WORDCOMM
Prayer & Fasting GUIDE
Introduction “HEAR ME, ASA, AND ALL JUDAH AND BENJAMIN: THE LORD IS WITH YOU WHILE YOU ARE WITH HIM. IF YOU SEEK HIM, HE WILL BE FOUND BY YOU, BUT IF YOU FORSAKE HIM, HE WILL FORSAKE YOU. 2 Chronicles 15:2 Today, we find our church in a crossroad of many types: decisions, directions, location, and the overall focus of the next seasons of ministry. Undoubtedly, whether as individuals, as families, or as a whole church, these crossroads become opportunities for the Lord to speak anew into our ears and hearts. They become an occasion for us to call out to Heaven in desperation. As we have also been saying Sunday in and Sunday out, we desire not just the Lord’s presents, but his presence. We don’t just want his gift of a building, but for Him to build the church into the force of compassion, truth and justice that He wants it to be. As Moses said,
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“IF YOUR PRESENCE DOES NOT GO WITH US, DO NOT LEAD US UP FROM HERE. FOR HOW THEN CAN IT BE KNOWN THAT I HAVE FOUND FAVOR IN YOUR SIGHT, I AND YOUR PEOPLE? IS IT NOT BY YOUR GOING WITH US, SO THAT WE, I AND YOUR PEOPLE, MAY BE DISTINGUISHED FROM ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH?” Exodus 33:15 Of course we must seek God with everything we’ve got; feast on His presence as if it meant everything – because it does. However, the most beautiful part of the verse in 2 Chronicles really is the fact that He will be found by you. He wants to be found. Our Lead Pastor, Woolim Ma, made a beautiful point about how fathers always lose in Hide and Seek. Out of their love for their children, they can not just stay hidden behind curtains and sofas. The same is true with our Heavenly Father. He wants you to find Him – and He has made every way. The question is: Are you willing to lay down things that can be distractions or other sources of pleasure, and turn your whole self, surrendered utterly to Him?
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The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting* Fasting is not an option. It is not an oddity. Fasting, according to Jesus, is a given. In fact, fasting is mentioned more times in the Bible than baptism! In the Bible, we observe the people of God fasting for a variety of reasons: • They were facing a crisis. • They were seeking God’s protection and deliverance. • They had been called to repentance and renewal. • They were asking God for guidance. • They were humbling themselves in worship.
*LIF TED FROM AN ARTICLE BY L ACE WIT T
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The danger in the discipline But there is an inherent danger in fasting. It is the same danger that is found in the practice of any spiritual discipline. We can turn fasting into an end in itself, rather than a means to an end. It can become merely an external practice without an internal passion. It can be reduced to a habit without heart. We have an ability to take that which is sacred, holy, and meant to draw us closer to the Father, and turn it into a merely mechanical, religious drill that we use to impress others with our spirituality. What was intended to draw us to God now actually distances us from God because we have perverted it. And God notices. He prompted the prophet Zechariah to ask the people and the priests of Israel,
“DURING THOSE 70 YEARS OF EXILE, WHEN YOU FASTED AND MOURNED IN THE SUMMER AND AT THE FESTIVAL IN EARLY AUTUMN, WAS IT REALLY FOR ME THAT YOU WERE FASTING?” Zechariah 7:5
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• Fasting is not so much about food as it is about focus. • Fasting is not so much about saying no to the body as it is about saying yes to the Spirit. • Fasting is not about doing without, it is about looking within. • Fasting is an outward response to an inward attitude and cry of the soul.
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The Act of Fasting Fasting may include: • Abstaining from food, drink, shopping, desserts, chocolate, even seemingly harmless habits – anything at all that we turn to for our comfort – and instead be intentionally focused on God. • Abstaining from media like TV, social media, YouTube, surfing, music, email, movies and games online, on the phone or on the laptop or desktop, and intentionally making space for listening to the voice of Jesus. • Abstaining even from things that are intended for good such as reading or sports. During the time we intend to do them, we may instead give God, the one from whom these good things come, undivided attention.
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Fruits of fasting: • Praying for needs in the body of Christ • Identifying and fellowshipping with Jesus by choosing to follow his sacrificial example • Freeing up more time for prayer • Repenting of self-indulgent, addictive or compulsive behaviors • Letting these small deprivations remind you of Jesus’ great sacrifice on your behalf • Seeking strength from God for obedient love and service
Some guidelines when fasting from food • Don’t fast when you are sick, traveling, pregnant or nursing. People with diabetes, gout, liver disease, kidney disease, ulcers, hypoglycemia, cancer and blood diseases should not fast.
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• Don’t fast if you are in a hurry and are fasting for immediate results regarding some decision. Fasting is not magic. • Listen for a nudging from God to fast. • Stay hydrated. Always drink plenty of water and/or other fluids. • If you are new to fasting, begin by fasting for one meal a day. Spend time with God during the time you would normally spend on eating. As a beginner, you might want to try fasting for just three to seven days. • Begin a fast after supper. Fast until supper the next day. This way, you miss two rather than three, meals. • Don’t break your fast with a huge meal. Eat small portions of food. The longer the fast, the more you need to break the fast gently.
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What to do during the time you set apart for fasting • Bring your Bible, journal, and a glass of water during your fast. • Relax and place yourself in the presence of God. Offer yourself and your time to God by repeating Samuel’s words, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” Or, simply say, “Here I am.” • Spend some time worshipping God for His faithfulness. Thank Him for times He has come through you. Psalm 103:1-5 also provides a starting point for praise. • Bring your desires to God. Ask Him if this desire is in line with His will and His word for you and the church. Be still and listen. Offer your desires and prayers to God. Journal these moments with Him.
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Let’s Pray for WordComm • Pray specifically for SM Light. For God’s direction and favor to be upon us as we deal with those in charge. Pray that as we possibly head to a new location or get a new building, that more importantly, God sets the direction of our hearts straight to Him, and that He builds our church family. If that is indeed where we are called, may we bear fruit, serving all those the Lord will send to us.
“UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE, ITS BUILDERS LABOR IN VAIN. UNLESS THE LORD WATCHES OVER THE CITY, THE WATCHMEN STAND GUARD IN VAIN.” • Pray that we develop a heart to be missional, and not just filled with mission activities. That we develop an even stronger bond with our mission partners, so that together with them, we can become God’s presence to those who need it the most.
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• Pray that we become a beacon of blessing to the area our church is planted in: Mandaluyong and Pasig. May the lives, businesses and outlook of people around us change because we are here. • May God bring us all together as a family, using our gifts in service of one another, and using our gifts to serve those around us, as well. • May we become a worshipful people, desiring God above all things. • Pray for yourself and those around you. • Turn to Psalm 62:1-2. What are the deepest longings of your heart? What is God’s desire for your heart, mind and spirit? Pray God’s desire along with your own. • If you are praying for others, turn to Philippians 1:3-6. What work is God doing in the life of those you are praying for? • Close with prayers of thanksgiving for the God who is at work in you and His world.
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SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 8 A Season of Desperately Seeking the Lord as One Family
WORD COMM
Word Community Church