Dr. Bill Bright (no relation) probably did more to bring Prayer & Fasting back to the mainline churches than any other Evangelical.
You can find lots of resources on the Campus Crusade for Christ Interanational web site. Here is a link for "How to Fast"...
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx
There are lots of good books out there - one classic is "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster.
A word of caution!
If you have any medical condition that requires daily medication, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor. I always suggest your ask in this way: "Doctor, I want to fast from solid food for one or two meals. What do I need to do to manage my meds or medical condition on that day?"
If anyone has questions, I would be glad to offer any help I can!
John Bright
johnlynnbright@gmail.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Prayer & Fasting - "Works of Piety"
Here is some info from http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/disciple.stm
Spiritual Disciplines: Works of Piety
John Wesley believed that Jesus is God's means of grace. For him, the "means of grace" were also "works of piety" (spiritual disciplines) and "works of mercy" (doing good to others). He said that means of grace are: "...outward signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace."
Wesley talked about a variety of works of piety:
The chief of these means are prayer, whether in secret or with the great congregation; searching the Scriptures; (which implies reading, hearing, and meditating thereon;) and receiving the Lord's Supper, eating bread and drinking wine in remembrance of Him: And these we believe to be ordained of God, as the ordinary channels of conveying his grace to the souls of men. He also emphasized the importance of fasting and participating in Christian community.
Prayer
John Wesley considered prayer an essential part of Christian living, calling it, in many of his writings, the most important means of grace. Christians were to pray constantly, without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He wrote in A Plain Account of Christian Perfection:
Whether we think of; or speak to, God, whether we act or suffer for him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than his love, and the desire of pleasing him.
All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by his own choice.
How have you experienced prayer in your own life? Do you agree with Wesley that it is the most important means of grace, more important than the Bible?
Bible Study
John Wesley read the Bible every day, usually early in the day or late in the evening. A scholar, he could read the scriptures in their original languages and wrote commentaries on the Bible. His Explanatory Notes on the New Testament and his sermons are a part of the Doctrinal Standards of The United Methodist Church. John Wesley gave Methodists advice on how to read the Bible. Read Wesley's advice and try it. Is his approach helpful to you? What is your method of searching the scriptures?
Fasting
The spiritual reasons for fasting have been pretty much lost on today's society, particularly in Protestantism. Many United Methodists are surprised to learn that John Wesley fasted two days a week, Wednesdays and Fridays, in his younger days. Later he fasted on Fridays. Charles Yrigoyen, Jr., in John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life writes:
Wesley was convinced that fasting, abstaining from food or drink, was a practice firmly grounded in the Bible. People in Old Testament times fasted (Ezra 8:23). So did Jesus and his followers (Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:3), and Wesley saw no reason why modern Christians should not follow the same pattern. His plan of fasting sometimes allowed for limited eating and drinking. He found that fasting advanced holiness.
John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life copyright © 1996 Charles Yrigoyen, Jr., p. 33.
************
This is part of our Spiritual Heritage as 21st Century followers of the Wesleyan Way!
Are you ready to join in the call to Pray and Fast leading up to the voting at all Annual Conferences in 2009?
John Bright
johnlynnbright@gmail.com
Spiritual Disciplines: Works of Piety
John Wesley believed that Jesus is God's means of grace. For him, the "means of grace" were also "works of piety" (spiritual disciplines) and "works of mercy" (doing good to others). He said that means of grace are: "...outward signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace."
Wesley talked about a variety of works of piety:
The chief of these means are prayer, whether in secret or with the great congregation; searching the Scriptures; (which implies reading, hearing, and meditating thereon;) and receiving the Lord's Supper, eating bread and drinking wine in remembrance of Him: And these we believe to be ordained of God, as the ordinary channels of conveying his grace to the souls of men. He also emphasized the importance of fasting and participating in Christian community.
Prayer
John Wesley considered prayer an essential part of Christian living, calling it, in many of his writings, the most important means of grace. Christians were to pray constantly, without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He wrote in A Plain Account of Christian Perfection:
Whether we think of; or speak to, God, whether we act or suffer for him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than his love, and the desire of pleasing him.
All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by his own choice.
How have you experienced prayer in your own life? Do you agree with Wesley that it is the most important means of grace, more important than the Bible?
Bible Study
John Wesley read the Bible every day, usually early in the day or late in the evening. A scholar, he could read the scriptures in their original languages and wrote commentaries on the Bible. His Explanatory Notes on the New Testament and his sermons are a part of the Doctrinal Standards of The United Methodist Church. John Wesley gave Methodists advice on how to read the Bible. Read Wesley's advice and try it. Is his approach helpful to you? What is your method of searching the scriptures?
Fasting
The spiritual reasons for fasting have been pretty much lost on today's society, particularly in Protestantism. Many United Methodists are surprised to learn that John Wesley fasted two days a week, Wednesdays and Fridays, in his younger days. Later he fasted on Fridays. Charles Yrigoyen, Jr., in John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life writes:
Wesley was convinced that fasting, abstaining from food or drink, was a practice firmly grounded in the Bible. People in Old Testament times fasted (Ezra 8:23). So did Jesus and his followers (Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:3), and Wesley saw no reason why modern Christians should not follow the same pattern. His plan of fasting sometimes allowed for limited eating and drinking. He found that fasting advanced holiness.
John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life copyright © 1996 Charles Yrigoyen, Jr., p. 33.
************
This is part of our Spiritual Heritage as 21st Century followers of the Wesleyan Way!
Are you ready to join in the call to Pray and Fast leading up to the voting at all Annual Conferences in 2009?
John Bright
johnlynnbright@gmail.com
Prayer & Fasting - World Methodist Conference
I hope most everyone has heard about the World Methodist Conference.Here is their Vision Statement: OUR VISION: To see the MethodistMovement alive, vibrant, growing and yearning to spread the good newsof Christ Jesus throughout the whole world through word, deed and sign!
Gotta' like that!
Here is their link on Prayer & Fasting http://www.worldmethodist.org/prayerandfasting.htm
Check out the text from that page...
Since the 1991 World Methodist Conference in Singapore, Methodistsaround the world have been encouraged by World Methodist Evangelism toparticipate in the same weekly fast which John Wesley observed most ofhis life. Now, the Wesleyan Patter for Prayer and Fasting has been incorporated into the World Methodist Evangelism Emphasis and Wesleyan/Methodist people around the world are being encourage to participate, especially during Lent 2005 and Lent 2006!
In a world of computers, fax machines and supersonic travel, thechurch is tempted to overlook the simple act of praying for one another, the church and the world. The church cannot afford to neglect the power of prayer and fasting. Therefore, Methodist/Wesleyan people all over the world are invited to accept this challenge to prayer and fasting.
What is the "Wesleyan Pattern for Prayer and Fasting?" Each Thursday evening, after the evening meal, until mid-afternoon on each Friday, Methodist people are invited to follow Wesley's example of fasting and prayer. During this time he did not take solid food but fasted and focused much of his time in prayer.
What is a fast? Normally persons do not use solid food, but continuew ith liquids during such a short but regular fast.
What is the connection between prayer and fasting? Fasting is not ad iet; it is a discipline that enables one to focus his or her prayers.
When does this prayer and fasting take place? It is hope that many will regularly follow the pattern, but it is urged for the people to particularly follow the pattern of prayer and fasting each week between Easter and Pentecost.
Who is invited to participate in the "Wesleyan Pattern of Prayer and Fasting?" John Wesley expected the "preachers" to participate, and he wanted all of the Methodist leaders and people to follow this discipline.
Why this pattern? Methodist people are invited to discover the power in this regular pattern and discipline that John Wesley followed for a half a century. For Wesley, the more important reason for fasting was that fasting is a help to prayer.
************
Once again, let me share that I believe this is a time when the United Methodist Church needs to come before the Lord and seek His will on the Amendments to the Constitution that will be voted on in 2009.
Will you join in this effort?
John Bright
johnlynnbright@gmail.com
Gotta' like that!
Here is their link on Prayer & Fasting http://www.worldmethodist.org/prayerandfasting.htm
Check out the text from that page...
Since the 1991 World Methodist Conference in Singapore, Methodistsaround the world have been encouraged by World Methodist Evangelism toparticipate in the same weekly fast which John Wesley observed most ofhis life. Now, the Wesleyan Patter for Prayer and Fasting has been incorporated into the World Methodist Evangelism Emphasis and Wesleyan/Methodist people around the world are being encourage to participate, especially during Lent 2005 and Lent 2006!
In a world of computers, fax machines and supersonic travel, thechurch is tempted to overlook the simple act of praying for one another, the church and the world. The church cannot afford to neglect the power of prayer and fasting. Therefore, Methodist/Wesleyan people all over the world are invited to accept this challenge to prayer and fasting.
What is the "Wesleyan Pattern for Prayer and Fasting?" Each Thursday evening, after the evening meal, until mid-afternoon on each Friday, Methodist people are invited to follow Wesley's example of fasting and prayer. During this time he did not take solid food but fasted and focused much of his time in prayer.
What is a fast? Normally persons do not use solid food, but continuew ith liquids during such a short but regular fast.
What is the connection between prayer and fasting? Fasting is not ad iet; it is a discipline that enables one to focus his or her prayers.
When does this prayer and fasting take place? It is hope that many will regularly follow the pattern, but it is urged for the people to particularly follow the pattern of prayer and fasting each week between Easter and Pentecost.
Who is invited to participate in the "Wesleyan Pattern of Prayer and Fasting?" John Wesley expected the "preachers" to participate, and he wanted all of the Methodist leaders and people to follow this discipline.
Why this pattern? Methodist people are invited to discover the power in this regular pattern and discipline that John Wesley followed for a half a century. For Wesley, the more important reason for fasting was that fasting is a help to prayer.
************
Once again, let me share that I believe this is a time when the United Methodist Church needs to come before the Lord and seek His will on the Amendments to the Constitution that will be voted on in 2009.
Will you join in this effort?
John Bright
johnlynnbright@gmail.com
Thursday, January 22, 2009
All 24 Petitions
All 24 Petitions
A special "shout out" of thanks to Reid Broce, a fellow UM in the Virginia Conference, who sent me this link for all the petitions that will be voted upon this Summer at the Annual Conference meetings around the US and the world.
Here is the link –
http://www.worldwideumc.org/uploads/WorldWidePetitionsFinal.pdf
And here is the info found on the home page of this site…
http://www.worldwideumc.org/Home_Page.html
(If you go to this page, be sure to check out the video link at the bottom – let me know what you think – more on the video later!)
A Report from the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table to the General Conference
We, as the United Methodist Church, are privileged to live as one connectional church located in over thirty-eight countries. The Council of Bishops and Connectional Table jointly present this report and its petitions for consideration by the General Conference.
This website makes available to you the report that led to the actions taken last Spring. Those bodies amended the proposals, most notably suggesting that central conferences be renamed “regional conferences.” Thus, there are now 24 petitions advocating changes in the Constitution. Please note the portion of our report that tells you what this proposal does not invite us to do:
It does not change the number, purpose or function of Jurisdictional Conferences
It does not change the way bishops are elected or assigned
It does not change the purpose, number or scope of any general agency
It does not change the size or power of General Conference
It does not change the way the Social Principles are decided upon or amended
It does not change the way money is apportioned or allocated
It does do three things:
Makes constitutional changes of the terminology central conference to regional conference
Makes constitutional changes allowing a future General Conference to create structures for regional and jurisdictional conferences that are the same everywhere in the United Methodist Church
Provides for continued study and a report to the 2012 General Conference by the Connectional Table and Council of Bishops
Next week – lots of info on fasting!
Pastor John Bright
A special "shout out" of thanks to Reid Broce, a fellow UM in the Virginia Conference, who sent me this link for all the petitions that will be voted upon this Summer at the Annual Conference meetings around the US and the world.
Here is the link –
http://www.worldwideumc.org/uploads/WorldWidePetitionsFinal.pdf
And here is the info found on the home page of this site…
http://www.worldwideumc.org/Home_Page.html
(If you go to this page, be sure to check out the video link at the bottom – let me know what you think – more on the video later!)
A Report from the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table to the General Conference
We, as the United Methodist Church, are privileged to live as one connectional church located in over thirty-eight countries. The Council of Bishops and Connectional Table jointly present this report and its petitions for consideration by the General Conference.
This website makes available to you the report that led to the actions taken last Spring. Those bodies amended the proposals, most notably suggesting that central conferences be renamed “regional conferences.” Thus, there are now 24 petitions advocating changes in the Constitution. Please note the portion of our report that tells you what this proposal does not invite us to do:
It does not change the number, purpose or function of Jurisdictional Conferences
It does not change the way bishops are elected or assigned
It does not change the purpose, number or scope of any general agency
It does not change the size or power of General Conference
It does not change the way the Social Principles are decided upon or amended
It does not change the way money is apportioned or allocated
It does do three things:
Makes constitutional changes of the terminology central conference to regional conference
Makes constitutional changes allowing a future General Conference to create structures for regional and jurisdictional conferences that are the same everywhere in the United Methodist Church
Provides for continued study and a report to the 2012 General Conference by the Connectional Table and Council of Bishops
Next week – lots of info on fasting!
Pastor John Bright
Monday, January 19, 2009
Where are all the amendments?
I have been looking for a complete list of all the Constitutional Amendments.
Does anybody know where I can find a list?
Does anybody know where I can find a list?
Some of the Amendments
Got this info from the Confessing Movement website
http://confessingumc.org/confessing_movement_umc/
…The series of petitions that will enable constitutional amendments that would make the church in the United States a regional conference passed by the necessary 2/3 majority. The amendments would allow for a General Conference made up somewhat similarly as our General Conference now is, that would deal with issues of a world-wide nature, but then in addition provide for Regional Conferences (similar to Central Conferences now) that would deal with issues of a regional nature. Since much of what General Conference now does relates to the U.S. church primarily, those U.S. specific matters would be dealt with by the U.S. Regional Conference. The problem is determining what is of a worldwide nature and what is of a “regional” nature. A study committee will work out the details. Evangelicals generally oppose this amendment (at least at this time—one argument was, let the study committee show us the details first and then let us do the constitutional amendment if it looks right). The matter of the Social Principles (what is really at stake is the definition of the family and the matter of homosexuality which are in the Social Principles) immediately came up in conference debate. Do the Social Principles apply to the church globally or does each region set its own Social Principles? It is very obvious to all observers that the church’s definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, as well as the matter of whether the practice of homosexuality is to be approved, might well change if the Central Conference votes were removed. In other words, some are arguing that while the church in Africa may see homosexuality as a sin, the church in America sees it differently. The matter is not yet settled. Each annual conference will need to vote on this since a constitutional amendment needs to be ratified by 2/3 of the annual conference members.
+++
…Another constitutional amendment, which would have tremendous implications would change Article IV (p. 22 of the 2004 Discipline), entitled Inclusiveness of the Church. The article was placed at the time of the EUB merger in order to emphasize that the church is open to persons of different races, national origin, or economic condition. A sentence in the paragraph now reads: All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its services...and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members…. The amendment, basically, would remove the words without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition… to make the paragraph read: All persons shall be eligible to attend its worship services…and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members… The seriousness of the change cannot be overemphasized. This is being called the “No Standards, No Conversion” amendment. The purpose of the paragraph is changed from not discriminating against people on the basis of who they are, to not discriminating on the basis of anything, which could be, what they believe, whether or not they are converted, whether or not they obviously have ulterior motives. While an incident regarding denial of membership to a practicing homosexual triggered the change, the change would reach far beyond just the matter of practicing homosexuals. This will require annual conference ratification, so members of annual conferences will have a chance to vote on this.
…Some observers believe another sentence in the amendment could be used to declare the ban on ordaining self-avowed practicing homosexuals and performing same-gender unions or marriages as unconstitutional. The sentence reads, “In The United Methodist Church no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body of the Church.” Are we not “structured so as to exclude” gay and lesbian members from ordained ministry and same-gender unions? Given the new makeup of the Judicial Council, it would not be far-fetched to see them overturn our existing prohibitions based on this amendment. And again it would go beyond homosexuality, as it appears we could not exclude any group for any reason (such as theological differences or racist practices).
This amendment will require annual conference ratification, so members of annual conferences will have a chance to vote on this.
http://confessingumc.org/confessing_movement_umc/
…The series of petitions that will enable constitutional amendments that would make the church in the United States a regional conference passed by the necessary 2/3 majority. The amendments would allow for a General Conference made up somewhat similarly as our General Conference now is, that would deal with issues of a world-wide nature, but then in addition provide for Regional Conferences (similar to Central Conferences now) that would deal with issues of a regional nature. Since much of what General Conference now does relates to the U.S. church primarily, those U.S. specific matters would be dealt with by the U.S. Regional Conference. The problem is determining what is of a worldwide nature and what is of a “regional” nature. A study committee will work out the details. Evangelicals generally oppose this amendment (at least at this time—one argument was, let the study committee show us the details first and then let us do the constitutional amendment if it looks right). The matter of the Social Principles (what is really at stake is the definition of the family and the matter of homosexuality which are in the Social Principles) immediately came up in conference debate. Do the Social Principles apply to the church globally or does each region set its own Social Principles? It is very obvious to all observers that the church’s definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, as well as the matter of whether the practice of homosexuality is to be approved, might well change if the Central Conference votes were removed. In other words, some are arguing that while the church in Africa may see homosexuality as a sin, the church in America sees it differently. The matter is not yet settled. Each annual conference will need to vote on this since a constitutional amendment needs to be ratified by 2/3 of the annual conference members.
+++
…Another constitutional amendment, which would have tremendous implications would change Article IV (p. 22 of the 2004 Discipline), entitled Inclusiveness of the Church. The article was placed at the time of the EUB merger in order to emphasize that the church is open to persons of different races, national origin, or economic condition. A sentence in the paragraph now reads: All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its services...and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members…. The amendment, basically, would remove the words without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition… to make the paragraph read: All persons shall be eligible to attend its worship services…and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members… The seriousness of the change cannot be overemphasized. This is being called the “No Standards, No Conversion” amendment. The purpose of the paragraph is changed from not discriminating against people on the basis of who they are, to not discriminating on the basis of anything, which could be, what they believe, whether or not they are converted, whether or not they obviously have ulterior motives. While an incident regarding denial of membership to a practicing homosexual triggered the change, the change would reach far beyond just the matter of practicing homosexuals. This will require annual conference ratification, so members of annual conferences will have a chance to vote on this.
…Some observers believe another sentence in the amendment could be used to declare the ban on ordaining self-avowed practicing homosexuals and performing same-gender unions or marriages as unconstitutional. The sentence reads, “In The United Methodist Church no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body of the Church.” Are we not “structured so as to exclude” gay and lesbian members from ordained ministry and same-gender unions? Given the new makeup of the Judicial Council, it would not be far-fetched to see them overturn our existing prohibitions based on this amendment. And again it would go beyond homosexuality, as it appears we could not exclude any group for any reason (such as theological differences or racist practices).
This amendment will require annual conference ratification, so members of annual conferences will have a chance to vote on this.
Calling United Methodists to Pray and Fast
Calling United Methodists around the world to a season of prayer and fasting as we prepare to vote on the Constitutional Amendments approved at the 2008 General Conference. The voting in 2009 will shape the future of our United Methodist Church for years to come. Come and join in!
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