FASTING & PRAYING TOGETHER
In my 3rd year of University, a sister from overseas came to Singapore for exchange. We, (a couple of sisters and I) wanted her to feel welcome while she was away from home, so we invited her for campus fellowships and arranged to meet up during breaks in our schedule to study together.
Through our chats during study breaks and meals, we realised that each of us had a strong zeal to care for other brethren in church and to preach to our unbelieving family members.
A HABIT OF PRAYING
Since the overseas sister and another sister were both staying on campus, we decided to establish one day each week where we would fast and gather to pray in one of their rooms:
Before any of our classes started, we would gather to pray in the morning.
When our classes ended, we would gather again to pray and breakfast.
WHEN IT GOT DIFFICULT
Sometimes it was hard to fast when the demands of school got more hectic and tiring as the weeks passed, but we encouraged each other on.
Before we prayed, we would share our prayer requests or progress in our preaching attempts. Sometimes the ache for our loved ones to be saved would result in tearful sharings. As the semester ended, the overseas sister’s exchange was also coming to an end. In our last fasting prayer, we sang Hymn 122, Blest Be the Tie That Binds.
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathising tear.
When we are called to part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
The lyrics were so apt for our situation, and we truly thanked God for our wonderful prayer fellowship. After the overseas sister left, we continued to keep in touch and kept each other in prayers. If you are staying on campus (or know of another brethren who is staying on campus), why not arrange to open your room to gather and pray together for a shared spiritual goal? (caveat: keep to same gender).
