Given the reality of the funding issue we currently face to complete the works and remain in the building, the Elders are calling the church to a season of prayer and fasting.
Why fast?
Prayer and fasting is a discipline found in both the old and new testaments, and practiced by our Lord Jesus himself.
Fasting helps us realise clearly that while we are to pray for needs, we are not to worry about them (Matt. 6:25-34). Our goal is to seek God’s kingdom and to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Fasting helps us order our life priorities rightly. It is a powerful reminder: We do not live on bread alone. It also reminds us that every need we have is graciously supplied by our heavenly Father.
Second, fasting intensifies prayer. When we fast from food for a time, the body continually reminds us of that fact and helps keep us in focused on prayer. Repentance, mourning, struggling with doubt, making difficult decisions, seeking provision are all occasions when prayer and fasting work together, strengthen each other, concentrate our attention, and help us humble ourselves before God and look to him for guidance, wisdom, and – in our current situation – to provide the funding to complete the building works.
Ideas on how to implement this practice.
- Commit to 1 day a week to fast & intentionally pray through all the items listed below.
- Take a Lenten approach – give up something for 21 or 40 days – let desire turn to prayer (e.g. chocolate, coffee, a favourite TV program, watching sport)
- Food Fasting options
- Fast from a meal consistently in order to focus on prayer (e.g. Wed lunch, Mon breakfast)
- Fast for 24 hours (after dinner to next dinner), or 36 hours (the following morning)
- Connect via text with another who is fasting for encouragement and accountability
- Daily/weekly prayer commitment – commit to pray consistently at the same time daily for an item listed here.
- Prayer triads – get together consistently with 2 others for a focused time of prayer.
- Prayer meet-ups – host or attend an informal prayer gathering – watch the All Saints What’sApp social group for opportunities.
- Morning Zoom prayer – details coming soon
- Evening of Prayer – 11 June, 7:30pm – 9:30pm. Our next monthly prayer meeting will be a special service focused solely on humbly seeking and trusting God’s provision for the building.
Weekly Prayer Suggestions
Monday
God marked out the boundaries of their lands (Acts 17)
Thank God for placing this building in the centre of Wandsworth. Thank him for the wonderful opportunities it gives us (and others before us) to reach the community. Pray we’d continue to use it faithfully for his glory for many years.
Tuesday
I am amply supplied (Philippians 4)
Thank God for providing so much towards this project already: through an insurance claim, rainy day fund, legacies and grants. Ask for his help to see his generosity towards us, even as we depend on him for what we still lack.
Wednesday
To you the riches of the nations will come (Isaiah 60)
Thank God that all wealth ultimately comes from him. Pray for favour in the eyes of grant making trusts and wisdom for those applying. Pray especially for the National Churches Conservation Trust and Valencia Landfill Trust.
Thursday
In time their plenty will supply what you need (2 Corinthians 8)
Ask God to meet a good portion of our needs through the generosity of other churches. Pray especially for those within evangelical networks in London and elsewhere. Thank him for useful exploratory conversations.
Friday
Give what you have decided in your heart to give (2 Corinthians 9)
Pray that God may move in the hearts of our two congregations (and Christian friends known to us) to guide us towards giving if that is his will. Ask him to help us see the bigger picture and to discern his will for our churches.
Saturday
See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven (Malachi 3)
Pray for faith to keep praying and seeking God in this season. Ask that we’d grow in our dependence on him and be astounded by his answers. Pray he’d do more than we can imagine and not just enable us to complete the project.
Sunday
The secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4)
Pray we’d learn contentment through this difficult and uncertain season. Ask that we wouldn’t grumble, despair or grow bitter, but that God would purify us as his living temple and enable us to proclaim his gospel to Wandsworth.