Pray & Fast - 9 March
Our Building for Mission project is not just about our church building. It’s also about seeking God’s will for our future and how He wants us to grow as a church. This is a journey that will involve the whole church family, so this is a great opportunity to explain to our children what the current plans are, that we still need to raise more money to complete the project and that we’re seeking God about how we raise that money and our own personal giving.
Tips for explaining why we’re doing this:
Why are we having a day of prayer and fasting? You could share with your children Psalm 127:1 “If the Lord doesn’t build the house, the builders are working for nothing” (ICB). We want God to be in all of our plans and that includes raising the money to pay for the building work.
Explain that fasting is a way of drawing closer to God. One of the reasons we fast – stop eating food, is to make some more space for God. We don’t just stop eating for the day, like Jesus when he spent 40 days in the desert, we will spend time praying and listening to God. Fasting without prayer is an empty exercise. Fasting can help us focus our minds on God.
Fasting with children:
It is not recommended that young children participate in full fasting and any kind of fast must be under the supervision of a parent or carer and in line with medical advice, but there are ways that your children can join in, for example
Have a mini-fast, agree to do without food for a shorter fixed time
Fast from one meal or snack time (not recommended for very young children)
Fast from a particular type of food or food group for the day
Fast from a particular activity like TV, video games or using mobile phones
Make sure that you have some prayer time together – even if you can’t come in to church – let your children see that fasting and praying are part of the same process and that you are fasting for a reason.
During your prayer time:
If you are coming in to church to pray, the building will be open from 09.30-15.30, with communal gatherings at 10.00, 12.00 and 14.00. Prepare children for what will be happening (many of the points below apply equally to praying at home or while you’re out and about):
There will be no set activities
People will be praying quietly on their own or in small groups
Many people will simply be quiet, listening for God’s voice
Some people may stand and share what they feel God saying, they may not
God wants to speak to them (your children), just as much as anyone else
Explain to them, it doesn’t matter if they don’t think God has spoken to them, just come and enjoy being in God’s presence.
You/they could bring their own bible or bible story book from home
You could allow them to bring headphones so they can listen to worship music quietly
You could bring a pad and pencils so they can write or draw a prayer or anything they feel God might be saying to them
They could simply sit or lie down, close their eyes and spend some time with God
Be encouraging, share with each other. If you are wondering if your child has had a genuine word or picture from God, think, is there a biblical truth behind what they’ve shared? Does it fit in with what God has laid on anyone else’s heart? If so, let them share it more widely, either pass it on to one of the staff team or share it with those gathered. If you’re not sure (or it definitely isn’t of God!), suggest “Let’s pray about that a bit more and see if God says anything else to us”.
Finally, no-one expects young children to be silent, if you are concerned about disturbing others, find a quieter corner of the sanctuary and try and focus on engaging in your own time of prayer together. We pray that this will be a fruitful day for those of all ages, hearing God’s voice and waiting on His presence!