The 50th day after Easter is called Pentecost. The 10 days leading up to Pentecost make up the Pentecost season, marking the period between Jesus’ ascension into Heaven and the day when Jesus’ followers received the Holy Spirit.

We’re approaching the day of Pentecost and are in the middle of a sermon series called “Miracles” here at NCC, so it seemed appropriate that we pray that God would move in a powerful way, much as he did at the first Pentecost.

Consequently, we are doing a 10 day fast, praying and believing that God will do great things.

I’ve decided to fast a few things, each symbolic of the things I’m believing God for.

I’ve given up alcohol as I pray for my brother’s health. He’s had some stomach problems for a while now. I’m praying for total healing. (Alcohol = not super-great for your stomach)

I’ve given up coffee as I continue to pray and believe for another place in the marketplace for NCC. (Coffee = something I drink at work)

I’ve put myself on a strict diabetic-friendly diet as I pray that God would heal me of diabetes. Note that I manage my diabetes well, but I usually do this through extra insulin rather than proper diet.

I’ve given up searching for a home as I pray and trust God that He will provide the right place. This is perhaps the most difficult fast I’ve ever done. There’s always the idea that something great could come on the market and disappear during the 10 days I’ve stopped looking.

There you have it. There are a few other things, but they are either overly-personal or not mine to share publicly.

If you’re interested in doing a Pentecost fast, it’s not too late. We’re only a day-and-a-half in. Join us in fasting and believing that God will glorify himself through miracles that only He can do.

My church has a saying (that I’m sure we did not originate), “Pray like it depends on God, and work like it depends on you.” I think it’s a pretty good saying. God is in control, and prayer is the most important thing we can do when faced with a difficult situation. However, God uses His people to do His work, so we have a responsibility not just to pray but to act as well. In other words, sometimes God uses us to answer our own prayers and the prayers of others.

But when it comes to the recent tragedy in Myanmar, I can’t do anything but pray. There’s no shortage of disaster relief waiting to go into the country; the government of Myanmar simply won’t let much outside aid into the country. Some have called for an invasion if necessary in order to bring in desperately needed food and supplies. I honestly don’t know whether or not I think that’s a good idea. I can see arguments on both sides and don’t know the country or region well enough to really judge.

So I’m asking you to join me in praying for both the people and the government of Myanmar. Pray that relief would be let in, pray for a government that respects the lives of its citizens, and pray that somehow through this tragedy, the people of Myanmar would come to know Christ.