We now have 3 churches confirmed for each day of the week over the next 6 weeks. That's not counting those who have not picked a day yet or who will be playing the field.
That's quite a team assembled!
...God is so good!!!
We are all a team, all people of goodwill who are joining this campaign. We are students, retireees, professionals on our lunch break, men, women, and children. We are the People of God, now a family, gathered to witness to the truth that the very least among us, the most vulnerable, the most forgotten, do not die alone at 320 E. Fulton St. They die entrusted to the Lord through our prayers and our peaceful presence only yards away from them. They will be carried to the loving bosom of the Almighty, the Merciful and Just, with our prayers for comfort. Their bodies may be torn, but their dignity as precious in the eyes of God will not be rent asunder.
This is a vital task ahead of us, dear reader. A vital task indeed~
September 18, 2009
September 17, 2009
KICKOFF RALLY!!!
Sunday, September 20th
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Loosemore Auditorium
Pew Campus, GVSU
401 W. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids
Keynote speaker: Mike Koelzer, R.Ph.
http://www.prolifepharmacy.com/
Clear your schedules! Tell a friend! See you there :)
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Loosemore Auditorium
Pew Campus, GVSU
401 W. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids
Keynote speaker: Mike Koelzer, R.Ph.
http://www.prolifepharmacy.com/
Clear your schedules! Tell a friend! See you there :)
September 15, 2009
Sorrowful exaltation
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Fittingly, this day follows the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The prophecy of Simeon came true when he told the Virgin Mother, "and you yourself a sword shall pierce." As she stood at the foot of the Cross, weeping, she had only this one consolation: the salvation promised to Israel, her people, would now come into fulfillment.
For by His Cross and Ressurrection, we have been set free!
Indeed we should exalt!
When we stand before the altar of sacrifice, 320 E. Fulton, our hearts may be heavy with sorrow, like Mary. We know the crucible of pain that persists week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade. We stand and watch, helpless, like John, the wife of Clophas, and the others mentioned in the Gospels. Our hearts grieve knowing the unholy acts being performed behind implacable, nondescript office windows. We do not need to see the blood or the wounds, like Thomas, to know that this is real and not some dream.
Yet, are we very different from Thomas? Do we also believe, do we also trust to our very core that this will change? Do we know that already the Lord has triumphed here on Fulton Street? Do we stand- after our sorrow- do we stand exalting the glory of God? Do we praise the Lord for what He has wrought in this very place of abortion?
That we stand in prayer is in fact our triumph! God has called us to be at this place of healing. 320 Fulton is now rendered a site of worship! It is now a place where justice is revealed!
At least...it CAN be...if you, dear reader, will join us. Stand with us. Stand with the lambs who, like Mary, will be pierced before the day is through. You do not stand in vain!
Come, all you nations, let us bow in worship to the blessed cross of the Lord through which eternal justice came to us. He who deceived Adam, the first man, was conquered by a tree, and the same who fettered the royal creation by his guile has been cast down into nothingness. The serpent's venom has been washed away by the divine blood of Christ, and the curse of the sin has been lifted by a rightful sentence when the just Christ was condemned unjustly.
By God's plan, death that had come from a tree would be conquered by a tree, and suffering would be haled by the suffering of the Lord. Glory be to the active presence of your providence in our lives, O Christ our King: through it, you have wrought salvation for all.
--from the book, Byzantine Daily Worship (via Magnificat Press)
For by His Cross and Ressurrection, we have been set free!
Indeed we should exalt!
When we stand before the altar of sacrifice, 320 E. Fulton, our hearts may be heavy with sorrow, like Mary. We know the crucible of pain that persists week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade. We stand and watch, helpless, like John, the wife of Clophas, and the others mentioned in the Gospels. Our hearts grieve knowing the unholy acts being performed behind implacable, nondescript office windows. We do not need to see the blood or the wounds, like Thomas, to know that this is real and not some dream.
Yet, are we very different from Thomas? Do we also believe, do we also trust to our very core that this will change? Do we know that already the Lord has triumphed here on Fulton Street? Do we stand- after our sorrow- do we stand exalting the glory of God? Do we praise the Lord for what He has wrought in this very place of abortion?
That we stand in prayer is in fact our triumph! God has called us to be at this place of healing. 320 Fulton is now rendered a site of worship! It is now a place where justice is revealed!
At least...it CAN be...if you, dear reader, will join us. Stand with us. Stand with the lambs who, like Mary, will be pierced before the day is through. You do not stand in vain!
Come, all you nations, let us bow in worship to the blessed cross of the Lord through which eternal justice came to us. He who deceived Adam, the first man, was conquered by a tree, and the same who fettered the royal creation by his guile has been cast down into nothingness. The serpent's venom has been washed away by the divine blood of Christ, and the curse of the sin has been lifted by a rightful sentence when the just Christ was condemned unjustly.
By God's plan, death that had come from a tree would be conquered by a tree, and suffering would be haled by the suffering of the Lord. Glory be to the active presence of your providence in our lives, O Christ our King: through it, you have wrought salvation for all.
--from the book, Byzantine Daily Worship (via Magnificat Press)
September 14, 2009
We all have our reasons
One of the (less significant) reasons why I enjoy being part of the 40Days campaign is that they employ my favorite color in their logo.
I love the color periwinkle, aka "light blue", because...
a. it's the color of Our Lady.
b. it's the same color as the bowl of the sky on a clear day.
c. it brings out the blue in my eyes when I wear it (or at least that's what a girl in college told me).
d. it was always one of the sharpest crayons left in the box.
e. it contains the word *wink*
Certainly this love of periwinkle was not the motivating factor in my decision to participate in my first campaign two years ago. It does make me happy to see it, though: two wings in flight.
What do you suppose the logo was meant to represent? the spirit triumphant? angels bearing aloft the life of the child? It does look hopeful, doesn't it?
That's really the message we want to convey: Have hope, dear reader. In your time of trial, in your time of darkness, when you feel you have no other choice...hope in the Lord!
Light blue supposedly conveys peace & tranquility. May all those who hope in the Lord be filled with PEACE~
Philippians 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Peace be with you, dear reader!
I love the color periwinkle, aka "light blue", because...
a. it's the color of Our Lady.
b. it's the same color as the bowl of the sky on a clear day.
c. it brings out the blue in my eyes when I wear it (or at least that's what a girl in college told me).
d. it was always one of the sharpest crayons left in the box.
e. it contains the word *wink*
Certainly this love of periwinkle was not the motivating factor in my decision to participate in my first campaign two years ago. It does make me happy to see it, though: two wings in flight.
What do you suppose the logo was meant to represent? the spirit triumphant? angels bearing aloft the life of the child? It does look hopeful, doesn't it?
That's really the message we want to convey: Have hope, dear reader. In your time of trial, in your time of darkness, when you feel you have no other choice...hope in the Lord!
Light blue supposedly conveys peace & tranquility. May all those who hope in the Lord be filled with PEACE~
Philippians 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Peace be with you, dear reader!
September 11, 2009
Prayer is action
Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life has made the following appeal:
"The women and men of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign have created a three-minute video in which women who have had abortions speak about how it harmed them, and declare that an increase in abortion will mean an increase in health problems for women.
Let’s meet their courage with ours and use this video to bring their voices into the debate.
See and spread the video at www.SilentNoMoreAwareness.org/healthcare.
The time for action is now, and the action could not be more simple: pray!"
Prayer for our Nation’s Health Care Reform
Lord Jesus, you are the Divine Physician,
And the source of all life and health.
Guide our nation at this critical moment,
As our government seeks health care reforms.
Give our elected officials the humility to know
That they are servants, not masters.
Give them the wisdom to realize
That every life has equal value.
Give them the strength to resist the idea
That some lives can be sacrificed to save others
Or that killing the unborn is a part of health care.
Give your people the courage to speak up
And to hold public officials accountable for their actions.
Save us, Lord Jesus, from a culture of death,
And let every reform in our public policy
Be based on the reform of our hearts and minds
In the light of your Gospel,
For you are Lord forever and ever.
+Amen+
"The women and men of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign have created a three-minute video in which women who have had abortions speak about how it harmed them, and declare that an increase in abortion will mean an increase in health problems for women.
Let’s meet their courage with ours and use this video to bring their voices into the debate.
See and spread the video at www.SilentNoMoreAwareness.org/healthcare.
The time for action is now, and the action could not be more simple: pray!"
Prayer for our Nation’s Health Care Reform
Lord Jesus, you are the Divine Physician,
And the source of all life and health.
Guide our nation at this critical moment,
As our government seeks health care reforms.
Give our elected officials the humility to know
That they are servants, not masters.
Give them the wisdom to realize
That every life has equal value.
Give them the strength to resist the idea
That some lives can be sacrificed to save others
Or that killing the unborn is a part of health care.
Give your people the courage to speak up
And to hold public officials accountable for their actions.
Save us, Lord Jesus, from a culture of death,
And let every reform in our public policy
Be based on the reform of our hearts and minds
In the light of your Gospel,
For you are Lord forever and ever.
+Amen+
September 09, 2009
Who we serve
Many of us may find it difficult to see our ministry as an act of service, as a ministry.
When we volunteer at a soup kitchen, we can see the faces of the people as we serve them food.
In a prison ministry, we can pray with the incarcerated and hear their story.
As a blood donor, we can see the pouch filling up and know precisely how it will be used.
These are all quantifiable acts of service with an immediate reward.
Praying outside 320 E. Fulton?
We can't see the child we're serving. We're not with the mother entering the building. We don't know how our prayer will take effect.
All we know for certain is that good will come from our commitment to prayer & fasting on behalf of these nameless souls. We are asking for an end to abortion, but we're entrusting this to God. It seems so passive!
This action of silent prayer is perhaps the most powerful appeal we can make, because God is the focus and God is the recipient and God is the only one reading our hearts, and nobody is more powerful than God.
If outreach to the traffic was our goal, we would hold signs and get people to honk. If outreach to the staff was our goal, then we would only stand vigil at times when they were working. If outreach to the mothers was our goal, we would all become sidewalk counselors.
No-- we are there for the Lord, to be with the Lord, to ask the Lord to heal this place.
It really is that simple. If it pleases the Lord, what else matters?
When we volunteer at a soup kitchen, we can see the faces of the people as we serve them food.
In a prison ministry, we can pray with the incarcerated and hear their story.
As a blood donor, we can see the pouch filling up and know precisely how it will be used.
These are all quantifiable acts of service with an immediate reward.
Praying outside 320 E. Fulton?
We can't see the child we're serving. We're not with the mother entering the building. We don't know how our prayer will take effect.
All we know for certain is that good will come from our commitment to prayer & fasting on behalf of these nameless souls. We are asking for an end to abortion, but we're entrusting this to God. It seems so passive!
This action of silent prayer is perhaps the most powerful appeal we can make, because God is the focus and God is the recipient and God is the only one reading our hearts, and nobody is more powerful than God.
If outreach to the traffic was our goal, we would hold signs and get people to honk. If outreach to the staff was our goal, then we would only stand vigil at times when they were working. If outreach to the mothers was our goal, we would all become sidewalk counselors.
No-- we are there for the Lord, to be with the Lord, to ask the Lord to heal this place.
It really is that simple. If it pleases the Lord, what else matters?
Join us from home
Today the planning team will meet on a different day than we usually have. Since May, our meetings have taken place on Tuesdays. We've been fasting on Tuesdays in preparation for the campaign, which begins at our Kickoff Rally Sunday Sept.20 at 2pm in the Loosemore Auditorium.
Today is Wednesday, and most of us will probably forget to fast when we pour our orange juice this morning and start munching on a bagel. So you, dear reader, are more than welcome to join us in our fasting. It requires no travel, you don't have to sign up, and you can fast in whatever manner you feel the Lord indicates. Maybe you'll skip lunch. Maybe you won't watch TV tonight. Talk it over with God; you'll figure out what's best. The important thing is to pray while you do whatever it is you're (not) going to do.
Fasting without prayer is like...dancing without music. It's still dancing-- but it was meant to be accompanied.
We hope you will acompany us today with your prayer, your fasting, or both. We have much to accomplish in preparation for the KICKOFF RALLY Sunday Sept.20at 2pm.
Did I mention the Kickoff Rally takes place two Sundays from now? in the afternoon? GVSU's campus? No? Fliers will be posted soon in churches all across this grand city. You can visit our website, tweet us on Twitter, or friend us on Facebook-- information at your fingertips.
Today is Wednesday, and most of us will probably forget to fast when we pour our orange juice this morning and start munching on a bagel. So you, dear reader, are more than welcome to join us in our fasting. It requires no travel, you don't have to sign up, and you can fast in whatever manner you feel the Lord indicates. Maybe you'll skip lunch. Maybe you won't watch TV tonight. Talk it over with God; you'll figure out what's best. The important thing is to pray while you do whatever it is you're (not) going to do.
Fasting without prayer is like...dancing without music. It's still dancing-- but it was meant to be accompanied.
We hope you will acompany us today with your prayer, your fasting, or both. We have much to accomplish in preparation for the KICKOFF RALLY Sunday Sept.20at 2pm.
Did I mention the Kickoff Rally takes place two Sundays from now? in the afternoon? GVSU's campus? No? Fliers will be posted soon in churches all across this grand city. You can visit our website, tweet us on Twitter, or friend us on Facebook-- information at your fingertips.
September 05, 2009
Proclaiming a Fast
In Carla's article, she shares the following definition:
Did you catch that?
Focusing our attention on God causes us to unite with others of the same heart and mind, the same singleness of purpose. Focus on one leads to accord with all.
Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is one! We are to love the Lord alone with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves.
When we fast, we are living the Golden Rule sincerely. We are having a singleness of purpose with our brothers and sisters that leads us to deeper relationship with God. Our deeper relationship with God leads us to unity with our siblings in Christ. Fancy that!
Perhaps the greatest value of our 40days campaign is that it draws together all people of goodwill towards this 'singleness of purpose' -- namely, the end to willfull violation of human dignity and the destruction of innocent human life. Where abortion breeds violence, self-loathing, sorrow, and pain to its victims (mother, child, family), prayer with fasting fosters peace, dignity, joy, and jubilation.
When I stand at the corner of 320 E. Fulton, my stomach empty and twisting in knots, I feel such peace in surrendering this place to Jesus, who knows the suffering taking place in the mother and in her womb. I feel almost elated in prayer knowing that God sends holy angels to comfort the afflicted children. I know that those who promote the lie of emancipation are really choosing fear and despair over hope and trust. Abortion, like all sin, does not bring freedom. Rather, it places limits on what is possible. It narrows, confines, imprisons, and corrodes.
Let's revisit that quote above: Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested.
We stand at the corner of 320 E. Fulton to proclaim as the Body of Christ, the People of Israel, that God is here. Not in some fairy-tale way, but because you and I, dear reader, have brough our hearts, fully cognizant, fully attuned to the Word, fully in prayer, to stand witness on behalf of those whose lives end with no recognition of their dignity or worth. Our standing, silently, vigilantly, is an act of worship of the One who drew us there in the first place.
When we face the nondescript office windows, we are focusing in one direction and one direction only: the gate of heaven through which we pray the Lord will receive us one fine day. We focus, we plant our feet on that sidewalk, and we will move mountains, dear reader. We will surely move mountains.
Plus, we'll meet some wonderful friends of one accord, and that is a beautiful thing.
40 Days for Life is a proclaimed fast, rather than a personal fast. “A proclaimed fast is for the purpose of bringing believers into a place of hearing from God. The main reason a proclaimed fast brings results is that it causes people’s minds to go in one direction - toward God. Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested (2 Chron 20:3-5). A proclaimed fast is valuable and effective because it causes unity and singleness of purpose”.
Did you catch that?
Focusing our attention on God causes us to unite with others of the same heart and mind, the same singleness of purpose. Focus on one leads to accord with all.
Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is one! We are to love the Lord alone with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves.
When we fast, we are living the Golden Rule sincerely. We are having a singleness of purpose with our brothers and sisters that leads us to deeper relationship with God. Our deeper relationship with God leads us to unity with our siblings in Christ. Fancy that!
Perhaps the greatest value of our 40days campaign is that it draws together all people of goodwill towards this 'singleness of purpose' -- namely, the end to willfull violation of human dignity and the destruction of innocent human life. Where abortion breeds violence, self-loathing, sorrow, and pain to its victims (mother, child, family), prayer with fasting fosters peace, dignity, joy, and jubilation.
When I stand at the corner of 320 E. Fulton, my stomach empty and twisting in knots, I feel such peace in surrendering this place to Jesus, who knows the suffering taking place in the mother and in her womb. I feel almost elated in prayer knowing that God sends holy angels to comfort the afflicted children. I know that those who promote the lie of emancipation are really choosing fear and despair over hope and trust. Abortion, like all sin, does not bring freedom. Rather, it places limits on what is possible. It narrows, confines, imprisons, and corrodes.
Let's revisit that quote above: Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested.
We stand at the corner of 320 E. Fulton to proclaim as the Body of Christ, the People of Israel, that God is here. Not in some fairy-tale way, but because you and I, dear reader, have brough our hearts, fully cognizant, fully attuned to the Word, fully in prayer, to stand witness on behalf of those whose lives end with no recognition of their dignity or worth. Our standing, silently, vigilantly, is an act of worship of the One who drew us there in the first place.
When we face the nondescript office windows, we are focusing in one direction and one direction only: the gate of heaven through which we pray the Lord will receive us one fine day. We focus, we plant our feet on that sidewalk, and we will move mountains, dear reader. We will surely move mountains.
Plus, we'll meet some wonderful friends of one accord, and that is a beautiful thing.
September 01, 2009
Why Fast?
Carla Ludwig, a member of our GR40Days team, has written an article on fasting that I would like to share with the readers of this blog. I likewise submit the second article, "How to Fast", for your edification. Please note her works cited, at the end of each article.
Most of us have a vague idea about what fasting is. We think it’s a religious thing to do, and that we probably should be doing it. But just exactly why and how to fast is something we don’t have a firm handle on. The term “fast” is not biblical or religious, in itself. Fasting, in the religious sense, is not merely abstaining from food. People can choose not to eat for a variety of reasons, such as dieting, but this is not fasting. According to Andrew Wapakala, “fasting is abstaining from anything (in terms of the influence of the body) so that your spirit man can dominate and therefore make you more sensitive to God.” *
Fasting involves prayer, repentance, and searching one’s heart and God’s will. It has everything to do with intent. Fasting is used to draw closer to God and to focus on Him. It should bring us into a right mental and physical relationship with God. It is about seeking His direction. Fasting “does NOT change God; fasting changes YOU!” *
40 Days for Life is a proclaimed fast, rather than a personal fast. “A proclaimed fast is for the purpose of bringing believers into a place of hearing from God. The main reason a proclaimed fast brings results is that it causes people’s minds to go in one direction - toward God. Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested (2 Chron 20:3-5) A proclaimed fast is valuable and effective because it causes unity and singleness of purpose”. *
The only command found in the Bible to fast is on the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26-32). However, there are many examples of fasting recorded in the Bible, which demonstrate to us that God’s people should fast. The most familiar fast may be the time Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and afterward, was tempted by Satan (Matt 4:1-3; Luke 4:2). There are only two other times in the Bible where there was a 40 day fast. Moses fasted 40 days on Mount Horeb before he was given the Ten Commandments (Exo. 34:28-29). Elijah fasted for 40 days during a trip from the wilderness to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
Christ spoke about fasting to His disciples (Luke 5:33-35), but He did not specify why, when, how often, or how long we should fast. In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus states that fasting is between us and God. Our outward appearance should not make people aware that we are fasting.
If we study examples of fasting, we can learn why people in the Bible fasted. Some examples include after the Israelites were defeated by the men of Ai (Josh 7:6), at a time of serious illness, when David sought forgiveness for his sins (2 Sam 12:13-22), and when desperately seeking God’s help, as Jehoshaphat and the nation of Israel did in 2 Chronicles 20:3-4.
Usually we fast because we have a problem and are seeking a solution from God. Fasting puts us in a position to hear from God. (Isa 40:31) (Amp) “But those who wait for the Lord (who expect and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary, they walk and not faint or become tired.” When you wait on God, you are positioning yourself to hear Him; you get His strength *
Fasting is something you prepare for physically, mentally and spiritually. It is solemn and shows reverence toward God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” If we humble ourselves through fasting, prayer and repentance, God will hear us.
So like Jehoshaphat and the Israelites, during the 40 Days for Life campaign, we collectively set all matters aside and turn our focus toward God, Who can change the hearts and minds of the abortionists and their staff, the political leaders and Supreme Court justices of our land, and put an end to abortion.
*Wapakala, Andrew Wafula. “Biblical Principles for Effective Fasting.” www.members.fortunecity.com/awafula/fasting.htm
Other references:
Mahoney, Kelli. “Why Do Christians Fast?” www.christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/WhyWeFast.htm
Wilson, Dean. “What Does the Bible Teach About Fasting?” www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn06/bibletachaboutfasting.htm
Most of us have a vague idea about what fasting is. We think it’s a religious thing to do, and that we probably should be doing it. But just exactly why and how to fast is something we don’t have a firm handle on. The term “fast” is not biblical or religious, in itself. Fasting, in the religious sense, is not merely abstaining from food. People can choose not to eat for a variety of reasons, such as dieting, but this is not fasting. According to Andrew Wapakala, “fasting is abstaining from anything (in terms of the influence of the body) so that your spirit man can dominate and therefore make you more sensitive to God.” *
Fasting involves prayer, repentance, and searching one’s heart and God’s will. It has everything to do with intent. Fasting is used to draw closer to God and to focus on Him. It should bring us into a right mental and physical relationship with God. It is about seeking His direction. Fasting “does NOT change God; fasting changes YOU!” *
40 Days for Life is a proclaimed fast, rather than a personal fast. “A proclaimed fast is for the purpose of bringing believers into a place of hearing from God. The main reason a proclaimed fast brings results is that it causes people’s minds to go in one direction - toward God. Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested (2 Chron 20:3-5) A proclaimed fast is valuable and effective because it causes unity and singleness of purpose”. *
The only command found in the Bible to fast is on the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26-32). However, there are many examples of fasting recorded in the Bible, which demonstrate to us that God’s people should fast. The most familiar fast may be the time Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and afterward, was tempted by Satan (Matt 4:1-3; Luke 4:2). There are only two other times in the Bible where there was a 40 day fast. Moses fasted 40 days on Mount Horeb before he was given the Ten Commandments (Exo. 34:28-29). Elijah fasted for 40 days during a trip from the wilderness to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
Christ spoke about fasting to His disciples (Luke 5:33-35), but He did not specify why, when, how often, or how long we should fast. In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus states that fasting is between us and God. Our outward appearance should not make people aware that we are fasting.
If we study examples of fasting, we can learn why people in the Bible fasted. Some examples include after the Israelites were defeated by the men of Ai (Josh 7:6), at a time of serious illness, when David sought forgiveness for his sins (2 Sam 12:13-22), and when desperately seeking God’s help, as Jehoshaphat and the nation of Israel did in 2 Chronicles 20:3-4.
Usually we fast because we have a problem and are seeking a solution from God. Fasting puts us in a position to hear from God. (Isa 40:31) (Amp) “But those who wait for the Lord (who expect and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary, they walk and not faint or become tired.” When you wait on God, you are positioning yourself to hear Him; you get His strength *
Fasting is something you prepare for physically, mentally and spiritually. It is solemn and shows reverence toward God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” If we humble ourselves through fasting, prayer and repentance, God will hear us.
So like Jehoshaphat and the Israelites, during the 40 Days for Life campaign, we collectively set all matters aside and turn our focus toward God, Who can change the hearts and minds of the abortionists and their staff, the political leaders and Supreme Court justices of our land, and put an end to abortion.
*Wapakala, Andrew Wafula. “Biblical Principles for Effective Fasting.” www.members.fortunecity.com/awafula/fasting.htm
Other references:
Mahoney, Kelli. “Why Do Christians Fast?” www.christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/WhyWeFast.htm
Wilson, Dean. “What Does the Bible Teach About Fasting?” www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn06/bibletachaboutfasting.htm
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