SOLEMN CMC 8-14 JULY

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1 SOLEMN CMC 8-14 JULY

2 SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2018 Prayer & Fasting Guide 2018 is a very significant year for the Singapore Church as it marks the 40th anniversary of Billy Graham s prophecy regarding Singapore as the Antioch of Asia. Where are we in terms of fulfilling this call? What are we willing to do to fulfil it? In this critical juncture in the history of the Singapore Church, there is a need to unite in prayer and fasting. Together with LoveSingapore s annual 40.Day prayer will be 40 days of Solemn Assemblies a prayer and fasting initiative for the Body of Christ in Singapore. During this time, Christians all over Singapore are invited to gather to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting. The meetings will be held simultaneously in the evening from 1 July to 7 August all across our city. CMC has been invited to be one of the Host churches in the East region for a week. We believe that this is more than just an event - it can set the momentum to shift the prayer atmosphere in CMC even as we seek to go deeper. We encourage every one of you to join us, here are the details: Dates: 8 to 14 July Time: 8:00PM 10:00PM Venue: Christ Methodist Church, Sanctuary (Level 2) *Additional parking will be available at St. Patrick s School. Let s journey together to fast and pray as a church family. This guide consists of fasting and prayer pointers to help you during this time. 2

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4 SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2018 Fasting Corporately In Derek Prince s book Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting, he teaches that, through united and collective prayer and fasting when we drop our denominational labels, racial barriers, and gender bias God turns the tide of history. He did it with Esther s fast. He did it in Nineveh. He did it in Joel. And He did it in Acts 13, when the leaders of the Antioch Church ministered to the Lord in corporate fasting. We believe that congregations will receive the reward of fasting when they corporately fast. It seems inevitable that whenever we corporately fast, we begin to see corporate breakthroughs. Healings and deliverances take place. Fasting is God s ordained means for unprecedented breakthroughs. 4

5 SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2018 What is a Fast? We fast and pray in order to humble ourselves and purify our worship. In fasting we are not trying to get something from God. Rather, we are seeking to realign our hearts affections with His. We do holy violence to the pleasures which wage war against the soul, opening the way for a greater submission to the Holy Spirit. In short, fasting enables us to cleanse the sanctuary of our hearts. Based on biblical truth and historical pattern, when we humble ourselves in prayer and fasting to cry out to God, He responds! This is our great hope. We have a God who sees, hears, and responds to the humble, intimate, beseeching-in-brokenness prayer of His people. 5

6 SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2018 Preparing to Fast Determine the length and type of fast before you start. There are many different kinds of fasts. It s wise to seek medical advice before committing to fast. A TOTAL FAST like Esther is without water. This is extremely hard on the body. Do not go beyond three days. A WATER-ONLY FAST like Jesus is very challenging but a deeply worthwhile spiritual experience. Many people can endure 40 days on water alone, though this is subject to one s weight and metabolism. A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE JUICE FAST is most common. You fast from solids. You consume only fruit or vegetable juice which gives you enough energy to function quite as normal. A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE FAST like Daniel. You consume only fruit or vegetables. Most people can endure this type of fast for more than 40 days. Other fasts to consider include having just one meal a day. Or it could be fasting from social media, TV, movies or entertainment. Any of these options are good. Be decisive so that when you are tested you will be able to carry on your fast with great resolve. 6

7 HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF: Two days before your fast, limit your intake of food to fruit and vegetables. Fruit is a natural cleanser and easy to digest. Stop drinking coffee. Prepare yourself for mental irritations such as impatience, crankiness and anxiety. Expect physical discomforts. You may experience dizziness, headaches, and different kinds of pain. The headaches are not necessarily a sign to stop fasting. Your body is working to cleanse itself of impurities. PREPARE FOR OPPOSITION: Satan tempted Jesus during his fast. We must expect the same. One the first day of your fast, you can bet donuts will somehow show up somewhere. Your spouse (or mom) will suddenly be inspired to cook your favourite meals. Take this as an encouragement from God to press ahead. Many times you may feel increased emotional tension at home. Discouragement may come in like a flood. Don t despair. Recognize the source and take your stand from a position of victory in Christ. 7

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9 Common Prayer Agenda For Host Churches AS YOU FAST, KEEP THESE 4 AGENDAS COVERED IN PRAYER 9

10 1 RETURN TO GOD IN REPENTANCE FOR PERSONAL, CORPORATE, AND NATIONAL SINS PERSONAL: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR YOURSELF Loss of First Love: replacing God with the fleeting things of this earth Self-sufficiency: Less dependence on God, desire to take control CORPORATE: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR THE CHURCH Lack of Passion for God Lack of Brotherly Love for One Another Lack of Passion for the Lost NATIONAL: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR THE NATION Greed (fear of lack) Immorality (lust and shameless filth) Injustice (looking down on and exploiting others) Ingratitude (withholding our praises to God) Inattentiveness (to nurturing moral & ethical values in the next generation) Pride (causing us to be demanding) Comfort (Reluctance to step out of comfort zone to bless others) 10

11 2 CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS PERSONAL: PRAY THAT YOU WOULD Know and love God wholeheartedly. Jesus be at the centre of choices and life. Trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him, forsaking the fear of the future, of man, of lack, of shame, and of guilt. Turn your eyes from worthless things pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace and holiness. Be salt and the light in every area of influence, always ready to share the Gospel. CORPORATE: PRAY THAT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH AND DENOMINATION WOULD Consecrate our thoughts and speech to edify and encourage, rather than to slander, sarcasm, gossip and grumbling. Steward our money, time and spiritual gifts for the Kingdom of God generously. Become a people of the Word: by teaching, training, learning and applying truth. Cultivate a Kingdom mindset of selfless concern for the welfare of others. NATIONAL: PRAY THAT THE CHURCH IN SINGAPORE WOULD Renounce the consumeristic mindset. Act compassionately on behalf of poor, marginalised, abused, abandoned, lost. Go into all the world to preach the Good News. Do whatever it takes to be the Antioch of Asia, and birth other regional Antiochs for the extension of God s Kingdom. Pursue holiness & differentiate ourselves as Christians. 11

12 3 CRY OUT TO GOD TO BRING SALVATION TO THE 80% UNSAVED IN OUR LAND PERSONAL: PRAY THAT AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS, YOU WOULD Embrace the vision Prayer/Evangelism in the Year of Prayer (2018) & the Year of Proclamation (2019) Have compassion for the lost. Be gripped by the reality of judgement & hell. Be bold in witness! CORPORATE: PRAY FOR THE CHURCH TO Envision the harvest and be equipped. Establish an outward looking, seeker-friendly Church Culture. Restore the backslidden. Focus on prayer-evangelism. (personal, family, corporate and city prayer altars) Strategise & mobilise the people. NATIONAL Government Leaders - Political stability, and Racial and Religious Harmony. A Historic Awakening in Singapore the Lion City and Antioch of Asia. God will be at work in manifest power to do the unusual, the unpredictable, the unprecedented and the unstoppable! A Change in the Spiritual Climate. Anointed Evangelism. (personal, prayer, power & proclamation evangelism) 12

13 4 SET APART THIS GENERATION, THE NEXT GENERATION, AND EVERY GENERATION TO FULFILL SINGAPORE S DESTINY AS THE ANTIOCH OF ASIA PERSONAL Take time to thank God for Singapore. CORPORATE: PRAY THAT EVERY GENERATION WOULD Embrace Singapore s destiny as Antioch of Asia and own the call. Carry the Father s compassion for the lost. Be released by their parents and churches for God s calling and destiny. Be endowed with divine giftings, skills and talents, such that their gifts and talents are harnessed. NATIONAL: PRAY THAT THE CHURCH IN SINGAPORE WOULD Identify and adopt specific mission fields and opportunities. Foster excellent communications and collaboration, networking and support. Execute programmes and follow-up new believers effectively. Receive adequate financial support and spiritual covering. Train the locals well to reach their own people. 13

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