We are excited and expectant to see what God will do in 2025!
Here are two important commitments you can make, to change your life this year.
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting: January 6 - 26, 2025. Every year, we fast together as a church to experience more of God’s presence. Find helpful info below to get started.
New Testament In One Year: As a church, we are reading the New Testament together on the Bible app. Please visit eden.church/bible for all the details, or click the button below to go directly to Eden’s 2025 plan on the Bible app. The plan includes helpful videos and a daily reading from January 1st to December 31, 2025.
21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING
“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” - William Carey {1761 – 1834}
God is at work in the Bay Area. We are praying together to see God transform lives, tear down strongholds, and spread hope in our city.
When we seek God together, He aligns us with His plans and we see amazing things happen that only God can do. God invites us to join Him where He has placed us; in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools & communities. He is at work here and wants to involve us.
We are so grateful for you. As we’re on this journey together, we would love to hear about your experience! Share with us via email at hello@eden.church and let us know how God is at work in your life.
WHAT IS FASTING?
When we fast, we decrease our physical consumption to increase our spiritual connection to God. We lay down our appetites and allow God to sustain us, change us, and lead us.
Biblical fasting involves eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God & prepares our hearts for all that God desires to bring into our lives.
A personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
Don’t fast from food if you are sick, pregnant, breastfeeding, have an eating disorder, or previously had an eating disorder. Please check with your doctor if you’re unsure. If you have medical concerns, and you'd like to participate, consider an alternative fast, such as fasting from social media or television.
When we partner our prayers with fasting, we are able to see God do the miraculous!
WHY DO WE FAST?
Jesus Fasted (Matthew 4:2)
Jesus Expected Us to Fast (Matthew 6:17-18)
It was Common Practice in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 7:6; Nehemiah 1:4)
The Early Church Fasted (Acts 13:2-3)
Spiritual Breakthroughs throughout history were connected to seasons of prayer and fasting - Luther, Knox, Wesley & Spurgeon.
We fast to dedicate ourselves to God, to listen to Him and align our lives with His will.
We fast to humble ourselves before God and learn to depend on Him. (Psalm 35:13, Ezra 8:21)
We fast to see transformative, Jesus-centered revival in us and our city.
We fast to see the lost come to faith in Jesus.
We fast to see the broken healed.
We fast to tear down strongholds, areas in our lives of struggle, addiction and sin where we need transformative breakthrough and deliverance.
BEFORE YOU FAST
Prepare physically and spiritually. Take time to ask God how you should fast, then plan what you will do. If you are new to fasting, plan to start gently and work up to a longer fast.
Prepare spiritually by drawing close to God through prayer and reading the Bible.
Prepare physically for fasting from food. A gradual taper will be key to success. One week before you fast, start reducing caffeine, salt and sugar, to prevent headaches and gradually cut down the size of your meals.
HOW TO FAST
There are several ways to fast, such as a partial fast limiting consumption to vegetables, or fasting on certain days, or certain times of the day, or a complete fast.
Taper First: One week before you begin fasting, start reducing caffeine, salt and sugar, to prevent headaches and gradually cut down the size of your meals.
Complete Fast: Drink only water. Start gradually with other methods of fasting and work up to a complete fast.
Liquids Fast: Drink only liquids, typically water and light broths.
Partial Fast: Remove certain foods from your consumption, such as the Daniel Fast, limiting consumption to vegetables and water. (Daniel 1:8-18)
Intermittent Fast: You can fast during specific times of the day, for example, from sunup to sundown. This is a great way to start when you’re new to fasting.
As you fast, stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Be mindful that you will have less energy than normal. Be sensitive to how your fasting affects those around you.
Break your fast with small portions of food, not a large meal.
Alternative Fast: If you are sick, pregnant, breastfeeding, have or had an eating disorder, consider an alternative fast. You can fast from a distraction to increase your focus on God. This can be a fast from social media, tv, etc. Use this time to read Scripture and pray.
“And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” - Matthew 6:16-18