Since March 4, Mochoulu Church in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, has resumed its on-site Tuesday afternoon worship services, which had been suspended during the pandemic.
On March 11, the second Tuesday of these resumed gatherings, attendees were welcomed by church staff and given a spiritual course manual designed for Lent upon entering the chapel.
Comprising seven lessons, the course seeks to deepen the congregation's understanding of Lent's spiritual significance, foster both individual and group prayer practices, and guide believers toward personal transformation through biblical teachings.
Last Tuesday's gathering featured the second lesson of the course, during which Rev. Wang Xuefeng delivered a sermon titled "Fasting and Prayer—Weapons of Spiritual Warfare," based on Isaiah 58:6-12 and Matthew 6:16-18. He explained the significance of fasting and prayer from two perspectives: inner faithfulness and the transformation of outward actions.
Referencing Matthew 6:16-18, Rev. Wang highlighted Jesus' teaching on fasting, emphasizing that its motivation should be pure, not aimed at gaining human approval but rather at deepening fellowship with God, worshiping Him, and drawing closer to Him. He stressed that fasting is a spiritual practice, not for personal success.
Wang further elaborated on the other essence of fasting and prayer as described in Isaiah 58:6-12, which speaks of the fasting that pleases God. He pointed out that a genuine relationship with the Lord must be reflected in one's actions: "How can one pray, 'Lord, I love You,' while ignoring the needs of others?"
In conclusion, Wang urged the congregation to strive for spiritual growth. In the battle against sin, he encouraged believers to remain united with the Lord and embrace the same confession as Paul: "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
- Edited and translated by Poppy Chan
