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Dear Riverside Church:
As you know by now, we are going into a spiritual campaign on the subject of Heaven. I really believe this biblical study on what Eternity is going to look like will ignite your faith and walk with Jesus.
So in order for us to experience all that God intends for us through this campaign, we are inviting you to join us for a day of fasting and prayer. On Wednesday, February 2 we are asking that you fast and pray (during your meal times) as a way of consecrating yourself before the Lord. We will come together that night from 6:30pm-7:30pm for a time of corporate prayer and worship to finish the fast.
I’m sure a natural question is, “What is fasting?” It is a great spiritual discipline, but since there are so many misconceptions about it, I want to clarify what fasting—biblical fasting—is and is not. Fasting is not merely going without food for a period of time. That is dieting or starving, but not fasting. Fasting is not something that is only done by religious fanatics either.
Stated simply, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting has always been a normal part of a relationship with God. As expressed by the impassioned plea of David in Psalm 42, fasting brings one into a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord.
We see Jesus fasting and praying before and throughout His earthly ministry. And according to Luke 5, it’s the duty of every disciple to fast, because when you eliminate food from your diet for an entire day or a number of days, your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God.
I hope you will join us on Wednesday, February 2 for a Day of Fasting and Prayer, and then meet us that night from 6:30pm-7:30pm in the sanctuary as we end the fast together through prayer and worship.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Get filled up!
Bob Reed
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