. Examples include stop using social media, watching television, etc.
