A Call to Prayer and Fasting : for Capricorn Community Church

Our Congregation is currently in a sermon series through the book of Mark. Sunday, Pastor Severo taught on Mark 2:18-22 - about Fasting. 

The definition of Fasting (per the Apple Computer Dictionary) is:

[verb] to abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink, esp. as a religious observance.

[noun] an act or period of fasting: a five-day fast.

With a little help from Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology (http://www.waynegrudem.com/systematic-theology/), our Pastor enlightened us about the reasons for and benefits of scriptural fasting. 

Fasting:

1. humbles us and proves our dependency on God

2. gives more attention to prayer and focus on God

3. exercises self-discipline

4. builds spiritual relationship, as well as mental and spiritual alertness

5. expresses earnest need and urgency of our prayers

Pastor pointed out that fasting changes us! Fasting also shows our confidence in the Lord. 

Ezra chapter 8 shows how fasting displays confidence in prayer. It says that when his family was about to journey far, Ezra , "proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.  … we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”  So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer." (Ezra 8:21-23 NIV)

Our church in Capricorn is at a crucial transition stage in our journey. Our church is almost 4 years old and we're seeing God move in our congregation and in leadership. We're at a place of needing divine intervention in strategy and to help us shepherd the growth. We're desperate for people to be true worshipers - not just lukewarm Christians. Capricorn needs passionate, devoted followers of Christ and that means we must be the start. We must pray for the journey ahead!

Our church is laying aside THIS WEDNESDAY for a time of Prayer and Fasting. I invite you to join us! I encourage you to forego meals this day - in order to focus your attention and dependency upon God. When hunger strikes, lift up your eyes to our Source of Strength and call out on behalf of our church in Capricorn, South Africa. 

Many people ask me, "What can I do to really make an impact in missions? How can I serve the local church in South Africa?" Answer: Fast and Pray on the behalf of what God is going to do in Capricorn! If you've been to our church for a short-term mission, this is yet another way you can minister to our church and impact our people for the Kingdom. Pray and Fast with us! Sacrifice a day of comfort and routine and build into our congregation through prayer! Circle us in prayer and believe that God will do miracles on this continent of Africa! 

I'll post specific prayer requests that you can lift up during this fast. But right now, consider and commit to this cause and spiritual discipline for Capricorn Community Church!