I Wanna Go Fast

A few weeks ago Pastor Angie invited everyone to join the challenge our Conference Superintendent David Neckers and his wife Darlene set for the clergy of the Northeast District of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church to join them every Wednesday in fasting and praying for our district.

His challenge read:

Jesus told us to GO and MAKE disciples of all nations teaching them to obey everything that he commanded us (Matt. 28:18-20). In that vein, I am asking you, the pastors and laity of the Northeast District to join my wife, Darlene and me as we go fast and pray.

Beginning Wednesday, October 25, and then every Wednesday through December 20. Darlene and I will be fasting and praying for you and every Jesus follower in your church to become more missional. That is every UM member engaged in life giving changes for Jesus Christ in our personal & corporate mission field.

A fast for you may not look like a fast for me. I will be engaging in a 24 hour fast. I will not eat after dinner on Tuesday evening until my evening meal on Wednesday.  You may not be able to skip meals; therefore find something else to fast like a favorite activity (TV, social media, electronic games, etc.). Remember, the point is to pray and connect with God.

Imagine for a moment if we go fast and pray what might happen when God creates divine opportunities for us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with our family members, friends and neighbors!

Will you go fast and pray? God is at work my friends. Let’s join him in the most important work on the planet, to bring the Kingdom of God as it is in heaven so it will be on earth. I’m excited to see and hear what God will do in us and through us.

So, what is a fast?

Fasting is an ancient spiritual practice that has been used by adherents of almost every major religion. It involves denying oneself of something, usually food and drink, for a period of time, such as from sunrise to sunset. Prayers and devotional readings often accompany a fast and help one focus on God, the community of faith, and living a holy life. Roman Catholic Christians abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Fridays during Lent. Protestant Reformers during the sixteenth century rejected prescribed fasting but didn’t reject fasting altogether. Co-founder of Methodism John Wesley, for example, included “fasting or abstinence” as an example of “attending upon all the ordinances of God,” which was one of his three rules for Methodist societies.

We read about fasting throughout Scripture. For example, in the Old Testament, fasting comes up often when people are in mourning or when God’s people are preparing for battle (see Judges 20:22-26). Queen Esther fasted and called her people to fast with her as she prepared to risk her life on behalf of the Jewish people (see Esther 4:15-16). Daniel fasted to seek wisdom from God (see Daniel 9:2-3).

Most of these biblical fasts involved abstaining from food and drink. But fasting isn’t limited to what we eat. The prophet Isaiah, for example, told the people of Judah that God was not satisfied with how they were fasting and desired a different kind of fast: “Isn’t this the fast I choose . . . sharing your bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family?” (Isaiah 58:6-7). Fasting, whether from food or something else, when practiced in the right spirit, draws one into a closer relationship with God and compels one to serve others with even greater compassion.

Why Fast?

Fasting reminds us that we depend entirely upon God and helps us identify with those who lack the necessities and luxuries that we enjoy. Abstaining from food can help us identify with persons who are hungry and motivate us to work to fight hunger and famine. Refraining from nonessential activities such as watching television and playing video games gives a person more time and energy to devote to relationships. And fasts of all sorts help us put things in perspective and focus on the Source of our blessings.

Prayers for the Fast

Below are a set of prayers to pray during this time of fasting and prayer from Darlene Neckers, our Conference Prayer Coordinator and wife of our Conference Superintendent.

10/25 - Lord, prepare us as we enter into this time of intentional prayer and fasting for our district.  We listen for your ways and thoughts as your Holy Spirit leads us to pray specific prayers.  In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen

11/1 - Dear Heavenly Father,  break our hearts for the lost.  Please open our eyes to see those in need.  Make us aware each day of any opportunity you give us to show them your love.   We pray for them to be ready to receive from you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

11/8 - Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  We want others to know you as Savior and Lord.  Help us to see the lost, the hurting, the wounded, and share with them as you direct us by your Holy Spirit.  Prepare their hearts to hear from you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

11/15 - God, your word tells us that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.  Help us to want what you want more than what we want, accepting your calling to be the laborers who share your love with others’ best interests in mind.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

11/22 - Lord, we ask that your Holy Spirit continue to work in our hearts and minds so that we will have the desire to join you in what you have started in order to accomplish your perfect plan.   We pray for people to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

11/29 - Dear Lord, please create opportunities for faith conversations each day - at home, at work, in our communities . Help us to tell our stories of what you have done for us.  Cleanse our hearts, making us more willing to share with others.  May the Holy Spirit work in us and through us.   In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

12/6 - God, please unify us, as a church, showing us what our corporate mission field is.   Open our eyes and ears so that we become more aware of the needs in our neighborhoods and communities.  Use us to shine your light into the darkness by loving others with your unconditional love.  In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.
12/13 - Lord, please define for each of us what our personal mission field is.  Help us to be outward focused.  Enable us to meet people where they are, sensing their needs.  Remind us to seek the welfare of those around us and pray on their behalf.  In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
12/20 - Father, thank you for all that you have done and all that you are going to do.  We glorify your name!  Continue to make us into people who will stand for you.  We trust you to continue to shine the light of your presence and truth, dispelling the darkness and giving hope.  For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.