By PAUL BUPE –
THE call for national fasting and praying ignited a debate on whether it is right for the President to do so. Some have even questioned his competency to do so.
It is rather strange to see how some politicians choose to politic on anything they come across.
It seems to me that their understanding of politics is to oppose anything that political opponents do.
This kind of response is similar to what happened when the late president Frederick Chiluba declared Zambia as a Christian Nation.
Some people questioned his competence to do so. Instead of standing together and actualise the declaration they instead wasted time debating on the question of the ”number of angels” that can stand on the head of a pin. It is self-evident that some people find pleasure in debating issues they don’t even understand. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinions but some opinions are seriously misinformed.
For the sake of mother Zambia that acknowledges the supremacy of God, let me subscribe to the nation a guideline for the forthcoming prayers and fasting. Prayer and fasting is essential to living a victorious Christian life.
WHY FAST?
Jesus spoke of a day when his disciples would fast. Today is the time. The Lord expects us to fast (Matthew 6:16-18). Jesus does not use language of probability. He uses “when you fast …” and not ”if” you fast – “Moreover when ye fast…But thou, when thou fastest…”
(Matthew 9:14-15; Luke 5:34-35)
During this fast you can go for a total fast or partial fast.
1.      Total Fast: (Deuteronomy 9:9, 18; Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9)
2.      Partial Fasting – abstinence from certain foods only (I Kings 17;
Daniel 1:8; 1
When are we supposed to fast? You can fast during:
1. Time of repentance (Jonah 3; Nehemiah 1)
2. Preparation for public Ministry (Ezra 8:21; Matt. 4; Act 14:23)
3. The search for God’s will (Acts 13),
4. Intercession for others (Ps 35:13).
5. For Strength in the midst of affliction (Ps. 109:21-25).
6. Setting aside resources for the needy (Isa. 58: 6-11).
7. An exercise for spiritual discipline (Mark 2:18-20)
As Zambians fast this coming Sunday they should observe the following guidelines.
I am aware that individual churches may have come up with their own rituals for the coming event. But the following are biblically based guideline and can be used by anyone including u believers.
Guidelines:
1.      Fast in your own privacy and humility. (Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 18:9-14 ).  We shall join together in prayer believing God for break through.
2.      Be free to express yourself. Don’t suppress your emotions. Cry out to God for help. “therefore she wept, and did not eat.” Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18.; Nehemiah 1:4 “. . . when I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”
3.   Confess your and others sins. Nehemiah 9: 1-3 “. . . the children of Israel were assembled with fasting . . . and stood and confessed their sins . . . and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God
one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God.” Daniel 9:3, 20 “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplication, with fasting
(Joel 2:12) “. . . turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning” (Luke 2:37;  Luke 2:37; Acts 9:9, 11;  Acts 10:30;  Acts 13:2; Acts 13:2; Acts 14:23)
Given that it is not just about fasting and praying but the how to pray is very important for our prayers to be heard. For this reason let us glean some aspects of Daniel’s Prayer life. Your prayer must
consist of:
I. Five elements
1. Praise (Daniel 2:20-23)
2. Confession of God’s greatness (Daniel9:4, 7, 9)
3. Acknowledgement of God’s
Covenant and faithfulness (Daniel9:11-15)
4. Confession of Sin (Daniel9:4-8, 10, 11, 15)
5. Supplication (Daniel9:16-19)
II.    The tone of your prayer must be without catchy phraseology designed to impress others, no catchy formulas of prayer. Ensure that there is real passion in prayer- a sense of desperation,
anticipation, urgency, and deep longing. See the repetition of the phrase “O God.”
III.   The frequency of prayer.
Daniel prayed three times a day e.g. (Ps. 55:16-17; 119:164)
IV.   He was never too busy to pray.  He set aside time for God. The
Apostle did likewise (Acts 3: 1; 10:9).
V.    Daniel prayed the Word of God.
He was saturated with the Word that his prayer were colored by the Word of God.
VII. He made reference to and quoted the Word of God e.g. Ps. 113:1-2 (Daniel 2:20); Job 12:13 (Daniel 2:20); 1 Kings 8:47 (Daniel 9:5), (Daniel 9) Daniel a man of God who survived on prayer
This presidential call to fasting and praying for the nation is not a new phenomenon. Rulers of nations in the Bible did that and the Lord turned situations around.
There is a God who rules in the kingdom of men. People must realise that God has a hand in what happens in this life and the life to come.
Therefore, let every Zambian and every critique join in the fasting and praying for mother Zambia, so that we may continue to enjoy peace,joy, tranquility and prosperity.
(The author is the presiding Bishop of the Redeemed Methodist Church)