This Spring, Karis is preaching through the Beatitudes, from Matthew 5, one by one. As we study each line of the beginning of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, we want to deeply consider what our lives look like if we are devoted to learning this “song of our Savior,” as Pastor Kevin put it. In a world distracted by the biggest and the loudest, what does it truly look like to hunger after God with meekness and mercy?

We’re inviting you into a season of regular prayer and fasting together as a church as we reflect on these truths and ask God to make them true in each of our lives. During each of the following weeks, spend the day that your Missional Community or DNA Group normally gathers to fast and pray through the Beatitude that was preached on during the last Sunday Gathering. Our hope is that through both individual and communal times of prayer each week, this song of our Savior will be felt and sung among our church and in our city.

Below is an outline of which Beatitude we will focus on each week. We hope that you’ll spend time fasting and praying on your own throughout the day, and then come together with your MC or DNA Group to seek after God together. Keep reading to the bottom of the post to find helpful information about fasting.

Schedule

Week of:

March 6

Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

March 13

Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

March 20

Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

April 3

Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

April 10

Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

May 1

Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

May 8

Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

May 15

Matthew 5:10-12: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Fasting

Below are some suggestions on preparing for each day of prayer and fasting as well as a guide for the day.  Remember, these are just suggestions.  Don’t get hung up on any particular aspect of the day.  The important thing is that we’re seeking the Lord together as a church family. Wondering why we fast at all? Read this past blog post from Pastor Jeff!

IN PREPARATION FOR THE DAY

• Make a plan before you go to bed the night before.

  • How will you fast the following day?  What meal(s) will you skip?  If skipping meals isn’t safe or best for you, what else can you fast from – social media, streaming, your phone, etc.?  Plan to set aside the time you would normally spend eating to spend with the Lord.  Aim for one or two dedicated blocks of time throughout the day.

  • If you’re married, talk with your spouse about your plans.  If you have kids, consider trading off during normal meal times to allow the other spouse space and time to spend with the Lord.

• Don’t load up on food the day before to “make up” for the food you’ll miss out on while fasting.  That’s actually worse for your body.  But do be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day of fasting!

A GUIDE FOR THE DAY

At the start of the day:

• Pray and set aside this day to the Lord.

• Remind yourself of the gospel, that you have been adopted into God’s family because of Jesus, and you have nothing to prove to God – even as you fast today.

Outside of meal times:

• As you go throughout the day and you feel the physical sensation of hunger, let that prompt you to pray.

• Pray for God to give you the same kind of spiritual hunger for him.

• Pray for God to do the same kind of work in the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

During normal meal times:

• Instead of sitting down to eat physical food, grab your Bible and feast on God and his Word.

• Use the weekly Beatitude listed above to lead you through time with the Lord. Ask God for understanding of his Word, praising him for his wisdom and beauty. Ask for repentance where you fall short, and ask the Spirit to guide you in obedience.

At the end of the day:

• Join together with your MC or DNA Group for your regular gathering and pray together through the week’s verse.