Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” 2 Chron 20:3-4
Its just fun to post a verse from not only the Old Testament but 2 Chronicles. Let me set the tone for ya, Jehoshaphat and his army are being attacked by three other armies. With the reality of defeat and not knowing what to do he proclaims that ALL of Judah enter a time of fasting. As scripture says they gathered together to seek help and direction from God.
About ten verses later the spirit of the Lord shows up in response to their nationwide fast God fights the battle and the spoil (reward, booty arrrg!) is so great that it takes three days to collect it all.
What an awesome story. Fasting has been something near and dear to my heart and mind for about a month now. I just felt a strong sense that I needed to fast for the men of CCF and the fall semester. Next thing you know I’m fasting for ya’ll every monday. Then Daniel (the jester) shared about fasting. Then all the sudden Crossbridge talks about challenging everyone to fast. To put the icing on the cake about 10 students are starting a 40 days fast (40 DAYS!!) on monday for ccf, and the campus. In particular part of the three main points of the fast are the men of CCF. How awesome is that?!?!?! These men and women are giving up meat, pastas, junk food, television, and some internet to focus on praying for FSU and each of you. This means two things for us.
First off, WOW!! How awesome (i know i already said it but its worth repeating)? Just think what God can do through these ten people give up a lot of comfort and desire as they pray for each of you by name. The fall is gonna be “off the chain!” Yes, I just said “off the chain.” I have no other words for it. I have never seen a group of people so eager to see God move.
The second part is our involvement. When I first heard this, I thought “wow,” then “I could never do that,” then “more power to them.” What a bunch of lies. The only truth there is I could never do that and isn’t that the point? Only God could do this. Part of the fast in praying for CCF is that we would begin to live our lives in such a way that only God could do it. Only by God’s strength. TOTAL DEPENDENCE on God! Radical I know. I’m not sure where my role is yet. I’m still praying about fasting and what it would like for me. I am asking you to join me in praying about your role in the next 40 days. It may be that you don’t fast at all, it may be you join with these 10, it may be you give up t.v., AIM, or facebook. Either way this is exciting stuff. God is doing something. Be in prayer about how you can join God in what He is doing.
” if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Chron 7:14
Praying for ya!
Michael
