Brothers and Sisters of All Saints,
In light of the terrible persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ that is even now unfolding in Afghanistan, the Session of All Saints Presbyterian Church is calling the congregation to a day of prayer and fasting for the Church on Wednesday, August 25th. The day will conclude with our regular prayer meeting (Granny White Park Pavilion, 6:30pm) which will also focus on prayer for the Church in Afghanistan. Anyone who is not a member is also welcome to join us in fasting, praying, and coming together to end the day.
In the meantime, please pray fervently for the body of Christ in Afghanistan as they "fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church." (Col 1:24) Pray that they will stand firm in the faith, not wavering in the face of suffering. Pray that God will use their testimony to bring many to himself. Pray that he will preserve his Church, so that the testimony of Jesus Christ will not go silent among the Afghan people.
In preparation for this day of prayer and fasting, we strongly recommend that you read at least one of the following articles. These are an excellent explanation of why and how we fast.
https://tinyurl.com/eytc52jp (Tabletalk Magazine)
https://tinyurl.com/3xd4zz6c (Third Mill)
In Christ,
The Session
All Saints Presbyterian Church, Brentwood, TN
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who should fast? The Session is calling all members to pray and fast. However, we recognize that fasting may not be appropriate for those with medical conditions and some children. We leave this to the conscience of each member and the responsibility of the parents.
How do I fast? The Session is calling our members to abstain from food and drink, except for water, and to do so from the time they wake up on Wednesday until prayer meeting is complete that night. These are guidelines intended to help you, but we hope that you won't get caught up worrying about whether or not you're doing it right. Abstain from your usual eating and drinking and focus on praying for those in need.
Is fasting biblical? Why do we do it? Much could be said on this point. However, the two articles linked above have done such an excellent job that we are pointing you back to them.