Day of Prayer & Fasting intro

Hi Friends,

I pray everyone is well, keeping safe and healthy during these challenging times. All citizens around the world have made some tough sacrifices to mitigate and lower the outbreak of this invisible enemy. And while we sadly still hear about too many deaths as a result of infections, we are now also hearing about other troubles that this pandemic is causing. Some are becoming greatly stressed due to job loss and bills piling up while juggling home schooling for the first time. Some are stuck in their homes with no escape from their abusers, terrified about their fate. Yet some others who are overly disheartened and depressed are taking their lives. It is NOT good for man to be alone. And even though we are grateful for the technology that allows us to see our loved ones face to face, many of us long to be with them person to person. Currently, small businesses, which are the heart of this country, do not know if they can survive. Our economy has taken the biggest hit our world has ever seen. The difficulties this COVID-19 has brought to the world are countless, so it is time for The Church to move once again, in Faith, to cry out to God.

By God’s Grace, this “curve” seems to be lowering, and so, we must turn our eyes and prayers to God’s Mercy for the world to be able to ease back into Life. Humans were created to live, on purpose, for a purpose. Being secluded, each in our own homes, does NOT lead to fulfilling that purpose. In order to truly love God by loving one another, we must interact with one another. I praise God for stirring compassion in so many brave groups…the good stories we hear about as people reach out to help those in need are encouraging and heartwarming. This is what we do when tragedy hits, not hide away. It is time for The Church to rise up and get serious about praying for God to defeat this virus in every area of life.

I am NOT advocating disorder- God is a God of order. But I do not want people to get so filled with fear that they are too scared to get back to life. Responsibly, intelligently, we need to “open up” this world again. While the past month of “staying home” has proved to be very effective, we must understand we cannot do this for much longer. With the highest respect for those we have lost, with great honor for those who continue to fight the good fight and with humility towards one another, putting others before ourselves, we must begin the journey towards living life like we humans are meant to live. Together, with God’s Grace, we have slowed down this outbreak. Now together, we must get back to joining with one another. Again, it is going to be a journey, but if we never start taking that first step, we will never get to our desired destination.

 Having shared with you what I believe God has put on my heart, I am now asking for The Church to join me in another Call to Action. I am sensing God wants us, those who are called by His Name, to get serious about crying out to Him. I am sensing that God wants us to continue to pray, but to add the seemingly lost and powerful devotion of fasting to our prayers. As I prayed about what day God would want us to do this, I turned to my calendar when Wednesday April 22 came to my heart. Upon looking further, I saw that date is what we call “Earth Day,” and thought what an appropriate day to pray & fast for God to continue healing this world and begin making the way for us to start living life again. I hope you will be able to join me in this mission. 

I intend to fast from all three mealtimes, but if you are not able to for medical reasons, won’t you consider fasting from something that day and to, instead, focus that time and energy to prayer, reading God’s Word and deepening your own walk with God? I will send a reminder on Wednesday, but I would love to hear from you if you decide to join me. Please leave a comment below with what you will be fasting from and any thoughts you may have.

Church, there is no need to fear. God is still on His Throne and has already made the way for us to come back to life. What we need to do is seek His Will and follow it, in Faith. Let’s start by praying & fasting!

Until we meet again, keep lifting your eyes to God, He’s closer than you think.

<>< Peace, Diane