Christian Union is Hosting a National Fast for America to Return to God
by Erin conner, writer and communications associate
Pew and Barna research showcases the multi-decade decline of Christian belief and practice in America among both strongly committed and marginally committed Christians. Projections indicate that 50 million people will be "lost" without reconciliation to God through Christ by 2050. America has suffered mass secularization in the last few decades resulting in an increase in disorder in America, from the highest levels of depression and anxiety on record since the Great Depression to a significant and measurable decrease in personal and societal health and stability.
In response to this reality, Christian Union America will be holding a 14-day national fast from August 1 to August 14, 2024, that will emphasize the need for American Christians and the American people to turn to God. This initiative will urge Christians to fast and pray for our nation, for our nation's leaders to return to God, and for all Americans to heed the Lord's loving call to reconciliation, repentance, and obedience.
Christian Union will provide all participants with a guide to fasting, an email devotional each day of the fast, an online community for participants, and a Bible reading plan. Participants will also be added to Christian Union's app, which is hosting a private group for this purpose. This online group will allow participants to connect with other like-minded Christians from the east to the west coast, share testimonies, and access additional resources such as videos and articles during the fast.
Why Fasting?
Biblical fasting, the giving up of food, helps people focus, in part, on the spiritual reality of existence, as opposed to the physical one. Fasting from food is a way to acknowledge that we are more than physical creatures with physical needs, but that we are spiritual beings who are fully dependent upon God for everything; fasting is a way to acknowledge that "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4).
Fasting is not a goal in and of itself. It does not make people righteous, as only the blood of Jesus does this, (Romans 3:22; Hebrews 9:14) but Scripture illustrates that fasting can help people enter more deeply into the presence of Righteousness–into the presence of Jesus Christ Himself–for breakthroughs, divine intervention, and increased faith.
Scripture teaches that humanity's purpose is to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and to be transformed more into God's image, so that humanity can be the Body of Christ to help expand and deepen the Kingdom of Light until Christ's return. It is difficult in American mainstream culture to deny "self" because culture is oriented around serving self, above all else, through the instant gratification of all perceived needs, including the physical need for food. Fasting, in part, can help believers "break off" the power of serving self first to seek first the Kingdom of God.
Christian Union is inviting all Americans who feel the pull to do something out of desperation for the state of our nation to humbly join this Fast.
There are people and politicians in American mainstream society who mock prayer– claiming it is nothing more than empty words. History shows that Scotland's John Knox, England's John Wesley, and America's Jonathan Edwards believed quite differently for their countries, and by God's grace and power, reformation followed. Christian Union believes, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37) and that getting on our knees in unity to acknowledge our weakness and God's strength and to place our trust in the name of Jesus Christ above all things is the most powerful position we can take to effectuate change, as "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
If you agree, join us in faith and unity to humbly pray for our nation through this 14-day fast. Great moves of God are preceded by people humbling themselves, turning from their wicked ways, and praying and seeking His face together (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Individuals, families, organizations and churches are warmly invited to join CU's National Fast from August 1-14, 2024. Sign up here.
Learn more about Christian Union America's initiatives to help America return to God.
