40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

June 21, 2023 | Uncategorized

Beginning Thursday, June 29, our church family is encouraged to join church staff and leaders for 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting.  Each Thursday, we will meet at 6:00 pm in the Middle School Ministry Area to worship God together and hear a brief word from a pastor, elder, or other church leader. Then we will break into smaller groups and seek God’s guidance for King Street Church during this season of transition.  We suggest a full day of fasting on these Thursdays, although those with any health/medical restrictions should certainly make whatever modifications are necessary.  We are asking all those planning to participate to sign up at kingstreetchurch.com/40days so that we may text you updates. On Sunday, June 25, Pastor Rob Gunkelman will share more about the pastors’ vision for the 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting during his message. The last meeting is planned for Thursday, August 10.

 

The following information is compiled from thoughts from Lance Witt, Rick Warren, Bill Bright and our own Rob Gunkelman. 

WHAT IS FASTING?

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible. Fasting, in the biblical sense, means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food for a specific amount of time and for a specific purpose.

Fasting is not an oddity or an outdated practice. Fasting is a spiritual discipline and according to Jesus, an expectation of Christ followers.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting is not simply a spiritual practice. If we are not careful, it can simply become an external practice without internal passion. Fasting comes out of the desire to grow closer to God, hear from Him, a passion to know His will, and desperation to make sure that we are on the right path. John Wesley stated, “[When we fast] First, let it be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in Heaven.”

 

What Fasting Isn’t:

• Fasting is not so much about food as it is about focus.
• Fasting is not so much about saying no to the body as it is about saying yes to the Holy Spirit.
• Fasting is not about doing without; it is about looking within.
• Fasting is an outward response to an inward attitude and desperation of the soul.
• Fasting is not a means of seeking God’s blessings, as much as it is a means of seeking God Himself.
• Fasting is not a test for super saints, it is not a means of manipulating God to give you what you want; it is an expectation of Christ that His followers seek to align their hearts with the Heavenly Father’s.
• Fasting is feasting on the Lord. He will give you comfort, guidance, power, strength, forgiveness, and hope.

 

Why Are We Fasting?

There are a ton of reasons, both physical and spiritual, as to why we should fast. However, the focus of our fast is three-fold…

• Unity – In a time of uncertainty and transition simple disagreements can become major obstacles for the health of the church. They can become a foothold for Satan where he will spread chaos and division. Through corporate fasting, we will have an experience to outwardly express the importance of John 17:21: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Through our unity and love for one another, the world will know that we are part of something greater than ourselves. We are part of God’s plan to save a lost and dying world.
• Discernment – Just like when Daniel fasted to receive guidance from God, we are in a season where we as a church need to receive guidance from God. What is His will in hiring the next leader of KSC? What model does He want us to use? How can we improve our structure to facilitate communication? How has God gifted KSC to act as a beacon in a darkening world? What are we excellent at? Where is God at work within KSC?

“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:3

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:2-3

• Mission & Vision – We spent a lot of time and energy as a church on discerning the Lord’s mission and vision for KSC. Unfortunately, a pandemic hit and derailed the amazing progress that was being made to accomplish that vision. Although we were caught off guard by the pandemic, God knew what was going to happen and still birthed a great vision in us. This vision needs to be revisited and contextualized to how KSC can accomplish it through minor tweaks and a general reengagement of the vision.

 

 

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