‘Fasting amplifies our prayer.
When God’s people fast and pray, miracles happen.’
At St Marks we believe that God has called us to be a light in the city and we recognise that this is only possible through the strength and power of God. We as a church seek to be united in prayer, lifting up St Marks, the city of Coventry and the nation through regular rhythms of prayer and fasting.
Not only do we want to prioritise opportunities to pray together, we recognise the vital importance of equipping the church to pursue God in our individual prayer lives too. This page has resources on why pray, what to pray and how.
We also want to grow in our hunger for God. One of the ways we can do this is by adopting a regular rhythm of fasting. John Mark Comer says that fasting ‘awaken[s] our body and soul to our deep hunger and need for God’ and when we do this as a community, we ‘amplify our prayer. When God’s people fast and pray, miracles happen, again and again’.
See below the resources on what fasting is and how to get started, or scroll to the bottom of the page for our upcoming Prayer and Fasting events.
Prayer
Praying on your own
Praying together
Praying together
Not only is a personal prayer life important, we are also called to pray in community.
truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. - Matt 18: 19-20
Praying as a community helps us to discern God’s voice and understand how he is calling us to pray for our church, city and nation.
Here is what we are praying for as a church right now:
For the people of St Marks to be hungry for God and bold in sharing their faith
For the City of Coventry to be a safe city, that peace and reconciliation would overcome local conflict
For our national leaders to be led in a spirit of truth and justice
Praying on your own
In the New Testament, Jesus’ disciples ask him how they should pray. For them and for Jesus, it is expected that they will pray regularly. Jesus says ‘when you pray’ not if (Matt 6: 5).
We know that relationships require good communication, and prayer is the way we talk to and hear from God. So here are a few tips for your regular prayer time:
Set a daily habit. Making time for God everyday, even if it’s just 5 minutes to begin with, is a great way to grow in prayer
Spend time listening to God, learning to recognise his voice draws you closer to him
Use the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus gave his followers a prayer to pray (read Matt 6: 9-14)
Fasting
Why fast and how to get started
How do I get started?
This helpful guide from Bill Bright gives a great starting point for fasting:
Going deeper
If you have dipped your toe in the waters of fasting and want to know how to grow in this discipline, John Mark Comer has some helpful resources at Practising the Way. Check out the resources here and consider exploring this with a couple of friends or your small group:
Why do we fast ?
Prayer and fasting are closely intertwined in the Bible as practices that foster deeper intimacy with God. Fasting, temporarily abstaining from food or other comforts, is paired with prayer to humble oneself before God, seek His guidance, and intercede on behalf of oneself or others (Joel 2:12-13).
Jesus Himself highlighted this in Matthew 6:16-18, teaching that fasting should be done with sincerity and devotion and was a regular practice in the community of disciples.
Impacts on Spiritual Life
Enhanced Focus on God: Fasting removes distractions and creates intentional space to listen for God’s voice, helping believers prioritize spiritual over physical needs.
Spiritual Breakthrough: In the Bible, fasting often precedes significant spiritual events or answers to prayer (Acts 13:2-3; Ezra 8:21-23). Fasting strengthens our faith prepares our hearts for divine intervention.
Emotional and Physical Discipline: Abstaining from food or other comforts trains us in self-control and teaches us to be dependant on God.
Deeper Prayer Life: Combining prayer with fasting amplifies the intensity and focus of prayer, allowing believers to intercede more earnestly and cultivate persistent faith (Matthew 17:21).
Prayer + Fasting Events
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Kingdom Come
St. Marks
First Tuesday of the month
19:30-21:00 -
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Intercessors Prayer Meeting
Online
Wednesdays
12:00-12:30pm -
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Monthly Intercessors Prayer
Furnace Prayer Room
3rd Sunday of the month
12.30-1.30 -
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Furnace Prayer Room
Available to book
