Very few of us relish the prospect of denying ourselves food. This week however, you are invited to join a collective church family fast

God's power has clearly been at work in so many different ways at St Mary's and Sale West. We want to pray for breakthrough for the Lord's leading on building plans for our worship and meeting space , most especially so that we can fulfil His wonderful and great commission; to equip the church, extend the Kingdom and tell others who Jesus is and what He can do for us and through us.

Everyone who is part of St Mary's and Sale West church family is here because of the sacrificial giving and prayers of others, without which we would not have the resources or people to extend God's kingdom and make this a place of peace and healing for others.

The bible records many stories of God's people and even Jesus Himself fasting and praying with specific requests in mind (Luke 4:4ff, Dan 10:3, Esther 4:16, Acts 9:9, 2 Cor 11:27).

Their compassion was so great and their faith in God so secure that they believed that fasting and prayer would change something in the unseen, heavenly realm, bringing about changed attitudes and hearts upon God's people. The bible gives powerful testimony to the effects that fasting and prayer has had upon churches, communities and nations.

Would you be willing to join the fast? Does your heart burn to see God achieve more and more in our churches and communities?

If so the please take note of these practical suggestions for the fast:

• No solid food.
• Drinking liquids are essential - water, tea, coffee, juice, smoothies
• Focus and motive to be upon breakthrough for building plans and worship and meeting space
• Reflect regularly about what it means to surrender your life to God
• Use hunger pangs to turn immediately to God in prayer. Resist focussing upon self and how well you're doing.
• Keep away from the weighing scales!
• Take note of personal integrity (fasting has a way of exposing unGodly attitudes like no other spiritual discipline).
• Expect to be tired. Resist the temptation to believe you need food, the body has been conditioned to expect food at certain times but can cope well without food for at least 40 days !
• Do not fast if you are elderly, pregnant, diabetic or have heart problems
• Consider fasting from something you enjoy such as TV, your favourite magazine, special coffee etc and use the time to pray.

And finally……………
Are six days of fasting and prayer too much? If so you could ….

• Change your diet by cutting out snacks, sweets, meat and sweet drinks for the duration
• Cut out 1 or 2 meals each day
• Fast for 24 hours

The fast will end, marking our annual thanksgiving weekend: a thanksgiving celebration (including Jon and Ella's leaving party) on Sat 16th May. 4pm church plus Thanksgiving Sunday 17th May.
 

"it was not merely by the light of reason that the people of God have been, in all ages, directed to use fasting as a means. They have been taught it of God Himself, by clear and open revelation of His Will….. Whatever reasons there were to quicken those of old, in the zealous and constant discharge of this duty, they are of equal force still to quicken us".
Wesley