“Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly.” —Joel 2:15
The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) will start its annual fasting and praying tomorrow for the next 40 days. You are welcome to join. Below is the Living Word Devotional by Pastor Mensa Otabil to prepare people to be part of this spiritual exercise.
As we prepare for our season of fasting and prayer, dubbed 40 Days of Power, which starts from tomorrow Thursday 25th June 2020, it is important to understand why we fast. Like everything we do as Christians, fasting must be done by faith in order to be more meaningful and beneficial. Fasting is “the voluntary abstinence from food for a specified period of time to achieve a spiritual purpose.” It is often a personal experience. Collective fasting only increases the intensity and releases the power of agreement.
WHY DO WE FAST?
#1. As an act of REPENTANCE.
WHY DO WE FAST?
#1. As an act of REPENTANCE.
In Joel 2:12 the Lord admonishes Israel to return to Him with fasting, weeping, mourning. Fasting is not, by itself, faith or repentance; it is rather a demonstration of these two.
#2. To seek God’s GUIDANCE.
#2. To seek God’s GUIDANCE.
Seeking God provides insight, direction and guidance. In 2 Chronicles 20:3, when Jehoshaphat heard of a great Syrian army coming against him he “set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast in all Judah.”
#3. To INTERCEDE in prayer.
#3. To INTERCEDE in prayer.
In collective fasting, we often spend more time praying for others. In Esther 4, Esther through Mordecai mobilized all the Jews to fast for three days and intercede for their nation.
#4. For Spiritual EMPOWERMENT.
In Luke 4:1, Jesus was described as being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” After a period of fasting and prayer, He is described again in verse 14 as having returned in the power of the Holy Spirit. Fasting and prayer empowers us for the work ahead of us.
#5. As WORSHIP before God.
#5. As WORSHIP before God.
Luke 2:36-37 intimates that Anna, the prophetess, did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Prayer: Strengthen me, Lord, to seek your face in fasting and prayer.
Scripture Reading: Joel 2:12-19
Scripture Reading: Joel 2:12-19