The Role of Repentance and Fasting
The Role of Repentance and Fasting
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, the I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14
Hearts were alternately sobered and humbled, and then set ablaze and infused with hope, as Rev. Derek Prince (1915-2003) and Rev. Ern Baxter (1914-1993) brought forth foundational truths at the November, 1973 conference that birthed the ministry of Intercessors for America. Both taught on God’s relational dealings with individuals, the Church, and the destiny of nations.
Derek Prince presented two primary truths from the Pilgrim research he had done after relocating from Britain to America, and which he had incorporated into a new book published earlier in the year, Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting. First, the end time purpose of God is the restoration and completion of the Church. Second, the source of power for the achievement of this purpose is repentance, united prayer, and fasting.
Derek noted that the Pilgrims faced all the issues that we face today. Observing immorality, gambling, drunkenness, and many other “disorders in the land,” they saw that the condition of the Church is reflected in society. Sensing that they had personally fallen short, they called themselves to repentance and, following the pattern of first century Christians, observed days of collective prayer and fasting.
Using many scripture references, Derek emphasized that, except if medical reasons do not permit, “afflicting ones soul” by abstaining from food and drink for set periods of time is the primary, biblical way of “humbling oneself” in the sight of God. Such fasting enables believers to find grace and mercy for authentic repentance – an about-face from sinful behavior, and a clean, restored relational union with the Lord.
Over the decades of IFA’s ministry, food fasting and this “core” principle of “returning to God” continues to be emphasized. Food fasting is not about getting things from God, but is firstly about getting right with God. This principle applies in the lives of individual believers, in the corporate life of the Church, and in the life of a nation. Israel, to this day, still observes Yom Kippur, a nationwide Day of Atonement marked by fasting and repentance. This biblical practice of fasting for repentance and spiritual renewal was adopted and spread throughout Colonial America, was commonplace among the founding New England churches, and helped spark America’s Great Awakenings.
Except in Protestant holiness traditions, and during Catholic and Orthodox Lenten seasons, food fasting was not widely practiced among Christians in America at the time of IFA’s founding. Modernist theologians were teaching, “the perfect fast is love.” The founding of IFA’s ministry with its “core” call for the biblical practice of “afflicting ones soul” via food fasting and repentance marked a transformational “tipping point.” Today, some would say that these principles “went viral.” Drawn from the Bible and Pilgrim history, woven by Derek Prince into his book and presented at the IFA conference, they were also incorporated in the language and call for the nationwide observance of the April 30, 1974 Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer. As the following account shows, the historic April 30, 1974 observance sparked IFA’s continuing monthly first Friday fasting observance.
None who attended the 1973 conference will forget hearing Ern Baxter, Canadian born of Scottish lineage, declaring in his deep, resonant voice that the condition of much of the contemporary Church is “subnormal.” Contrasting modernist faith and practice with New Testament standards recorded in the Book of Acts, Ern presented clear, expository teaching showing that a primary work of the Holy Spirit is to bring forth a restored, “glorious” Church in the days prior to Christ’s return. Both sin and righteousness will “ripen” in these “last days.” Yet, in the midst of many challenges, trials and shakings, a Bride for Christ will be “made ready.” Christ’s disciples will be purified, gifted, anointed, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
While drawn from diverse historic and ethnic backgrounds, this “end time” professing Church, will be marked by surrender, responsive obedience to Christ, community evangelism, courageous prophetic witness, and a corporate display of John 17 unity. “Unity is not optional,” Ern would often stress during the 1973 meetings. “We must do it now or this generation too will die in the wilderness.”
The 2,000 in attendance at this conference were prepared and poised to respond to this challenge to demonstrate unity. Comprised of older believers, younger families, and single adults, the assembly represented a wide variety of Protestant, Catholic, and independent or non-denominational backgrounds. As noted earlier, the group consented in one accord to support Senator Mark Hatfield’s proposal for the call and observance of the April 30, 1974 National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer. Christians across America were also ready to respond. The announcement sped across the country. Millions of Christians in thousands of local churches observed the day in sincere repentance, fasting, and corporate prayer.
Indeed, the day and the harmonious response by leaders and believers from so many different backgrounds seemed “special” in the eyes of God. It found His favor and seemed a fulfillment of the 2 Chronicles 7:14 scripture that had become a rallying call.
On the day before the observance, President Richard Nixon made a public announcement that he would release his secret White House tapes. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee accepted 1,200 pages of transcripts on April 30, the very day multitudes of U.S. Christians were united in fasting and prayer before God. April 30, 1974 marked the turning point that brought forth resolution of the rancorous Watergate affair. Richard Nixon resigned and stepped down. Gerald Ford stepped up and at his swearing-in declared, “I am acutely aware you have not elected me by your ballots. So I ask you to confirm me with your prayers.” The nation began to heal.
More “mercy signs” followed. Rain fell on the drought-stricken Midwest. In California notorious terrorist groups and narcotics rings were uncovered and brought to justice. Crime rates began to drop. Legislation to curb hard-core pornography was passed. Constitutional lawyer Phyllis Schlafly and others began to derail ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution, crafted by militant feminists and passed by Congress in 1972.
Jimmy Owens, who served on the board of IFA at various times, was among those that closed the April 30, 1974 observance at Pastor Jack Hayford’s church in Van Nuys, California. Jimmy sensed that the Lord was asking that a monthly Day of United Prayer and Fasting to be established. It was to be designated by major Christian leaders. Jimmy submitted the concept to Pastor Hayford and church elders. They confirmed it and commissioned Jimmy to attend a Summit Conference of Church Leaders in America, set to meet in Chicago in September, 1975. More than 130 leaders convened, including leadership from IFA. Together they prayed and strategized on how to call and mobilize the church for intercession through America’s bicentennial year, 1976.
Near the close of the conference Jimmy Owens, composer of the musical, “If My People,” proposed that the first Friday of each month be designated as a day of corporate prayer and fasting across the country. The leaders unanimously approved the resolution and directed it be observed through the Bicentenniel year. IFA immediately implemented the first Friday observance and, while denominations and ministries departed from it after 1976, IFA has never wavered. The monthly first Friday fasting observance, with a focus on personal and national repentance, presently designated as “F3” for “First Friday Fasting” (F3rocks.com), remains as part of the spiritual heartbeat of the ministry.
Faithfully observed by multitudes of IFA members over decades, it has had a “ripple effect” in the body of Christ. It has become imbedded in the National Prayer Accord promoted by America’s National Prayer Committee. Church-wide repentance and fasting is encouraged in conjunction with the U.S. National Day of Prayer observance on the first Thursday of May each year. Key church and civic leaders have observed it over the decades and have helped to mobilize many three-day, seven-day, 21-day, and 40-day prayer and fasting vigils—sometimes with surprising blessings, turnings, and transformations, as subsequent accounts will document.
Heeding the Bible’s mandates, following in the example of Jesus Himself, and walking out the example of America’s Christian founders, the ministry of IFA continues to champion, inform, and unite thousands of local churches, and tens of thousands of Christians from diverse backgrounds, in spiritually sustaining and transformational first Friday repentance, fasting, and intercessory prayer.
“I have often said it would be a thing very desirable, and very likely
to be followed with a great Blessing, if there could be some contrivance,
that there should be an agreement of all God’s people in America, that are well affected to this work, to keep a day of Fasting and Prayer to God;
wherein we should all unite of the same day….”
—Jonathan Edwards, 1742
By Gary Bergel
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