First post

Well, as the scrolling text above quite clearly states, Life Expedition will begin our 40 day period of prayer and fasting this friday (4 days from now). As of this post, I have not yet decided on a solid decision regarding what I will be fasting from, but a much clearer picture of what I will be fasting FOR :

i) One of our close friends and a member of our housechurch, Jonathan is suffering from immature macular degeneration (a problem, for lack of better word, with his eyesight), which basically means he is 'legally blind' - he can make out rough and blurred shapes, but details of any sort are almost impossible for him to make out. He has been struggling with this problem for awhile now, having had to endure a roller coaster ride of mixed emotions and feelings, and we will be fasting and praying that he will be healed.

ii) My younger brother, Christopher is a kidney transplant patient. When he was much younger, my dad donated a kidney to him as he was born with small kidneys which were insufficient to meet his body's needs. Since then, Christopher has been on medication and has had to go for monthly checkups, and my dad for yearly checkups, and by God's grace they have both been healthy and fine all these years. I will be fasting and praying for their good health, and also complete healing, that both of them will be free from the medication, to live a truly free life.

I (and we in the housechurch) have realized that there are several things we are unafraid to pray for : for God to change the city, to change our church, to change our school / university, for protection, and so forth, but when it comes to praying for people really dear to us (or rather situations which we are able to see unfold, circumstances in which we are aware of the actual result), we often feel differently about it.

I guess it is one of our shortcomings that we may be afraid that we do not possess the faith to pray for something as big as complete healing. It is not, however, that we doubt in God, but rather we doubt ourselves - are we really capable of praying such prayers? It could be, perhaps, that we have really left our childlike faith behind; outgrown it perhaps, and have lost that simple mustard-seed belief that everything we pray will be granted as long as we pray according to His will. And that is where prayer and fasting as a group comes in. Alone, we might not have the will to carry on, but together, as a group, as one body, looking after each other, and urging each other onwards, we believe we can achieve what we could not do on our own.

I do not think it is a coincidence that the start of the 40 day fast and prayer coincides with my 2 week mid semester break, I believe it is an opportunity for me to spend more time on the Word, something which I admit I have been neglecting as of late. (A hectic schedule is no reason whatsover not to spend time, and I know it.)

Prayer : Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. We acknowledge your kingdom on this Earth, as it is in heaven. Help me spend more time with you, to spend more time on your Word, despite all the distractions in the world. Help my unbelief, Father God, and help me learn to trust completely in you, cast out all spirits of unbelief in me. And teach me to pray, that I may know and pray according to your will o Lord, not for my selfish pleasures but according to what you have in store for me. And keep the ones I hold dear to my heart safe always, send your angels of protection to guide around them, to my dear parents, grandmother, siblings, auntys and uncles back in Malaysia, and also Nick and the boys, and everyone else -grant them your peace and your joy. We also want to commit our upcoming 40 day prayer and fasting to you, that you might open our eyes and ears to see and hear what you have in store for us, for you and only you know what is best for us. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever, Amen.