You may be asking why we encourage an annual fast at our church. Our history is that we first started doing it 14 years ago. And for the last five years we have attempted to make our fast more focused on the work God would have us do as a church.

Throughout these past five years we have continued to focus our prayers on our church and its direction — on how to better do the work God has laid out for us.

We have had significant growth in outreach to the community and to God’s people. The miracle stories seem to happen at a dizzying pace. As we celebrate our 19th anniversary, as we celebrate our past and present, we will look to our future.

Now that this church is beginning its 20th year of ministry, the pastoral staff and I have been moved by God’s spirit to again call for a day of “Fasting and Prayer.” I pray that all of you consider joining with Vicar Alyce, Lance and me in this fast. I will be at the park on Saturday the 15th to pray and fast and offer support for any who would like to join me from 10am till 2:30pm.

It is only with your support that we have become a church that is affirming, inclusive and progressive in our ministry, and it is only with your help and prayer that it can continue. Please consider joining us — either in person with us in the park, or at a location of your choosing.

Here are the details of our time of prayer and fasting: I will lead us through the day; others are invited to help as well. If you have small children don’t let that stop you from participating, let us know you intend to be there and we will get child care for the main part of the fast and prayer on Saturday. If you have a signed “covenant” with the church I appeal to you to participate in this sacred and holy time of reflection and seeking God’s direction for this fellowship.

Church Fast
Individually we will be encouraging folks to focus on the question of “How do I experience freedom?” For instance:

How does this translate for you in the life of Gentle Spirit Christian Church? What freedoms have you experienced?
What can each of us do to support these freedoms through our vision and mission?
What do we need to do as individuals to continue to live as free and spiritual people?

Collectively we will be praying and seeking God’s guidance in the following area:

In times of searching we have examples in the Bible of others calling for prayer and fasting to set themselves aside for God and to determine God’s leading. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting and praying. Jesus set himself aside to better/more clearly hear God speak and direct Jesus in all that he needed to do. We are no different in this church. We need God’s direction and wisdom to clearly speak to us.

We are setting aside Easter weekend to put ourselves aside and concentrate on God, to allow God to speak with each of us and to all of us as a church. Our church will start our period of fasting and prayer at Good Friday services on April 14th at 7pm with First Christian Church of Decatur and end it at our Easter (Freedom Sunday) Sunrise Service at on April 16th at 7:06am in Candler Park, picnic Pavilion 2.

God Bless,
Pastor Paul