On Sunday, September 21, 2008 I asked my congregation to join me in prayer and fasting for forty days. My reason for this appeal was simple, I needed God's help in my life and ministry.
Allow me to give you some background. First of all I have not felt well physically. I had a triple heart bypass in April 2007 and for some reason I can't get back on "top of my game". (I have now been told I may have another heart blockage. This news comes from a stress test I took on October 13. I see my cardiologist on October 31.) Secondly I have been in limbo in regards to my vision for our congregation. When I first arrived at Meade Station we were able to purchase 43 acres of property across the street from our worship facilities. At the time many in our congregation felt the Lord had given us this property so we could relocate to more modern and friendly facilities. It seems however that all of our efforts have been blocked. My first thought was the devil was fighting us. But the more I prayed about it I began to see that it was not the devil standing in our way. Rather I came to the conclusion God was telling me now was not the right time to build. The recent downturn in our economy only reinforces my conclusion. I firmly believe the day will come when we can relocate into new facilities but now is not the time. Since this is where so much of my focus has been the past five years I had to wonder "what now Lord?"
It was at this point I knew I needed the help of my congregation. Thus on September 21 I asked the congregation to join me in forty days of prayer and fasting. My request was three fold. First I asked them to pray for my physical health. In conjunction with that I also asked them for help in shouldering the load of ministry our congregation demands. Finally I asked them to pray that God would give our congregation a united vision and sense of ministry.
So far the results have been tremendous. Thirteen people have come forward to help me with hospital visitation. Another eight people have felt a call to visit newcomers and prospective visitors. Three people have stepped up to help with children's church. Two additional people have agreed to help with our youth and one person has agreed to fill one of the biggest needs in our church. On top of all this we have had some outstanding services these past few weeks. People are visiting our altars and the Holy Spirit is moving in our services. Our fast will end on the last day of October. I am anxious to see what God has in store for us!
I have been very impressed by the number of people who accepted my challenge to fast and pray. The instructions were simple. I asked each person who could and would to fast one meal each day and to spend the time they normally would spend eating in prayer for the aforementioned concerns. The results so far have been wonderful and I believe the best is yet to come.
I am convinced God answers prayer and we are seeing Him do it again. Do you have a need in your life? I urge you to follow this same format and see if God will not move on your behalf.
Just something to think about.
Pastor Jordan
Monday, October 20, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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