Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Suddenly

So we prayed and fasted last week....

Here is the report.

On Friday, a group of us gathered to pray. No words of intro or mini-teaching to inspire, except pre-recorded music over the sound system to provide encouragement and privacy.

As we prayed, "suddenly" the air became charged with the presence of God. People began to pray with heightened fervency, now-audible words, and passion. Tears began to flow. And the clock disappeared. The oft work of prayer had been transformed into a caught up time in the Spirit. The auditorium was awash in God.

When the Spirit came to partner permanently with the forming church it was a case of "suddenly." (Acts 2)

When the Apostle Paul was being called and shaped for ministry it was an experience of "caught up." (II Cor. 12)

If our church is not alive it can be marked by yawns, the predictable and the unmoved.

May His suddenly-s and surprises mark the pathways of our lives.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Fasting

I am focusing on fasting, in preparation to do some of it....and to lead others to as well.

The legacy of fasting in scripture is long and wonderful....
The whole nation of Israel was called to fast with some frequency,
John the Baptist fasted,
Jesus and His disciples did as well.
The early church did
And throughout history, the accounts of fasting are abundant: The Didache, Clement, Hermas, Luther, Wesley, Finney, Calvin, Edwards, Knox, Brainerd and a rather endless list.

Along the way I have been so amazed by discovering afresh the power and privilege of fasting.

A lady named Anna stands out. These words attached to her: prophetess, advanced in years, widow, and "worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day." (Luke 2:36-38)

And at the very time Jesus is being presented in the temple, for purification and blessing, she is there to fill God's house with prophetic thanksgiving for what He will in fact accomplish.

Fasting and prayer appoints us for the intersections of the Kingdom, and fills our lives with His presence and insight.

We get to live ahead of things and speak in faith.

So as we start this new year, I plan to bring fasting with prayer into the mix of everyday living.

And may the Kingdom of God advance through us all in this manner.

A Kingdom New Year to us all.