CORNELIUS FAST 2020

Welcome to our 21-day "Cornelius Fast". We have set aside this time as a church to seek the Lord as Cornelius did, praying regularly and fasting most of the day in a manner appropriate to your particular physical ability. 

Cornelius not only sought the Lord for himself but desired that others would know Him also. Cornelius used his circle of influence and invited family and friends to his home to hear a message from God. 

Pray - fast - gather and feast is our method for our 2020 Cornelius Fast.

1.  Pray - Designate a set time and place to pray every day. Seek the Lord with all your heart. Pray for those in your circle of friends and family who do not yet know the Lord.

2.  Fast - Fast every day that you are able until 3 pm and in a manner appropriate to your physical ability. Some may be able to totally abstain from food, whereas others may limit the type of food, for example, fruit & veg, grains, juice. Afterwards, enjoy a meal as usual.

3.  Gather - During the fast gather with the church family. If you do not regularly attend a Connect Group, you may want to join one for the next three weeks.

4.  Feast - Plan at least one special meal with your group or with your family and friends. Invite those who do not yet know the Lord to join you for the meal, creating an opportunity to share about the Lord. When and how is up to you. Allow the Lord to guide you. Be creative. As a group, prepare a delicious meal. Open your hearts and your home. Sharing a meal creates relationship.

Introduction

It is unifying be "on the same page." During our 21-day fast, we invite you to join your church family in reading a short passage of Scripture every day around our theme. If you prefer to read from another translation, simply note the reference and carry on. 

The narrative from Acts 9 – 11 takes place in the area indicated on the map below. The contemporary reader understood these place names and the distances between them. All these locations still exist today in modern Israel. They can be visited, making it easy to visualise how Peter and others could walk between these cities. Lydda (Lod) to Joppa - 23 km, Joppa (Jaffa) to Caesarea - 62 km

Caesarea Maritima was a lavish purpose-built seaport city built by Herod the Great, and the Roman seat of government for Judea.  Caesarea was Rome's stronghold, with large regiments of soldiers stationed there. 

Joppa (Jaffa) was one of the oldest seaport cities in the region, dating back long before Jonah and his eventful trip inside a whale!

Day 1 – Peter Goes to Joppa

Reflect

Peter travelled to Lydda to visit the Jewish believers who had settled there. A miracle occurred (9:32-35), and many believed in the Lord Jesus. It seemed that Lydda would be a good place to stay awhile, but then, he was called to respond to an urgent need at Joppa. Peter was willing to go where he was needed most.

Respond

Am I willing to be interrupted, particularly when I have many seemingly worthwhile things to do? How can I better see God's hand at work as He places me where He needs me to be?