01.11.23 | Community
As we enter into a new season with Community Groups, today we will be focusing our time of fasting and prayer around our experiences with and expectations for community.
As you begin your time, spend a few minutes asking Jesus what new thing he wants you to experience in community.
You may be entering this season with pure excitement, having been longing to meet people and connect. Now there is finally an avenue available for you! Bring this before God – ask what more he wants you to know, where he’s asking you to grow, or how he may want to use your excitement for the benefit of others.
Alternatively, you may be nervous about the possibility of re-entering community. You may have difficult past experiences with close community, or a hesitation to join-in again because of health concerns. Jesus knows this and he wants to speak with you about it. Bring all your worries and anxieties before him in this time, and ask that he provide you with ears to hear his voice and a renewed peace.
Lastly, consider this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book Life Together:
“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.”
Utilize the four movements of FAST as you spend time with God today:
- Focus: Find a quiet place to settle your mind and open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
- Adoration: Spend time honoring and exalting God, tell him what you appreciate about him. Contemplate on who he is and what he has done. You might even be able to get a sense of his presence with you.
- Speak: Commune with God, taking moments to both speak to him about what’s on your heart and to pause and listen for his voice. Use journals to write down what you hear him say. Ask simple follow up questions like, “is there anything else you’d like me to know about [fill in the topic]” to really get to the heart of what Jesus wants to communicate to you and what you want to say to him or plead for while you fast.
- Transform: Commit to taking active steps to change or address what the Lord revealed during your time of fasting.