01/06/2021
21 Days of Fasting with Christ Church
“When I pray, coincidences happen. When I don’t pray, they don’t happen.” Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple
Mission 20:21
“I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21
Christ Church’s Guide to “21 Days of Fasting and Prayer”
A Wesleyan Understanding of Fasting and Prayer
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, preached and printed a sermon based upon Matthew’s account of Jesus’ teaching on fasting and prayer. The Sermon is Sermon XXVII Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. The scripture is Matthew 6:16-18. The essence of the sermon is not to make too much of fasting nor should it be ignored. Fasting can be a means of God’s grace working in our lives as we seek to hear from God through this simple act of denying physical need for spiritual gain.
Wesley wrote about fasting, “It is not all, nor yet is it nothing. It is not the end, but it is a precious means thereto; when it is duly used, he will surely give us his blessing.” Sermon XXVII Jackson’s Works, p. 344
Fasting
By participating in this experience, you will be in good company. Moses the Law Giver, Elijah the great prophet, and Jesus our Savior all fasted and prayed for 40 days. Why? Were they not already advanced in their walk with God when they began their fasting? Yes, they were—this is why they submitted themselves to this spiritual discipline so God could reveal more of Himself and His direction for them and those they led.
Fasting literally means to abstain from food. In some passages in the Bible you will read the story of Moses, “he ate and drank nothing” (Exodus 34:28) Some observe a 24 hour fast, the most popular is a 40 hour fast, while some will endure a 72 hour fast and only drink liquids.
In the early church, Christians would fast on Wednesday and Friday by not eating any breakfast nor lunch. They would only drink water or other liquids during their fast. The next form of fasting is abstaining from pleasing food or a full meal. In other words, you would just eat toast and some protein with no flavoring or condiment. Daniel observed a form of abstaining from certain foods in the Book of Daniel as God revealed Himself in this fasting from fatty meats, etc.
During the 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer, beginning January 6 through January 27, some of the worshippers at Christ Church will participate in a true 21 Days of fasting by not eating after the evening meal until the next evening meal—a full 23 to 24 hour fast each day. The exception would be on Sunday when the Sunday lunch after worship can be observed.
Praying: Mission 20:21 “One Message—People Knowing Christ”
There are many forms of prayer. There are prayers of lamentation, tears, confession, adoration, petition, intercession, sacramental, and unceasing prayer just to name a few.
During the 21 Days of Fasting & Prayer we will focus upon Petition and Intercession. Both forms of prayer can be powerful experiences, which draw us close to God during our time of fasting. In the fasting experience we open ourselves up to hearing from God due to our posture of obedience and in our prayer time we listen to God through the reading of Scripture and listening.
1) Petition: During the 21 Days praying for Personal Dreams
In Luke 11—Jesus gave us permission “knock and the door will be open, seek and you will find, ask and it will be given to you.” Prayers of petition are expected from God for He knows we have needs. What are your personal dreams? Mark Twain once said, “Most men die at 27 we just bury them at 72”. Do you have a personal vision statement about your life—where you want God to take you?
2) Intercession: Praying for others—Praying for God’s Dream for Christ Church
In Hebrews Jesus intercedes for each of us, “25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” We are called to pray and intercede for one another. In addition, we are called to pray even for our enemies according to Jesus’ own words in the Sermon on the Mount.
Mission 20:21 is all about praying for the unchurched, for those who have yet to belong. Praying for others is one of the most important forms of ministry and compassion we can engage in. Pray for the unchurched, to pray for those struggling with drugs, finances, and relationships.
What do you pray for during the 21 Days of Fasting & Prayer? We will have two focuses: God’s Dreams for you Personally and God’s Dream for Christ Church
Personal Dreams—During the 21 Days ask God?
1) Personal needs—what do I need to become physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy? (Exercise, watching what I eat, reading Bible daily, counseling?)
2) How is God moving already in my life? What is God asking me to do by the prompting of His Spirit? (Has God been nudging you to get involved, to serve someone, to initiate reconciliation and you have resisted? How is God working already in your life?)
3) What Dreams do you have for your life? What is God calling you to do to find fulfillment through Him? Challenge yourself to write out your personal dream or vision statement. Example, “To be a loving spouse, a leader in the lives of my children, and to encourage my unchurched friends to try Jesus by living a sold-out life for God.”
Intercession: God’s Dream for Christ Church—Where is God taking CC over the next 3 to 5 years?
God’s Vision—Ask God three questions in the 21 Days of Mission 20:21
1) What are the biggest needs in our community? (Is it broken homes, marriages, poverty, drugs, illiteracy, students & children needing mentoring, jobs, etc.)
2) How is God already at work in our community?
(Where do you currently see God moving and how can we join Him? Bless what He is already doing?)
3) Considering Christ Church’s Mission Statement—what is God’s Dream for Christ Church over the next 3 to 5 years? In order to reach the unchurched and develop fully devoted followers of Christ.
a) Christ Church as a whole—all campuses?
b) Specifically praying for each campus’ focus & mission:
Lincolnton Campus: Have Drawings for a 9,000 sq. ft. facility. Our Mission 20:21 Campaign will help the Lincolnton Campus build its first permanent facility.
Northside Campus: Further Expansion of outreach on Northside of Catawba County and beyond. Growing Children, Student and Life Group Ministries.
Mt. View Campus: On and Off Ramp at 321 & Sandy Ford Rd., expansion of New Student Center & Student Ministry.
Fairgrove Campus: Reaching Newton/Conover area for Christ, growth in Children’s, Student and Life Groups & maximizing facilities.
Statesville Campus: Greater visibility in northern Iredell County, maximizing use of facilities to equip followers of Christ.
Gastonia Mission: Praying for continued outreach in Gaston County, to serve the immediate community, launch a Celebrate Recovery soon and meeting “Benchmarks” to launch a new campus in 2021.
Day One: Doing it Right—With the Right Motivation
Day One
Read: Exodus 34: 28-29
28 Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets. 29 When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord.
Motivation can be a powerful tool. A dream can be even more powerful as the dream begins to stir the heart towards a goal. God motivated Moses to lead the people of Israel out of bo***ge, out of slavery, so they could worship God on the mountain. God, through a relationship, allowed Moses to learn what was at stake.
Nothing is more motivational than learning what is at stake. Moses knew that if the people of Israel were going to experience freedom, to be able to worship God in freedom then he had to do something.
Key—Moses spent 40 days with God that his outward appearance began to change in vs. 29. When you and I humble ourselves during this 40-Day Journey and spend time with God we will begin to notice an inward change.
