Slideshow image

Read

Acts 13:1-3

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Think

Fasting means to stop eating food for a while. It could be for a day or it could be for a week or more. In the Bible fasting and praying often go together. When we fast, we are saying to God “I am hungrier for you and your purposes than I am for food”. When we fast, we are saying to our body, “No body, I don’t always obey you – you can wait – God is my number one”.

When the church in Antioch was fasting and praying the Holy Spirit gave a message that would change the course of history; “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul…..”. In obedience they sent them off and a history changing missionary endeavour began.

Our Christian culture knows little about fasting, but we need to rediscover it. The urgency of our time requires that we recover the disciplines of prayer and fasting for the spread of the message of Jesus. This message alone sets people free in the deepest way possible and brings peace to the world.

Ponder

  • Why do you think the Holy Spirit spoke while the believers were worshipping and fasting and not at another time?
  • Why do you think prayer and fasting often go together in the Bible?

Pray

Choose a day in this coming week to fast until your evening meal – just taking drinks. [Diabetics need medical advice before they fast]. Replace the time you would normally spend preparing and eating meals with prayer.

Prayer and Praise

Let all that I am praise the Lord O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honour and majesty,

Psalm 104:1 (NLT)

  • Lord, You are worthy of all praise and honor and we come to You with thankful hearts for all You have shown us of Yourself through Your lovely Son, Jesus.
  • Thank You, Father, for all that You are and all that You desire to be to us, Your children.
  • Lord, we bring to You those who are on our hearts right now
  • Our Ashmont team as they visit around the Ashmont community
  • Youth group and their leaders and kids church and those who teach them
  • We give You thanks for our pastors and ask that You bless and keep them close to You