A Day of Prayer and Fasting: Saturday, April 11
Dear congregation,
The elders invite and encourage you to join us in a time of prayer and fasting this coming Saturday. God’s people have always set aside special times for prayer and fasting (e.g., Daniel 9:3; Esther 4:16; Acts 13:3). Even though the practice is somewhat forgotten in today’s world, it is entirely appropriate for Christians to still observe seasons of fasting to seek God’s will and grow in dependence on Him (Mark 2:20) Likewise, the Westminster Directory of Public Worship, as well as our denomination’s own directory for worship, encourages us that “congregations may keep days of fasting, as a divine providence shall administer unto them special occasion; and also that families may do the same.”
Divine providence has brought such a special occasion upon us. The worldwide pandemic has instilled fear in most of the world, and yet as believers we have hope: we have the ear of the great Sovereign who can in His good pleasure put an end to our crisis. So let’s call upon this God, for the sake of the world, our communities, and the church, and plead His mercy.
We believe this Easter weekend lends itself to be an appropriate time to engage in such a practice. Let’s allow the sober reality of Christ’s death on the cross on Good Friday lead us into a time of fasting. A joint Good Friday service will be made available for you and your families to watch at home at 7PM. Our suggestion would be to begin the fast after you watch the brief service on Friday night and break the fast Saturday evening—some families may determine to break it earlier, just as others may wish to extend until Easter Sunday morning.
The fast should be punctuated with concerted times of prayer. Pastor Markus and I put together a prayer guide to help you to this end, with instructions and helps for four times of prayer: Friday evening and Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening. Each time of prayer will have a particular focus, such as confession of sin, petitions for the world, and so on. Do utilize this resource, perhaps print it out now and keep it at hand for Friday through Saturday, so that even while apart we can ensure our church family is united in the same petitions at the same time. Recognizing that fasting is not that familiar to many of us, I have written up brief explanations for both members and children which you access below.
Our church’s day of prayer and fasting will officially conclude on Easter Sunday—a morning that can be met with nothing other than celebration and feasting, for our Savior has defeated death and has guaranteed our rescue from this troubled world.
For the session,
Pastor Cruse
Details and Resources
Download and/or print the prayer guide.
Read this brief explanation, The What and Why of Fasting by Pastor Cruse.
Parents, please read or provide this special note from me to your children about what fasting is and how they can participate at their age.
Aim for a 24-hour fast that begins Friday evening. You may choose to start your fast after dinner, or perhaps begin it at midnight. Do what works best for your particular situation.
Drink water to stay hydrated.
If you have health concerns or obligations otherwise, please maintain a healthy diet but join with the congregation in our designated times and themes of prayer.
Make this a personal time of spiritual growth between you and the Lord, not something to flaunt to others on social media or otherwise. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount: “when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:17, 18).
For more resources about fasting, consider reading this article at The Gospel Coalition, or this podcast with John Piper at Desiring God.