21 Days of Prayer & Fasting

As we begin a brand new year, we believe there is no better way to start than by intentionally seeking God together.


Beginning January 12, 2026, Encounter Church will enter into 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, aligning our hearts with God and positioning ourselves for all He wants to do in this new season. We will conclude this powerful time with a Miracle & Healing Experience on Sunday, February 1, 2026. 


Our theme for 2026 is Thankful, Not Fearful, rooted in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, and these 21 days are designed to help us live that out -- daily, intentionally, and together. 


God is the creator of all things NEW and He is ready, willing and able!  That's why we're asking Him to DO IT AGAIN in 2025!  Join us for our 3 Weeks of Prayer & Fasting beginning January 6, 2025, as we devote ourselves to spending time seeking God through prayer & fasting. 


Why Prayer & Fasting?

Prayer and fasting are not about earning God's favor -- they are about drawing closer to Him.


When we fast, we remove distractions so we can focus more clearly o God's Presence, hear His Voice, and align our hearts with His Will. Fasting helps quiet fear, strengthen faith, and cultivate gratitude as a way of life.


Throughout Scripture, God's people fasted:

  • To seek direction
  • To experience breath-through
  • To prepare for what God was about to do

We believe God still honors that posture today.


A Season of Gratitude, Faith, and Expectancy

This year, we are choosing to live Thankful, not fearful.


Over these 21 days, we will focus on:

  • Rejoicing always -- shaping our attitude
  • Praying without ceasing -- strengthening our dependency
  • Giving thanks in everything -- renewing our perspective

As we thank God daily, fear loses its grip and faith rises in its place.


Types of Fasting

We encourage everyone to participate at a level that is both meaningful and wise. Before beginning any fast, please consider your health and consult a medical professional if needed.


Here are a few common fasting options:

  • COMPLETE FAST:  Abstaining from food for a set period, consuming only liquids (typically water).
  • PARTIAL FAST:  Limiting food intake during certain hours of the day or fasting from specific meals (often called a "Daniel-style" approach.
  • SELECTIVE FAST:  Removing specific foods/drinks or activities (such as sugar, caffeine, social media, or entertainment) to focus more fully on God.
  • SOUL FAST:  Fasting from distractions that feed the soul, but not the spirit -- such as television, social media, news, or other habits -- to create space for prayer and God's Word.

The goal is not the method -- it's the heart posture.


Daily Encouragement

Throughout the 21 days, Pastor Philip will be sharing daily 3-5 minute video devotionals at 6 AM on Facebook and Instagram to encourage, challenge, and guide us as we pray and fast together.


These daily moments are designed to help you stay focused, encouraged, and connected during this journey. 


Join us at 6 AM at:    roundedfacebook      roundedinstagram 


Weekly Prayer Nights

The Bible tells us there is power in meeting together to pray (Matthew 18:20), that's why we will hold Prayer Nights every Monday night from 6pm - 7pm at Encounter Church during our 21-Days of Prayer and Fasting, beginning January 12th.


Miracle & Healing Experience:  SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1


We will conclude our 21 days of Prayer and Fasting with a special Miracle & Healing Experience. This will be a powerful time of worship, prayer, and faith as we believe God for healing, break-through, and renewed strength.


We encourage you to come expectant -- believing that God still heals, still restores, and still moves in powerful ways.


Join us

Whether you are new to prayer and fasting or have done it for years, this is an invitation to lean in, grow deeper, and start 2026 with purpose.


Let's seek God together.

Let's choose gratitude over fear.

Let's believe for more.


WELCOME HOME!



21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

"THANKFUL, NOT FEARFUL"

Below are the prayer prompts for each day. 

Click on the corresponding day to open the prayer. 

  • VIDEO


    1 Thessalonians 5:16–18


    As we begin this new year, we’re making a decision — not waiting on a feeling.


    Gratitude is not a reaction to how the day goes … it’s a posture we choose before the day begins.

    • Fear waits and watches.
    • Faith thanks God in advance.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Say out loud three things you’re thankful for before the day gets going.


    Let’s live thankful, not fearful.

  • VIDEO


    Habakkuk 3:17–18


    Joy isn’t pretending everything is fine. Joy is trusting God when things aren’t.


    Habakkuk said, “Yet I will rejoice.”  That “yet” is powerful — it’s faith speaking louder than fear.



    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Choose joy in one situation where worry wants to take over.


    God is still good ... and He’s still worthy of our praise.

  • VIDEO


    Romans 15:13


    Are you reacting to the atmosphere… or setting it?

    • Fear reacts.
    • Gratitude leads.

    When you carry joy and peace, you bring God’s presence into the room.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:

    In one conversation today, choose encouragement over reaction.


    Let’s be thermostats — not thermometers.

  • VIDEO


    Psalm 118:24

    “This is the day the Lord has made — we will rejoice.”

    • Joy is intentional.
    • Rejoicing is leadership.

    When you rejoice, you remind yourself — and others — that God is still in control.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Speak one faith-filled, positive statement over your day.


    Today is a gift. Let’s honor the Giver.

  • VIDEO


    Nehemiah 8:10


    Some days joy feels easy.  Other days it feels like a sacrifice.


    But Scripture reminds us — the joy of the Lord is our strength.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Replace one complaint with a prayer of thanksgiving.


    God’s joy will carry you when your strength runs low.

  • Video

    VIDEO


    Hebrews 12:2


    Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him.

    • Joy gives endurance.
    • Gratitude gives perspective.

    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Write down one promise of God you’re holding onto this year.


    Let joy anchor your heart today.

  • VIDEO


    Psalm 16:11


    Joy flows from God’s presence.


    Before a new week begins, we pause — not to rush ahead — but to reset our hearts.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Spend 5 uninterrupted minutes thanking God. No requests — just gratitude.


    Let joy refill your soul.


  • VIDEO


    Philippians 4:6–7


    Prayer isn’t about perfect words.  It’s about constant connection.


    Fear grows when we carry things alone.  Prayer reminds us we’re not meant to.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Turn your first worry into your first prayer.

  • VIDEO


    1 Thessalonians 5:17


    God wants relationship, not reminders.


    Prayer isn’t something we visit — it’s something we live.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Whisper short prayers throughout the day.


    Stay connected.

  • Video

    VIDEO


    Proverbs 3:5–6


    Fear tightens its grip when control becomes the goal.


    Trust loosens fear.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Release one thing you’ve been trying to control.


    God’s got this.

  • VIDEO


    Psalm 55:22


    Prayer doesn’t remove responsibility — it removes panic.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Write down one burden and pray it back to God.


    Let Him carry what you were never meant to.

  • VIDEO


    Romans 8:26


    Even wordless prayers are heard.  God listens to the heart, not just the language.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Sit quietly and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers.

  • VIDEO


    Hebrews 4:16


    Because of Jesus, we approach God boldly — not fearfully.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Pray confidently about one need.


    You are welcome in His presence.

  • VIDEO


    John 15:5


    Fruitfulness comes from abiding, not striving.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Begin and end your day with prayer.


    Stay connected.


  • VIDEO


    1 Thessalonians 5:18


    Gratitude doesn’t deny pain — it declares trust.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Thank God in a difficult situation.


    Perspective changes everything.

  • VIDEO


    Psalm 34:1

    I will Bless The Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.


    What you focus on fills you.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Thank God for something small you usually overlook.

  • VIDEO


    2 Chronicles 20:21–22


    Praise often precedes victory.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Thank God in advance for His faithfulness.

  • VIDEO


    Acts 16:25–26

    But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.


    Praise can open prison doors.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Worship God during an inconvenient moment.

  • Video

    VIDEO


    Luke 17:15–19

    And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.


    17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”


    Gratitude draws you closer to Jesus.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Pause and return to God with thanks today.


  • VIDEO


    Psalm 103:2


    Gratitude helps us remember what fear forgets.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    List five things God has already done.

  • VIDEO


    Isaiah 61:7


    Gratitude makes room for God’s increase.


    🎯 Today’s challenge:
    Commit to living thankful beyond these 21 days.


    This isn’t the end — it’s the beginning.

QUESTIONS, PRAYER REQUESTS & PRAISE REPORTS

This section is a communication portal specifically for use during our 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting period. Send us your questions, prayer requests you would like us to join you in, and any praise reports you'd like to share. Part of the beauty of participating in a group fast is being a part of other's prayer needs as well as their celebrations.