How to Pray & Fast for Your Family & Top Priorities

I’ve had some time to reflect on this past year, and through my reflection I can truly say my family and I have been blessed. However, in the past year we have faced battles and challenges in every aspect of our lives.

God’s been beside us with every step.

He never left our sides.

He was our one constant.

He was our everything in our weakest moments.

I wanted to enter this year knowing that His hand was upon everything I valued.

I made the heart-felt decision to bring my family and myself before Him, in a way I had never done before. I would surrender all to Him through prayer and fasting. I would lift my family and the things that held top priority in my life up to Him. Seeking His blessings, His guidance, His favor, and His protection in this new year.

Fasting allows us to fully embrace God at work in our lives. When we combine prayer and fasting together, along with scripture reading, we allow God to move us in a powerful way. It can also help to realign our priorities. By replacing time spent preparing meals and eating, with scripture reading and prayer, we open up the door for God to speak to us and move through us. When we fast in the Lord’s presence we are showing Him that above all else we desire Him. We are putting fleshly desires aside, practicing self-control, and placing our spiritual lives above even the most fundamental necessity of our existence: food. Fasting allows us to offer up our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, saying God I need you so much more than ANYTHING else.

(Click here for more information on the spiritual discipline of fasting)

Just as I shared with you how I love to combine prayer and cleaning throughout my home, I’ll share my thoughts and the scriptures I personally used for my family and myself. Some of these details are pretty personal, but I believe whole heartedly that God has led me to this point for a reason.

Maybe, like me, you love your family more than life its self. And if fasting, praying, and proclaiming God’s word over them in the next year brings them any gain, then you’re all for skipping a meal and spending time with the Lord.

The Basics:

It’s important to have a purpose when entering into prayer and fasting. I knew that I wanted to fast for my husband, our marriage and our finances, our children and myself. Once I had the main purpose for my fast identified, I outlined exactly what I wanted to ask God for and the direction I wanted my prayers to go in.

I then took time to write down corresponding scriptures to mediate and pray over. This took time, but it was time well spent, and easier than I originally expected.

It is very important to be spiritually led by God when entering into a fast. Seek Him first, and He will lead you. I knew I would fast for four days. I also knew I would start my fast after dinner the night before, abstain from all food and drink (except water) throughout the day, and break my fast only after the sunset for dinner with my family. I would then immediately resume my fast, repeating until the end of the fourth day. I knew my fast would go Monday-Thursday.

You may decided to refrain from food and drink altogether for the duration of your fast, follow the Daniel fast, or maybe do something similar to me. I’m a firm believer that you should let the Lord lead you entirely. The areas of your life you feel inclined to lift up to God may be different from mine. Your requests and prayers may also be different. That’s okay! Everyone’s life is different.

It’s the idea and the goals that are similar.

Entering this new year with the hand of God upon your family and top priorities. Seeking His blessings, His guidance, His favor, and His protection over everything that matters to you. Surrendering everything, telling Him your prayers and petitions, and asking Him to move in the areas you need Him the most.

Having a set plan and guidelines really helped me feel more comfortable and prepared. I knew God would lead me along. AND let me tell you a little secret, I really hate fasting! It’s hard. So hard. BUT the reasons below gave me all the motivation I needed, and inspired me to press forward.

Day One: My Husband

On day one I lifted my husband up to the Lord asking that He would:

I think it’s important for you to know in July of 2018, after several years of battling extreme ups and downs with depression, anger, and mood swings my husband was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD. These diagnoses while long over due, came with  relief of finally having some understanding. But also with a whole new set of challenges as we learn to cope with and manage his mental health.

REQUEST: Help him break free from chains of grief, depression, and guilt.

PRAYER:  I prayed he would be set free from the Spirit of Grief threatening to overcome him often. I also prayed the severe regret and crushing guilt he has from his past would be removed from him.

SCRIPTURES: 

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” –Deuteronomy 31:8

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. –Psalm 3:3

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. –Psalm 42:5

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” –Psalm 91:14-16

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7

REQUEST: Give my husband strength, power, and an increasing level of faith in this year.

PRAYER: I prayed my husband would have the strength to fight his battles, and the power to overcome his struggles. I prayed my husband would have the faith to understand that God is for him, not against him, and he is so very loved by our Father.

SCRIPTURES:

REQUEST: That he would have great physical and mental health this year.

PRAYER: I prayed my husband would be motivated to take good care of himself, and that the Lord would bless him with great physical and mental health.

SCRIPTURES:

Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, –Exodus 23:25

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. –3 John 1:2

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. –Psalm 147:3

REQUEST: Renew his vitality, fire, and vigor for life. My husband has the best personality, but I’ve watched some of the fire I fell in love with diminish over the past few months as we struggle to understand and cope with different aspects of his new diagnosis.

PRAYED: I prayed God would lead us to better understanding, along with restoring and renewing my husbands mind, body, and soul.

SCRIPTURES:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. –Romans 12:2

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; –Ephesians 4:22

He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. –Psalm 23:3

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. –Psalm 51:10

REQUEST: Fill him with joy and happiness. And that the Lord would make him a light within the darkness.

PRAYER: I prayed the Lord would fill him full of light, joy, and happiness.

SCRIPTURES:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. –Romans 15:13

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. –Matthew 5:8

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. –Proverbs 16:20

REQUEST: Give him wisdom and knowledge to lead our family well in every aspect.

PRAYER: He is the man of our house, I prayed God would bless him with wisdom and knowledge to lead our family well.

SCRIPTURES:

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless–like chasing the wind. –Ecclesiastes 2:26

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. –James 1:5

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. –James 3:17

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, –Proverbs 3:13

REQUEST: That he would have unlimited grace and favor this year.

PRAYER: I prayed God would bless him with unlimited grace and favor in every area of his life.

SCRIPTURES:

Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. –Psalm 5:12

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. –Psalm 84:11

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands. –Psalm 90:17

The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright. –Proverbs 3:33-35

REQUEST: That the Lord would place a hedge of protection around him.

PRAYER: I prayed for a hedge of protection around my husband that no man or evil could come against.

SCRIPTURES:

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. –2 Thessalonians 3:3

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. –Psalm 5:11

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me. -Psalm 59:1

Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. -Psalm 140:4

REQUEST: That the Lord would give him the desire to be a strong leader, in our home, our church, and his place of employment.

PRAYER: I prayed God would continue to use my husband in great ways, in every area of his life. I’m so excited to see where this next year leads him!

SCRIPTURES:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28

Day Two: Our Marriage & Our Finances

On day two I lifted our marriage and our finances up to the Lord asking that He would:

REQUEST: Bless our marriage and continue to bind us together. We’ve celebrated 14 amazing years together!

PRAYER:  I prayed for many more, and that this would be our best year yet!

SCRIPTURES:

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. –Ephesians 5:22-33

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ ? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” –Matthew 19:4-6

REQUEST: Help me be the wife my husband needs and deserves, and that He would bless me with patience and understanding.

PRAYER: I prayed I would only be a benefit to my husband, and never a hindrance.

SCRIPTURES:

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. –Proverbs 12:4

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. –Proverbs 31:10-12

REQUEST: Give us the wisdom and knowledge to raise our children the best way possible, and strengthen our ability to parent together. We are parents of a 13-year-old and a 7-year-old, life is full of decisions as we try to be the best parents we can be.

PRAYER: With God’s hand in the middle I prayed my husband and I would be on the same page with a majority of our parenting decisions.

SCRIPTURES:

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  –Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.  –Colossians 3:21

REQUEST: Pour love into us, so we can pour love into each other. My husband is my best friend, and I only want our relationship to grow. AND let me be honest, I’m not afraid to pray for passion between us! Let what’s great, only get better!

PRAYER: I prayed that God would pour his love into us, and that we would then pour into each other and our daughters. I prayed for our relationship to continue to grow, and that we would continue to have a growing passion between us.

SCRIPTURES:

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. –Colossians 3:18-19

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. –Proverbs 5:18-19

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. –Proverbs 18:22

REQUEST: Bless us with financial security, providing all that we need, and a little more so we could sow seeds by giving. I am excited to sow fresh seeds of giving this year!

PRAYER: I prayed that the Lord would bless us with financial security, continuing to give us His provisions and blessings. I also prayed for a hedge of protection around our finances.

SCRIPTURES:

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. –Galatians 6:9

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” –Luke 6:38

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. –Proverbs 19:17

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. –2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. –Malachi 3:10

REQUEST: That the Lord would help my husband and I be good stewards of our money. Helping us to live within our means, in a world that deems we always need more.

PRAYER: I prayed we would always feel content with our lives.

SCRIPTURES:

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ -Matthew 25:21

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. -Romans 13:8

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” –Hebrews 13:5-6

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  –1 Timothy 6:6-8

REQUEST: Continue to bless us with income through our hard work and effort, and lead us to good investments.

PRAYER: I prayed God would continue to bless us both in our careers, and lead us to new opportunities for growth.

SCRIPTURE:

The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it. -Proverbs 10:22

Day Three: Our Children

On day three I lifted my daughters up to the Lord asking that He would:

REQUEST: Help us instill in our daughters the belief that they are more precious than rubies, they are of great value, and they are precious treasures in the eyes of the Lord.

PRAYER: It is my prayer they never doubt their worth in this world, and that they know and understand how precious they are to us and the Lord. Enough people will try to tear these truths away from them, but it is my prayer they never forget them.

SCRIPTURES:

She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. –Proverbs 3:15

You are altogether beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you.  –Song of Solomon 4:7

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. –Psalm 139:14

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. –Ephesians 2:10

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, –Isaiah 43:4

REQUEST: Help us instill in them the understanding of love, compassion, kindness, and strength.

PRAYER: It is my prayer that they would be genuinely awesome little girls, who grow into amazing women of God, and that the light within them would shine exceedingly bright!

SCRIPTURES:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  –John 13:34

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. –Galatians 5:13

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. –Colossians 3:12

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,-Philippians 2:3

“You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. –Matthew 5:14

REQUEST: Give us an understanding beyond our ability to parent them and to keep them safe.

PRAYER: It is my prayer that we always know how to handle every situation that comes our way. I pray that we are always a benefit to our children and never a hindrance.

SCRIPTURES:

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. –Ephesians 6:4

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. –Hebrews 12:11

Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. –Proverbs 13:24

REQUEST: Continue to help them grow in their faith, and that my husband and I would have the discernment to know how to guide them. I want them to have a firm foundation in the Word of God before we ever set them free into the world.

PRAYER:  It would be my prayer that they never stray from the Lord, but only continue to grow stronger and stronger in their faith and knowledge.

SCRIPTURES:

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. –Proverbs 22:6

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  –Deuteronomy 6:6-9

My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute, in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. –Proverbs 3:1-8

REQUEST: That God’s hand would be upon their futures. God’s plans are so much greater for them than mine. I can’t even begin to imagine the life He has planned for them.

PRAYER: I prayed with His hand upon them, that they stay on the path He has planned, never straying very far.

SCRIPTURES:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11

Proverbs 3:5-6 (as above)

REQUEST: That they would be blessed with great health, (mental and physical), along with joy and happiness.

PRAYER: I prayed they are healthy in this new year, and that God shows them grace and favor! I prayed that they are forever filled with joy and happiness!

SCRIPTURES:

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” –Luke 1:45

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. –1 Peter 1:6

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. –Romans 15:13

REQUEST: That God would place a hedge of protection around them.

PRAYER: I prayed for a hedge of protection around them that no man or evil could come against.

SCRIPTURES:

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. -Psalm 91:4

“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” –Proverbs 30:5

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. –Psalm 37:23-24

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. –Psalm 46:5

If you have beautiful little girl and you’d like to start teaching and speaking God’s truths into her life click here! 

Day Four: Myself

On day four I lifted myself up to the Lord asking that He would:

REQUESTS & SCRIPTURES: Help me develop the attributes of a Godly woman:

• Beautiful inside and out, with a gentle and quiet spirit

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. –1 Peter 3:3.-4

•  Holy in my conduct seeking God’s wisdom and knowledge through His Word and prayer

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. -Matthew 7: 7-8

•  Truthful in my speech and motives

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. –1 John 3:18

• Humble

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. –Philippians 2:3-4

• A great wife, mother, and caregiver

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many women have done wonderful things,” he says, “but you surpass all of them!” –Proverbs 31: 28-29

•  Faithful & Trust Worthy

His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. -Matthew 25:21

• Possessing a servant’s heart

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the LORD. –Romans 12:11

• Diligent and prudent

Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! –Proverbs 14:23   

The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. –Proverbs 14:15

PRAYERS:                                     

• I prayed that the Lord would continue to bless me with a successful career.
• I prayed He would continue to bless and grow Letting His Light Shine, while continuously leading me forward in my writing and mission to encourage and inspire others.
• I prayed that He would bless me in my ministry leadership role, and that He would continue to use me to impact His Kingdom for the good.
• I prayed He would bless me with the power of discernment in every area of my life. And that I would be able to heed His instructions better this year than ever before.
• I prayed for my own good health, mental and physical.
• I prayed that I would experience an abundance of joy and happiness in this year!

I’ve always seen the Proverbs 31 Woman as a role model for myself. I spent time in this area of the Bible, reading, meditating, and praying these scriptures over myself.

Our God can do way more through our surrender and sacrifice than we can ever do trying to control our own lives.

Whatever you hold close to your heart is always better placed in His hands.

What will you hand over to Him in this New Year?

It’s my prayer that as you read through my outline, God started laying thing’s on your heart that should be placed in His hands. Our request may not look anything alike, because our lives are totally different. You may be going through a hard time. You may just feel like life is stale in certain areas. Or you may completely and fully acknowledge that you need God to move in a particular area of your life, because you NEED change to take place. Lift up the areas that you desire God to move in, guide you in, protect you in, and show you favor in. Fast and pray for what you need and hope for. He is listening my darling friend. Bring Him every prayer and petition asking Him to intercede and move on your behalf. Pray big bold prayers! Don’t hold back, don’t be afraid to ask God to show up in your life, and move like never before. He is listening my darling friend.

Bring Him every prayer and petition.

Ask Him to intercede and move on your behalf.

Chains can be broken, illness healed, favor, and grace given. Restoration can happen!

I don’t know what you need to give Him in this new year.

I don’t know your prayers and petitions.

BUT YOU DO, and with God by your side and a little sacrifice, you have the power to change your life.

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