Join us in fasting to seek God to impact the world!
We are fasting and praying to seek God and to discern how can we participate in what he's doing in the world.
What does our not eating do? The 30 hour spiritual discipline of fasting:
- Connects our physical hunger to our spiritual hunger (Matthew 4:4 - Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”).
- Motivates us to pray intentionally for people who need God.
- Helps us empathize to the hunger all over the world by experiencing our own deeper hunger.
- Builds awareness for yourself and your friends about the needs and how you can help meet them (Matthew 25:35 - For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink).
- Challenges us to seek God, to find his heart for the world.
How can you participate?
- You must be 13 or over to participate in the fast! But you can attend the other things.
- Fill out the waiver form linked on this page (Emmaus) and email it to pastormgaw@gmail.com.
Sign up on the Emmaus google form by Wednesday March 11.
How does the Famine & Faith work? How do we do it?
- Our fast starts early March 13, Friday, at 1am (Thursday night).
- On Friday, everyone, whether you’re fasting or not comes at 7pm for the large group Fast and Famine event where we'll talk about fasting, play games and pray together.
- If you want to stay after 9pm, there will be extended worship and group games from 9pm-12am.
- The all-night event together at 9pm. We'll be staying / sleeping at the church! We will have more sharing, prayer, plus games and fun all night. Only those who are fasting can stay for this part!
- We break our fast Saturday 7am making a total of 30 hours.
Timeline of the nights
- On Thursday night, you'll all be in your homes, eating or not eating, whatever way you think is best for you to prepare.
- You'll likely go to bed at your own home, maybe 9 or 10pm like a normal person, and our 30 hours of fasting starts at 1am.
- You'll wake up at your own home Friday morning and NOT eat breakfast. You will go to school, and see all your friends have snackies and food at recess and lunch. Drink some water.
- You'll go home and NOT have another snack. This will be about your 3rd meal that you miss. Drink some water.
- You'll be at home and NOT have dinner. Drink some water.
- At 7pm, you'll come to church with your waiver forms if you haven't sent them to me! Drink some water. We'll be doing a ton of activity and action at the church until 9pm.
- 9pm, our regular ministry ends, but if you want to stay for worship and fun, then join us. There will be no snacks and no phones. Drink some water.
- At 12am, we'll send people home who are not fasting. The rest of us will pray and interact all night. Some will be sleeping, some will be playing. Drink some water.
- 6:30am, the breakfast team will start preparing our food. Drink some water.
- 7:00am, our fast ends and we eat together. If you're fasting with us but can't stay overnight and want to join us at that time, please show up then! (tell me though so I know you need fooood)
- 8:00am, all parents will take their teens home.
- 8:01am, everyone sleeps more. Drink some water.
What will we do for the all-nighter?
- Spiritual component - We'll be doing worship music, prayer, scripture, letter writing for Mublueso and ways to impact the world.
- Fun component - Organized group games like sardines, foosball, jenga, board games, dutch blitz.
- Fellowship component - Our Friday schedules are often too packed to have good talks. Take this opportunity to sit down with someone and talk with them at a deeper level.
- We will minimize how much you're on the phone as we want people to interact and have fun together. If you really want to be on your phones, we invite you to stay home. If you're coming out, you come out to be with the people of God!
What do we bring for the all-nighter?
- Comfortable clothes like pjs and slippers to wear all night. We'll stay dressed appropiately, and comfortably.
- Sleeping bag, pillow, maybe a camping mat as the floor is hard.
- Toiletries, toilet, toothbrushes, towel and cleaning items if you need them.
- Board games and fun things.
- If you have a Switch, ask Pastor Matt if you are allowed as we don't need too many devices. We want you to be playing games TOGETHER instead of isolated single player games. I have a few couch coop PC games I want to try as well.
- Water bottle and juices!
- Flashlight.
How to fast and not eat
- #1 - Don't eat! Don't eat solid foods or even liquified versions of it (smoothies, yogurt, liquid meal supplements like protein shakes)
- DO drink fluids often like water and juices.
- Don't chew gum or eat ice cubes. They make you more hungry instead of curbing your appetite.
- Don't drink sugary drinks like Gatorates, pop, caffeine or energy drinks on an empty stomach. It's not good for you even if you weren't fasting.
- If you're getting light headed or have a headache, eat something light like toast and yogurt, wait for 15 minutes and eat some more. Make good choices. You breaking your fast isn't bad or unspiritual. Do your best to continue fasting and praying after, or if you need more food, then eat!
- Recognize that when we're hungry, we should also be hungry for the Lord. When you have hunger pains, pray for people in our city that are hungry, pray for people in the world who don't have access to food, pray for organizations to be able to meet those needs and pray that God will use you to be his hands and mouth to people who have needs.
Will I suffer through this Fast & Famine?
- Likely, yes, and that is the point! Our goal is to empathize with other people’s struggle, not to suffer and pass out. You will taste the hardship of hunger like others in the world but we can end our suffering by going to our fridge.
- When we feel the pain of hunger, our response should be empathy and compassion that moves us to action, not complaining. Our suffering will be short and purposeful. We are suffering to bring awareness to people who live this every day. If you hate suffering, our hope is that drives you to hate other people’s suffering even more which drives you to action.
Will I die or get sick or lose weight if I don’t eat for 30 hours?
- This short of a fast will have no long-term effects. You won’t lose weight. We can survive up to 3 months without solid food. Drink water & juice and stay hydrated. Returning to a regular diet after will bring you back to a normal state.
- Some can get light headed or headaches. If you do, eat something light (bread or yogurt) and more later. Our intent is to understand world starvation. Regain your sugar levels, don't eat too much, and maybe try to continue fasting with us.
Please join us in the Fast & Famine to bring awareness of suffering in our world and help bring the Bread of Life to the nations!