Every September, we set aside 21 days to seek God together — as one church, with one voice, asking Him to move. This month, we're pairing together with our Community Service Month, and we want to tell you why.

Isaiah 58 makes it clear that fasting was never meant to be a private religious exercise. God says the fast He desires produces justice and compassion that spills out into how we treat the people around us. So, this year, as we hunger and pray together from September 1–21, we're also asking Him to move us outward — into practical, hands-on love for our neighbors here in Pearl City and in our church plant in Nanakuli.

We're following the pattern Jesus gave His disciples in Acts 1:8: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." For us, that's a widening circle — our first week is about preparing our own hearts before the Lord; our second week turns our prayers toward Pearl City and our O'ahu 'ohana — our neighbors, schools, families, workplaces, and the churches we serve alongside; and our third week stretches our prayers across O'ahu, to our missionaries, and to the nations who haven't yet heard the name of Jesus. It's the same heart of God, expressed at every scale, starting right outside our own front door.

That's exactly why prayer and community service belong together. Prayer softens our hearts and clears away distractions; service puts feet to what God is doing in and through us. Like the Good Samaritan who stopped to bind up real wounds, we believe compassion in action opens doors that words alone often can't. Our hope is that this fast wouldn't just change what happens inside our own hearts, but that it would show up in how Leeward Community Church shows up for Pearl City and beyond this September.

We've put together a daily guide containing a Scripture passage, a short devotional, prayer pointers, and a worship song for each of the 21 days, so you can walk through this journey at whatever pace fits your life. If you've never fasted before, there's no single "right" way to do it — a full fast, a Daniel fast, a partial fast, a media fast, or simply giving up one specific thing can all be meaningful ways to seek God with focused attention. Choose what fits your season and extend yourself grace if you miss a day. God is far more interested in your heart than a perfect scorecard.

Our Focus
1.  High Worship of the Exalted Christ - Minister to His Presence
2.  Deep Repentance - Weeping over sin and seeking God's forgiveness
3.  Extending Forgiveness - Finding freedom from strongholds
4.  Kingdom Empowerment - Being equipped for ministry

Key Prayer Areas
The Father has laid specific burdens on our hearts:
•  Deliverance from bondages and sins that bind our people
• Church plant in Nanakuli (Elder Walter and Joni Kaneshiro need workers to join them) as they move into God's next steps
• Wave of salvations and discipleship growth among our ohana
• New HOME Groups to be birthed in the coming months

However God chooses to move this September, our prayer is that it would be carried forward by a church that has genuinely sought His face and fully surrendered. Would you join us? Grab a copy of the Daily Prayer Guide, choose your fast, and let's ask God together to move in Pearl City, Nanakuli, across O'ahu, and to the ends of the earth. Come seek the Lord together, trusting that He will meet us with grace, peace, and fresh renewal.

Pastor Joe and Debbie Ong
On behalf of the Elders of LCC