2021 Kickoff – Fasting and Prayer

As Christians, we are always in a struggle living each day among the kings and rulers of this world, knowing that we are destined, in fact, chosen, to live eternally in the Kingdom of God.  There are a few concepts that are helping me to navigate this journey as 2021 begins and the world is still reeling from the chaos that COVID-19 brought into 2020.  How do we Christians begin this year without carrying the baggage of 2020 into 2021?

First – a view of The Kingdom of God as God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule enjoying God’s blessing.  Simple enough to understand… remember… and recall, when necessary.  And necessary, it is.  We cannot help but struggle living in the world’s kingdoms while striving to reach God’s kingdom.

It is only the Gospel-believing Christian that understands that to get from the world’s domain to God’s, you must first go to the cross. ✝ 

1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Only by means of the cross, can we begin to wrap our minds around the wonder of God.  Any gospel message without the cross is a placebo, not a cure, for our condition.

Second – a time of fasting and prayer.  Biblical fasting is NOT a diet.  You don’t remove food or habits and hope that God is pleased with your efforts.  Our church, TheChapel.cc, kicks off 21-day days of Prayer and Fasting, tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 11 and runs through Sunday Jan. 31.  Pastor Q uses the verses from Joel 2:12-13 and Deuteronomy 4:29, to remind us how we fight through our struggles.

(In the first part of Joel 2, the prophet warns his audience… blow the trumpet, sound the alarm… and begins to announce the day of the Lord that is coming… The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command.  The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?) Note: Pastor Q did not include this first part of the chapter in this weekend’s message, his focus was NOT on trying to determine WHEN we should fast and pray… his focus was on our intentional choice to engage in fasting to grow closer to God to see victory in 2021. (His message here.)

In v12, we read, “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”  When are we to do this?  EVEN NOW!  With COVID-19 still threatening? EVEN NOW!  With political chaos reigning?  EVEN NOW! But you don’t know how bad my circumstances are!  EVEN NOW!  😊 

How do we this? V13 tells us: Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.  (Do you doubt this?  Reread Jonah!)

When the enemy is fighting hard, we need Spiritual weapons and power to fight back; even if victory looks like the ability to stand firm in our faith.  We cannot do this on our own. We cannot do this with worldly weapons. We are spiritual beings, made in the image of God, having this temporary earthly experience.  So, for 21 days we focus on FASTING:  REMOVING certain things from our everyday earthly lives and REPLACING them with specific prayers for parts of our lives where we want to see victory. (Think habits, addictions, wrong thoughts and tendencies, concerns for family, country, the church, health, finances, relationships, etc.) What is keeping us from getting closer to God?

You don’t have to fix anything, do anything, or be a better person, before you begin.  (Again, read Jonah! Or, find yourself among the sick, broken, and tormented that approach Jesus in the Gospels.)  In Deuteronomy, Moses is reminding the Israelites of all God has done. He commands them to be obedient and warns them of the consequences of disobedience. Then in 4:29, after the warnings he tells them… But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. 

If you think you have strayed too far, then this verse tells you, that your thoughts are wrong!  God is more interested in where we are going with Him spiritually, than where we have been.  He already knows, anyway!  (Also, see Luke 5:31-32)

Let our fasting begin so we are ready to bring Him glory… receive His blessings… and be a blessing to others.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.