Hello everyone, I pray that you are encouraged and strengthened by the faithfulness of God! He is doing great and wonderful things in our community and around the world. It is my prayer that we would have our eyes opened and our hearts strengthened to see what He is doing (Ephesians 1:17-23).

 

With Resurrection Celebration (Easter) coming up on April 9th, I ask that you join us in a time of prayer and fasting. Easter is a time when many people are more open to attending church or listening to a gospel message. With that in mind, we need to consider what planning and preparation we can do. First and foremost, we have Jesus’ example and instruction to pray. He modeled this to His followers in Mark 1:35,

 

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

We can see He often set time aside to pray! We also see Jesus’ instruction concerning fasting in Matthew 6:16, Mark 9:28,29 and other places. Jesus exampled and taught these things because He knew it was a vital part of our relationship with God. Prayer, in simple description, is our conversation with God. Likewise, fasting can be described as, “putting God first over all other appetites or interests.” (I will include a link to articles on fasting and prayer from our website that will give you greater insight and understanding concerning fasting and prayer.)

 

We will begin our time of fasting and prayer on Palm Sunday evening, April 2nd, at 5:30pm here at the church. We will join for a time of praise, worship, prayer, fellowship and communion. I encourage you to join us for this special time of praise and celebration! Included below are the scheduled times for our prayer gathering throughout the week, concluding with our Good Friday service on April 7th at 7pm.

 

For those of you a little apprehensive about fasting; please be prayerful and open to what God would show you in this regard. The early church regularly fasted and prayed for God’s strength and direction. How you fast or what you fast from is between you and God (read Isaiah 58). I encourage you to sit before Him and allow Him to lead in this time. He will lead you in prayer, reveal His love, and guide you into all truth when you put Him first!

 

“Is this not the fast I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6

 

Here are a few comments from people who have participated in fasting and prayer in prior years:

 

‘I was encouraged in my reading of the Bible as I set aside the time to read restfully and not be in such a hurry’

 

‘I found that I had a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit this whole week’

 

‘The week was difficult and still enjoyable for many reasons. At the first of the week, I didn’t sense His presence like I hoped I would. It even seemed like God was distant from me even though I knew His promise that He was near to all who call upon Him. By the end of the week, I was very encouraged in that His promise is true no matter how I feel about it; He was very near to me!’

 

‘Prayer and fasting helped me to reset my priorities and enjoy my quiet time in the Word again’

 

‘I was given a new passion and compassion for the people who don’t know Jesus’

 

I am excited to see what God will lead us to and through in the days and weeks to come. May we be “…steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

 

Joyfully serving Jesus alongside you,

 

Pastor Dan