{"id":2180,"date":"2026-01-21T13:17:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iloakeskus.church\/?page_id=2180"},"modified":"2026-08-12T20:20:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T17:20:59","slug":"a-fasting-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iloakeskus.church\/fi\/a-fasting-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A Fasting Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Week of Prayer & Fasting\n

Theme: INFLUENCING FOR GOD\n

Monday 10 August \u2013 Sunday 16 August 2026
\nMatthew 5:13\u201316 | Isaiah 2:2\u20134<\/strong><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This week, our prayer is not simply, \u201cLord, bless me,\u201d but \u201cLord, let my life influence my world for You.\u201d\n\nJesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Isaiah gives us a picture of God's Kingdom rising visibly so that people are drawn to His ways. We have been saved, transformed and placed where we are for a purpose. As we fast and pray, may God renew us, fill us with His Spirit, and make us effective instruments of His Kingdom.\n

Know the Why: Fasting is about creating space for God \u2014 to seek His will, surrender distractions, and grow deeper in prayer.\n\n

<\/span>Choose Your Fast: Pick a type that is realistic but meaningful:\n\n
1. Partial Fast: Skip meals (e.g. eat after 6pm)
\n\n2. Daniel Fast: Fruits, veggies, no sweets or meat\n\n
3. Liquid Fast: Smoothies, broths, water\n\n
4. Media Fast: Step away from distractions (if food fasting isn\u2019t possible)\n\n

<\/span>Fill the Time: Replace meals with Prayer and Scripture; Quiet reflection or journaling; Worship music or prayer walks\n\n

<\/span>Care for Your Body: Stay hydrated, Rest if needed, Don\u2019t over-exert, Eat if unwell \u2014 fasting is not a punishment\n\n

<\/span>Stay Spiritually Engaged: You may not feel \u201cspiritual\u201d every day \u2014 that\u2019s okay. Stay steady. Keep praying: \u201cLord, not my will, but Yours be done.\u201d\n\n

<\/span>Keep a Journal: Write down What God is saying; What you\u2019re surrendering; Answers to prayer\n\n

\u2060<\/span>No Pressure. No Comparison.

\n\nFasting is about your heart, not perfection. Every step you take toward God matters.<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Prayer guide:
DAY 1 | MONDAY 10 AUGUST - Lord, Begin With Me
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Matthew 5:13\u201316
<\/span>\u201cYou are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Before we ask God to change our families, church, workplaces or society, we begin with ourselves.<\/span><\/p>

\n<\/p>

Jesus says, \u201cYou are the salt... You are the light.\u201d<\/strong> Kingdom influence begins with Kingdom people. God wants our character, words, choices and relationships to reveal Him.<\/p>

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This week begins with surrender. Let God search your heart. What has weakened your influence? Where have you compromised? Where has your light become hidden?<\/p>

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Our prayer today is simple: Lord, begin Your work in me. Make my life worthy of the Kingdom I represent.<\/strong><\/p>


Prayers:<\/u><\/span><\/p>

  1. Father, thank You for calling me into Your Kingdom and giving my life purpose.<\/li>
  2. Search my heart and reveal anything that does not reflect Jesus.<\/li>
  3. Forgive me for every compromise that has weakened my witness.<\/li>
  4. Renew my mind and transform my desires, attitudes and priorities.<\/li>
  5. \nLet the character of Jesus become increasingly visible in me.\n<\/li>

    \n<\/p>

  6. Restore my spiritual passion and make me salt and light wherever You have placed me.<\/li>
  7. Lord, use this week of prayer and fasting to produce lasting transformation in my life.
    <\/li>\n<\/span><\/ol><\/span>\n\n
    Final Prayers:<\/u>\n\nFather, I surrender myself to You. Before I ask You to change anything around me, change me. Purify my heart, renew my mind and make my life a clear reflection of Jesus. Let Your Kingdom be seen through me. In Jesus' name, Amen.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Prayer guide:
    DAY 2 | TUESDAY 11 AUGUST - Influencing Our Families
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    Joshua 24:15
    <\/span>\u201cBut as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.\u201d<\/p>

    Our first sphere of influence is often not a platform, workplace or city. It is home.<\/span><\/p>\n

    God desires our homes to become places where His presence, love, truth and peace are experienced. Kingdom influence is seen in how we speak to one another, forgive, raise our children, honor our spouses and families, handle conflict and pray together.<\/p>\n

    Today we stand before God for our families. Some family members may be far from God. Some homes need healing. Others need restoration, direction or salvation.<\/p>\n

    Let our declaration be: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.<\/strong><\/p>


    Prayers:<\/u><\/span><\/p>

    1. Father, thank You for my family and everyone You have connected to my life.<\/li>
    2. Let salvation come to every member of my family who does not yet know Jesus.<\/li>
    3. Let our homes become places of prayer, worship, love and God's presence.<\/li>
    4. Heal broken relationships and remove bitterness, unforgiveness and division.<\/li>
    5. \nGive parents wisdom to raise children who know, love and serve God.\n<\/li>

      \n<\/p>

    6. Protect our families from every influence that seeks to draw us away from Christ.<\/li>
    7. Use my life to influence my family toward Jesus through my words, character and love.<\/li>\n<\/span><\/ol><\/span>\n\n
      Final Prayers:<\/u>\n\nLord, establish Your Kingdom in our homes. Let our families know You, love You and serve You. Heal what is broken, restore what has been lost, and let generations after us walk faithfully with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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      Prayer guide:
      DAY 3 | WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST - Influencing Our Workplaces, Schools & Daily Spaces
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      Colossians 3:17
      <\/span>\u201cAnd whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.\u201d<\/p>

      Jesus called us the salt of the earth<\/strong>. Salt becomes useful when it enters what it is meant to influence.<\/span><\/p>

      \n<\/p>

      Your workplace is a mission field. Your school is a mission field. Your business, neighborhood and everyday relationships are places where God has positioned you.<\/p>

      \n<\/p>

      Kingdom influence is not always preaching a sermon. Sometimes it is excellence. Integrity. Compassion. Refusing corruption. Encouraging someone. Praying for a colleague. Speaking about Jesus when God opens the door.<\/p>

      \n<\/p>

      Wherever God has placed us, we represent the King.<\/p>


      Prayers:<\/u><\/span><\/p>

      1. Father, thank You for every place and relationship where You have positioned me.<\/li>
      2. Help me recognize my workplace, school and community as places of Kingdom assignment.<\/li>
      3. Give me wisdom, excellence and integrity in everything I do.<\/li>
      4. Give me courage to stand for truth without fear or compromise.<\/li>
      5. \nOpen doors for meaningful conversations about Jesus.\n<\/li>

        \n<\/p>

      6. Make me a source of peace, encouragement, hope and solutions wherever I go.<\/li>
      7. Let people encounter the character and love of Christ through my life.<\/li>\n<\/span><\/ol><\/span>\n\n
        Final Prayers:<\/u>\n\n

        Father, send me into my everyday world as Your representative. Let my work, words, decisions and relationships reveal Jesus. Make me an instrument of righteousness, peace and joy wherever You have planted me. Amen.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        Prayer guide:
        DAY 4 | THURSDAY 13 AUGUST - Influencing Our Community & City<\/strong>
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        Jeremiah 29:7
        <\/span>\u201cSeek the peace and prosperity of the city... Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.\u201d<\/p>

        Kingdom people do not withdraw from their communities. We pray for them, serve them and seek their good.<\/span><\/p>

        \n<\/p>

        God has placed Iloakeskus in a real community, surrounded by real people with real needs. There are lonely people, struggling families, young people searching for direction, people experiencing poverty and people who have never meaningfully encountered Jesus.<\/p>

        \n<\/p>

        We are not here accidentally.<\/p>

        \n<\/p>

        Let us ask God to show us how our church can become salt and light in our community.<\/p>

        Prayers:<\/u><\/span><\/p>

        1. Father, we thank You for the community and city where You have planted us.<\/li>
        2. Bless our neighbors, families, schools, businesses and community leaders.<\/li>
        3. Show us the real needs around us and give us compassion to respond.<\/li>
        4. Give Iloakeskus practical opportunities to serve and bless our community.<\/li>
        5. \nOpen doors for the gospel and prepare hearts to encounter Jesus.\n<\/li>

          \n<\/p>

        6. Let righteousness, peace and justice increase in our neighborhoods and city.<\/li>
        7. Make our church known as a place of hope, love, prayer, healing and welcome.<\/li>\n<\/span><\/ol><\/span>\n\n
          Final Prayers:<\/u>\n\n

          Lord, we give You our community and city. Open our eyes to the people around us. Make Iloakeskus a visible expression of Your goodness. Through us, let people encounter Your love and discover the hope that is found in Jesus. Amen.<\/p><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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          Prayer guide:
          DAY 5 | FRIDAY 14 AUGUST - Influencing Society & the Nations
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          Isaiah 2:2\u20133

          \u201cIn the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains... and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, \u2018Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord... He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.\u2019\u201d<\/p>

          God's vision is bigger than our individual lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Isaiah saw nations being drawn toward God's ways.<\/p>\n

          God cares about education, leadership, business, government, culture, families, justice and every sphere that shapes society.<\/p>\n

          Our response is not simply to complain about darkness. Jesus has already called us light<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

          Today we pray that God's wisdom and righteousness will influence our society and that believers will courageously represent Christ wherever God places them.
          Prayers:<\/u><\/p>

          1. Father, let Your Kingdom purposes advance throughout Finland and the nations.<\/li>
          2. Raise righteous, wise and courageous believers in every sphere of society.<\/li>
          3. Give wisdom to those serving in government and positions of authority.<\/li>
          4. Let Christians influence education, business, culture, media, politics and community life with truth and grace.<\/li>
          5. \nExpose corruption, injustice and systems that destroy human lives.\n<\/li>

            \n<\/p>

          6. Let the gospel spread freely and draw people from every background to Jesus.<\/li>
          7. Raise us as a generation that carries Kingdom influence beyond the walls of the church.<\/li>\n<\/span><\/ol><\/span>\n\n
            Final Prayers:<\/u>\n\n

            King of the nations, let Your light shine throughout our society. Raise men and women who will represent You with wisdom, courage, humility and integrity. May people everywhere learn Your ways and discover the beauty of Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.<\/p><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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            Prayer guide:
            DAY 6 | SATURDAY 15 AUGUST - Empowered to Influence<\/strong><\/h2><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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            Acts 1:8

            \u201cBut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth.\u201d<\/p>\n

            Kingdom influence cannot be accomplished merely through personality, education, money or human effort.<\/span><\/p>

            \n<\/p>

            Jesus promised power<\/strong>.<\/p>

            \n<\/p>

            The Holy Spirit transforms ordinary people into effective witnesses of Jesus.<\/p>

            \n<\/p>

            We need His wisdom.<\/p>

            \n<\/p>

            His boldness.<\/p>

            \n<\/p>

            His gifts.<\/p>

            \n<\/p>

            His love.<\/p>

            \n<\/p>

            His power.<\/p>

            \n<\/p>

            Today we are not primarily praying for bigger opportunities. We are praying for greater spiritual capacity<\/strong> to faithfully use the opportunities God has already given us.<\/p>

            <\/p>

            Prayers:<\/u><\/p>

            1. Holy Spirit, fill me afresh and take complete control of my life.<\/li>
            2. Give me boldness to represent Jesus without fear or shame.<\/li>
            3. Activate the gifts and abilities You have placed within me for Your glory.<\/li>
            4. Give me supernatural wisdom for the situations and people I encounter.<\/li>
            5. Let Your love, power and character flow through me.\n<\/li>

              \n<\/p>

            6. Break fear, insecurity, passivity and every limitation preventing me from influencing for God.<\/li>
            7. Use Iloakeskus as a Spirit-filled community through which many encounter Jesus<\/li>

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              Final Prayers:<\/u>\n\n<\/h2>Holy Spirit, fill us afresh. Give us power, wisdom, courage and love. Take our ordinary lives and use them for extraordinary Kingdom purposes. May Jesus become visible through us wherever You send us. Amen.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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              Prayer guide:
              DAY 7 | SUNDAY 16 AUGUST - Here I Am, Send Me
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              Isaiah 6:8<\/span><\/h3>\n
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              \u201cThen I heard the voice of the Lord saying, \u2018Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?\u2019 And I said, \u2018Here am I. Send me!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

              Reflection<\/h3>\n

              We began this week praying, \u201cLord, begin with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

              We end by saying:<\/p>\n

              \u201cLord, send me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

              Prayer and fasting should lead somewhere.<\/p>\n

              We have prayed for ourselves.<\/p>\n

              Our families.<\/p>\n

              Our workplaces.<\/p>\n

              Our community.<\/p>\n

              Our society.<\/p>\n

              We have asked for the power of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

              Now we offer ourselves.<\/p>\n

              God is looking for people willing to carry His influence into the earth.<\/p>\n

              Your personality may be different.<\/p>\n

              Your gifts may be different.<\/p>\n

              Your opportunities may be different.<\/p>\n

              But the declaration of Jesus remains the same:<\/p>\n

              \n

              \u201cYou are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

              So don't hide.<\/p>\n

              Don't withdraw.<\/p>\n

              Don't underestimate what God can do through you.<\/p>\n

              Go and influence for God.<\/p>\n

              Prayer Points<\/h3>\n
                \n
              1. \nFather, thank You for everything You have done in me during this week.\n<\/li>\n
              2. \nI surrender my gifts, abilities, resources, relationships and opportunities to You.\n<\/li>\n
              3. \nShow me clearly where and to whom You are sending me.\n<\/li>\n
              4. \nGive me courage to obey when You open doors for Kingdom influence.\n<\/li>\n
              5. \nLet my life continually point people toward Jesus.\n<\/li>\n
              6. \nUse Iloakeskus to influence our community, Finland and the nations for Your Kingdom.\n<\/li>\n
              7. \nLord, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth through us.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Final Prayer<\/h3>\n

                Father, here we are. Send us. Make us salt where there is decay and light where there is darkness. Send us into our homes, workplaces, schools, communities and society carrying the life of Your Kingdom. May our lives make Jesus known, and may everything we do bring glory to our Father in heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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