Dear Church family,

We are offering a 3 day period of fasting and prayer, allowing you to engage in any way that God leads you. Jesus told the Pharisees and their scribes "the days will come, when the bridegroom [Jesus] is taken away from [His disciples], and then they will fast in those days." (Luke 5:35) We are in those days. Jesus expected us, His disciples, to fast and pray. Why? Because we need to know and love our Father and because we are in continuous invisible spiritual warfare. Fasting and prayer are necessary for us to know God as we ought and for us to contend with the spiritual forces of darkness arrayed against God's kingdom. Many of Jesus' disciples in other parts of our world today fast and pray a great amount. American Christians often fast/pray less than most other believers, but here is one opportunity for us to do this together.

We are taking January 2-4 as days of prayer and fasting, as God leads each of us. Some will fast and pray for three days, perhaps drinking water only. Others will fast and pray for a meal each day. The point is not 'what you don't eat/drink,' but rather it is to answer the question 'what will help you stringently focus your heart on seeking God over an extended period.' As you know, praying is not bribing God to do our will, it is seeking to have His will done on Earth as it is in Heaven. So, let God lead you about any fasting you might do, but please, at least, give these days to intensive praying. Here are some suggestions:

·        Pray for cleansing from our personal and national sins

·        Pray for direction from God for your and our many ministry opportunities

·        Pray for empowerment our each of our spiritual gifts

·        Pray for our church to know and fulfill the ministry purposes to which God is    calling us, both locally and internationally

·        Pray for your own needs and for your family's needs

Our schedule for hours available for groups to pray at the church are:

·        Friday, January 2:               7-9 am; 7-9 pm (both times in the sanctuary)

·        Saturday, January 3:           7-9 am; 7-9 pm (both times in the sanctuary)

·        Sunday, January 4:              7-9 am (in an adult classroom)

We will be praying for you, your family, our church, our nation, and our world during these days.

In Christ,

Your staff and elders