Day 1 of 3: Fast For America
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"In prayer you shall perceive ... the way out of every situation that has no exit." |
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____________________________________________________________________________ Praised be Jesus! As we write this today, we are coming up to high noon on the West Coast so most of America is now halfway through the first day of our incremental three-day fast for America ahead of the election. It is very unusual for us to fast on a Sunday, a day when we savor food while resting and praying. However Tuesday marks a first in American history - It will be the first time an election has taken place on the occasion of a full lunar eclipse. Why is that significant? Recall the words from the first book in history, Genesis, where in the very fist chapter the Lord tells is that the heavens are made for signs. Combine those words with the extraordinary precision of our creator. The confluence of events on Tuesday reveals heaven’s view that Tuesday is a significant date to the world. Consider for example the extraordinary events that happened in our salvation history with full lunar eclipses like that which will take place on Tuesday: According to NASA there was a full lunar eclipse on the date that we would now consider January 10th in the year 1 BC. This eclipse was referenced by Josephus in Antiquities 17.167 as was likely the period of Christ’s birth. And consider the most dramatic lunar eclipse of all time, that of Nisan 14, in the year 33 AD with the corresponding Julian date of Friday April 3, 33 AD. NASA’s records state that on that date in an extraordinary event ocurred as both sunset and the moonrise occurred at precisely the same time. Observers in Jerusalem would have likely seen what has been described as a blood-red moon. According again to NASA, with remarkable precision that eclipse lasted 333 minutes and 66 degrees on the horizon, fulfilling Joel 2:31. The bible.ca states: Tertullian records that Pilate wrote a report of all the events surrounding the Crucifixion and sent this to the Emperor Tiberias (Apologeticus 5 and in). The manuscript fragments that we possess of the "Report of Pilate" are all of later date but may be partly based on this very early lost document." If this is the case, the report may provide independent evidence that the moon appeared like blood following the Crucifixion…Further evidence is provided by Cyril of Alexandria, the orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria in A.D. 412. After stating that there was darkness at the Crucifixion he adds, "Something unusual occurred about the circular rotation of the moon so that it even seemed to be turned into blood," and notes that the prophets foretold such signs. It is concluded that the "Report of Pilate" and the words of Cyril may be used as secondary supporting evidence that the moon appeared like blood on the evening of the Crucifixion." (Chronos, Kairos, Christos: Nativity and Chronological Studies Presented to Jack Finegan, Jerry Vardaman, Edwin M. Yamauchi, Colin Humphreys, W. Waddington, p165-182, 1989 AD) All of that is to remind us, that God highlights events of significance for us with signs in the skies. That this Tuesday will be the first lunar eclipse election day in American history is not coincidence. If you forgot that we were starting a special three day Fast for America today or you did not know about it, start your three day fast with us tomorrow through Wednesday and we will have rolling fasts rising to Heaven. We fast for the restoration and renewal of America. And even if Tuesday shows an inexplicable victory for communists in America (democrats), recall that on the surface Good Friday appeared utter defeat for Christendom. In reality however, that lunar eclipse was highlighting the ulitmiate inflection point and voctiry that humanity would ever know. Christ defeated evil and won salvation for humanity.
In past special three day fasts we have adhered to the Esther example – nothing to eat and nothing to drink for three days. This year our colleagues felt we should encourage believers to join us in a three day water fast – eating nothing but allowing oneself water. For those believers who have done Esther fasts with us, this is notably easier. The key as with all fasts is to lead with the heart. Perhaps you will pray with us as we fast today and every day that we fast: Lord my sacrifice is tiny. Yours was beyond reason. I gladly make this little sacrifice to you as Your word shows us repeatedly in scripture how pleasing fasting is to You. Please look with favor upon us Your unworthy followers and pour out Your Holy Spirit upon America and all of her citizens. Declare “enough” from heaven Abba to all of the murders, theft, lawlessness, pagan and satanic worship that dominates our once Christian nation. We desire You and Your laws to govern us and in so doing restore America to a greatness that eclipses anything she has known to date. We pray this prayer and offer you this little fasting sacrifice in the sweetest name of our savior Jesus.
In conclusion, a three day fast, or a 72 hour fast is like a 72 step mountain we endeavor to climb. It is an intimidating spectacle that towers above us as we stand at the foot of this mountain looking at what lies ahead of us. The reality is that we don’t know if we will have the strength to make it to the finish line. We do know evil will whisper discouragement in our ears throughout the fast telling us our effort won’t make a difference, our sacrifice won’t mean anything to the Lord, we already do more than others who don’t care as much as we do, etc.… The reality is that those lies reveal how threatened evil is by your generosity and courage to try and do something special for the Lord. Scripture does not show one example where evil was victorious over God’s believers when they fasted. That streak will continue this week no matter what headline news tells us is the outcome. Thank you for making the effort to fast with us. You will be glad you did for all of eternity. ____________________________________________________________________________ |
