What if I told you that every major figure in the Bible actively practiced the discipline of fasting and prayer as a part of their life of faith? Furthermore, what if I shared with you that Jesus expected his disciples to add fasting to their prayers? And how about if I said to you that there are spiritual breakthroughs in your life that are only available when you add fasting to prayer? Indeed all of these have been verified over and over again in the Holy Scripture and throughout the Judeo-Christian tradition. Indeed, it has only been in the last one hundred years that Christians have forsaken the discipline of fasting in their Christian witness. Not only throughout the history of the early church but well into the modern period Christians have considered it their spiritual responsibility to fast and pray. Only very recently has the church responded to the ancient discipline of prayer and fasting as a part of its faith and witness and with no small results. Indeed, where churches have responded to this call of Christ there has been a remarkable display of spiritual power and blessings poured out on the body of Christ.
From January 23-February 11, I and the staff of Smyrna First United Methodist Church are calling our church into a period of prayer, fasting, and discernment. For twenty-one days we as a church will be called upon to dedicate ourselves unto the Lord in this way. Traditionally, a fast has been a doing without breakfast, snacks, and lunch throughout the day and instead spending that time in prayer, Bible Study, devotional reading, and listening to inspirational music. Then around 4:00 pm the fast is broken with a light snack to be followed by a sensible evening meal. Then the next morning starting the fast again. By doing this, we allow our spirits to enter into a greater dimension of communion with God and allow him to reveal a divine presence that is often missed when we are consumed and driven by meal times. Of course, the Bible talks about many types of fasts! For those who cannot take their medications without food or for those who have never fasted in their lives the Daniel fast is an excellent type of exercise. The Daniel fast is strictly based on fruits and vegetables with no sweets, breads, or meats or poultry of any kind. Another kind of fast is one that is built upon juices and water throughout the day until supper time. This is usually the kind of fast that I engage in. There is also an absolute fast where nothing is taken at all until the evening meal and is generally reserved for those who have fasted a good deal in their lives and/or under the leadership of the Holy Spirit to do so.
You might be wondering why now do we need to do this and what can we expect? 2012, I believe, will be a year of great spiritual opportunities. It will be a year in which God will desire to do great and wonderful things in our lives. But, as you are aware, great opportunities sometimes go unclaimed in our lives. As we fast and pray together at the beginning of this year we might be storing up great times of spiritual renewal and blessings for our lives. As I look out into the coming year I see a host of situations where I feel the presence of God is needed. We have a Presidential election coming in November in the United States, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church will be meeting in April and May, and a host of issues that will confront us at Smyrna First United Methodist Church that, I am sure you can agree with me, will need the presence of God in extraordinary ways. You, too, might be going through situations in 2012 where you already yearn for the presence of God in demonstrable ways. Maybe you need a healing miracle, possibly the salvation of a loved one, maybe a financial breakthrough, or a relationship restored. Or maybe, to be quite honest, you are sick and tired of just going on with A sort of drab experience of Christianity and you yearn for God in deeper and more profound wayS. Let me ask you a question. Is the absence of 42 meals worth it to you? What if that loved one gave their heart to Christ, what if that miracle came fully into your life, or what if your prayer life started to be ignited like spiritual dynamite? If all those happened, would you say to God: “You can have it all back, Lord, I miss those meals.” Or would your faith be so exalted that you would not even think about those missed meals.
Well, how are we going to proceed? I realize that there are many in the church that probably have never fasted before and they might be thinking how in the world can they make it through one day let alone twenty-one days. I also know that we as a church family have probably never been through a time of prayer and fasting as a community of faith either and we are wondering how we are going to do this. First, let me say to both parties, “Don’t let the Devil tell you what you can’t do!” Satan will steal your joy and victory but only if you let him Instead make this commitment to the Lord and tell the demons of hell they have no right or freedom to steal from God or God’s people. I know we are a determined people here at Smyrna First UMC, and, if we will make this commitment to the Lord, He will honor it with His presence. Second, we will begin this emphasis before we actually kick off the three week fast with a movie on Wednesday, January 18th after our fellowship meal that will encourage and inspire us. This will no doubt prepare our hearts and minds for what God wants to do in our lives and in our world. Third, I will be teaching a 6-week course on fasting and its power in the Christian life during our WOW programs (What’s On Wednesdays) from January 25-March 7 (we will not meet on Ash Wednesday). This will allow us to learn more about the history and significance of fasting and its power in our lives. Finally, a word about Sundays. During fellowship time there will only be coffee and juices served in between worship experiences. This will not be a time to come and eat breakfast at the church, but we will have drinks available. I will be leading Sunday worship times (Jan. 22, 29, and Feb 5) with a sermon series on prayer and fasting, too.
As we proceed in this time of prayer, fasting and discernment in our church may we approach it with an open mind and open heart and allow God to work out His perfect plan in our lives, church, and nation. God will do miraculous things as we obey His message.
As we proceed in this time of prayer, fasting and discernment in our church may we approach it with an open mind and open heart and allow God to work out His perfect plan in our lives, church, and nation. God will do miraculous things as we obey His message.