I talked to my mom on the phone this week and she mentioned that they youth group at my home church in Florida participated in a 30 hour Famine last weekend. She said that they group had a lock in where they spent much of the night praying for people around the world. The next day they went to one of the neighboring communities and served food at a soup kitchen.
I’ve never participated in a 30 hour famine, nor do I know anyone that has (aside from the youth group I mentioned above). I’m curious, have any of you ever participated in a 30 hour famine? What was your experience? How did it benefit your relationship with God? Was it a positive or negative experience for you?
I have never participated in a 30 hour famine, but this sounds like a cool idea. I have heard of people who fast for several days, but I usually stick to one meal a week. I have yet to fast an entire day. I believe that fasting should be a principle that we as Christians practice on a regular basis. Fasting is the conscious act of denying yourself something so you can focus more completely on God. I believe that this strengthens our relationship with Christ in many different ways. For instance it is a commitment that shows God that we are willing to do whatever it takes to follow Him.
If allowed, the 30 Hour Famine is an incredible catalyst for a shift in paradigm in the life of a follower of Christ. When you experience what the “needy” experience, when your stomach hurts from lack of food, when you can’t focus on daily activities because you’re in need, you begin to understand what Jesus meant when He said we are to love one another. As you spend 30 hours, whether it be with youth group, a small group, or all alone, without food…you begin to understand that there’s more to this life that jamming the call of salvation down people throats. Feeding someone who’s hungry, talking with them like they’re human, and meeting a basic need in a single individual can show them God, much more than words could ever do.
I’ve been changed by the Famine, forever. I see waste, gluttony, over-indulgence, those who have too much and those who don’t have at all, and it makes me want to be more like Christ than ever. It makes me want to make a difference in the life of another person, someone loved by God.
The 30 Hour Famine is a great tool to help groups and individuals see something that Scriptures are calling us to see everyday. Challenge yourself, try it, BUT BE CAREFUL, if you pray for God to change your heart, to see what He sees, through your participation in tasting hunger…He WILL CHANGE YOU! And sometimes that can be really uncomfortable!
Welcome to the journey, and may God bless you as you allow yourself to become more like Him.
This is the second year our small missionary church has participated in the 30 Hour Famine (about 2 weeks ago, as a matter of fact.) Although it’s aimed mostly at youth, we’re small enough that anyone can participate who wants to. It’s a great way to raise funds for World Vision to help feed and care for underprivileged families around the world in the name of Jesus, and also a way to help us realize the HUGE gulf between the way we live in the US and the way many people live in other parts of the world.
It’s cool to see the youth in our group out selling plates, washing cars, and talking to teachers, family, and friends about things like poverty, hunger, and AIDS. I’d encourage anyone to give it a try. One of the stats often mentioned during the 30 Hour Famine is that 29,000 children under the age of 5 die every day from hunger and preventable diseases. We CAN put an end to hunger around the world! This is a small step, but when your stomach is grumbling at the 29th hour and you know you just have one more left, it’s humbling to realize so many people don’t have that same hope. There are few greater gifts you can give someone than hope. Through 30 Hour Famine, you’re giving them hope AND love. That’s something special.
I have this site bookmarked but I don’t visit often (I have lots of bookmarks!) I’m glad I’m came by today. I really hope more people participate in the 30 Hour Famine. God bless you all!
Lonnie T.
I have done a 30 hour Famine. They are such a wonderful expirence. We did one in my youth group and we all had a new aprecation for what children in places like Africa feel every day. It is so amazing to be able to just focus on God and not all of the worldly things that we go through every day the main thing being eating food. I completely agree with all of what Seth said. I hope that if you ever get the chance to participate in a 30 hour famine that you take that oppurtinity. I gaurentee that you will not regret it.
-Brad N.
The youth group I was in 35 years ago did a “Planned Famine” using World Vision information about the state of hunger around the world. We lived in a middle class neighborhood and were so far removed from any form of suffering that it seemed unreal that people were dying from lack of food. It seemed that with all the advancements that there should be no reason for people not to have adequate food. But we came to find out that there are great opportunities to support groups like WorldVision and really make an impact for Christ. He said Himself that the poor and hungry would always be with us, but we have a responsibility to see to that need and actually do something! Its exciting that the fasting has an impact on you out there and I pray that you will take action. As our t-shirts said when we did the fast “Let it Growl”, may you always remember your temporary need and apply it throughout your life to others.
We did the 30 Hour Famine and stay outside that night in Cardboard boxes and then in the morning we went down to Metropolitan Ministries and served food, stocked the pantry, changed mattresses, and worked in the warehouse. The toughest job was serving food and changing out the mattresses. At the end we asked the kids what they learned and they said nothing. We pointed out that they now have compassion and understanding on hunger and homelessness (thru videos we watched and personal discomfort). Then, they all began to understand that without person knowledge of thing you don’t quite understand a situation fully.
My church did 30 hr famine. It was my first time ever doing it. What an awesome experience I had!! We did Habitat for Humanity for our service project.
I’ve lead the 30 hour famine at our church twice now. We haven’t had one this year yet because most of our students are in college (but we’ll have later one). It’s an amazing experience. You wouldn’t believe how kids and adults respond to something like this. I love showing the clips that are provided to the leaders. The kids see what happens and how doing the famine helps.
I became closer to God by doing the famine because I was actually getting involved and helping someone out. The kids loved helping others in need.
We did so many things. We picked up trash in our community, went around to fire stations and police stations and hosptials and prayed for the staff. We collected food for our local food pantry. Of course we raised money for the famine.
It’s just awesome.
Do the famine sometime. You’ve got to try it out for yourself. It’s amazing and life changing.