Beginning September 8, the elders are calling the Calvary Church congregation to 40 days of prayer and fasting.
Three Reasons for a Season of Fasting & Prayer
Confession
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. – 1 John 1:8-10
Individually, we each fall short with our own bents and sinful choices. God’s response toward those who confess their sins is in accordance with His nature and gracious commitment to His people. He provides forgiveness that restores the communion with God that has been interrupted by sin. Before we fast and pray, we must first confess and repent of our sins.
Fasting
The elders are calling the congregation to fast and pray that the Lord will reveal what it is that He is doing, and what it is that He wants from each one of us. How you choose to fast is between you and the Lord.
Here are some helpful things to think through as you choose your fast:
- Primary option: Don’t eat any food from the time you wake up until dinner. Take the time that you would have normally spent eating breakfast or lunch and devote that time to praying.
- Skip just one meal in a day and eliminate any snacking before or after that meal and use the meal time for prayer.
- Fast for 24 hours from food and use meal time for prayer.
- If you are physically unable to fast from food:
- Fast from an hour of sleep by going to bed later or getting up earlier and using that extra time to pray
- Fast from a regular time of entertainment or an activity you enjoy (e.g. give up watching Netflix one evening a week and use that time to pray).
There are no rules on the day of the week or the amount of time to be taken. We only ask that you fast and pray at least weekly for 40 days.
Praying in Faith
One of the best things we can do in these 40 days is show up in faith. Be intentional about setting aside time each day to pray, and trust that God will hear you and respond.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
– Hebrews 4:16
The parable of the persistent widow, Luke 18:1-8, is a great reminder of the power of praying with unceasing faith. May this be the spirit in which we come before the Lord in this season.
Things to Pray For
During this season, we can pray for ourselves, for Calvary Church specifically and the church of Jesus Christ as a whole, and for our nation.
- Individually, we should seek forgiveness for our sins. Pray that the Lord will reveal what it is that He is doing in our days, and what it is that He desires from each of us.
- We should pray for the ministries of Calvary. Pray for our study of Revelation, as well as the spiritual and physical health of our staff and leaders.
- For our nation, we should pray that God will heal our land from this pandemic, and bring justice, healing and restoration to all. Pray particularly for the marginalized. Ultimately, let us pray for peace and for revival.