Will Christians fast? What about praying and fasting for "revival"?

When Jesus was asked why His disciples don’t fast, he replied, “But the days will come; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast in those days.” (Luke 5:35).

The early church fasted - we know that Wednesdays and Fridays were days that the church fasted from the 2nd century. And an annual season of fasting (known today as Lent) took place leading up to the celebration of Pascha (Greek for Passover, better known today as Easter). Eventually, other seasons of fasting were also adopted - like during Advent leading up to the celebration of Christ's birth. 

Today very few Christians fast at all. The Lenten fast for many churches who still observe it amounts to giving something up, or not eating a certain type of food. That might be good, but it is not fasting. A devoted group of intercessors led by Lou Engle has just begun a season of fasting called The Jesus Fast. Many of them will be genuinely fasting for the next 40 days. Interestingly, they began it today which is the 1st day of Lent as well. 

Reports of revival are in the air. Beyond those who talk* a lot about revival, most have now heard about the so-called "Asbury Revival 2023". I don't know if what has been happening in Asbury will lead to a genuine move of God that we would all agree is revival or not, only time will tell. Genuine revivals will bear lasting fruit and lead to the actual transformation of society. 

What we can all agree upon is that America is in desperate need of revival! Most are in agreement that what has been happening in Asbury is a pure move of God. What if God's people around the nation began to enter into the aspects and elements that have characterized what has been going on at Asbury University - confession of sin & repentance, prayer, and extended times of worship? What if we added fasting to the mix? 

If we did, I believe we would see a revival in America. Will we? Only time will tell. It does seem possible that God has put 'the offer' on the table at this very moment (with Asbury happening and spreading, Lent beginning today, the release of the Jesus Revolution movie TONIGHT, and the start today of the Jesus Fast)!

*Note: not that such talk about 'revival' is bad but many have used the term to describe things that are simply not revival. Let us stop "cheapening the currency". I prefer we seek to re-value the term revival! 

#fasting #prayer #revival #asbury #asburyrevival2023 #lent #jesusfast #awakening #fire #holiness #repentance #worship