Prayer & Fasting 2023 - Sun 22nd Jan - Sun 5th Feb: The Plan and FAQS
We are really excited about kicking off 2023 with a time of prayer and fasting.
Why Prayer?
The stark reality is that unless God moves powerfully in us and and in the communities around us, our church will change little in the coming year. Yet our hope is in the God “who is patient not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” and the one who “can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine” (2 Peter 3:9, Ephesians 3:20). In the bible we see God’s willingness to move and the invitation he gives us to come and pray boldly, confidently and expectantly. The bible exhorts us with promise and after promise that God will answer our prayers (John 14:14, John 15:7-8, John 15:16, 1 John 5:14-15) and urges us to persevere in prayer (Matt 7:7-11, Luke 18:1-8).
In the past couple of years, we’ve sensed God calling us to be a community that is learning to grow and become a more prayerful people. We are on a prayer journey. There is still much for us to learn in prayer and this will be learnt as we get on our knees and pray.
At this present time our nation is in desperate need of prayer. The economic situation is bleak with many in poverty, public services are struggling and in the midst of this most people in the UK do not know the hope and life found in Jesus. As we think about the situation in our nation and the nations we can be encouraged by God’s word to King Solomon when the temple was dedicated: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). In these two weeks of prayer and fasting that is what we are going to do: we are going to humble ourselves and cry out the living God.
In this time of prayer and fasting, we will be praying that we will become disciples learning to look upwards to the Father, growing inwards in our love for each other and looking outwards in mission to those around us.
Why Fasting?
When Jesus taught his disciples he didn’t say, “If you fast,” but “When you fast”. Jesus knew that fasting was far more than a spiritual discipline; he knew it was a spiritual weapon - one to be wielded in tandem with that of prayer. He knew that fasting has the ability, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to focus our thoughts and sharpen our desire for God in prayer.
Fasting does far more than creating time and space to pray. Rather, it sharpens our appetite for God. It shows how dependent we can be on food, or indeed anything else that can dull our desire and need for God.
Fasting creates in us a longing for the one thing that can satisfy - God himself - and a longing to see his purposes come about. Fasting, says John Piper,”is the exclamation point at the end of the sentence, ‘This much, Oh God, I want you!’”
You may never have fasted before. If that is you, let us urge you to start out on the adventure of fasting. If you’ve got questions, ask your friends in Life Group or ask one of the leaders and learn to grow together in the spiritual discipline of fasting.
The Journey of the Prayer and Fasting Weeks
As a church, “We exist to love God, love people, and make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ.” Throughout the two weeks we are wanting to take you on a journey of prayer. In a ‘day by day’ sense, we are expanding outwards on a discipleship journey from praying for ourselves, the church, the communities we live and the nations. We want to learn to be disciples who pray like the Master himself and become like the Master.
FAQs
Find more helpful tips at bit.ly/PF_Info
1) Can I fast from something else other than food?
Normal Christian fasting means privately and occasionally choosing to go without food (though not water).
That said, fasting is not limited exclusively to food. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “Fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose.
If the better part of wisdom for you, for whatever reason, is not to go without food, consider fasting from television, computer, social media, or some other regular enjoyment that would bend your heart toward greater enjoyment of Jesus. Paul even talks about married couples fasting from sex “for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer” (1 Corinthians 7:5).
Of course, if there are medical issues or you’re uncertain, do consult your Doctor. Those with a known or suspected physical disability or illness, or those with any history of an eating disorder, should never fast, except in consultation with, and under the supervision of, a qualified doctor. Pregnant or nursing mothers should not fast food or drink as it could negatively affect the health and development of their baby and their own personal health.
2. What about when I get really hungry?
John Piper says, ‘And in that gnawing ache of growing hunger is the engine of fasting, generating the reminder to bend our longings for food Godward and inspire intensified longings for Jesus. Fasting, says Piper, is the physical exclamation point at the end of the sentence, “This much, O God, I want you!”
3. I’ve never fasted before. Is it wise for me to fast for a long period of time?
No! Don’t go from no fasting to attempting a weeklong. Start with one meal on one day, say Monday, and look to build up to do it again on, say Thursday.
4. Are we expecting people to fast for the full two weeks?
We are not expecting people to fast for the full two weeks. Rather to have a focused two weeks to give ourselves in prayer (with some of that in fasting).
As an eldership team we will be fasting Tuesday - Thursday each week. Why not join us in fasting and praying on one or two of those days each week?
5. Is fasting really a normal part of Christian living?
Jesus seemed to think so! ‘When you fast’ … (Mt 6). ‘They (Disciples) will fast’ … (Mt 9)
6. Can I join with others in King’s Church to fast and pray?
Of course! Fasting is often private in the Bible but it is also sometimes communal and public, even national. We don’t need to be embarrassed or ‘religious’ about keeping our fasting absolutely private.
It would be great to meet with your LG or others, perhaps someone who works near you.
7. What does God think about my fasting?
If it is to earn his or others approval, then he isn’t very interested! We have God’s full approval because we are fully identified with Christ. Fasting has nothing to do with merit or favour from God or putting him in our debt.
Fasting is intended to redirect our gaze and passions on God … something he loves and responds to as a willing, loving and powerful Father. Fasting changes us, not God!
8. Will my prayers be more powerful?
Our hearts will become more aligned with God and we will find ourselves praying more and more in line with his will.
The spiritual hunger for God that fasting generates will undoubtedly help us to ‘labour’ and ‘persevere’ in prayer.
Top tip from International House of Prayer: Breakthroughs often come after a fast, not during it. Do not listen to the lie that nothing is happening. It is our conviction that every fast done in faith will be rewarded.
9. Should I be aware of anything after the fast finishes?
Break your fast gradually on a light and easy to digest meal.
Be creative!
Not sure how you can pray for a whole week? Variety is the spice of prayer, just as it’s the spice of other areas of life. Try some of these ideas to keep things fresh.
- Journal. If you’ve never tried it before, or if you do it all the time, get a fresh note- book, write out your thoughts, prayers and questions to God, and write what you hear him answer.
- Pray on the move. Why not go for a prayer walk alone or with others, spending the time praying into a specific issue or for the area you’re walking in? - Meet up to pray with your Life Group before or after work, or during the day if that works for you.
- At the station. Do you share a commute with anyone from King’s? Why not arrange to get to the station/bus stop early and spend a few minutes in prayer together?
- Over the phone. If it’s difficult to get out of the house why not invite one or two over to pray with you or arrange a time for a phone call prayer session?
- Draw it. If words aren’t your thing, try drawing things you have been praying for and hearing God speaking about during the week.
- As a family. If you’ve got children, consider fasting from dessert and using the time gained at the dinner table to pray and discuss. Parents and kids fasting and praying together will have a powerful effect on your family, not to mention all that you pray for!
The Shape of the Weeks
Daily weekday podcasts via LGs Whatsapp.
Prayer meetings:
Weekdays on zoom 6.30-7.00am (Meeting ID: 862 350 316, Passcode: prayer, join zoom meeting);
Encounter Sundays 22nd and 29th Jan;
Prayer focused LG on the week commencing Mon 23rd Jan;
Encounter Night on Tues 31st Jan, 8pm at TD.
Prayer Room: Thurs 26th Jan 7pm - Sat 28th Jan 7pm. Sign up here.
We are looking forward to journeying with you all in these prayer and fasting weeks.
John (on behalf of the eldership team)
