A Day of Fasting and Prayer
October 1, 2026 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement
Each summer our denomination holds its General Assembly. Commissioners from churches all across our denomination gather to hear reports from our permanent committees and agencies. They also give attention to matters that impact our constitution and the overall well-being of the denomination. I have attended General Assembly five of the last six years.
One avenue the General Assembly addresses the business of the church is through overtures. An overture is a proposal or request from a lower court like a Presbytery or Session for the higher court to take action. This past summer GA passed Overture 50 from the Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley. It reads:
Be it resolved that the Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley overture the 53rd General Assembly to call upon the Presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in America to appoint a time most convenient to them during the month of September 2026, or as soon thereafter as is practical, to observe a solemn day of fasting and prayer for the revival and renewal of the church.
On this day, Presbyteries, congregations, RUF campus chapters, officers, and members of the Presbyterian Church in America shall be urged to humble themselves before the LORD, fast and pray, and seek his mercy in heartfelt repentance over ministerial sins, the sins of officers, members, and whole congregations. Earnest prayer should be made for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, the blessing of heaven on the preached word, the conversion of the lost, the planting of faithful churches at home, and the success of the gospel in our communities, on college campuses, and on the mission field around the world.
The Heartland Presbytery, of which Oak Hills is a member, has appointed Sunday, October 11 as a solemn day of fasting and prayer for the revival and renewal of the church. This overture urges you to participate. Let me share some thoughts.
First, fasting and prayer are essential means of grace. This language of “means of grace” comes from the Westminster Standards. Shorter Catechism Question 88 states, “The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption (i.e. grace) are, his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.” The Confession of Faith adds to the list of ordinances, “religious oaths, vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon special occasions” (WCF 21.5). These are the avenues by which God communicates his grace to those who have been united to Christ by faith. If we want his grace poured out in the revival and renewal of the Church, fasting and prayer are the means by which we appeal for such grace. Jesus commends fasting as an activity for his followers (Matt. 9:15). And the early church models this example of fasting and prayer for the spiritual well-being of the church (Acts 13:3 & 14:23).
Second, appointing a day for fasting and prayer demonstrates the unity of the church. As our denomination does this as a whole and our Presbytery appoints a specific day, it reminds us that we are not alone. There are nearly 2,000 churches in the PCA and over 400,000 members. There are 12 churches in the Heartland Presbytery with over 2,100 members. By uniting in fasting and prayer we demonstrate the unity of the body of Christ. The New Testament church demonstrates such unity when the elders gather for the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 and churches across the Mediterranean contribute offerings for the needs of the saints in Judah (Rom. 15:25-26). There is one body, one bride of Christ. It is beautiful when the saints of many local churches unite for the common mission of the Church.
Third, the need for the revival and renewal of the Church is great. There are far too many distractions that have drawn the attention of the church. There is far too much love of power and comfort. There is far too much apathy for evangelism and missions. There is far too much compromise of biblical truth. There is far too much division. The list can go on. But this demonstrates the great need. We need the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in the life of the church, so Christ would be exalted and worshiped, so that hearts would be humbled and repentant, so that there would be a renewed energy and effort for the Great Commission.
Please join us in this day of fasting and prayer on Sunday, October 11. Next week I’ll share some practical ways you can actively participate.
