Single Events

Introduction 

Welcome to this great time and season of prayer and fasting. Indeed, this has been one of the most challenging years that as individuals, families, a church we have ever experienced. During 2020, we have lost many lives, even from within our own local church, but thank God that through it all God has carried us through. 

We can certainly share the words of the scripture in 2 Chronicles 20:12 “…For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” During this Covid Pandemic, there has been much uncertainty, fear, doubt, anxiety as well as opportunities and hope. But just as Jehosphat and Judah was up against a vast army and could not see a way out, the Lord indeed was on their side because they prayed! This pandemic has certainly felt like a vast army upon God’s people, but together we have prayed; we have sought the face of God, and we must not take our foot off the accelerator. 

In this season, as we approach the new year (2021), we must keep our posture and position of prayer, fasting, and seeking the face of God. I quote from the COGOP International Prayer Page “As we enter 2021, the challenges of 2020 are fresh on our minds. However, if we seek Him in humility, the promise of 2 Chronicles 20:17 can be ours, “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you … Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you”. 

Let us engage in these activities of prayer, not just for the month of January, but continuously. 

Heaven Blessings 

Bishop Bill Richards & Local Prayer Team

 

What is Fasting?

Fasting is abstaining from food and/or drink to humble oneself before God. The Old Testament uses fasting and abstinence from food to point to something even more necessary for life; that is communion with and dependence on God. Fasting must be linked with prayer and meditating on the Word of God, otherwise, it is simply a diet.

The importance of fasting

The reason why fasting mixed with prayer is important to the Christian faith is because “it loosens to some degree the ties which bind us to the world of material things and our surroundings as a whole, in order that we may concentrate all our spiritual powers upon the unseen and eternal things” (Ole Hallesby). Prayer and fasting are also a weapon for intercession.

Jesus also said to His disciples, “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).

How to Fast during the 21 days?

• Decide on the most appropriate fast

• Regular Fast o Abstain from all foods and liquid except water (2 Chron 20:3)
• Absolute Fast

Abstain from all foods and drink, including water, or any type of pleasure (Esther 4:16, Deuteronomy 9:9, 1 Kings 19)

Daniel Fast

Eat fruits and vegetables for a certain amount of time and abstain from meats (Daniel 1:8-14)

Accompany your fasting with the following Christian principles:

Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Meditation (Psalm 1:1-3)

Studying God’s word (Matthew 4:4)

Listening to suitable music, sermons or other types of media

(Romans 12:1-2)

Spending quality time in isolation (Matthew 6:6)

Are you new to fasting?

If you are new to fasting, it is a great Christian discipline to draw you closer to God and to strengthen your faith and dependence on God. If you are new to fasting, you may wish to start your fast with:

Week 1 – 1 – Daniel Fast

Week 2 – Continue with the Daniel Fast and a few days during the week miss a meal i.e. breakfast

Week 3 – Commence your Regular Fast for some of the days throughout the week. Aim to abstain from 1 meal, then 2 meals, then all meals until the end of the fasting period

Caution for those with medical conditions

If you have any medical conditions, you must take caution when fasting. This includes:

People with Diabetes

Women that may be pregnant

People who have liver or heart problems (or other medical conditions)

Those who are Anaemic

Those who are already taking medication for serious illnesses Those who are excessively underweight

If you fit into any of these categories, do consult your GP prior to fasting.

Prayer Points

Prayer points are amalgamated together, International, National & Local Prayer Focuses 

International 

Prayer for the release of finances to the kingdom which will facilitate the spread of the gospel to all nations. 

Pray that the body of Christ will see ‘the harvest’ and actively pursue it. Ask God to grant access for the Gospel through open heavens, open minds, open hearts, and 

open doors (Isaiah 45:8; Acts 26: 17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 4:2-3). 

The unemployment situation for many and the economic crisis. 

Human Trafficking 

Crime and violence 

Refugees all over the world including the U.K 

Pray for God’s direction and discernment in our global church planting efforts (Mark 16:15). 

National 

Targeted intercession for all the leadership associated with the 21 days of fasting and prayer event. Special prayer for Bishop Tedroy, his family and ministry 

Pray for revelation knowledge before, during and following this event concerning strongmen, strongholds and key prayer strategies to be employed- strategic prayer. 

Prayers for justice – Proverbs 31:8, 9. Pray for the unity of all Christian believers, to be united in heart and voice and unity in the church body as a family 

The homeless, those being discriminated against because of their race, sexuality, age or disability. The communities in which our churches are located. 

Local 

Special prayer for Bishop Bill, Sis Margaret, Pastor Lil and Ministers 

Prayer for pastors, their families and others in leadership. 

Prayer for the participants in 21 prayer initiative/prayer day event, their families, ar marriages, finances, jobs, businesses and health. Pray a prayer shield overall plaplaying a role/or have input in the prayer. 

Confess for yourself or your church any lack of devotion to prayer. Ask God to help your church and its leaders be devoted to or “diligently occupied with” prayer (Colossians 4:2, Acts 1:14, Acts 2:42, Acts 6:4). 

Prayer for insight on how to pray accurately with ‘insight’. 

Pray that all the churches will be spiritually capitalised / galvanised during this titttime – revival! 

Pray for power and wisdom to know the “greater things” the Father wants you and your church to do for Him (John 14:12-14). 

Pray for great impartation to be released 

Pray for a renewed hunger for prayer. 

Pray that grace be the basis of all stewardship and a matter of the heart. 

(1 Peter 4:10) 

Pray that tithing and giving leads to whole-life stewardship including time, talent, health, and family. (Luke 20:25, 21:4, Malachi 3:12) 

Pray that the use of technology during this season will greatly facilitate the spreading of the gospel and that persons with these giftings will be readily available in all local churches. 

Pray that men, women, boys, and girls would embrace the call of God and our 

efforts to equip them for ministry would be successful (Jeremiah 1:5, 2, Peter 1:10- 

11, Ephesian 4:12). 

National Prayer Schedule 

Wednesday 6th January (Region 1 & 2) 

(7.00pm-8.00pm) 

Wednesday 13th January (Region 3 & 4) 

(7.00pm – 8.00pm) 

Wednesday 20th January (Region 5 & 6) 

(7.00pm- 8.00pm) 

Saturday 23rd January (Corporate Day of Prayer) 

(11.00am – 3.00pm) 

There is a 24-hour prayer watch throughout the 21 day period, which will also be observant of the eight prayer watches 

Further details to follow 

Prayer Details 

Zoom 290 812 1364 | 0203 481 5237 www.cogop.org.uk 

International Prayer Schedule 

Sunday 3rd January – Time TBC (Message of Hope) 

Simulcast sermon from General Overseer Sam Clements and an opportunity to participate in communion. 

Sunday 17th January (7.00pm ET) 

Night of Prayer simulcast, live from the Church of God of 

Prophecy International Offices 

Operators will be available to receive your prayer requests and pray for your needs. 

cogop.org or on Facebook at Facebook.com/cogop 

Additional Prayer Activities  & Resources 

Every Tuesday Morning Prayer 

Evangelist Sharon Miller & Prayer Closet Ministries 

6.00am – 7.00am 

Dial: 03330110616 – Access Code: 5034335# 

Carol Clarke Ministry 

Thursday 14th January (Teaching – Prayer & Fasting) 

(7.00pm – 8.30pm) 

Resources 

David Wilkerson – The Purpose of Prayer

David Wilkerson – The Necessity of Secret Prayer 

David Wilkerson – Praying In the Closet 

Reading – Day of Fasting and Prayer Guidelines 

Myles Munroe – Understanding The Power of Fasting