13-15 sep 2017
types of fasts Regular Fast Traditionally, a regular fast means refraining from eating all food. Most people still drink water or juice during a regular fast. When Jesus fasted in the desert, the Bible says, After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. This verse does not mention Jesus being thirsty. Partial Fast This type of fast generally refers to omitting a specific meal from your diet or refraining from certain types of foods. Daniel 10:2-3 says, At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. In Daniel 1:12, they restricted their diet to vegetables and water. A partial fast can also mean you select to do any type of fast from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun up to sun down. Full Fast These fasts are complete - no food and no drink. Acts 9:9 describes when Paul went on a full fast for three days following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus: For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. Esther also called for this type of fast in Esther 4:15-16: Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. It is recommended that this type of fast be done with extreme caution and not for extended periods of time.
day 1 The cause of the needy and the poor He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. Prov 22:9 Throughout God s law which are His nature-revealing instructions for holy living we see the care, provision and redemption of the poor and the marginalized highlighted. God s command for His people is to treat the marginalized fairly, to make provisions for them, and allow them to be released every Year of Jubilee. He also commanded His people to give generously, not begrudgingly. The New Testament continued to echo God s heart in this social concern. Pray for believers to stand and to plead the cause of the poor and needy. May we be the voice in the society to bring about awareness to groups that are marginalized. Pray for the government that their hearts will care for the poor and implement policies that provide for them. God has blessed Singapore with abundance, and as a nation we shall be generous to those in need in Singapore and in our neighbouring nations. As the nation goes to vote for the next President, pray that the new President is one who looks out for the marginalized communities. VERSES TO PLEAD THE CAUSE OF THE POOR AND NEEDY Psa 12:5; 40:17; Prov 14:31; 31:9; Isa 41:17; 61:1; Jer 22:6; Luke 6:20
day 2 The cries of the persecuted church In Africa, North Korea, China, India, the Philippines, and other nations, Christians face worship restrictions, public humiliation, and social isolation. Many encounter violence; some face death. Church buildings are burned and vandalized. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Cor 12:26 Pray for God s presence to strengthen and comfort those who are going through suffering for His name. Ask God for protection and to comfort the family members of those persecuted. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deut 31:6 Pray for the church to stand in the gap to bring deliverance to those who are held captive in some countries. May the church be mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted for their faith. Strengthen the hands of the Christian communities who are being persecuted with your prayers. May they be inspired by the faith they see in their fellow believers and be emboldened to speak the Word of God fearlessly. VERSES TO PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH Matt 28:20; Rom 5:3; 8:17-18; 2 Cor 1:5-11; Heb 13:3; Philp 1:12-14
day 3 The existential threats against Israel Israel is surrounded by adversaries who want its annihilation but God will save His people. Currently, potentially the most volatile area is at the Syrian-Israel border in the north where Iran and its proxy terror groups are gaining control. Any cross-border fire may spark a war. Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons or already has them to wipe Israel off the map. Hezbollah at the Lebanon-Israel border has more than 160,000 missiles, terror tunnels and arms factories. Hamas at the Gaza Strip fires rockets into Southern Israel and has at least 15 cross-border terror tunnels for surprise attacks on innocent Israeli victims. Within Israel, its people face random violent demonstrations and stabbing, shooting and car-ramming by Palestinian 'lone wolves'. Pray for Israel to return to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, their deliverer, and to trust in Him for their survival rather than their intelligence or military prowess. Pray for protection for Israel, for angelic hosts to encamp around the Land, a wall of fire around its borders so that no weapon formed against Israel will succeed and every strategy of their enemies will fail. Pray constantly for Israel Defense Forces, intelligence and security agencies to be vigilant and victorious. VERSES TO PRAY FOR ISRAEL'S SECURITY Psa 31:35-37; 83; 121; Prov 21:29-30; Isa 8:9-10; 54:10,13; Jer 15: 20-21; Zec 2:5