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As part of St John's Cornerstone Project we have set aside the above period of 24 hours to approach and come before God in prayer and fasting as a corporate body. Our aim is to seek His blessing on the overall project and upon our fundraising campaign.
It is also an opportunity for us to individually seek wisdom for how we might respond to our Gift Day on Pentecost Sunday and the chance - within sacred space - to ask for a personal renewing and refreshing of the Holy Spirit as we celebrate Pentecost.
Below are some helpful notes on why Christians fast. On the day, we'll provide you with further information as to how you can spend your hour at St John's in prayer.
Look out for the yellow ‘sign-up' sheets on the Table. You can sign up for an hour [or more!] over the 24 hours.
Please do speak to Julia Foulger or Phil & Abigail Sheldrake for further details of how you can get involved.
What is fasting?
There are many ways of fasting, the traditional understanding being to deprive ourselves of food. Some will not eat at all between certain hours; others will miss a main meal, whilst for health reasons, it may not be wise for some to fast in this way. Nowadays, there are a number of possible approaches, and perhaps you've tried different methods in the past during Lent or at other times. Fasting from TV, radio or newspapers,or giving up alcohol, chocolate and other items are alternative methods by which to fast. The point is that we do something a bit hard: something that concentrates our attention on God, whilst diverting attention from ourselves or other things.
Is fasting Biblical?
Yes. Fasting occurs throughout the Bible in all sorts of circumstances. There are numerous references in both the Old and New Testament. Generally, fasting in the Bible is associated with seeking God's help, wisdom, direction and guidance. For example, Jesus Himself fasted in the desert before His public ministry began, and the disciples in Antioch prayed and fasted as they sought wisdom in appointing Barnabas and Paul into service.
Why fast today?
When Christians fast today, it's not about influencing God's favour and support for a particular cause.
It is though, about seeking God's wisdom and guidance. Hand-in-hand with prayer, fasting replaces the feeding of our physical hunger with the feeding of our spiritual hunger: our desire for God's direction and voice to be made clear to us. When we fast sincerely, we should expect to hear from God...perhaps in new and exciting ways we hadn't even contemplated!
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