SOLEMN ASSEMBLY @ CMC 8 - 14 JULY - Christ Methodist Church
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SOLEMN ASSEMBLY @ CMC 8 - 14 JULY
SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2018
Prayer & Fasting
Guide
2018 is a very significant year for the Singapore Church as it marks the 40th
anniversary of Billy Graham’s prophecy regarding Singapore as the Antioch of Asia.
Where are we in terms of fulfilling this call? What are we willing to do to fulfil it? In
this critical juncture in the history of the Singapore Church, there is a need to unite in
prayer and fasting.
Together with LoveSingapore’s annual 40.Day prayer will be 40 days of Solemn
Assemblies – a prayer and fasting initiative for the Body of Christ in Singapore.
During this time, Christians all over Singapore are invited to gather to seek the Lord
in prayer and fasting. The meetings will be held simultaneously in the evening from 1
July to 7 August all across our city.
CMC has been invited to be one of the Host churches in the East region for a week.
We believe that this is more than just an event - it can set the momentum to shift the
prayer atmosphere in CMC even as we seek to go deeper.
We encourage every one of you to join us, here are the details:
Dates: 8 to 14 July
Time: 8:00PM – 10:00PM
Venue: Christ Methodist Church, Sanctuary (Level 2)
*Additional parking will be available at St. Patrick’s School.
Let’s journey together to fast and pray as a church family. This guide consists of
fasting and prayer pointers to help you during this time.
2
SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2018
Fasting
Corporately
In Derek Prince’s book Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting, he teaches that,
through united and collective prayer and fasting—when we drop our denominational
labels, racial barriers, and gender bias—God turns the tide of history. He did it with
Esther’s fast. He did it in Nineveh. He did it in Joel. And He did it in Acts 13, when
the leaders of the Antioch Church ministered to the Lord in corporate fasting.
We believe that congregations will receive the reward of fasting when they
corporately fast. It seems inevitable that whenever we corporately fast, we begin
to see corporate breakthroughs. Healings and deliverances take place. Fasting is
God’s ordained means for unprecedented breakthroughs.
4SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2018
What is a
Fast?
We fast and pray in order to humble ourselves and purify our worship. In fasting
we are not trying to get something from God. Rather, we are seeking to realign our
hearts’ affections with His.
We do holy violence to the “pleasures which wage war against the soul,” opening
the way for a greater submission to the Holy Spirit. In short, fasting enables us to
cleanse the sanctuary of our hearts.
Based on biblical truth and historical pattern, when we humble ourselves in prayer
and fasting to cry out to God, He responds! This is our great hope. We have a God
who sees, hears, and responds to the humble, intimate, beseeching-in-brokenness
prayer of His people.
5SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2018
Preparing to
Fast
Determine the length and type of fast before you start. There are many different
kinds of fasts. It’s wise to seek medical advice before committing to fast.
A TOTAL FAST – like Esther – is without water. This is extremely hard on the body.
Do not go beyond three days.
A WATER-ONLY FAST – like Jesus – is very challenging but a deeply worthwhile
spiritual experience. Many people can endure 40 days on water alone, though this
is subject to one’s weight and metabolism.
A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE JUICE FAST – is most common. You fast from solids.
You consume only fruit or vegetable juice which gives you enough energy to func-
tion quite as normal.
A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE FAST – like Daniel. You consume only fruit or vegeta-
bles. Most people can endure this type of fast for more than 40 days.
Other fasts to consider include having just one meal a day. Or it could be fasting
from social media, TV, movies or entertainment. Any of these options are good.
Be decisive so that when you are tested you will be able to carry on your fast with
great resolve.
6HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF:
Two days before your fast, limit your intake of food to fruit and vegetables.
Fruit is a natural cleanser and easy to digest. Stop drinking coffee. Prepare
yourself for mental irritations such as impatience, crankiness and anxiety.
Expect physical discomforts. You may experience dizziness, headaches, and
different kinds of pain. The headaches are not necessarily a sign to stop
fasting. Your body is working to cleanse itself of impurities.
PREPARE FOR OPPOSITION:
Satan tempted Jesus during his fast. We must expect the same. One the first
day of your fast, you can bet donuts will somehow show up somewhere. Your
spouse (or mom) will suddenly be inspired to cook your favourite meals. Take
this as an encouragement from God to press ahead. Many times you may
feel increased emotional tension at home. Discouragement may come in like a
flood. Don’t despair. Recognize the source and take your stand from a position
of victory in Christ.
7Common
Prayer Agenda
For Host Churches
AS YOU FAST, KEEP THESE 4 AGENDAS COVERED IN PRAYER
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RETURN TO GOD IN REPENTANCE FOR
PERSONAL, CORPORATE, AND NATIONAL SINS
PERSONAL: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR YOURSELF
• Loss of First Love: replacing God with the fleeting things of this earth
• Self-sufficiency: Less dependence on God, desire to take control
CORPORATE: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR THE CHURCH
• Lack of Passion for God
• Lack of Brotherly Love for One Another
• Lack of Passion for the Lost
NATIONAL: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR THE NATION
• Greed (fear of lack)
• Immorality (lust and shameless filth)
• Injustice (looking down on and exploiting others)
• Ingratitude (withholding our praises to God)
• Inattentiveness (to nurturing moral & ethical values in the next generation)
• Pride (causing us to be demanding)
• Comfort (Reluctance to step out of comfort zone to bless others)
102
CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO SEEK FIRST
THE KINGDOM OF GOD & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
PERSONAL: PRAY THAT YOU WOULD
• Know and love God wholeheartedly. Jesus be at the centre of choices and life.
• Trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him, forsaking the fear of the future, of man,
of lack, of shame, and of guilt.
• Turn your eyes from worthless things – pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace
and holiness.
• Be salt and the light in every area of influence, always ready to share the Gospel.
CORPORATE: PRAY THAT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH AND DENOMINATION WOULD
• Consecrate our thoughts and speech to edify and encourage, rather than to slan-
der, sarcasm, gossip and grumbling.
• Steward our money, time and spiritual gifts for the Kingdom of God generously.
• Become a people of the Word: by teaching, training, learning and applying truth.
• Cultivate a Kingdom mindset of selfless concern for the welfare of others.
NATIONAL: PRAY THAT THE CHURCH IN SINGAPORE WOULD
• Renounce the consumeristic mindset.
• Act compassionately on behalf of poor, marginalised, abused, abandoned, lost.
• Go into all the world to preach the Good News.
• Do whatever it takes to be the Antioch of Asia, and birth other regional ‘Antiochs’
for the extension of God’s Kingdom.
• Pursue holiness & differentiate ourselves as Christians.
113
CRY OUT TO GOD TO BRING
SALVATION TO THE 80% UNSAVED IN OUR LAND
PERSONAL: PRAY THAT AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS, YOU WOULD
• Embrace the vision – Prayer/Evangelism in the Year of Prayer (2018) & the Year
of Proclamation (2019)
• Have compassion for the lost.
• Be gripped by the reality of judgement & hell.
• Be bold in witness!
CORPORATE: PRAY FOR THE CHURCH TO
• Envision the harvest and be equipped.
• Establish an outward looking, seeker-friendly Church Culture.
• Restore the backslidden.
• Focus on prayer-evangelism. (personal, family, corporate and city prayer altars)
• Strategise & mobilise the people.
NATIONAL
• Government Leaders - Political stability, and Racial and Religious Harmony.
• A Historic Awakening in Singapore the Lion City and Antioch of Asia.
• God will be at work in manifest power to do the unusual, the unpredictable, the
unprecedented and the unstoppable!
• A Change in the Spiritual Climate.
• Anointed Evangelism. (personal, prayer, power & proclamation evangelism)
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SET APART THIS GENERATION,
THE NEXT GENERATION, AND EVERY GENERATION TO
FULFILL SINGAPORE’S DESTINY AS THE ANTIOCH OF ASIA
PERSONAL
Take time to thank God for Singapore.
CORPORATE: PRAY THAT EVERY GENERATION WOULD
• Embrace Singapore’s destiny as Antioch of Asia and own the call.
• Carry the Father’s compassion for the lost.
• Be released by their parents and churches for God’s calling and destiny.
• Be endowed with divine giftings, skills and talents, such that their gifts and talents
are harnessed.
NATIONAL: PRAY THAT THE CHURCH IN SINGAPORE WOULD
• Identify and adopt specific mission fields and opportunities.
• Foster excellent communications and collaboration, networking and support.
• Execute programmes and follow-up new believers effectively.
• Receive adequate financial support and spiritual covering.
• Train the locals well to reach their own people.
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