Prayer and fasting a ‘novel approach’

Daniel Guerrero of Jalapa, Mexico, and Dr. Axel Suquen of Patzun, Guatemala, lift up prayers during the Luke Society Latin American Regional Conference in Guatemala last May.

Have you ever wondered where the Luke Society began its tradition of holding days of prayer and fasting?

Turns out the tradition started 32 years ago, but it wasn’t an idea that from anyone in the U.S. central office. In fact, it came from a ministry director — Rev. Carlos Mendoza of Gracias, Honduras.

The Luke Society’s first executive director Dr. Peter Boelens was nervous about the attendance for the first-of-its-kind Luke Society International Conference in Jackson, Miss., in 1990.

Turns out, all he needed to do was enlist a group of hardy prayer warriors.

Here’s an excerpt from Dr. Boelens’ book, “Where Next, Lord?” which describes how it all went down:

In 1990, we decided to hold an International Conference in Mississippi, bringing together all of the directors from around the world to meet for a week, sharing ministry ideas and discussing more effective ways to promote health and evangelism.

Then, we'd invite our supporters to join us for a weekend of praise.

A great idea, but I was really concerned. We'd never planned a conference and I didn't know how. Then there was the worry of attendance. Would anyone come clear to Mississippi for such a gathering?

In the midst of this stewing, I made my annual trip to Honduras to meet with Carlos Mendoza, the Luke Society administrative director there. I said, "Carlos, we have this conference coming up and I'm really nervous."

"What are you concerned about?" he wanted to know.

I said, "I'm worried we won't get enough people — we need at least 350."

He said, "I know exactly what to do."

He did?

"Sure. Just notify all the directors of the Luke Society all over the world, and we'll designate one day of prayer and fasting for the conference."

What a novel approach! In the United States, we'd say, "Let's pick up the phone and call someone who knows how to do it. And if you have a lot of money, let's hire him or her to put it together, publicize it, design brochures, etc. And after that's done, we'll ask God to bless OUR efforts."

But in the Third World where there is no money and things don't go right much of the time, you turn to God first and only.

I took Carlos' suggestion, and exactly 350 people came to the conference! But even more important, the Spirit of God was poured out remarkably in those meetings.

From that time on, we've had periodic days of prayer and fasting with our directors and staff around the world. We're learning from our Third World brothers and sisters, and Partnership Ministry Teams are exposing more Americans to this magnificent level of spiritual commitment.