Fasting & Preparation For Hebrew New Year 5786
September 22 @ 6 PM – The Beginning of the New Hebrew Year 5786
God is speaking, and the times demand that we listen. As we step into this new year, I am calling you to join a corporate fast. We stand at a critical moment—a season of unprecedented spiritual warfare and a divine opportunity for God’s Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.
This is a time to unite, pray, and position ourselves for breakthrough.
Watch Sunday, September 7, 2025, as Chene' Tucker leads us in preparation for a season of fasting and intentionality—positioning our hearts and spirits
to step boldly into the New Year.
Book Recommendation for Your Fast
As we prepare for the upcoming fast — and any future seasons of deeper spiritual pursuit — Chene highly recommends this book:
“Fasting: Opening the Door to a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God” by Jentezen Franklin
This book has been such a powerful guide in understanding the true purpose of fasting — not just as a physical discipline, but as a spiritual doorway into deeper intimacy with God, breakthrough, and transformation.
Let’s not fast just to get something from God — let’s fast to get closer to Him.
Highly recommend adding this to your spiritual toolkit!
Betty Bond has been leading Thursday intercession, praying into the season we are called to steward. Here is her exhortation inviting us to join in both intercession and preparation through fasting. Be sure to also watch the attached Bill Johnson video.
Mt. 6:16-18, 16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
See Is. 58, especially v. 6, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”
I believe the upcoming new year, 5786, may be our most significant year yet. Something inside me is restless, frustrated, excited, and hopeful all at the same time. As for me, I don’t want to head into the new year without taking stock of where I am spiritually. I believe what is coming will make demands on my soul I am not prepared for at this time. Therefore, I’m fasting and asking those of you who pray to fast also. It might be something we do sporadically during the year as well
Rosh Hashanah begins Monday night, Sept. 22 at 6:00PM. Let’s give ourselves 7-14 days to fast and pray beginning Monday, 9/8 at 6:00PM until Monday 9/22 at 6:00PM. Some can only fast a few days, some 7 days, some 10, while others can do a full two weeks.
I don’t know a lot about fasting, but I do know a few things. This video is very good. Bill keeps it simple. Developing a Lifestyle of Prayer and Fasting - Bill Johnson Sermon Clip | Bethel Church
Also, Scott recommended a book by Jentezen Franklin, Fasting: Opening the Door to a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship With God. Available through Amazon.
Here’s what I believe about fasting. Fasting is not going without food. Fasting must be accompanied with the word and prayer. Fasting is not what you don’t eat or don’t do; it’s what you do while you lay aside what you can see to gain what you can’t. Fasting is for feeding the inner man. It’s laying down one thing to pick up another.
Don’t be religious or legalistic. You can go out to lunch with friends when you are fasting, just don’t do all-you-can-eat buffet! Keep it on the light side. Think avocado toast or salad! Put on a happy face and look nice. If all you do is go without food, you’ve just gone hungry. Draw near to God. Spend extra time in the Word. Read one of those books you’re going to read “one of these days!” Worship. Pray. Take communion, maybe daily, maybe multiple times a day. Soak in the Presence. Your Father who sees in secret will see what you are doing in secret.
Go back to the purpose of fasting. Fasting is not about food. It’s about strengthening your relationship with God. It’s about discovering him and discovering yourself in the process. Heb. 12:1-2 “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” 2 Chron. 20:12 “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” If someone asks why you aren’t eating, answer truthfully. There’s no need to go into detail or apologize. Just keep it simple.
