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Before Jesus began His public ministry, He spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness. There are numerous references in Scripture of people fasting and praying to seek the Lord. The need to prayer and fasting is no less today than it was in Biblical times. In modern times there have been numerous calls to fasting and prayer for the nation. For several years we have encouraged people of the Missionary Church to set aside the First Friday of the month to fast and pray for the Missionary Church. We have provided this prayer guide that you can download and use as you pray.

You are free to share with your church or small group

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The National Prayer Accord

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the national prayer accord

Prior to the Great Awakening, a number of New England pastors joined together to issue what was called “The National Prayer Accord.” It was a call to united prayer throughout New England. God moved in response to those prayers, and America experienced an incredible awakening. Now, The National Prayer Accord is a contemporary movement urging churches to adopt a sustained rhythm of prayer and fasting, patterned after the intercession that preceded the First Great Awakening in the 18th century. The “First Friday Fast” is one part of that rhythm of prayer.

One of the foundations of the Accord is the establishment of rhythms of prayer:

One-half to one hour of private or small group prayer

One- to two-hour individual church prayer gatherings

One- to two-hour local, multiple-church prayer gatherings

Unite for the National Day of Prayer

FIRST FRIDAY PRAYER AND FASTING

As a part of our on-going efforts to call the church to prayer, we encourage churches and individuals to set aside the first Friday of the month as a day of fasting and prayer for the awakening of the church, raising up of godly leaders, the multiplication of disciples and the multiplication of churches. Whether you fast one meal or the entire day is between you and the Lord. We are calling the Church to united prayer. This could be done personally and as a part of a monthly prayer gathering.

In recognition of:

We CALL THE CHURCH TO FOCUSED, UNITED PRAYER:

  • That the Missionary Church would be fully devoted followers of Jesus — that we would love Him more and more (Matthew 22:37).

  • That the Missionary Church would remain committed to the Word and fully dependent on the leading and power of the Spirit of God (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 143:10; Hebrews 4:12: 2 Timothy 3:16).

  • That the Missionary Church would intentionally pursue holiness of heart and life (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15).

  • That the heart of the Missionary Church would be continually broken for lost people (Matthew 23:37).

  • That the Missionary Church would lead in our commitment to the multiplication of disciples among all people groups, foreign and domestic (2 Corinthians 9:10; Matthew 28:18-20).

  • That the Missionary Church would be a people who model the character of Christ in humility and love for one another (Micah 6:8; John 13:34-35).

  • That each of our churches will embrace the command of Jesus to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

  • That each of our churches will challenge and equip believers to step outside of the building to reach lost people (Mark 16:15)

  • That God will pour out His Spirit on each of our churches that we might receive power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8).

  • That God would give each of our people the boldness to tell friends about Jesus (John 1:45)

  • That people of the Missionary Church will abide in Christ so that we bear much fruit (John 15:8).

  • That God will give special strength, wisdom, and endurance as they minister in an ever-changing world (Ephesians 3:16-19).

  • That God will protect their families and give them the resolve to care for their homes as much as they care for the church. Pray God will help them find the right balance (Ephesians 5:25).

  • That pastors will seek the Lord first rather than looking for the best strategies and ideas from others (Matthew 6:33).

  • That pastors will find a good rhythm between work and rest (Matthew 11:28-29).

  • That God will raise up leaders from the next generation to give leadership to planting new churches, serving cross-culturally and multiplying disciples. – (Exodus 24:13; Numbers 27:22; 2 Timothy 2:2)

  • That God will give them the resolve to always seek the Lord and to finish well (Joshua 24:15; Hebrews 12:1; 2 Timothy 4:7).

  • For God to raise up workers for the harvest (Matthew 9:38)

  • For God to raise up leaders with a vision to multiply disciples and churches (Acts 13:1-4)

  • For protection of our planters, families, and ministries from the evil one (Matthew 6:13).

  • For God to draw everyone into discipling relationships that see life transformation in the people around us (2 Corinthians 9:10).

  • For God to bring healing to marriages that are often strained by the demands of ministry and attacks of the enemy. (Colossians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

  • For an outpouring of funding for the multiplication of disciples and churches (2 Corinthians 9:8; Psalm 34:10; Philippians 4:19).

  • For God to bring the right leaders to churches who will be seeking new pastors (1 Samuel 16:7).

  • That our churches will not only know but also embrace the truth that apart from Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5).

  • That our churches will help each individual in the church have the connections they need to journey together on their walk with God (2 Timothy 2:2; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

  • That our churches will take responsibility to equip those in the church to go out from the church to form relationships with those who need to discover God (John 17:18).

  • That those in our churches put our commitment to God and our worship of God higher than the traditions and political leanings that can become idols and replace God (Matthew 15:8-9).

  • That those in our churches slow down enough so that we open our eyes and notice the lost and needy around us (John 4:35).

  • That those in our churches will learn to walk as Jesus walked, with minds that think like Jesus, hearts that love like Jesus, and actions that reflect Jesus (1 John 2:6).

  • That God will give us inroads into unreached areas of the world (Isaiah 60:1-5; Acts 6:9-12).

  • That God will raise up additional leaders who can ignite disciple-making movements and help existing movements to be effective (Mark 6:15; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 9:10).

  • That God will empower a mobilized, united global church (Luke 24:46-48; John 17:20-23).

  • That the US Church will reawaken to the unreached of the world (John 4:35).

  • That the Lord Jesus would fulfill his promise to send men and women to make disciples to the ends of the earth by sending the next generation Missionary Church people to do so.  (Act 1:8)

  • That God might make Bethel a hotbed of revival — a truly robust, historic, echoing revival throughout the entire church, inspiring the church to its first love of God (Revelation 2).

  1. Prayer for Spiritual Vitality and Faithfulness (Psalm 1:1-3; John 15:5)
    - That God would ignite a fresh passion for Jesus Christ among every student, faculty member, and staff.
    - That He would protect our campus from spiritual apathy or compromise.
    - That the Gospel be boldly proclaimed, lives transformed, and a generation of faithful disciples raised up who love You with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

  2. Prayer for Godly Leadership and Wisdom (Psalm 78:72; Matthew 20:26-28)
    - That Bethel’s leadership would have divine wisdom, courage, and humility to lead according to the Word and Spirit.
    - That decisions made would honor Christ and resources would be stewarded well.
    - That Bethel would remain firmly rooted in biblical truth.

  3. Prayer for Academic Excellence and Truth (Psalm 119:99-100; 2 Timothy 3:16)
    - That every class and every professor would pursue truth with excellence, grounded in the fear of the Lord.
    - That the curriculum would always reflect a Christian worldview, equipping students for their calling, and preparing them to think Christianly and critically.

  4. Prayer for Students’ Growth, Protection, and Future (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:11)
    - That God would protect students from temptation, harmful influences, anxiety, and the pressures of campus life.
    - That the Spirit would help students grow in character, faith, and maturity.
    - That students would be prepared to be salt and light in their future vocations and communities.

  5. Prayer for Unity, Community, and Healthy Relationships (John 17; Acts 2:46)
    - That there would be unity and love across the campus of Bethel. 
    - That our campus would foster genuine Christian community and raise up godly friendships and mentoring relationships.
    - That chapel services, small discipleship groups, and campus ministries would lead students into a fully surrendered life marked by faithful discipleship.

  6. Prayer for Impact and Kingdom Advance (Acts 1:8; Acts 13:1-3)
    - That Bethel would have a lasting, eternal impact for God’s Kingdom.
    - That Bethel would continue to raise up graduates who serve as pastors, missionaries, teachers, leaders, and professionals who advance the Gospel in every sphere of society.

  7. Prayer for Provision though Recruitment and Generosity (Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8)
    - That God would open new and greater avenues of student recruitment, including further inroads in the Missionary Church.
    - That students would feel compelled to attend Bethel University.
    - That the Father would provide for Bethel financially, including new donors, strategic partners, and increased enrollment.