Vital Signs: Tuesday, April 29, 2025

A Closer Walk: Day 1 of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

“When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks.” ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Day 1: Intro to 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

‘Closer’ season is birthed from a vision for God’s people to grow closer to Jesus. Twenty-one days of prayer and fasting provide an intentional journey to become more like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Voluntarily abstaining from food is difficult, but recognizing the spiritual significance of this season will make your physical sacrifices worthwhile.

There is never a convenient time to pray and fast. Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, “When you fast…”—implying that fasting is expected in your spiritual journey. Life will often be fast-paced, filled with distractions and responsibilities. But once you embrace fasting as a godly practice, approach it with the Holy Spirit’s conviction. There is power in daily repetition, especially when practiced for 21 days. Even Daniel recognized the power of 21-day intercession, and he received, on the last day, an impartation of wisdom and insight. Praying during a crisis is beneficial for the short term, but what you do daily will change your life.

Intentionality is key to integrating prayer and fasting into your lifestyle. Schedule prayer into your day. Hunger pains can become your cue to sense the Holy Spirit. Refuel your spirit through Scripture, worship songs, or speaking in tongues. Don’t see this as an opportunity to change your figure—embrace a spiritual perspective with physical benefits. Just as food nourishes your natural body, worship and time with the Father fuel your spirit.

Strategize a fasting plan and commit! Recognizing stress points and energy peaks in your lifestyle can help determine the boundaries of your fast. Perhaps you’ll need to incorporate nutritional support, like juices and broth. Plan for a successful fasting season while also allowing yourself to function effectively.

The most important fruit from this season is a deeper intimacy with Jesus. Begin with faith, believing for incredible impact upon your family, workplace, and areas requiring breakthrough. But know that even if you complete these 21 days without a supernatural encounter, it’s about your life after this prayer and fasting season. The principles of prayer and fasting will still sow seeds into your relationship with Christ beyond the fast.