NEW YEAR FAST GUIDELINES from Betty Bond
CORPORATE WORSHIP TIMES DURING FAST: Wednesday, January 21st & 28th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. @ Breakthrough Church
At the end of last year, Chuck Pierce asked the Lord if he had one sentence for us as we’re ending our calendar year, 2025. Was there one thing he would say? And the Lord said, “Without delay, stake your claim,” as the year ahead will be our most intense, pivotal year. The Lord went on to say, “Keep your head down for 10 days because I am going to raise you up in a way you’ve never been raised up before.”
In light of that word, I believe it is wisdom to purposefully set aside time to fast and pray as we enter 2026. Let this be a focus on you and your walk with your Lord. Let these be days you draw closer to your God, know him better, and gain revelation & inner strength. Eph. 1:17-20, and Eph. 3:16-21, are great places to start.
Fasting does not impress God or intimidate the devil. Remember the Pharisee who bragged, “I fast twice a week and tithe everything!” Jesus was not impressed. He said everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
And please, although we have certain parameters, please do not be legalistic. In 10 days, there’s room for flexibility!
Our invitation is simple: set aside 10 days to lean into God in a more focused way. Within those 10 days, we are encouraging everyone to consider choosing 3 days to go deeper in fasting, as our intercessory team will be doing.
Here are some ways to approach these 10 days:
1. Set apart 10 days to draw near to God (January 19–28). See these as days of consecration and intentional pursuit. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
2. Within these 10 days, consider choosing 3 consecutive days to fast in some way. These 3 days can be at the beginning, end, etc. Intimacy grows and is compounded!
3. For the remaining 7 days, treat them as holy, set-apart days — days of focused prayer, Scripture, worship, and listening to the Lord.
4. Let the Lord lead you in what kind of fast you do. This could include food, social media, entertainment, technology, or anything else that tends to crowd out time with Him. Ask yourself: What is most stealing my attention from God right now?
5. Some may feel led to step away from social media or media for the full 10 days. Others may feel grace for a different approach— please follow the Holy Spirit with wisdom and humility.
6. Spend extra time in the Word. Consider memorizing a passage, reading a few Proverbs, or slowly meditating on Scripture.
7. Read that book you’ve been meaning to read — especially something that stirs your faith and love for God.
8. Worship — with music or without. Make space to adore Him.
9. Journal what God shows you. You have a journal courtesy of KRIM — use it! Write prayers, impressions, Scriptures, and reflections.
10. Make lists — things you’re believing for, things God speaks, things to revisit with Him throughout the year.
11. Practice stillness. “Be still and know that I am God.” It may take time to quiet your mind and calm your soul. Sometimes we talk too much. Sometimes God may even invite us to fast our words — remember Zechariah!
Above all, remember: this is about a relationship, not performance. There is no prize for doing this “the hardest.” The goal is simply more of Him
