The absence of fasting

So I'm continuing my preparations for God's coming to Kibera by studying 'A Hunger for God' by John Piper. This week the few pages I've read have had a number of challenges, one of which being the question: what does the absence of fasting say about us? Now, this is my first period of fasting, and Piper suggests that not fasting suggests a contentment with the way things are, with the spiritual status quo, with the absence of Christ. Yet when we pray the Lord's prayer, we say 'your kingdom come'. It won't come unless we are earnestly seeking it, unless we hunger for it, unless we hunger to see God move in power here on earth. Fasting will not create this hunger, but it is a way of expressing it. And we can be more aware of our spiritual appetites when we're not in the bondage of physical ones.

Fasting is not a pacifistic discipline but rather a fearsome weapon in the Christian's armoury to use in the fight of faith.

And I have realised that we are under spiritual attack in Kibera at the moment. Many staff members are being distracted from their Kingdom work by family sicknesses and other things. This morning I spoke to all the staff about expecting such attacks, and encouraging them to put on the armour of God daily to ensure they are equipped for the fight. If we are seriously seeking God to transform this community of Kibera, satan won't be happy, so opposition is to be expected. But, we have the victory!

Pastor and I have been doing some warfare prayer today at the project, and I expect we will need to do this every week on our fast days.

We are earnestly seeking for God's kingdom to come in Kibera! And we invite any others to pray with us for this.

Come, Lord Jesus

The bible ends with this plea. It qas also the cry of the early church, longing for Jesus to come. How many of us have lost that longing?

Through this fast I am trying to plead with God to 'come to Kibera'. To bring His justice to Kibera. To bring healing and wholeness to the people who live there. People looked down upon or ignored by so many, yet precious to God.

If I believe Jeremiah 29:11 for these people, and I care about these people, my natural response must be to plead with God to 'come into Kibera'.

But I need to put down my expectations on the manner of God's coming. If He chooses to come with healing, that's His choice. If not, and He comes in another way, that's His right.

It is not for me to dictate to God how he answers my plea. It is for me to make my plea, and continue to make it until it is heard and answered.

Like the persistent widow in Luke 18.

Strongholds

Just got back from our homegroup where I talked a little about my weekly setting aside time with God to get a sense of His purposes spiritually in Kibera. We also shared about the spiritual attacks that Jo in particular has been experiencing.

It was good to share, and we got some serious prayer and sharing of Bible verses which was great.

And the realisation of how many spiritual strongholds there are in Kibera.

Daunting, but also exciting!

First Fast - the post

Well I think the title's clever anyway. Completed my first day of fasting on Monday - no blinding revelations, but then Monday was a busy day showing people round in Kibera, then having them back at the house. So I spent a lot of the day watching people eat, either in Kibera or at home, but managed to not join in myself.

Maybe next Monday I'll get some time to spend with God!