Ministry

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

Contact

prayer@cotc.com

As a church family, we will begin 2026 with our annual rhythm of intentional prayer and fasting. We have found this to be a much-needed practice as many of us are desperate for breakthrough. This is something that the practice of fasting often brings forth. We are asking, “What is God waiting to pour out on our church, our city, or our lives if we would seek Him through prayer & fasting?”

Why should I fast?

This is a sacred season to turn down the noise of the world and turn our hearts fully toward God. Fasting is not about trying to earn God’s favor or get what we want; it’s about creating space to hear Him more clearly, obey Him more faithfully, and intercede for breakthroughs in our lives and community. Let this be a time of deepening intimacy with the Lord and seeking His guidance for the year ahead.
Some of the most encouraging words that we can read as we prepare to enter into this season are found in Acts 13:2, which reads, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…” We want to hear from the Holy Spirit. As a church family, then, we will be engaging in a church-wide fast, starting January 5.

Upcoming Meetings

Join us throughout these 21 Days for intentional gatherings of prayer and worship. We will have opportunities at each COTC campus to engage corporately.

Daily Prayer Initiatives.

Below is a weekly rhythm of prayer initiatives we will follow as a church.

Monday.

Hearing God's voice and discerning His leading. Jeremiah 29:12-13

Tuesday.

The next generation.
Psalm 78:1-7

Wednesday.

Government leaders.
1 Timothy 2:1-2

Thursday.

Widows and orphans.
James 1:27

Friday.

Mental health.
Philippians 4:6-7

Saturday.

Family.
Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Sunday.

Churches across our city.
John 17:20-21

Frequently Asked Questions

We recognize that each of us comes to this church-wide commitment from different places and with different circumstances. Our desire is simply to walk with you—offering three thoughtful pathways that make space for everyone to participate in this fast in a meaningful way. We don’t claim to have all the answers or to provide an exhaustive guide to fasting; rather, we’ve prayerfully chosen these routes as invitations into the journey we believe God is leading us toward in this season.

As a church family, we’ve chosen to anchor our fast in practices connected to food, following the many examples we see throughout Scripture. Our hope is that, together, we would turn our attention toward Jesus with renewed focus, allowing Him to shape our hearts as we seek Him in unity.

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Option 1 (Fasting from all meals)

This will be a commitment toward fasting from all food except for water, juice, and other broths for the duration of the 21 days of the fast.

Option 2 (Varied Weeks)

Week One: A commitment toward fasting from all food except water, juice, and other broths for the first 7 days.

Week Two: A commitment toward fasting from all meals, except the incorporation of one meal into the schedule during days 8-14. (ex: fasting all day until 6pm)

Week Three: A commitment towards fasting for one meal out of the day, with an intentional time of focused prayer during the time period normally spent eating during days 15-21.

Option 3 (Some Meals/Altered Diet)

This will be a commitment toward fasting for a significant portion of your day, incorporating only 1-2 meals into your schedule. (ex. fasting all day until 6:00 PM) Or, due to medical and other considerations, it may be necessary to participate by altering your diet for the duration of the fast. (This may be with vegetables only, or something known as the Daniel Fast)

*While we do believe biblical fasting is focused primarily on food, we acknowledge with great care that, because of past struggles, a fast from food may not be beneficial for some of you. In that case, we encourage you to consider abstaining from something else not connected to food during these 21 days. A helpful and beneficial fast will be to abstain from anything you tend to depend on for comfort or coping with difficult emotions. Examples would be television/media, alcohol, retail spending, or other entertainment and creature comforts. Rather than participating in that thing, a fast encourages spending the time you’d normally allot to that thing going to God in prayer instead. Use that new time to seek Him for comfort and for help navigating difficult emotions or asking for wisdom regarding next steps in your life. We believe there’s abundant provision and blessing from God to be found when we’re intentional with these days, and we hope you’ll join us.

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"What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." – Philippians 4:9

Prepare Your Fast (See “How Can I Participate?” FAQ question)

Option 1 (Varied Weeks)
Option 2 (All Meals)
Option 3 (Some Meals/Altered Diet)

Prepare Your Prayer

Consider the ways we are praying together for our church. Consider our four pursuits.
Pick up our download our Formation Journal so that you can follow along with our daily devotionals.
Identify some friends and partners to be praying with through this time.

Prepare Your Mind

Take some time to consider the real implications of how the fast will affect your regular life rhythms. For example, think about how your daily schedule may be altered and have some forethought on how to adjust properly.
Ask the Lord to prepare your mind for the challenge in the days ahead.
Meditate on scripture and stories that are a reminder of God’s faithfulness and ability to sustain us: ex. Psalm 100, Matthew 4:1-4, Matthew 6:25-26

Prepare Your Heart

Take some time to ask God to identify potential areas of difficulty during the 21 days. Do you see the potential for emotions like anger, anxiety, and fear to rise up during this fast? Are there areas of sin that you are aware of and have not addressed in your life?
Spend some time in confession and repentance concerning these areas to which the Spirit leads you. As it says in 1 John 1:9, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Asking yourself difficult and direct questions and answering them in honesty may help you to enter the fast with a posture ready to receive. (ex. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate? Do I confidentially pass on what has been said to me in confidence?)
Ask the Lord to show you any areas of discord or disunity in your life relationally and seek to address them.

Prepare Your Body

Drink plenty of water, maintaining proper hydration and water intake leading up to the beginning of the fast.
Eat healthier foods (fruits and veggies) directly before the start of the fast in order to make for an easier transition. Avoid overindulging, as well. When the fast is complete, be mindful of easing back into your regular diet, so as to not shock your system.
If you have potential medical concerns, you should visit your doctor to make sure you are physically able to participate as you intend. A chronic or severe medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, may prevent you from fasting in the manner you’d like. You should also consult your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing in order to enter into the fast in the most informed way.

Prepare Your Schedule

Take time to pre-plan what types of juices, liquids, and supplies you will need while engaged in the fast. If you are planning to drink juices for part or all of the fast, then you may prepare for this by purchasing a portable cooler to take with you to work, ball games, etc. This practice will keep you from being at the mercy of what's available to you in the moment.of avoiding
Think about when you will set aside time to pray and when you will partake in liquids throughout the day.
Discuss with family and those in your household about what the upcoming days will look like together.

Prepare Your Response

“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. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 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. – Matthew 6:16–18

In hopes of avoiding pride and self-appreciation, we don’t want to broadcast our decision to fast publicly. Yet when addressed about it directly, we should prepare a thoughtful response, rather than feeling the need to be dishonest or make a bigger issue of it.
When someone asks why you aren’t eating, consider simple ways to communicate that you are dedicating yourself to a time of prayer and listening to God. Seek to respond in a simple and straightforward way without belaboring the point.
Consider beforehand how to graciously communicate with those who may invite you to a meal or gathering when it may conflict with the fast. (ex. As you are preparing for the gathering, please note that my family and I are praying and fasting together in this season, so we may not fully take part in the meal portion of the evening. Thanks for understanding.)

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Additional Resources

Formation Journal

Each day during our fast, we will have Scripture reading that will be available in our formation journals. Our hope is for this content to encourage you as you navigate this fast, connecting you with others in our family who are journeying alongside you. The formation journal is designed to be an easily accessible addition to the experience, and is available for pick up in person or online.

Formation Journal

21 Day Audio Prayer Guide

In place of COTC Dailies, we are providing a 21 Day Audio Prayer Guide via text each day. We hope you’ll join us in this sacred rhythm—turning our attention toward the kingdom of heaven and opening our lives to the transforming work of God.

21 Days Prayer Card

Many of us are desperate for breakthrough, especially in this season—something the practice of fasting often brings forth. We encourage you to use the card below as a helpful guide as you prepare for this fast.

Download Now

Our Pursuits

As a church, these are the four ways that we intend to live out our mission.

Presence
‍of God

We pursue the presence of God through individual and communal spiritual practices.

Formation
‍of People

We pursue deep change through transformational discipleship focusing on growth and healing.

Unity
‍of the Church

We pursue the unity of the church family across racial, political, generational, and economic divides.

Flourishing
‍of the City

We pursue the spiritual, social, and cultural flourishing of our city.