The Bible provides many examples of great spiritual leaders and everyday saints who spent extended periods of time seeking God in prayer. Many of God’s mighty acts in history were ushered in by the faithful praying and fasting of His people.

Who can imagine the effect today of thousands of believers united in a concentrated time of prayer and fasting? The results could astound us—renewed churches, restored relationships, rekindled spiritual passion, and replenished strength to witness for and serve Christ.

Fasting is the spiritual discipline of not eating (or eating significantly less) in order to devote more time to prayer. Fasting creates a mood of seriousness, urgency and added commitment about seeking God’s will. Together, prayer and fasting heighten our awareness of God’s presence and our sensitivity to His voice.

If you have never fasted before, perhaps you should begin this adventure by choosing one day a week for the next six weeks as a special day for spiritual concentration. Decide which meal you will skip, using the time instead for prayer.

Do not fast because it seems "religious," or because you feel duty-bound, but because you have a deep longing to honor God and draw closer to Him. Do not fast as an effort of forcing God to do something you want, but to humble your heart before the Lord. Fast to identify more closely with the hurts of a world that is empty, with Jesus Christ, and to remind yourself that hunger and thirst for righteousness is life’s greatest needs. Fasting is a way of demonstrating to God that you are His servant and that obeying Him is your most important goal.

The prayer calendar inside will encourage balance and depth in your daily devotions. Let the suggested Bible readings provide you with ideas for praise and petition. Use the requests as starting points for your daily talks with God. Ask the Lord to bring to mind specific people and needs He wants you to pray about each day.

If you are able to extend your prayer time, here is a suggested format for a half-hour of prayer.

Preparation (two minutes)—Ask God to help you pray. Thank Him for this time. Give Him in-tentional, undivided attention.

Adoration (five minutes)—Tell God how wonder-ful He is and why you worship and love Him. Praise Him with songs and choruses. Make up your own song of praise. Read a psalm out loud to Him, consciously offering the words to Him alone.

Confession (two minutes)—Spend a moment letting God search you. Invite Him to explore your conscience. Admit any known sin in your life to Him. Accept His cleansing of your spirit and thank Him for it. Ask to be filled with His Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving (five minutes)—Begin thanking God for His goodness to you, your loved ones, friends and church. Sing to Him again. Read Him a Scripture that has helped you recently and thank Him for what His promises mean to you.

Supplication (fifteen minutes)—Bring specific requests to God. First, tell Him about your own needs, relationships and struggles. Then, pray for friends, relatives, neighbors, new acquaintances, school and work associates. Call on the Lord to help your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders. Pray over community and world needs and recent news headlines.

Closing (one minute)—Take time to be silent before the Lord. Then thank Him for His presence and for His promises to answer prayer.