Why Are We Fasting?

Fasting is essentially the act of willingly abstaining from food or drink for a period of time, as a prayerful observance or sacrifice. There are countless examples throughout scripture of Jesus’ followers observing a partial or full fast in connection with His teachings.

If you've been a regular reader of our blog, you know that tomorrow begins Nativity Nigeria’s water-only fast. For the next seven days, we will be prayerfully giving up all other liquids – and only consuming water… You can eat whatever you want, but just stick to drinking only water.

Water has had particular significance to our partnership and mission in Nigeria. Over the years, Nativity’s parishioners have supported the construction of several wells in Abuja and Jos, providing clean drinking water to hundreds of people in these communities. (You can learn more about our ongoing water projects in Nigeria here). As a symbol of this life-giving and critical part of our Nigerian partners’ daily lives, we have chosen to symbolically drink simply water this next week. In abstaining from all other beverages, we will have the chance to prayerfully remember our partners in Nigeria, demonstrate our collective solidarity, and remain united through Christ. In particular, as the people of Nigeria continue to be tormented by religious, cultural, and political violence in recent months, this fast serves as an opportunity to prayerfully lift them up and ask for God’s peaceful provision of the region.

Throughout these next seven days, Church of the Nativity will be sending daily messages of encouragement and reflection to help guide your prayer and purposeful fasting each day. If you are not already signed up for the Worship Fully daily emails, click here. It’s quick, easy, and a source of great encouragement. Also, you can let us know how you’re doing throughout the week-long fast, offer encouragement to others participating in the fast, and send messages of hope to our Nigerian partners by posting to our brand new Nativity:Missions facebook page.

We will be breaking the fast with an exciting Church-wide event at Nativity, 6pm on Wednesday August 8^th. Join us for some music, food, reflection, and some non-water beverages! Fasting is not fun, but Shagali will be. Come meet Dr. Chris Isichei, the founder of Faith Alive Hospital, chat with missionaries who have traveled to Africa, and enjoy music by Nativity's house worship band as we celebrate the end of our water-only fast. Click here to read more about next week’s Shagali event.

A Season of Solidarity

This summer's event (Shagali: Partners in Prayer) will soon be here. This is an exciting time for the the entire Nativity:Nigeria family. As has been true for the past six years, the first two weeks of August will mark a time of solidarity and partnership between Church of the Nativity and our Nigerian brothers and sisters. Although we have made the tough decision not to send a mission team this year, we will once again be celebrating God's faithfulness and provision through our partnership this summer, and joining in prayer for peace in Nigeria.

Over the next two weeks, the blog here will have regular updates and information regarding this season of solidarity. Check out some more information about upcoming events, and stay tuned for more information.

August 1-8: Water Fast
August 8, 6pm: Shagali: Partners in Prayer

Water Fast

Starting on August 1st, Nativity:Nigeria will be supporting a week-long fast. Typically, a fast is an act of abstaining from food or drink to seek God in an intentional way.  For us, we will be uniting through a water fast. For the eight day fasting period (August 1-8), the only beverage consumed will be water. No soda, coffee, alcohol, juice, etc. - just water. The fast will be our small way to connect with God, our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, and offer up the specific intention of peace in Nigeria.

We will be using Nativity's Worship Fully Today emails to send daily encouragement, prayer points, Scripture about peace and fasting, and more. You can sign up for this email through Nativity's website. And you can also read more about Nativity's water projects in Nigeria, and the water shortage there through our blog.

In order to prepare for the fast, here are a few action items for you:

1. Get Ready: prepare your heart and be a leader in this effort. Pray that God will move in a powerful way through our corporate fast

2. Be an Advocate: Send an email to your small group, ministry team, friends and family. Tell them about the fast, and the reason behind it, start spreading the word and encouraging others to participate.

3. Shagali: We will be breaking the fast together at our "Shagali: Partners in Prayer" event on August 8th (6pm) at Nativity. Join us for this celebratory and prayerful gathering; filled with worship, food, and reflection.

Calling All Missionaries

This Wednesday, we invite all past Nativity:Nigeria team members to join us for a night of prayer and fellowship. Come share in the excitement leading to our August "Shagali" event, celebrate God's faithfulness throughout five years of Nigeria mission teams, and enjoy food and fellowship with other missionaries.

When: Wednesday, July 11th - 6pm
Where: Church of the Nativity

Haiti Mission

Today, Church of the Nativity's first Haiti Missions team will be leaving to spend a week with our partners at St. Anne's Church in Labrande, Haiti. We are praying for their safe travel and that they have an impactful week, as they serve alongside and share life with our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Follow their journey this week with daily updates and reflections, on our Nativity Missions blog.

Shagali: Partners in Prayer

As mentioned in an earlier post, Church of the Nativity will be hosting a special event this summer to celebrate global missions and demonstrate prayerful solidarity for our strategic partners. The event, entitled Shagali: Partners in Prayer, will be a night of worship, prayer, and fellowship for our church community and partners. We hope you will join us for this exciting event!

When: August 8th, 6pm - 7pm
Where: Church of the Nativity - Theater & Back Patio
Prayer, Worship, Food, Reflection and Celebration

Prayer Night

We will be hosting a prayer night, centered around prayerful support for our partners and thanksgiving for God's continued grace and provision. Join us at Nativity, Wednesday June 6th from 6:00 - 6:30pm to pray for our strategic partners in Nigeria.

Big Announcement

This summer, Church of the Nativity will be hosting an exciting event to celebrate global and local missions, and to show our support for our strategic partners. For a week, our parish will be unified through participation in a partial fast, to then culminate in a night of worship, prayer, and fellowship for our church community and partners. It will be amazing gathering, and a chance to celebrate all that God has done through our church and partners, and to pray for His guidance and grace. The fast will take place August 1 - 8, and the event will be held at Nativity on August 8th at 6pm. Stay tuned to our blog for more information, and to learn how you can be part of this exciting event.

ServeFest

Recently, members of the Nativity:Nigeria team joined volunteers from hundreds of other Maryland churches to serve in various locations throughout our Baltimore community. This local initiative, known as ServeFest, is a day when churches partner together to serve their community as living proof of a loving God.

Lisa Hobbs, JoAnne Cianfichi & members of Church of the Nativity wash windows as part of ServeFest 2012

Word of the Week: Chosen

When we first entered the local destitute houses, walked room-to-room in Gwagalada's barren community school, or visited the impoverished villages at the outskirts of town, the word which initially came to mind was forgotten.  But the eyes of each of those we met told a much richer story.  This was a community deeply rooted in love for each other, and sustained by a clear and unwavering belief in Christ.

Through their hardships, they thanked God for His provision, and worked selflessly to support the needs of those around them.  They served as an amazing example that they, like all of us, are a chosen people - specifically created and favored by God.  From the people we met during our time in Nigeria, I learned firsthand what it means to remain hopeful, guided by faith, and to humbly and selfless support your community's collective needs.  - Tyler DeVan, Anawim Home Team '11