Posted on 04/06/2020 2:44:58 PM PDT by OrangeHoof
Pastor Russell Schwarz of the Fellowship Bible Church in San Antonio, TX is calling for a day of fasting and prayer to combat the coronavirus and ask for the Lord's intervention in this world crisis.
Here is his email:
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IT IS TIME TO FAST AND PRAY!!
"'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." - Joel 2:12-13
I am calling on all to join me in a day of fasting and prayer for the protection of our country. I have decided to set aside one day, Friday -- Good Friday for a day of fasting and prayer. Would you join me, beginning at sundown on Thursday through sundown of Friday for a time of fasting and prayer?
Pray for 1) The protection of our church families from this virus; 2) The elderly among us for their safety; 3) Our national and state leadership for wisdom and guidance from above in determining what is best for our nation; 4) The safety of medical workers that are serving in high risk, front line positions; 5) The scientists that are attempting to find a solution for a treatment and a vaccination. There are many more requests that you can add for your prayer times.
If you are joining me, feel free to eat a meal Thursday before sunset. Spend Thursday night and Friday in prayer and fasting, and then enjoy a meal on Friday after sunset.
Blessings upon you all. May God save our land.
Pastor Russell
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I have fasted before, including last year. I take my meds (with water) and I’m normally hungry by the end of it but, otherwise, I’m fine.
The fasting is a show of sincerity before God. It isn’t a secret sauce to insure the prayer is answered the way we’d like. It’s the intent and the sincerity of the sacrifice that matters. I’ve fasted before when I really wanted God to demonstrate His will in difficult times. Asking a congregation to pray is to further emphasize the desire of His church for His intervention to take place or His will to be shone.
Believe it or not, this is far from the worst pandemic to hit mankind. But He has the ability to stop any disease in its tracks. Perhaps He will do that with this one. I would love to see it.
I’m a very healthy 56 year-old man. For prayerful purposes, someone suggested to me a vegetable and fruit fast for one day. By about 6:00 I felt like I either had to eat something or get to the emergency room. It truly was awful and I was a little aggravated that the person that suggested it didn’t prepare me better.
You just throw the suggestion to fast for one day and people think it might mean no food and you will definitely have people have some very bad experiences.
It’s also a way to focus on God instead of food for a period of time.
A fruit and vegetable fast is not a fast. You’re still eating. That’s like saying you’re celibate except for the sex you have with your wife.
I told you I felt like I needed to go to the emergency room after eating only fruits and vegetables. You reply that the solution is that I should have eaten nothing (let me guess, my faith was inadequate). Giant eye roll.
Do some biblical research on Daniel and fasting.
And then definitely do more research on being religious, legalistic and what turns people away from turning to Christ.
Well pray slow then...It's all good...
I already do that during lent.
What are you talking about. My response had nothing to do with faith. If a healthy adult has to go to the emergency room after not eating for 24 hours, then that person isn’t all that healthy
What are they going to do at the emergency room? Give you a sandwich?
My response had nothing to do with faith
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Your response showed ignorance as to different kinds of fasting and how even healthy adults potentially respond. it’s a simple point. People should just do a little research prior to fasting of any kind and be prepared as not everyone reacts the same way. If your body is screaming at you to feed it, then you need to feed it. God will inderstand.
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