An Elder’s Thoughts on Prayer & Fasting
With just about a week to go in our 40 days of Fasting & Prayer, we wanted to check in with Elder Kevin Williams and ask him a few questions about his fast as well as how the body of Fellowship Memphis can pray for the church.
What experience have you had with fasting before this season?
None at all. Further, the word fast by any definition has rarely ever described my behavior. As a means of worship, I cannot recall it being encouraged within the faith tradition in which I was raised. Fasting was referenced as something people did “on the other side of the cross.” My exposure has been with my Jewish and Muslim co-workers and friends, mostly admiring their undeniable devotion and self-discipline.
How have you experienced spiritual growth up to this point in the fast?
Two things stand out as areas of growth. One is a richer dependence on a constant prayer practice, and the other is a vivid reminder of God’s power and love for believers despite our failures, weaknesses, and inconsistency.
For my fast, I chose to go without eating meat protein during these 40 days, which for those who are vegetarians may not sound like much. Still, my body has grown accustomed to the occasional blessings of a slab of bacon, a juicy burger, pork BBQ, or a nice steak. Consequently, the fast has functioned as a built-in, fleshly automated call to prayer throughout my days. It has constantly reminded me of my faith and commitment to the Lord. I don’t sense the same reminder when I am not fasting. By God’s grace, this has been nothing but a blessing to me, and what I thought would be a burden has been light while my new internalized call to prayer remains.
The daily prayer guides with scripture and prompting questions for journaling have been a rich source of daily communion with God. Themes of God’s abundant love, the “Blessed Assurance” we enjoy, and persistence in prayer have echoed in my mind throughout this journey. After contemplating the provided Q&A, I reread my first 30 days of journaling. With that alone, I moved closer to God and rested in his goodness.
What do you hope to see the Lord do through this fast at Fellowship Memphis?
My hope is for encouragement and unity, as Paul called it, “being one in spirit and purpose.” And that this unity would spark a revival of prayer-guided, Spirit-lead enthusiasm for our mission together.
As an elder, how can the people of Fellowship Memphis best approach these final days of the fast? What specifically can they pray for?
With this firsthand experience, I recognize that fasting as a form of worship can be a very private endeavor. I want to respect that personal space and hope you will carry on in spirit and truth.
That being said, the elders and staff would love to hear from anyone who might feel compelled to share some of their experiences, thoughts, and dreams for Fellowship. Especially, prayers regarding the shape, size, and tenor of those dreams for how we are on mission together are desired. God has been so good and faithful to us as we, as a body, have been devoted to the mission of being Gospel-centered, Multi-ethnic, and Disciple-making for 19 years in Memphis. Where is God calling us to serve Him in the season to come?
