Fasting and Prayer

"This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer and fasting." Mark 10: 29

This week at Grace, we will be engaging in a week of prayer and fasting for the Church.  Overall, the Church in central Maine is not strong.  The Christian witness in the area has been lacking for generations, and the individual churches are often weak and troubled.  In the past few months there have been issues at a number of local churches that are troubling and sad.  We need the renewal and power of the Holy Spirit!

At Grace, we have seen four or five families move over the summer, and the typical pattern of new people arriving has not occurred.  For the first time in years, we are not growing.  Why?  Is there no need?  

Furthermore, some of our strongest individuals and families have endured health issues, family issues, lack of faith issues, and many distractions.  Some of our weakest members have come to practically renounce the faith through their discouragement.  Why?  I believe we are under spiritual attack.  The goal of this attack is to minimize our witness, to cause division and discord, and to hinder the growth of the Kingdom of God.

The good news is that handled properly, all of these attacks can be repulsed and dealt with.  In fact, before a great movement of the Spirit, there is often a time of intense attack that draws the people of God to prayer and fasting.  Such prayer and fasting casts the true believers upon the mercy of the living Lord, drawing them deeper in repentance and faith.  Through this movement, the Spirit flows outward.  At this movement of the Spirit, the gates of hell will not prevail (Matthew 16:18).

Will you join me in a time of prayer and fasting this week?  

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that involves renouncing some good thing for a short period of time to focus our heart and mind upon the gospel and prayer.  The best things to fast from are those that tie us so closely to the world.  Food is a good example.  If we do not eat often, we get hungry.  In fasting from food, we give up for a short time the pleasure and substance of meeting one of our most basic human needs.  Each time we feel hungry, we come before the living God in prayer asking for His mercy and help.  We remember those in need.  We reflect upon the gospel and how it is to be our spiritual food.  We pray for the witness and ministry of the Church.  We also come to realize through the experience how much we need the living Lord.

We can fast from anything.  I would recommend fasting from TV or some sort of media for the week.  Instead of reaching for the remote, reach for the Bible and meet with the living God.

Please join me in praying that the Lord will clear the spiritual climate of central Maine to bring about His Kingdom.  Pray for revival and renewal.  Pray for new converts and that the gates of Hell will be knocked down to set people free.  Pray for your friends and family.  Pray for yourself that you would know the love and grace of the Lord.