Day Five: The Swarm

I recently heard about a group of school children who figured out a way to stop bullying in their classroom.  Whenever a fellow student was being bullied, the other classmates would gather around the victim and simply stand without saying a word.  This show of solidarity stopped the bullies dead in their tracks every time. The students nicknamed their tactic “The Swarm.”

I think we can learn a lesson about prayer and fasting from those school children.  Let’s be like The Swarm as we gather around Pastor Saeed Abedini and his family.  I believe our “swarm” of prayers and fasting will have a powerful impact, especially in the spiritual realm.

If you want to stand strong in your 21 Day Fast for Pastor Saeed, don’t do this alone.  I encourage you to get a family member or friend to fast with you. Share your prayer and fasting experience with your small group.  Check out Naghmeh’s Facebook page to see how others around the country are praying.  It’s not too late to join in.  Every day of prayer and fasting has purpose.

During my first experiments with fasting years ago, a friend and I would pray and fast on the same day.  We would often trade prayer requests and sometimes we’d go for a walk to pray for our needs.  It was good to have someone else in the boat.  Plus, I discovered it helped to confess some of the yucky stuff God  would reveal to me about myself and get that into the light.  Remember, confession is a valuable part of fasting.

Jesus was clear about the power of “a swarm” of believers in prayer. He promised that when we are gathered in His name, even just two or three of us, He is there with us.  Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven (Matthew 18:19-20).

The Greek word for agree is symphone (from which we get symphony), meaning “together with the same voice.” This word can also be translated “music.”

I wonder if our fasting and prayers for Pastor Saeed, sound like music to God?  Imagine the unified voices of many believers around the country and even all over the world who are crying out to God in fervent prayer on Pastor Saeed’s behalf!  Let’s agree to stand strong in solidarity with him through our continual “swarm” of prayer and fasting. Together.