LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY:
A Call for Prayer and Fasting
by Kenny & Estelle Martin

As we begin 2002, we believe that God desires to raise up Godly, competent leaders for His church who will impact the nations. Many churches are beginning the New Year with prayer and fasting. Some churches have already begun a 21-day fast from January 2 to January 23. Some are participating in a 40-day fast. More churches are now sensing a call to give the first fruits of the year in prayer and fasting that God would bless their efforts in ministry. Fasting is generally not a popular subject. But leadership for the 21st century will require pastors to stand in their pulpits and call the church to a season of fasting. Therefore, we believe God is calling His leaders to begin this New Year with prayer and fasting. This call to fast begins with the pastor, and then the leadership of the church, and it flows to the whole congregation.

The purpose of this article is to prepare us as a church for God's mandate, which is to reach the lost for Christ. There is a humbling and a brokenness that God desires in us as we consecrate ourselves (set ourselves apart) and spend time with Him (Psalm 51:17). God also desires to speak to us as a church for the 21st century. So as you read this article, we ask that you prayerfully consider joining the many Christians who are fasting during this season. And we would like to leave you with a Biblical foundation on fasting. This will be a journey through the Scriptures.

We will begin with Matthew 6:5-6, which says:

"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Verses 16-18 state: "When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

There is a secret place that God desires to take us. Read Psalm 91. Isaiah 58:6 states:

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to lose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?"

In Joel 2:12-17, we hear the Lord saying to turn to Him with all of our hearts, with fasting, weeping, and mourning — to rend our hearts and not our garments, and that we should return to the Lord our God. We pray that you would hear the call of God in verses 15-17:

"Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes; let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar…"

If you believe that God is calling you to join us in this time of consecration, please study the Scriptures carefully to understand the purposes and benefits of fasting. We will share more resources with you in our next article to assist you in consecrating a fast.

Also, during this year, we will conduct interviews with some of the leaders in our churches to hear from them about their call to ministry. If there is a leader in your church or your Conference who you feel would be a blessing to this website, please contact us at zionshill@msn.com.