Installation, Prayer, and Fasting
This Sunday. This Sunday will be my first Sunday with you as Lead Pastor! To mark the occasion, we will have two services only, at 9:40 and 11:00 a.m. All of our next-generation ministries will meet, and kids and students will move into their new grade level. Bible studies will also meet in normal patterns.
So why have an installation service? In the Bible, when Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel, he was publicly commissioned two times. The first was when he was acknowledged as the successor in Numbers 27. The second, in Deuteronomy 31, was when the time of transition had come, and he was to step into the leadership role.
We are following that pattern. Our church family formally acknowledged me as the next Lead Pastor on March 10. Now that the time of transition has come and I am beginning my tenure as Lead Pastor, we will have a second public commissioning, known as an installation service, this Sunday. One of my mentors in ministry, Adam Robinson, who is a pastor in the Birmingham area, will deliver a brief biblical charge to me as the new pastor. Dr. McCoy will then lead in a time of praying for me. Then, I will have an opportunity to say a few words to our church family and lead in a time of prayer.
I can’t wait to you see on Sunday!
20 Days of Prayer and Fasting. The Bible says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1). Similarly, Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). As we move into a new season and dream about the days ahead, it’s important that we acknowledge our complete dependence on the Lord, asking for his favor in order that we might accomplish all that he wants us to do.
To that end, we will have a church-wide season of prayer and fasting August 12-31. Anyone who currently receives our weekly e-newsletter will receive a daily email from me which will include the prayer topic for each day. Those who do not receive our e-newsletter can sign up to receive the daily email by texting the word PRAY to 22828.
Why Fast? The Lord assumed that we would fast. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, “When you fast…” Our Lord indicates that fasting is a good practice that will be part of life for his followers. It is a way of saying, “There is something more important in life than food. I need food, but I need the Lord even more.” That is why fasting includes focused prayer, often for a specific need.
As our church fasts and prays this month, we are acknowledging our need for the Lord going into this next season. We are dependent upon him, even more than our physical bodies are dependent upon food. And because of our need, we are asking him for his grace in the days ahead. As great things continue to happen, we will rejoice and give him all the credit and all the glory.
How to Fast
F – Focus on God. Fasting is between you and God. We don’t fast so that others think we are spiritual but so that we can focus our hearts and minds on God.
A – Abstain from Something. You may choose to abstain from a single meal or to not eat for an entire day. You may also choose to abstain from certain foods for a period of time. You can choose what to abstain from and for how long based on your individual situation. Consider contacting your healthcare provider if you have a condition or take medication that could be affected by fasting. If your situation does not allow you to abstain from food, you may abstain from something else you typically consume, such as social media or television.
S – Substitute Prayer. Fasting is not just about not eating. Rather, as we abstain from a physical need (food), it encourages us to focus more on our spiritual need. Fasting, then, is meant to be an occasion for concentrated prayer, typically related to a specific need.
T – Taste the Lord’s Goodness. Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” As you abstain from food and spend additional time in prayer, plan to experience the Lord’s goodness and provision. As good as food is, He is better!
Given the private nature of fasting (Matthew 6:18) as well as the various types of fasts, we will not coordinate our fasting or talk much about it publicly. But we will know that there is a lot of prayers and fasting taking place throughout our church body. And more importantly, the Lord will know.
What to Pray
We will have a specific prayer topic each day. You can pray alone, with friends, or with your group/class. Prayer topics can be found in the worship folder each Sunday, and in the daily email from me.\
With the affection of Christ,
