21 Day Fasting

Christians Pray, Fast for Divine Intervention Amidst Death Threats

Churches and their followers all over the country have begun a 21-day period of fasting in the hope of divine intervention to avert the looming attack.

Due to heightened insecurity, church attendance has dropped significantly in recent weeks. Less than half of those that attended church regularly can be found in attendance due to safety concerns.

Bombs have been going off on a daily basis in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, while the Nigerian capital of Abuja faced a bomb attack on a car park last month.

The anniversary attack is expected to occur on July 30, the day Boko Haram was founded by former leader Mohammed Yusuf.

Yusuf died in police custody in 2009, and was allegedly killed while trying to escape from prison.

Like us on Facebook

Boko Haram, which can be translated to figuratively mean, "Western or non-Islamic education is a sin," claims that it is fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in Nigeria.

However, the Nigerian constitution guarantees a secular state and freedom of religion for all.

Upon the discovery of the planned attack, the Nigerian government under Christian President Goodluck Jonathan, has increased security in vulnerable areas, particularly in the northern cities of Bauchi and Maidugur, two key areas of Bako Haram.

However, Christians and Muslims alike are fleeing and communities are becoming 'ghost towns' as people are increasingly leaving. One community with upwards of 1,000 homes has only one resident left.

Of Bako Haram's planned attack, Carl Moeller of Open Doors USA has said, "They may not kill all the Christians in a region, but if they can get them to flee, it effectively accomplishes the same goal."

Nigeria is Africa 's most populous nation, and Islam and Christianity are the country's two major religions. The religions are said to be spilt pretty evenly among the population.

The religious divide has long resulted in conflict and violence in the country.

21-day Fasting - Undecided | Cristiane Cardoso

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” Matthew 21:28-31

The Lord Jesus began this parable asking us to think. Our immediate reaction to the first son would have been of despise, how dare he says no he’ll not? He owes his father for all that he has done for him, what an ungrateful son! But then we find out he changed his mind and went. The father probably didn’t know he went to work so he went to his other son and asked him the same, and this one immediately said ‘sure!’… and didn’t go. I love this parable!

That first son didn’t want to go, he probably didn’t feel like working that day, but he went anyway. In other words, it doesn’t really matter if you don’t want or don’t feel like doing something you need to, what matters is that you do it anyway. I remember countless times that I went to church feeling that way… I didn’t want to go. Sometimes because I was tired or that I had so much to do, others because I was sick, and still others because I had had terrible news just prior to going. All those times I said to myself ‘I don’t think I’m going to church today…’ But as soon as I’d say or even think those words, I’d immediately go change to go to church. And every time, those meetings were the best ones and later I’d think to myself, how thankful I was for not listening to what I wanted to do earlier.

It’s not about what you want. Stop waiting for you to want to do what you have to do because the order sometimes is totally averse! Sometimes you will have to do something and then feel like doing more of it later.

I always remember the times when my husband and I began walking/ running early in the morning. The first day was so hard to wake up. I wanted to tell him to go without me, but I didn’t. I got up anyway. I began walking and my legs started to hurt (I hadn’t exercised for so long, this was a major move for them!) but I kept on doing it. Then sometimes I’d start to run, even if was just for a few seconds. 30 minutes later, I was exhausted and yet fulfilled. My whole day was so much more productive!

The Power of Prayer and Fasting, 21 Days That Can Change Your Life

The 21-Day Fast

The Daniel Fast, Feed Your Soul, Strengthen Your Spirit, and Renew Your Body

Fasting Journal, Your Personal 21 Day Guide to a Successful Fast

The Daniel Fast for Spiritual Breakthrough (Large Print 16pt)