Prayer and Fasting 2024
PURPOSE________________________
When I met with the Board in October we talked about planning a time of fasting and praying in the new year. I had picked the dates of Jan 7-14. Shortly after, the FMCiC denomination also chose this as a time of prayer and fasting. The denomination’s theme is centered around Psalm 51. I thought it would be fitting to combine these two times of prayer, for us and for the wider movement of God across Canada through the FMCiC.
In my prayer retreat in September God was speaking to me about this time of prayer. He took me to Matt 28 and Acts 1. At the end of Matthew 28 Jesus gives his disciples the mission, go and make disciples. However, before they were released to go they were also told to wait.
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)
Jesus knew that if they were to try and go out on their own strength they would not succeed. Waiting for the Holy Spirit was vital to their mission of going.
We are going to spend some time as a church waiting before we go into the next season. We are planning to hire a new full time associate, we want to grow in our small groups and connection, we want to deepen our desire for the Lord, see new people come to faith and to God move in might and power in our midst. For this reason we are going to start 2024 by waiting on the Holy Spirit.
At Chapel Ridge we believe that God still speaks to people. Some people hear the Lord speak through visions, and dreams. Others, through word pictures or general senses about something. Throughout this week, I am asking that you all seek the Lord on behalf of Chapel Ridge and write down in a journal any words that God shares with you. I ask that you humbly submit these words to myself (lukehaggett@gmail.com), and I will review them with the board and staff. We are going to discern together the themes that emerge. Also if you don’t like writing those down, please come to the Sunday night event Jan 7 and you can share publicly any words God is bringing to your mind.
What do I fast and when?
I am going to leave what to fast up to individuals to choose. What I would say is that it should be something significant that will draw your attention towards God. Pastor Ken wrote an excellent letter about fasting for the denomination’s week of prayer that will help you think through further the topic of fasting. WHY BOTHER FASTING – By Pastor Ken
EVENTS_____________________
Sunday Jan 7: 6pm – 7pm – Join Pastor Ken In the Kids Wing to log onto a cross canada prayer call with Bishop Cliff
Sunday Jan 7: 7pm – 8pm – Corporate Listening Prayer – Sanctuary
Tuesday Jan 9: 6:30pm – 8pm – ZOOM Meeting ID: 83183441281 Password: 810463
Wed Jan 10: 6:00-7:00am ZOOM Meeting ID: 589 916 116 Password: 011576
Wed Jan 10: 12pm – 4pm the church will be open for people to come in and pray in the sanctuary.
Friday Jan 12: 8am – 12pm the church will be open for people to come in and pray in the sanctuary.
Sunday Jan 14 10am: Close Fast in Morning Service
Daily Devotionals From FMCIC Week of Prayer Jan 7 – 13
- Monday: Pastor Ron Bartolo – verses 1-2 “Have Mercy on Me”
- Tuesday: Elizabeth Gunter – verses 3-6 “Nature, Nurture, or New Birth”
- Wednesday: Pastor Linda Dixon – verses 7-8 “cleansing”
- Thursday: Pastor Ken Roth – verses 10-11 “100% Pure”
- Friday: Pastor Bernie McGale – verses 12-15 “Joyful and Willing”
- Saturday: Pastor Andrew Dexter – verses 16-19 “Right sacrifice”
Mon – Saturday Noon Hour Cross Canada Prayer at 12pm EDT
Meeting ID: 885 3284 1873
Passcode: 105833