reflections on the fast

Venezuela Team Newsletter #6
Cassandra Klingenberg
1.12.2008

I had never fasted for three days, but at Shalom, the New Year means bringing your first and best to God. So on the morning of January 2nd, we joined church members in the sanctuary to begin a time of fasting. As a church, they pray and seek direction for the coming year. Our team also had the privilege of leading them in singing, dramas, scripture reading, and a message given by Alyse in English and translated by Kirsten into Spanish. The following is a glimpse into how I experienced and observed the Lord working through the people…

Indeed, the Lord met us on this final day of fasting. We began the third morning of fasting with worship and prayer. Hungry and thirsty, we laid it all before the Lord, knowing only he could quench the emptiness we felt inside. While lifting up our voices in praise, Edison, the worship leader began praying. As the passion in his voice grew, the music also climaxed in intensity and volume. Then un-expectantly, his voice began to break and he cried out, sobbing as he prayed. He lowered himself to the ground and fell on his knees, face-down before the Lord. The music softened and the Holy Spirit seemed to pour Himself out upon all who gathered. The members of the band stopped playing altogether and joined the others for a time of silence.

As I looked around the room, the congregation was on their knees, their faces to the ground. Some were standing with their arms wide open. Others were sitting on their chairs, waiting expectantly for the Lord to meet them there. I glance up to the very front of the room and see pastor Ceferino kneeling in front of his chair, hands folded in reverent prayer.

“Lord, you are here. You are in this place. I can feel your presence; it is so close I could reach out and touch it. It is silent. Lord, something is drawing me in. I don’t want to leave this place of peace within. You can feel the brokenness in the air as your children cry out to you, longing to be filled with your presence, prostrating themselves before you, Father. I see your body, broken, humbled, and loved.”