By Pastor Elbern Latorilla
Christ Almighty Baptist Church's first major event of the year was the fasting and prayer conference that took place on January 4, 2020. In response to the call to fast and pray, 105 members and adherents came to spend time in prayer for two hours. What a blessed morning that was!
The conference followed the ACTS pattern in prayer. We began the day with a hymn of worship followed by a time of prayers of Adoration in which we acknowledged a specific character or attribute of God and then, praised Him for being so. Prayers were offered so spontaneously that two or three and even more would pray at the same time. It was a beautiful moment. We then took the time to confess our sins and shortcomings individually and quietly. It was sobering but oh, so needed. I believe God heard our cry for mercy and forgave us.
Pastor Solomon then gave a message on the Biblical rationale of fasting. It was eye-opening for many of us as we often realize that we overlook this exercise to our spiritual detriment. Hopefully, that challenge would become a reminder for us to practice fasting from time to time for our benefit.
Shortly after, we offered our ‘thanks’. This time, everyone was given an opportunity to say "thank you" to the Lord for something specific that was considered a highlight of the year 2019. Folks just stood up one after another like popcorn popping - rejoicing and thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness to their lives during the year that had just passed.
Finally, we spent a good hour in ‘Supplication’ as we prayed by twos and threes - petitioning God to grant specific desires for ourselves, families, church and country. Most of the supplications, however, were focused on all the missionaries we have sent and supported. One could hear the buzzing sounds of voices being raised to God who alone can grant what is being asked of Him. After that, for a good 5 minutes before the conference ended, the whole congregation prayed together in Korean-style. We prayed aloud, together, most in English and some in their own dialect. Speaking in tongues in a Baptist Church? You bet!
As we ended the morning with an appropriate hymn, I could not but utter quietly my
"thank you, Lord" for what He has done that morning. I went home rejuvenated in my heart and spirit for what God did that day.