6.00 p.m, Wednesday, 8th April 2020 to 6.00 p.m Saturday, 11th April 2020
Ezra 8:21, 23
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the River Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before
our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods….
So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT:
The first three months of 2020 have been dominated by news of the locust invasion in East Africa and the horn of Africa, together with the Covid-19 pandemic that has now spanned the globe. There have been many calls for prayer and fasting both locally and globally. On Saturday, 21st March 2020 Intercessors for Uganda responded to the prayer call by the Head of State and observed that date as a day of prayer and fasting for divine intervention. Since then a number of prayer vigils have been held.
As we approached the commencement of Passover, there has been a growing sense that this Passover season in some ways correlates with the original Passover season in the Book of Exodus both in timing and experience. Among the plagues experienced in Egypt was that of locusts devastating the land just as we are experiencing in our region. The last plague was death, as the angel of death took the firstborns in Egypt. The world is similarly experiencing a plague of death caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
God’s people were preserved in the Passover season through the blood of the lamb painted on the doorposts of their houses. Passover marked the beginning of a whole new season for them that affected individuals, families, and the whole nation. We sense that what we do during the Passover season this year will be significant in the way this pandemic will turn out and how the period after will play out. Further, it is evident that the post Covid-19 period will be a new season for families, businesses, communities and nations just as the post-Passover season was for the Israelites. The world is not going to be the same.
We are led to call for the observance of a 3-Day and 3-Night Fast from Passover, 6 pm, Wednesday, 8th April 2020, to 6 pm, Saturday, 11th April 2020. This aligns with the 3 days and 3 nights Jesus’ body remained in the tomb according to His own words:
For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:40
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE FAST IS TWO-FOLD:
- To humble ourselves before the Lord and seek His Intervention in the locust plague ravaging East Africa, and the Covid-19 plague ravaging the nations;
- To seek understanding about what this pandemic is all about, and to seek His guidance and strength for the post Covid-19 season.
MODE OF FASTING:
Fluids only – no solid food; should you be in a state where you are unable to do this, you can modify it to a meal a day, or a format that fits your unique circumstances. The fast will commence with Holy Communion at 6 pm on Wednesday, 8th April 2020. This is to be done in your homes led by a leader (a believer) in the home. It will be similarly be concluded by Holy Communion at 6 pm on Saturday, 11th April 2020.
FOCUS FOR DAY ONE: HOUSEHOLDS
- Personal life
- Family
- Means of livelihood: work and business
FOCUS FOR DAY TWO: THE BODY OF CHRIST
- Leaders in the Body of Christ
- Purification and consecration
- Fresh vision for the season ahead
FOCUS FOR DAY THREE: UGANDA AND THE NATIONS
- God’s hand on the National Leaders
- Purging of corrupt and self centered leadership
- Rise of righteous leadership
- Understanding and exposure of what is really going on with the Covid-19 pandemic globally
There are a number of prayer initiatives being coordinated by different churches and praying groups. Find out if your church or prayer group has organized one and be part of it. If there isn’t one, we invite you to join Intercessors for Uganda in the Passover 2020 Fasting Time.
Board of Directors
Intercessors For Uganda
