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FASTING & PRAYER

During times of great distress, the consistent biblical posture and practice is one of prayer and fasting. Notice, in Psalm 107, the response of the people was to “cry out to the Lord.” Jesus himself expected fasting to be a normal part of the Christian life. Notice the “when,” not “if” in Matthew 6:16: “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward…”

Fasting, among other things, is a declaration that there is more to life than even the basic necessities of food (When Satan tempted Jesus in the midst of his 40 day fast, Jesus responded by saying “People shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God!”). In times of great need, we fast from food (or, for various health concerns, other things deeply important to us that we feel the loss of when we don’t partake) in order to tangibly feel and declare our absolute dependence on God. Rather than this being a passive time in need, it is active in prayer, crying out to the Lord with all our supplications for ourselves, our family, our neighbors, our city, our nation, our leaders, our church, our world. In the bible there is both public and private fasting. There is full and long fasting (fasting from food and water for many days) and partial fasting (fasting from only food for a limited time).

In light of this, the Session of New City is calling a time of fasting and prayer for our New City flock to participate in together during the same period of time. This is a time of trouble for many, not simply because of the potential to become sick from this virus, but because of the devastating implications for many people financially, relationally, vocationally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

The Session invites and encourages ever member to join in fasting and prayer following lunch this coming Saturday, March 21st (1:30pm start) until we break the fast at lunch after worship on Sunday March 22nd. A prayer guide will be provided. You can decide for yourself how you will break your fast in joyful fashion as we arise from our time of crying out to the Lord.

A Prayer Guide For New City’s Day of Fasting and Prayer

PRAYERS OF CONFESSION & REPENTANCE

Humble yourself and honestly confess the ways in which you have :

  • Forsaken God as your spring of living water and have dug broken cisterns from the things of this world to satisfy you (Jeremiah 2)

  • Allowed fear and anxiety to reign in your life

  • Participated in the idols of our surrounding communities, nation and world

  • Taken a greater interest in the kingdom of this world instead of God’s Kingdom

PRAYERS OF HEALING, PROVISION, AND PROTECTION

Humble yourself and boldly pray for:

  • Healing for those who have been infected by COVID-19

  • Healing for those suffering sickness or pain from other viruses, diseases or bodily brokenness.

  • Provision and care for those who find themselves afraid, anxious, insecure and struggling either vocationally, relationally, emotionally, mentally and spiritually during this unprecedented time of social distancing and isolation.

  • Protection for “first-responders” and those who serve on the front lines during this COVID-19 season (law-enforcement, medical professionals and personnel, local and national governing authorities and public servants who must make wise but difficult decisions)

PRAYERS FOR THE KINGDOM

  • Pray that God will bring a wave of people in our city and nation to repentance and faith in Christ and for God to cause his Word to go forth in power through his church, bearing much fruit.

  • Pray for churches all around us and our country to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, in reverence and awe, as a result of this repentance and fresh awakening to the gospel of God’s grace.

  • Pray for New City members to gain greater motivation and perspective of their mission in and through their vocational callings.

PRAYERS FOR A PRAYER WALK (If you are able)

  • Praise God for his beauty and glory as it is seen in creation; praise him for the ways he has provided for you; praise him for his goodness toward you.

  • Praise God the Holy Spirit for dwelling in you and the spiritual
    vitality, passion, and transformation he brings in your life and in the lives of your family and your New City family.

  • Pray for God to prepare us for our transition to our new building; to provide for all of our needs; and to guard us in the midst of fierce spiritual warfare.

  • Pray for truth (from the bible) and unity (in relationships) to abound at New City, in Detroit area churches and for the church in every nation.

  • Pray for young children, the elderly and those who are higher risk due to various health issues in our church, families, neighborhoods and social networks to be free from infection from COVID-19.

  • Pray for spiritual awakening and gospel ignited renewal throughout the Detroit region.

THE BEATITUDES

Spend time meditating and praying through the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Spend time meditating and praying through the prayer Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:9–13

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.