What Happens When a Community Goes "All In"?

One example, in particular, stands out in my mind: in the first century A.D., an emerging band of rebel rousers were once described as “turning the world upside down.” This was the first church, growing like wildfire in Asia Minor (Acts 17:6, ESV).

History has also shown that times of fasting and seeking the Lord have preceded times of great revival. Across our nation, churches are calling congregants to three weeks of a partial fast, called “the Daniel Fast” to help us develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus and really put our lives on the altar to be “All In” for change.

In a community where so many people feel alone, increasing numbers of people are experiencing hard times out of work, and the spiritual battle for our children’s hearts are reaching epidemic proportions, I can think of no better time to be “All In” for change. Our community’s call to fast begins Sunday, April 23rd (notice the date has changed since this weekend’s message).

A true fast, a prophet once said, is to

"loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter

— when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

 

 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you,

and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” (Isaiah 58:6-9)

Therefore, our fast will begin by participation in our Auction “Fiesta de Milagros,” (Friday, Sept 21st)….at which we have the chance to do just as Isaiah said and share our food with our hungry and to close the naked.

Then, Sunday September 23rd, Pastor Tim and Pastor Rey are encouraging everyone in our congregation to begin a modified form of the Daniel Fast, for three weeks of seeking God’s face.

The parameters of Washington Cathedral’s fast are as follows:

(1) Eat a healthy natural diet of your choice (no in between meal snacks or processed sugar).
(2) Pray five times a day
(3) Share your faith daily
(4) Give something up for 21 days without talking about it
(5) Resign to the will of God in ways he will show you

Debi Raines, who has experimented with the Daniel Fast previously, describes her experience this way: “I really like the Daniel fast because it allows you to eat, yet be restricted in your eating. The results are that your physical needs are met, but you never feel satisfied. This makes you lean into God, for three weeks! I experienced realistically and tangibly that only God can satisfy! I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything and I am so excited to begin a new on September 23rd!”

On Sunday, September 23rd, we will provide a detailed packet of information on the Daniel Fast at church. In the meantime, you can find out more at: www.daniel-fast.com. Please pray about being this venture with our community and doing something concrete to show that you are All In for change.