2010: A New Year - A New Hope - A New Beginning

Every year, during the first full week in January, our church holds a corporate fast. It is our week of Solemn Assembly, based on Joel 2:15: "Blow a trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly..." 

We do this as a way to begin our year in the presence of God, seeking Him for directions, breakthroughs, revelation, whatever we may be in need of. This is a time for us to really draw close to the heart of God and to really experience Him in the most intimate of ways. 

In His Word, the Lord speaks of fasting on many occasions, even giving instructions as to how we are to present ourselves as we go through the fasting process. He says that fasting and praying should be a regular part of the Believer's life and that some things only come by fasting and prayer. As a matter of fact, even when Christ lived among man, scripture says he fasted 40 days and 40 nights before he faced his adversary, the devil. 

Fasting is an act of humility and total dependence on God. It shows our deep yearning to see Him work in our lives, in whatever way we need at any given time. When we deny our bodies the very food they need in order to function, we say to God that He is so important in our lives, that we want His will so completely, that EVERYTHING else is secondary to being more intimately connected with Him. We are putting aside our need, in order to honor His desire that we abide in Him and allow Him to be our everything. 

Won't you join us this year? 

Our fast will begin Sunday, January3rd, 2010 and will end at Midnight, Friday January 8, 2010. We are asked to fast at least one meal per day - typically the evening meal, and to forgo entertainment television (news, weather, etc, would be considered exempt from this). The time we would normally spend engaged in these activities should be spent in prayer/meditation/study of God's word, the goal is that the time we spend doing these things is focused totally on drawing closer to God. Don't worry that it has to be done exactly as our body does it. This is between you and God. Do as He leads you. For some, He will require more. Some less. Some different times, some not at all. And that's ok. What matters is that you seek Him in earnest, with a sincere heart. 

Each day there will be a different area of focus. I will do a short post detailing the days focus and anything the Holy Spirit leads me to share. You are encouraged to journal and to comment. Share your experiences and the things the Lord might share that would be beneficial to those on the journey with us. 

Happy New Year and I will meet you here in a day or two. Get ready! 

Rosheeda Lee