2025 SCoC Fasting Instruction Sheet and Quiet Times 

Theme: Pray Continually

 

Theme Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – "Pray continually." 


As we enter into this time of fasting and prayer, we are called to deepen our relationship with God through consistent prayer and humble devotion. Let's reflect on two powerful scriptures to guide our hearts and minds:

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 – "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."


2 Chronicles 12:7 – "When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: 'Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.'"

 

As we fast and pray, let these scriptures remind us of God's heart for us—to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and bring healing and deliverance to our lives and community.

 

Fasting Details

When: The fast begins on January 1st at 12:01 AM and ends on January 19th. We will conclude our fast together in unity during our worship service on the 19th.

 

Corporate Focus: Devotion to Prayer

 

Our theme this year is centered on prayer and devotion—prayer, devotion to God, to His Word, and to one another.

 

In Acts 2:42, we read about the early church and how they devoted themselves to four key areas:

·      The apostles' teaching

·      Fellowship

·      The breaking of bread

·      Prayer

 

This year, we want to build a culture of prayer in our fellowship. We will focus on strengthening our devotion to prayer, not just individually, but as a unified body of believers.

 

We encourage you to prayerfully consider these personal goals as you engage in this fast. Let’s seek God’s guidance and set our hearts on His will.

 

Fasting Choices:

Choose what you will fast from for the 19 days. Here are some suggestions:

·      Vegetarian meals only (no more than two meals per day)

·      No food from sunrise to sunset

·      One meal a day

·      Liquids only (smoothies, nutritional drinks, etc.)

 

Spiritual “Hit List”

Write down a focused list of people or situations you will pray for during this fast. These may include personal growth, relationships, or specific needs within the church or community.

 

Daily Devotions & Journaling

Commit to reading the daily devotions and journaling your reflections. These devotions are meant to complement your quiet times and help keep us united in prayer and purpose.

 

Pray for Bible Studies

Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and engage in personal Bible study with someone.

 

Renewal of Faith

·      Ask, Seek, Knock - for God to renew your faith and strengthen your commitment to Him. Let this fast be a time of deep personal renewal and spiritual growth.

·      Plan to attend every church service during this fast.

·      Commit to being present at each worship service during this fast to maintain unity and devotion.

 

Challenges during the fast

·      Memory Scriptures - 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 and Ephesians 1:18-19

·      Go out with someone and share your faith during this fast.

·      Be hospitable - invite someone into your home during the fast have them for dinner (this is the one night to break your fast with your visitors.)

 

Each week, we’ll have a personal challenge to encourage growth in prayer and unity:

 

Week 1: Pray with someone every day—in service, stop and pray for someone, or reach out to another disciple during the week to pray together.

Week 2: Pray with a stranger—also pray for someone outside the church. Also, call someone this week to pray with them.

Week 3: Share your faith every day this week

 

Acts 2:42  They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.


This scripture gives us a picture of the early church’s devotion and commitment to four essential spiritual practices: the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. To be devoted to these four things, we need to make them central to our lives as believers. Here’s how we can practically live out devotion to each of these areas:

 

Devotion to the Apostles' Teaching (God's Word)

The apostles' teaching refers to the foundational truths of the gospel that were passed down through the apostles, which we now find in the New Testament. Being devoted to the apostles' teaching means:

·      Consistently Reading Scripture: Set aside time each day to read and meditate on God's Word. Allow it to shape your thinking, decisions, and actions.

·      Study and Apply God's Word: Don’t just read it, but study it and apply it to your life. Join Bible studies, attend church services, and listen to teaching that deepens your understanding of Scripture.

·      Teach Others: Share the Word of God with others—whether it's your family, friends. This reinforces your own devotion and encourages others to grow.

 

Scripture to reflect on:

·      2 Timothy 3:16-17 – "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

·      Joshua 1:8 – "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it."

 

Devotion to Fellowship (Community)

Fellowship isn’t just about gathering for social events; it’s about sharing life together as a community of believers, supporting one another in faith, and living out the gospel together.

·      Build Relationships in the Church: Make time to connect with others in the church—through small groups, prayer groups, and social gatherings. Fellowship isn’t just about attending events, but about building meaningful, deep relationships.

·      Encourage and Support One Another: Fellowship means actively supporting each other in both spiritual and practical ways. Pray for others, encourage them in their faith, and offer help when needed

·      Be Accountable: Devotion to fellowship involves being open and accountable with one another about struggles and victories, helping each other stay on track in the faith.

Scripture to reflect on:

·      Hebrews 10:24-25 – "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another."

·      1 John 1:7 – "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another..."

 

Devotion to the Breaking of Bread (Communion and Shared Meals)

The breaking of bread represents both the act of communion (remembering Christ’s sacrifice) and the shared meals within the Christian community.

·      Take Communion Seriously: As often as you partake in communion, reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus. It’s a moment to align your heart with His grace and remember the cross.

·      Share Meals with Others: Sharing meals is a profound way to build community. Invite others into your home, or fellowship around meals in group settings. These moments help bond relationships and foster unity.

·      Live Out Hospitality: Be open to others, especially those in need, and share generously. The early church was marked by a spirit of hospitality, and we can practice this in our own lives.

Scripture to reflect on:

·      1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread..."

·      Acts 2:46 – "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts."

 

Devotion to Prayer

Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. It’s essential for spiritual growth and for the health of the church.

Pray Regularly: Set aside time each day for personal prayer. Make it a habit to pray in the morning, at night, and throughout the day.

Pray with Others: Don’t just pray alone—pray with your family, your church, and others. Prayer strengthens our unity and helps us intercede for one another.

Pray for Others: Consider the prayers of Jesus and Paul in scripture. They were filled with prayers for others.

Pray for God's Will: Let your prayers reflect a heart that seeks God’s will above all. Spend time listening to God as well as speaking to Him. Be persistent in prayer, trusting that God hears us.

Scripture to reflect on:

·      Luke 5:16 – "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

·      Philippians 4:6-7 – "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

 

Summary: Living Out Devotion to Acts 2:42

Being devoted to the four things mentioned in Acts 2:42 means prioritizing these practices in our daily lives:

·      Seek God’s Word regularly and allow it to shape your life.

·      Engage deeply in community—not just as an attendee, but as an active participant who encourages and supports others.

·      Share meals and communion, remembering Christ’s sacrice and building relationships with fellow believers.

·      Commit to a life of prayer, both alone and with others, seeking God’s guidance and interceding for one another.

 

When we live out these practices, we follow the example of the early church and become stronger in our walk with God and our unity as a community. Let’s ask God to help us be devoted to these four essential pillars of our faith.

 

Quiet time #1 "I need Jesus"                                                      January 1, 2025

Read Matthew 9:14-17

An important purpose of this fast is to acknowledge your need for Jesus. Take a moment to write down the reasons you are fasting. —————————————————————————————————————————————— —————————————————————————————————————————————— —————————————————————————————————————————————— —————————————————————————————————————————————— 


Quiet Time #2  “House of Prayer”                              January 2, 2025

Read Mark 11:15-25

The church should be a house of prayer. Today, pray that the Savannah church is known for its commitment to prayer. Make a plan to incorporate prayer into your fellowship time with others. Additional reading Matthew 6:5-13, Isaiah 56:7 ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #3   “Pray for enemies”                            January 3, 2025

Read Luke 6:27-31

We are called to love our enemies. Pray over your difficult relationships and ask God for guidance. Find a way to do something good for someone you’ve had issues with, present or past. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #4  “Pray this prayer for one another”     January 4, 2025

Read Ephesians 1:16-18.

Memorize this verse Write it out below today. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #5  “Plan time during this fast to join with others for a time of prayer”       January 5, 2025

Read Acts 1:14 and Acts 4:24  ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #6  “Pray Continually      January 6, 2025

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11-28.

Pray about how you can apply this scripture, then write down how you will put it into practice. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #7   “Let’s get real”                       January 7, 2025

Read Philippians 4:6-9

Write down the part of this scripture you find difficult to believe. Pray and fast God that removes all doubt and increases your faith. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #8   “Power of Prayer”                  January 8, 2025

Read James 5:7-20

Is your prayer life powerful and effective? If not, what is preventing you from having a powerful and effective prayer life? Write down what you think is hindering you. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #9   “Stand your ground”              January 9, 2025

Read Ephesians 6:10-20

In V11 it says stand against the devil. V13, “stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” V14 “Stand firm”. Praying and fasting is a great way to do this verse. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #10   “Listening in Prayer”                       January 10, 2025

Read Psalms 46:10

Today we will spend a time of listening. Turn off all electronics, and only use them if absolutely necessary. Focus on listening and ask to hear God. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 


 

Quiet Time #11   “A place of Prayer”               January 11, 2025

Read Acts 16:13-16

If you haven't already found a place for prayer, the goal today— or at least by the end of the fast— is to establish a quiet space that helps you focus on God in prayer. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #12   “God’s Word guides our prayers”                January 12, 2025

Spend time in scripture today, letting it guide your conversations with God.

John 1:1-14, John 8:30-31, Prov. 30:5-6, James 1:22-25, Psalms 109:105, Psalms 109:130, Matt. 5:14-16. John 5:24, 1 Timothy 4:15-16, ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #13   “Family Prayer”                   January 13, 2025

Read all of Acts 10

Use this time for a family devotion to pray together. As a family, choose a way to serve someone in need. If you're single, consider joining a family at church or reaching out to your own family members to ask if there’s anything you can pray for or do to serve them. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #14   “Take ownership”     January 14, 2025

Read Matthew 6:5-15

Take ownership not only of your own spiritual state, but also of the spiritual condition of our church. Reach out to someone and confess your sin. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #15   “Humility is experienced”                January 15, 2025

Read Luke 18:9-14

Examine what the tax collector did and said, then write down what you have learned from his prayer. Don’t simply say he was humble. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #16   “Stop hiding out”                  January 16, 2025

Read Mark 11:12-25

You might be thinking, "Haven’t we already read this verse?" Yes, we have. Today, I want to focus on the phrase "den of robbers." A den is a hiding place, and in this case, it’s for robbers —people who take from others for their own benefit. They were hiding in the church. Seek input from others and ask if there are areas of your life where you can seek God’s kingdom first. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #17   “What are you known for?”             January 17, 2025

Read Luke 2:22-39

Jesus' parents encountered two people in the temple: Simeon, a man known for being moved by the Spirit, and Anna, a widow known for never leaving the temple. She worshiped, fasted, and prayed day and night. The point of the text is that Anna's lifestyle was marked by her constant devotion to prayer and fasting. She was known for these things. What would people say about you? What are you known for? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #18   “Everything is Yes in Christ”                       January 18, 2025

Read Psalms 66:16-20

Today, take time to thank God for all of His answered prayers. If you find it difficult to recall enough answers, use this time to ask God for His spiritual blessings, seeking His guidance, strength, and peace. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quiet Time #19   “Final Day”              January 19, 2025

Today, we conclude our fast together. Take some time this morning to reflect on your notes and spend a moment in prayer, focusing on God. As you prepare to come to church, think about how you’ve experienced God's presence during this fast. Be ready to share how He has moved in your life and the insights you've gained. Consider a quiet time or devotion that has particularly impacted you and be prepared to share it with others. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 



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