This Fast Matters

Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so."

But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, "Why could we not drive it out? He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer and fasting."

            Mark 9:17-18, 27-29

We know there is evil in the world. Our own life experiences tell us that, and the evening news reminds us of it each day. In this passage of Scripture we see Jesus teaching his disciples that there are different kinds of evil. He says explicitly that the type of evil with which this boy was possessed "can only come out through prayer and fasting."

There is evil present in Nigeria, and it's affecting people whom we care about very deeply. Our Nativity:Nigeria partners are tremendous, beautiful people doing the work of the Lord with great faith and boldness. Their efforts and innocent people's lives are being impacted by evil. We don't know what kind of evil is present, but we believe Jesus when he says some evil will only be driven out through prayer and fasting.

This fast matters. Your fast and your prayers matter. You're not doing this alone; there are hundreds in our community fasting along with you. We're all praying for peace in Nigeria, an end to violence and an end to Boko Haram. Let us continue to lift up Anawim Home Orphanage, Faith Alive Hospital, and all of Nigeria that God's peace would overpower the evil present there.

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Remember to join us on Wednesday evening to indulge in your first non-water beverage at 6pm for Shagali! Dr. Chris Isichei from Faith Alive and past Nativity:Nigeria missionaries will be with us as we have a short prayer service to conclude the fast. Then our celebration will begin with live music from Al Walsh and Three Flights Up and lots of food, fun, and fellowship.