Fasting for Peace and Justice in Gaza | Day 1

For the next several weeks Recovering Evangelical will be posting a daily series called "Fasting for Peace and Justice in Gaza". It is written by a fellow Recovering Evangelical with close ties to the Middle East who wishes to remain anonymous.

Fasting for Peace and Justice in Gaza | Day 1

As a follower of Jesus and a friend of many Palestinians and Israelis, I am sick about the recent events of Israel's latest offensive in Gaza. Honestly, I really don't know what justice means in this situation or how to get there. For one thing... I think it means that the violence against civilians would end. I don't know what to do.

I love my brothers and sisters in the region and in an attempt to show my love for them and to identify with them in this time of suffering, I've decided to fast until the current violence ceases in Gaza. I'm not Ghandi and I don't pretend to know an answer for peace. I do know that I have friends who are losing loved ones and I will not just stand by silently, I won't turn a blind eye and I won't allow myself to just get numb.

Please join me in crying out for the violence to stop in the region and for comfort for the families who have lost loved ones.

Two thoughts on fasting:

1. Jesus says: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." In the greek, the same word is translated in english as righteousness and justice."

2. The Prophet Isaiah said:

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

- A follower Jesus from Seattle, WA.


Day 1- 12:14 am PST (Seattle, WA USA)

I started my fast at 7pm on January 6th. I got the idea while praying for the situation in Gaza and hearing about the suffering of some of my Palestinian friends. While facebook messaging with a Palestinian friend of mine living in Jordan, I knew I couldn't just be content to turn off the news and forget about the suffering. One of his closest friends lost his entire family, as they were killed before his eyes. My friend is in a state of extreme anger and mourning and feels like none of the world cares. I care. I know God cares and I want to do something.

I decided to start a juice fast. I have no idea how long this conflict will last, but neither do the people in Gaza. I know that when I fast, I am not able to forget about something. With each hunger pang and each sight of food, I am reminded of the situation and my friends. I'm reminded to pray. I don't want to forget about this crises.

After just about 29 hours of food fasting, I'm really craving food. The hamburgers my friends were eating looked so tempting. It's amazing how many offers for food I had today. I had an offer to go to breakfast, to go to dinner and needed to pass on food while hanging out with friends at a restaurant this evening. My point is not to make a scene or even to let others know I'm fasting, but really to seek God's face and ask for His help. Jesus says that I shouldn't make it obvious to others I'm fasting, but only to my Father in heaven.

Blessings,
A follower of Jesus