Slideshow image

I know that there are some people who will read this email that LOVE winter, but apart from our nice fire, I am excited to almost be saying good bye to winter and a MASSIVE HELLO to Spring. Yet saying all that, August is a significant month, where we as church, join other churches across the nation in 21 days of Prayer and Fasting for our communities and nation. Spring represents new life and a new season, I am convinced that as we fast and pray through August, we are going to see new life burst forward into our lives, families, Church and community.

 

If you have been coming along to Sundays or tuning in online, you will know that we are in a series called "Over Fear".  Fear seems to be everyhere in society at the moment and our heart and prayer is that we will see people set free of fear and we as the Church would be light and a voice of hope and life. During our August fast we will be praying and fasting for that, freedom and restoration from fear and that the "peace of God that surpasses ALL understanding" will be poured out.

 

Isaiah 58 sums up the heart of God behind fasting. vs6 tells us that fasting is to break the chains of injustice, free the opressed and to cancel debts. It is a fast that goes on behalf of the oppressed. I am believing that for you, for your family, our church and our amazing communities.

 

How do I fast? 

This is a question i get regularly and there unfortunately is no rule book for it.  Fasting is between you and God, but use wisdom on how your body works, and use caution if you have any medical issues. The principal of fasting is this:"An abstinence from food, or a limiting of one's food, especially when  voluntary and as a religious observance". Fasting is verb and to sum that up, it is to go without.  I have found that when I go without or I get Hanrgy (hungry and angry), my mind is turned to the "why" I am doing it and creates a creater mindfullness of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

So I would like to encourage you to pray, ask God how he wants you to fast and join us in believing God for breakthrough and healing across our great nation. Also if you plan to join us, please let us know, so we can be praying for you also.

 

Lastly, in case you have missed the news, Groundswell has a new website up and running. You can check it out here Groundswell Church. Our website will keep you up to date with news, events, latest sermons and you can even life stream our Sunday service from the website.

 

Have a great week and I will see you over the weekend where I (Dave) will be preaching "Anointing over Fear"

 

Love you 

 

Dave and Kriselle