What is the Bridegroom Fast?
Jesus said, “Can the Friends of the Bridegroom MOURN as long as the Bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them, & then THEY WILL FAST.” (Matthew 9:15)
The GBF is fasting that is motivated by experiencing the burning desire of Jesus’ love. The apostles had become accustomed to experiencing intimacy with Jesus during His earthly ministry. However, when the Bridegroom was taken away (by His death on the cross), they mourned to experience the former embrace of His Divine love. This mourning compelled them to fast, crying out, “Jesus, I must have more.” Thus, they “mourned with fasting” for renewed experiences of intimacy with God.
The GBF is focused not on earning or deserving more of God but rather on enlarging our capacity to freely receive & experience more of the ocean of Jesus’ love. From this reality, the Body of Christ will eventually enter into the fullness of God’s power. Esther is a picture of coming to the King for power through prayer & fasting empowered by confidence in love.
When
The GBF is a monthly 3-day fast & the gathering of God’s people to seek His face. In other words, it’s the first Monday to Wednesday of every month. It is a worldwide solemn Assembly of God’s people for a time of prayer with fasting.
However, “One Thing” Ministries will begin the GBF with only a 1-day gathering (i.e. Tuesday) from 7.30pm – 9.30pm.
What do we do for when we gather?
1. We wait before the presence of God to hear His voice & to receive His love. (Isaiah 40:31)
2. We meditate on the Word of God & allowing the Holy Spirit to release revelation unto us. (1 Corinthians 2:10; Ephesians 1:17)
3. We pray for the release of the fullness of Holy Spirit in the Church (John 14:12), Revival & Harvest (Malachi 4:6; Matthew 24:14), Salvation to Israel (Romans 9 – 11), etc.
Joel 2:15, 16 say, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the people…” It is important for God’s people to gather, seek His face, fast & pray in such a crucial hour as this so that the will of God can be done on earth. For extreme times require extreme measures. It is time for the people of God to rise up in her bridal identity to abandon herself to Jesus in lovesick worship with fasting & prayer in order to more effectively preach the gospel, serve the poor & heal the sick!
