Churchwide Prayer & Fasting

File under: Events

Dunbar Heights Baptist Church Fast
August 19th & 26th | September 2nd & 9th
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Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

When God sees this confession of need and this expression of trust, he acts, because the glory of his all-suffcient grace is at stake. The final answer is that God rewards fasting because fasting expresses the cry of the heart that nothing on the earth can satisfy our souls besides God. God must reward this cry because God is most glorified in us when we are most satised in him. – John Piper
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How are we fasting? For 4 weeks in a row, we will fast from breakfast and lunch on Thursdays, and instead take the time to read scripture and pray for our church and community. We are earnestly seeking God that DHBC may be a disciple-making church.

August 19th: Fasting in Repentance

The focus of this day is acknowledging that as individuals and as a church that we have not lived up to God’s standard. We confess our sin, and repent, seeking to remove these sins and transgressions from our lives.

1. Fast in personal repentance:

  • Read: Psalm 51
  • Confess our sins before God.
  • Ask him for a broken and contrite heart for our sins, that we may truly repent.
  • Acknowledge that Jesus is our only hope, and thank him!

2. Fast in corporate repentance:

  • Read: Daniel 9:1-19
  • Much like Jerusalem in Daniel’s day, the western church in our day is shameful. Pray that God will restore our churches for His name’s sake; for His glory.

August 26th: Fasting for Obedience and Outreach

Repentance for our past failures leads us naturally to obedience. Our focus this day is that God will aid us as we strive to obey Him.

1. Fast for our personal witnessing:

  • Read: Acts 4:23-31
  • Pray that God will enable us to be bold witnesses, filled with the Holy Spirit.
  • Pray for God’s mighty works amongst us.
  • Pray that God’s name will be hallowed.
  • Specifically, pray for the non-beleivers we know.

2. Fast for our missions and outreaches:

  • Read: Isaiah 58
  • Pray that our church hungers to obey God by fighting against the oppression in the world.
  • Pray with longing for the wonderful promises in the second half of Isaiah 58.
  • Specifically, pray for our church missionaries/missions: Cardonas (in Columbia), Ruth Charter, Ele Lambie, Camp Qwanoes

September 2nd: Fasting for God’s Leadership

The church is Jesus’ bride; it belongs to Him. We want to ask for his leadership and power amongst us.

1. Fast for God’s Power:

  • Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18 – 2:5
  • Pray that our church is led by God’s power rather than our wisdom.
  • Acknowledge that we need God, and it is his work not ours!
  • Yet, just as Paul went to the Corinthians trusting that God would be with him, we also act in trust.

2. Fast for God’s Direction:

  • Read: Acts 13:1-4
  • Consider the amazing outcome of Paul and Barnabas’ missionary journey: God directed this while they fasted!
  • Ask God to direct our church amazingly, that we might reach those around us.
  • There are endless godly causes we could devote ourselves to; ask God to lead us to those godly causes which are to be ‘our’ godly causes.

September 9th: Fast with Radical Prayers!

We serve a mighty God! Don’t hesitate to bring big requests before Him. They may be impossible for us, but not for our God!

1. Fast for the needs around us:

  • Read: John 14:10-14
  • Offer big prayers to God for our city: for the homeless and needy, for a revival, for healing, for salvation of the lost.
  • Specifically, for our friends and family who aren’t saved.

2. Fast that we may be a bright light for God:

  • Read: 1 Thessalonians 1
  • Offer big prayers to God for our church. That we may be: 1) a model church known for our faith in God alone, 2) filled with the fruit of the Spirit, and 3) a church where disciples are made.
  • Pray that God’s message will ring out from us!
  • Specifically, for our kickoff Sunday and weeks to follow that many non-believers will come and be saved!