Fast and Prayer Day

Today is a national holiday in Liberia, Fast and Prayer Day!

Here’s a little bit about it taken from an online encyclopedia: Liberians reserve Fast and Prayer Day for collective reflection and self-discipline. The observance of the day is not mandatory since the constitution provides for freedom of religion. Nonetheless, many believe this national observance is in keeping with the spiritual convictions of Liberia's founding fathers. As President W. V. S. Tubman stated in an address commemorating a national fast, the country was established on a "deep and well-founded belief and trust in God through prayer." The day historically has been observed by Christians, as Liberian Muslims more commonly dedicate the Islamic month of Ramadan to fasting and prayer. While officially the observance spans only 24 hours, the time of fasting and prayer can extend to an entire week.

How crazy is that?! A day sanctioned by the government for fasting and prayer! A lot of people don’t observe it and just use it as an extra day off, but many people do. In my neighborhood, churches have been having services every night, all week long. The bigger churches even had calls for week-long fasting and prayer on the radio for a few weeks leading up to it.

At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to participate or not. I’ve ended up working most of the Liberian holidays, and I hoped I could stay home and relax through this one. But then I thought, how often do you get to join a nation in prayer and fasting? I had to do it. And anyway, I haven’t fasted since I came to Liberia, and I feel like fasting is so beneficial!

For me, it serves as a reminder of my need for God in everyday life. Those of you that know me well know that when I have been hungry for hours, I’m not really so great of a person to be around. I’m more blunt, not as patient, not as friendly or forgiving. I don’t think as clearly. In the same way, without regular time with God, I’m not as great of a person to be around. I’m not as loving, patient, forgiving or understanding. I can try and do things on my own, but when I consult God, he gives me brilliant ideas, helps me see things I might have missed and gives me strategies for accomplishing tasks. Food sustains me and makes me stronger, but that is nothing compared to the sustenance and strength I get from God.

I still ended up working for a few hours today, but it’s been good to take some extended time out and spend it humbling myself before God. I like this holiday J