Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. (Psalms 79:9)

 

I proclaimed a fast, ... a fast to humble ourselves before our God and pray for wise guidance for our journey—all our people and possessions.   -  Ezra 8:21

I've proclaimed a fast for the month of May. Obviously, I'm not the first to do so. 

Like Ezra of old we stand in need. We must pray for wisdom and guidance for our journey. 

We've never been where we're going.
We've never done what we're doing.
We've never seen what we're seeing.
We've never traveled this road.

There is beauty ahead. We're invited into His story; we're called to give Him glory. Will you join us in prayer? Will you fast and pray during one meal this month? 

I'm asking.

Joel 2:12-13 says, "That is why the Lord says, "Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me all your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your remorse tear at your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered; he is full of kindness and anxious not to punish you."

Comments

[Penny Zelasko]

Mark,

Had a comment and wanted to make sure it got straight to you - thought this might be the best way.

It's both simple, and complicated - THANK YOU!

We lost my father-in-law on April 22nd, after a 6 week battle that just couldn't be won. Infection after infection, hope and disappointments,followed by more hope and more disappointment, and really challenging my husband's faith - first that God would take a man of such sound mind, followed by why? Why would God let such a man suffer. I had to remind him that it wasn't God creating these challenges. My husband was having a tough time letting go of Dad, and Dad knew it. Frank finally did let go, the night before Dad died. My husband was able to be there for Dad's last moments - he needed the closure - needed to be able to whisper in his ear "It's ok, Dad - go be with Mom. Us kids will be all right". It was only a minute or so later, that Dad took his last breath.

Frank wanted to avoid all reminders of Dad that weekend and coming to church was a challenge. He had written a thank you on the auditorium floor, prior to the new auditorium being carpeted, thanking God for giving his Dad back, during the last battle we'd had with Dad's heart a few years ago. It was very hard for my husband to go to church that weekend. One more reminder of Dad.

Nonetheless, we attended church that Saturday night, April 26th, to find you leading worship. Emotions were raw, and almost anything would lead my husband and I both to tears, but this has been especially tough on him. Listening to you describe the fallen tree incident, and acting out the person you encountered during the incident, provided some much needed laughter, and my husband, indeed, laughed until he cried.

He told me after, that he wished there was a comment card, so that he could thank you, personally, for giving him the gift of laughter, after two months, with nothing to make him smile -(I might add that he had lost not one, but two parents within a year). Frank was very close to his dad (Dad was one of those few people who had no enemies), and his mother only passed last June. I told him if he'd just take the program he refuses every week (he always says "no thanks" at the auditorium door), he'd find such a card to make those comments to you. I also told him he could email you from the church website - but he is a man that really doesn't put things into writing very often - (though he did write a very heartfelt goodbye letter to Dad that was read at the funeral, thanking him for the way he was raised, and for always having faith in him).

Anyway - from the bottom (or top) of both of our hearts - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. The service was just what we needed - we walked in fearing something would hit too much at home and we'd both be sobbing in our seats and we just weren't prepared for that to happen - it was wonderful to laugh - it had been a long time.

Please keep my husband in your prayers as he takes his next steps towards Christ - he's getting there - but he's the turtle and I'm the hare, so to speak (- and I wish the turtle would use some Duracell batteries if you know what I mean!).

While at retreat this past weekend with my daughter, we connected with some new friends. I told them my concern with getting "too far ahead" of my husband in taking my next steps. It was suggested that I pray, specifically, for a Christ-following friend to come into my husband's life - to help him with his next steps. An old friend of Frank's that had emailed since the funeral immediately came to mind, and I came home from retreat to find that he had called Frank over the weekend. They are supposed to reconnect this coming weekend. I am hoping he is the person to help Frank jump in and take further steps towards Christ. Please pray for them.

God bless.

[Ron S.]

I was pleased to hear you ask for fasting and prayers, as well as the request for specific individual commitments during the NC service (I have the 27th ;-) ). I hope that GCC might at some point teach a little more on this much overlooked discipline - perhaps in New Community even. From the OT Day of Atonement through Christ’s personal example, God has provided an effective practice for His people to draw closer to Him. I’m glad to see GCC turn to it in times like this.