While many of us are shocked, wondering how in the world we can stop the shootings and stabbings that have infected our city, one man went right to the top and got an answer.
Dr. Clyde Posley, pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church has received a word from God, and it's a word we've heard before. He quotes Jesus from Matthew 17, where He tells His disciples that "this kind of (powerful deep-seated) demon" can only be overthrown with fasting and praying. OK?
Historically, fasting and praying has worked out pretty well. Like when Moses fasted and received the 10 Commandments, or David, fasting after Saul's death when he became king. There was Elijah's 40-day fast and revelation, and Esther, who fasted and saved the Jewish people. Nehemiah fasted before he began to rebuild the Jerusalem wall, and Paul fasted after his revelation on the road to Damascus, ok enough? But then there was Jesus who fasted "and the devil went away."
I know, the word devil conjures pictures of a guy with horns and a harpoon, but to the slightly more informed, "devil" is a byword for evil; for the lowest of our carnal intentions; for the kind of urges that bring people to do terrible things. (Devil, minus the D.) Now, if you don't believe in evil, I can't help you. You clearly aren't paying attention. Just ask the parents of the four-year-old child who was shot, a random victim, outside a funeral at church. Ask them. They'll tell you: That's evil.
So, the pastor has enlisted Indianapolis city leaders, 100 churches, and is working toward a press conference that will organize us all into a fasting and praying machine starting Thursday, August 5th, for seven weeks. The plan is to fast every Thursday from noon to Friday at noon. (Or for 24 hours on Thursday.) Or if you can't do that, choose a 12 hour period during that time, like midnight to noon on Friday.
If you cannot fast, he is asking us to pray every hour—even if it's only a minute every hour. Others are asked to simply pray for the success of the fast, or pray for the leaders of the fast. Better yet, pray for improved citizen-police relationships. At some point, says Posley, "we all have to take responsibility for what is happening here."
Posley is online announcing this effort at: https://tinyurl.com/2jsbt7ez. He notes, "Every time God got ready to move on behalf of his people, he raised up someone to lead them into a fast." So here it is. He has raised up Paster Posley to lead us, and I for one, am willing to do my part.
What if the devil went away?
Nancy
