Following on from a discussion at Core team on Thursday evening (27th October) we decided that we need to spend some time praying and fasting about 2 particular issues. It arose out of a discussion around Sunday evenings at the Bridge, and falling numbers.
We agreed to spend 40 days, 20:20, praying and fasting about two issues;
- For God the Father to bring people to the Bridge.
- For God to challenge us where we might be going wrong.
We would like to invite the rest of the Bridge on this journey with us. You might never have fasted in the past, or be particularly confident about praying – no matter. This is a journey we can take together and receive support from each other as well as God. The 40 days will begin on Tuesday 1st November until Saturday 10th December. Please be warned this is not about being able to get into that little black dress ready for Christmas!
You can pray and fast in a number of different ways:
- Some have committed to fast from one meal per day from the whole 40 days. Devote the time normally used for eating to mediate and pray.
- Some have committed to fast on one day per week.
- You might consider what you will fast from, it does not have to be food, but again devote the time normally used for whatever you are fasting from to meditate and pray.
- You might commit to attending the weekly prayer meetings. November 8th, 16th, 24th, 28th and 9th Dec, see the website www.thebridgeonline.co.uk for more info.
- Commit to pray for one day, or more, in the 40 days – there is a sign up sheet for you to do that
If fasting is not familiar to you then you should read the next bit before and then come back to the commitment part.
Observations on fasting
Fasting has had a bad reputation due to the excessive practices in the past. Our culture tells us we need to eat 3 good sized meals per day, to clear our plate, and snack in between meals, otherwise we will starve. People who fasted include. Moses, King David, Elijah, Daniel, Jesus, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley. Wesley records in his diaries that he would not ordain a minister if they did not fast for two days per week!
Fasting in the bible
Fasting refers to abstaining from food for spirituals purposes, as distinct from a hunger strike or dieting.
Normal fasting – abstaining from food (solid & liquid) but not water (Lev 4;2)
Partial fast – restriction of diet (Daniel 10)
Absolute fast – from water and food. (Esther 4; 16, Acts 9; 9) This is the exception.
NB A person cannot live for more than 3 days without water.
Fasting can be a private matter between God and self or it can be a corporate/public (Lev 23; 27, The Day of Atonement). Group fasting can be powerful where people are of one mind. “Serious problems in churches or other groups can be dealt with and relationships healed through unified group prayer and fasting.”
Why do people fast?
- Matthew 6; 16 raises the question of the motive for fasting. It is not a question of trying to get God to do what we want. Fasting has to be God centred, God initiated and God ordained (Lk2; 37). If it is not, we will have failed (Zech 7; 5)
- Fasting will often reveal the things that control us. We can benefit form being transformed into the image of Christ.
- Fasting can serve as a reminder that we are sustained by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt 4; 4). Our experiences of fasting might not be so much about abstaining from food but rather that we are feasting on the word of God. “Fasting is feasting” (John 4;32, 34)
- Fasting will help us keep a balance in life (1 Cor 6;12, 1 Cor 9;27)
- The value of fasting has been testified to in a number of ways. People have reported an increased ‘effectiveness’ in; prayer, guidance, concentration, deliverance, physical well-being…
- The major work of fasting is spiritual. You will be engaging in spiritual warfare (Eph 6). Fasting can bring breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that will never happen in any other way. It is a means of God’s blessing and grace.
The practice of Fasting
Stage 1 – Begin with a partial fast of 24 hours, lunch to lunch, miss 2 meals. Try it for once a week for a few weeks. Monitor the inner attitude of your heart. Devote the time normally used for eating to mediate and pray.
Stage 2 – After several weeks try a 24 hour fast. Drink only water. You will have hungers pangs, but remember your stomach is like a spoiled child that needs to be disciplined. Reduce hungers pangs by sipping water. Monitor the inner attitude of your heart. Devote the time normally used for eating to mediate and pray.
Stage 3 – After a few 24 hour fasts try a 36 hour fast.
Stage 4 – If you decide to go further then seek God in the matter. Ask if he wants you to go further perhaps 3 to 7 days.
Now go back and decide what you commitment will be for the 40 days.
October 2011