The Great Disappointment
The Great
Disappointment
Prayer and fasting is on my mind this week. The emphasis comes as our congregation
prepares for a miracle Sunday offering to finance construction of our new
foyer. To prepare for this, we have been
involved in 40 days of prayer, and we end that this week with fasting
accompanying the prayer. The pang of
hunger creates a focus which then is directed toward prayer. That prayer focus then seeks to find the face
of God and His will.
Seeking God’s answer to a question, or a series of questions,
seems logical. Prayer and fasting ought
to occur quite often in the lives of Christians. However, I wonder if we are not better at
providing answers rather than seeking answers.
This may explain why prayer and fasting are often the most neglected
disciplines within an American Christian’s spiritual walk. This has led us to fill in the answers, even
though Scripture gives clear and contradictory evidence.
Consider the case of Baptist minister, William Miller. A lifelong study of the ninth chapter of
Daniel had led him to determine a date for Christ’s return. Armed with supporting evidence, Miller
convinced thousands that Christ was returning within his lifetime. So, 168 years ago this week, Miller and his
disciples gathered to await Christ’s return.
On October 22, 1844, over 100,000 people began the vigil for the return
of the Christ. Rather than mark Christ’s
return, it marked the date of what is now known as, “The Great Disappointment.” Miller eventually left the Baptist church and
his movement devolved into three main branches.
He spearheaded a new denomination, which today numbers some 25,000 members. All this because, rather than seek an answer
from God, men tried to provide an answer, and despite the fact that Jesus had
already answered the question in Matthew 24:36.
Fasting and prayer turns our hearts and minds toward
God. This seems strange, considering how
much one tends to think about when the fast ends, and what that meal may look,
and taste like. But thinking about the
hunger, and the immediate ability to sate that hunger, immediately brings one’s
focus as to the why of the fast. So,
hunger becomes the reminder that one is intent on finding an answer from God. Strange, perplexing, but I’d rather endure a
period of fasting, so that I’m more intent on finding God’s answers than have a
full belly and provide my own answers.
Acts 13:1-3(NIV)
1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
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