A Call To A 24-Hour Churchwide Fast

Prayer | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Friends,

We continue to live in tumultuous times filled with rampant unbelief, soul-numbing worldliness, political dissension, natural disasters, and bitter wars. Surprisingly, Jesus told us to expect such times so that we would not be caught off guard (Mt. 24:6). That said, living in such times is not easy.

One vital means of grace he gave to his church amidst the turbulence of our homeward journey is fasting (Mt. 9:15).

Therefore, I am writing to invite you to participate in a 24-hour churchwide food fast (fasting from food, but not water) beginning this Wednesday (1/8) after dinner and lasting up till dinner on Thursday (1/9). In other words, skipping breakfast and lunch on the 9th.

We are making this a quarterly practice over this academic year in order to pray for the upcoming quarter.

Only the power of God can bring the change that is most deeply needed in our lives and city. That means, we must pray, and one way to bring focus to our prayer life is to fast.

The purpose of fasting is to express our absolute dependence on God. It is a way to say to Him, “This much, O God, we need you! We are not self-sufficient, but entirely dependent. We can’t sort this out on our own. You must act if anything is to change!”

Let’s be clear: fasting is not manipulating, arm-twisting, or blackmailing God. Instead, fasting is a means of grace to grow us closer to God because:

• Fasting reveals how much we often look to food, instead of Him.
• Fasting reminds us that He is our most fundamental need.
• Fasting makes us more sensitive, watchful, and contrite over sin.
• Fasting promotes prayer as we allow every hunger pang to lead us to pray.

Therefore, over these 24 hours:

1. Pray that God would be our chief joy, greatest good, and prized treasure.
2. Pray that we’d be a people who love the life-giving path of holiness.
3. Pray that our loving, diverse-unity in Jesus would draw the attention of the city.
4. Pray for our evangelistic efforts and conversions this winter.
5. Pray that we’d be able to get into our new building as soon as possible.
6. Pray for our supported church planting and missionary partners.
7. Pray for the world and its many ongoing conflicts (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

With you, in Christ, for the sake of the world,
Pastor Adam

P.S. If you are unable to participate in a food fast, we encourage you to adjust the type or length of fast and/or the dates.