Last Sabbath at Willowdale, after the morning worship service, I stayed behind to participate in the prayer and fasting service from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Why did I stay?
First, because drawing near to God is essential in the Christian journey. It renews faith, instills hope, and inspires courage.
Second, because leadership leads. I felt it was important for our church family to see their lead pastor actively supporting and participating in a ministry that underscores our need for prayer.
Finally, I personally drew spiritual strength through shared prayer, testimonies of God’s faithfulness, heartfelt praise through music, and the quiet moments of listening for the Holy Spirit’s still, small voice. Those two hours of prayer and fasting deeply refreshed and rejuvenated my soul.
What’s Next for Prayer and Fasting at Willowdale?
This past week, the pastoral team met to review and reflect on the Sabbath afternoon program. We celebrated the positives, identified areas for growth, and discussed the next steps.
Positives:
- Over 80 people attended, including both the young and the elderly.
- Testimonies of the prayer answered were powerful and faith-building.
- The service ran for the full advertised two hours and included diverse elements that kept the experience fresh and engaging.
Room for Improvement:
- We needed more time for specific prayer requests.
- There should be more focused seasons of prayer around vital areas such as health and healing, finances, healthy homes, and community outreach.
Next Steps:
As a pastoral team, we are convinced that prayer is indispensable to the health and mission of Willowdale. We are committed to seeing prayer and fasting become a consistent part of our monthly ministry and service schedule.
How Should We Prepare?
First, by recognizing the importance of preparation.
Fasting is not merely skipping a meal—it is a spiritual discipline to help us seek God’s will and attune our hearts to His voice. For those with health concerns, fasting from technology or another form of distraction can be a meaningful substitute. Whatever you choose to set aside, do it with intention and purpose.
Second, we must be willing to testify.
If God is working miracles in our lives—and He is—we must give Him the glory by sharing those testimonies. Hearing how God is answering prayer encourages others who may be struggling in their faith.
Just as we are encouraged to prepare for the quarterly communion service, we should also be intentional in preparing for the monthly prayer and fasting service.
As I close, I’m reminded of these powerful words from Ellen G. White:
“If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in our religious life. Our prayers will take the form of a conversation with God as we would talk to a friend. He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Often there will come to us a sweet joyful sense of the presence of Jesus.” – (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 129)
Prayer and fasting bring a renewed freshness to our personal walk with God and anchor our church in what matters most. We must never be too busy to pray.
Willowdale is blessed with vibrant ministries for children, youth, music, and seniors. Yet above all, may we remain a house of prayer for all people—a place where prayer is cherished, encouraged, and prioritized.
Maranatha!
Pastor Glenn DeSilva