In this issue September's theme: Labor and work - Illinois Great ...

September 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 15
FAQ’s about First Thursdays
What are we seeking?
We are seeking nothing less than clarity
from God about our mission and purpose,
power to live holy lives, opportunities
to testify to the Gospel of grace, to
share the love of Christ in tangible ways,
and the courage to invite persons to commit
their lives to Christ and become part
of Christ’s holy Church. (Cabinet Address,
2010 Annual Conference)
What is fasting?
Throughout Scripture fasting refers
to abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.
Its primary focus is upon God, and
only secondarily upon the food we forgo.
The normal means of fasting involved abstaining
from all food, solid or liquid, but
not water.
Why should one fast?
In Scripture, fasting has two primary
purposes: (1) personal or national repentance
for sin, and (2) to prepare oneself
inwardly for receiving the necessary
strength and grace to complete a mission
of faithful service in God’s name. Also,
fasting expresses a hunger for God, a desire
to deepen the spiritual life, an aid in
personal and communal discernment, and
a way to strengthen the connection with
the Body of Christ. Group fasting can be
a wonderful and powerful thing provided
there is a prepared people who are of one
mind in these matters.
What is the connection between
prayer and fasting?
Fasting intensifies the focus of
prayer. Jesus told his disciples that
some spiritual accomplishments were
possible only by linking prayer with
fasting. For Wesley, fasting was a way
to deepen the experience of prayer.
What are some scriptural
references to fasting?
Exodus 24 and 34, 1 Kings 19, Matthew
4, Zech. 8:19, Luke 18:12, Matthew
6:16, Matthew 9:15, Luke 2:37, Isaiah
58, Esther 4:16, Daniel 10:3; Leviticus
223:27, Joel 2:15, 2 Chronicles 20:1-4,
Ezra 8:21-23.
I can’t fast from food.
Are there other ways to fast?
If you cannot fast from food, then fast
from:
u Constant media stimulation
u Packaged, processed foods
u Needless shopping and conspicuous
consumption
u Talking
u Judging others, and ourselves
u An over-packed schedule
I’m a beginner. How can I
“ease” my way into fasting?
For beginners, start with a partial fast: a
restriction of diet but not total abstinence.
Restrict your intake to fresh fruit juices.
Limit your fast to not more than 24 hours.
Juice fast recommendation: fresh fruit
and vegetable juices, herbal tea, vegetable
broth, frozen fruit popsicles. Drink at least
a gallon a day plus water. For this kind of
fast, acidic juices like orange, grapefruit,
and tomato may be too acidic and therefore
bother one’s digestive system.
Are there some helpful,
practical hints?
1 Prepare spiritually before fasting:
ask for God’s help. Remind yourself that
the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
and food is God’s gift.
2. Do not practice fasting if sick,
traveling, or under unusual stress.
3. If possible, reduce your normal activity
while fasting.
4. Avoid heavy physical labor.
5. During a normal fast (all food and
beverages) drink only water, but plenty of
it!
6. Check with your physician for
guidelines, especially if you are pregnant,
diabetic, on medication, have chronic disease,
unwell, or have an eating disorder.
7. Get extra rest the night before and
after.
8. The day before, refrain from caffeine,
sugar, red meat, poultry, nicotine
and alchol.
9. Decide who you will tell that you are
fasting (Matt. 6:16-18)
10. Fill the time you would be preparing
or eating food with prayer and meditation.
Sing hymns, take a prayer walk, search the
Scriptures.
11. Avoid television with all its tempting
food ads and distractions.
12. Avoid chewing gum or eating hard
candy because they release digestive enzymes
that can make you hungrier.
13. When breaking your fast, eat a small
healthy meal.
Is there a Wesleyan pattern for
prayer and fasting?
A day of fasting for John Wesley began
after the evening meal the day before his
fast day until the evening meal on the day
of his fast. During this time he did not take
solid food but fasted and focused much of
his time in prayer.
Who is invited to participate in
the “First Thursdays” prayer and
fasting?
Anyone seeking spiritual revival! All
United Methodists in the Illinois Great
Rivers Conference (140,000 strong!) are
invited to discover the spiritual power
in this regular discipline that Jesus commended,
the early church practiced, and
John Wesley followed for more than half
a century. All desiring to join the movement
of God’s Spirit in our area are invited.
All seeking to grow in love of God
and neighbor and deepen the spiritual life
in community with other United Methodist
Christians are invited. Pastors and local
churches are encouraged to invite entire
communities to join with us as we begin
this adventure with God!
Members of the Virden and Girard UMC’s assemble more than 200 goodie bags for
all the employees of the newly-formed North Mac District 34, which began its first
year of operation as a merged district Aug. 16. As a follow up of August’s “First
Thursday,” church members wanted to show their support for the newly formed
school and also tell the district employees they will be praying for them and the students
throughout the year. Each bag included an apple, small school supplies, sweet
treats and a card of encouragement.
Photo courtesy of Mary Alice Cunningham