Standing Firm in Faith: Prayer, fasting and discernment in uncertain times.

In my last blog, I talked about fasting and prayer as a type of sacrifice that leads us to fully commit ourselves to God and renew our lives. Consecration helps keep us aligned and reminds us of the way we're meant to live. But we can't expect to overcome lifelong struggles just by occasionally dedicating ourselves—we need a lifestyle of ongoing, intentional commitment. A truly consecrated life doesn't happen in isolation; it happens within our community.

Today, I want to build on that topic by looking at it from a community point of view. I recently heard someone say, "through prayer and fasting, God will change our world." When I heard this, it really resonated with me. I've felt deeply saddened by so much of what’s happening in the world today, especially since hardly anyone seems to be addressing it seriously. Apart from a handful of voices on social media—where topics are discussed whether they're accurate or not—it seems like we, as the church, have become blind to what's going on around us.

The scriptures say in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Throughout the Bible, in times of national crisis and moral decline, God's people would turn to fasting and prayer, seeking His intervention to change their circumstances. Though originally directed at Israel, this principle applies to any nation with a biblical heritage. When God's people meet the conditions, His promises of restoration and revival remain true.

We are living in a time of both moral and political crisis. As believers, we must step up—fast, pray, and seek God's guidance to bring about change. The world around us is shifting rapidly. Take the ongoing diplomatic turmoil in the White House, for example. Since the 2022 invasion, Ukraine has relied heavily on support from the U.S. and Europe to stand against one of the world's largest militaries, enduring relentless bombings, power outages, and shortages. But now, that support is temporarily on hold as negotiations take place.

What does this mean for global stability? How will it impact the balance of power in the world? These are crucial questions we must consider as we navigate these uncertain times.

And closer to home, in the UK, is Christianity being quietly sidelined? When Lent and Ramadan arrived at the same time, you’d think both would be acknowledged—especially in a nation with such deep Christian roots. But that wasn’t the case. Keir Starmer publicly recognized Ramadan, which was expected. But Lent? Nothing. Nearly half the population identifies as Christian, yet there was no acknowledgment at all.

Even more surprising, King Charles—*Defender of the Faith*—remained silent. No public message for Lent, no engagement on Ash Wednesday, nothing. Meanwhile, he warmly recognized Ramadan and even hosted an Iftar meal at Windsor Castle. Of course, inclusivity is important, but it raises a fair question—why wasn’t there a similar effort for Christians?

In times like these, we can’t afford to be passive. The world is changing, and as believers, we need to seek God like never before, standing firm in our faith and calling on Him to bring restoration.

It’s not about taking anything away from other faiths; it’s about ensuring that Christianity—the foundation of the UK’s history and culture—isn’t quietly pushed aside. But let’s be honest—that’s exactly what’s happening. 

There’s so much more going on in the world that I don’t even have time to cover, but the signs are everywhere. Environmental decline, nations resorting to force to achieve their ambitions, and humanity’s growing vulnerability to disease—it’s all happening right in front of us. The problem isn’t a lack of signs; it’s whether we’re paying attention to them. So what does all this chaos mean? And more importantly, how should Christians respond? 

The answer is clear: through prayer and fasting. 2 Chronicles 7:14 calls us to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our sins. Yes, the verse is tied specifically to Israel and the temple, but the principle still applies—there is never a wrong time to repent, pray, and intercede for our nation. In fact, as believers, it’s our duty. If we truly seek God, perhaps He will, in His grace, bless our nations once again.

As believers, we have the assurance that God will use us to accomplish His purposes. Our responsibility is to live holy lives, set an example for others (1 Timothy 4:12), shine as a light in the darkness (Matthew 5:16), share the gospel, and pray for our communities. While the Bible doesn’t promise the political or cultural salvation of a nation, it does promise transformation in the hearts of believers—change that can ripple through our circles of influence and beyond.

It's also important to remember that change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process, not a single event. That’s why persistent prayer and fasting are crucial (Matthew 17:21), especially for spiritual battles and breakthroughs. Now more than ever, we need to seek God’s guidance and intervention in these critical times.

Dear Lord, 

We lift Your Church before You and ask that You sustain and strengthen us in these times. Help us to stand firm in truth, boldly proclaim Your name, and remain unwavering in our faith. Open our eyes to see clearly and grant us discernment to navigate the days ahead with wisdom and courage.

We humbly submit ourselves to You, choosing a life of prayer and fasting when needed, seeking Your guidance and intervention. May our hearts remain steadfast, our spirits willing, and our lives reflect Your glory.

                                                      In Jesus’ name, Amen.