Special Event - Eating Disorders Day Of Prayer - Feb. 28, 2024
Eating Disorders Day of Prayer: Comfort Received and Given
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” -2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 NIV
Broken But Not Helpless
I was on my knees, face on the floor, sobbing; a loved one was in the throes of an eating disorder, and I felt helpless to do anything about it. I cried out to the Lord, “What can I do about this?”, and the clear answer was, “You can pray.” I wanted to fix it, just make the problem go away. But I couldn’t, and I believe this was the Lord’s way of making me totally trust in Him. So, during this time of “helplessness”, I realized I wasn’t truly helpless, but instead, I had some of the most powerful tools available to me: prayer and God’s Word.
God Uses Our Trials for Good
During my loved one’s eating disorder journey, I often asked the Lord, “What would you have me do with this trial?”; I know God can bring good from our suffering. I believed the Lord wanted me to comfort others with the comfort He had given me, and still gives me. I kept seeking how He would have me use this struggle, and His answer was to provide prayer support for loved ones of those struggling with an eating disorder and for those with an eating disorder/food and body image issues. I remember saying, “Lord, if you want me to do this, you’ll need to show me how because I don’t know where to begin.” He answered that I needed to trust Him in taking the next right step and He would show me the way, step-by-step. One of the first steps for me was to, yes, pray! I spent time asking the Lord how I should do this- Who do I reach out to? When? How? I asked Him to put people in my path whom I could serve with this prayer ministry. I found a notebook to jot down my ideas. It was one given to me at a retreat I attended a few years before. When I opened the notebook, there was Scripture I had written down from the retreat, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” -Ephesians 2:10 ESV. This verse spoke deeply to me as if God was saying, “Yes, this is what I want you to do. Trust me, and I will show you the way, the next right step.”
Before reaching out to anyone, the Holy Spirit prompted me to gather a group who would be willing to pray me through this journey. So again, after praying about which prayer warriors to ask, I approached nine sweet sisters in Christ who, to this day, still pray for me.
As I asked the Lord to lead me to resources online, I found FINDINGbalance and Rock Recovery, two Christian eating disorders resource groups. Through these two organizations, prayer groups have formed that provide prayer support for "loved ones" and "freedom fighters". It has been a joy seeing answers to prayer and experiencing the encouragement, support, and hope found in these precious groups!
In addition to these regular prayer groups, I felt compelled to organize a unifying event for those affected by eating disorders to encourage spiritual engagement in the healing and restoration process. God laid the task on my heart to organize an Eating Disorders Day of Prayer to be held during Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2022. The thought pierced my heart one evening and I wrote “Eating Disorders Day of Prayer” on a notepad. I asked God if this is what He would have me do, and if so, what would this look like? I thought about this for a few days, then it drifted to the back of my mind. A few months went by. I was organizing paperwork, picked up a notepad, and turned it over, and there I had written “Eating Disorders Day of Prayer.” It was not a coincidence that I just happened to look at the back of that notepad! The Holy Spirit brought this to mind again, leading me to take this task more seriously, so I brought it before the Lord, seeking His lead and the details of how I could arrange such an event. How could this be done? Online? How could I promote this, and to whom? Technology is not my strong suit, yet I knew that if the Lord wanted me to do this, He would show me the way, after all, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37 ESV. Of course, the enemy would try to get a foothold, telling me, “You’re just a nobody. No one wants to pray with you.” But I felt sure the Lord was calling me to this, and that He would equip and make it happen.
Eating Disorders Day of Prayer: How does it work?
The first Eating Disorders Day of Prayer was held in February 2022 during Eating Disorders Awareness Week- 47 attended. The event was also held in 2023 and 95 attended! How exciting to see participation grow! Both events were Spirit-filled, with deep, heartfelt prayers shared. The events included attendees from seven countries!
The 2024 Eating Disorders Day of Prayer will be held February 28 during Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Even though there is no charge, participants need a “ticket” to join. To register, you can select from 3 one-hour time options: 7am, 12pm or 7pm, all EST. You're welcome to register for more than one time slot. Once you register, you’ll receive the Zoom link for the prayer event.
This event is for anyone interested in seeking the Lord’s healing and encouragement for those struggling with eating disorders/food and body image issues. It’s for those with an eating disorder, loved ones, friends, health care providers- anyone interested in praying together. Prayer and community are a powerful combination!
Hope to See You at the Eating Disorders Day of Prayer!
Register here: 2024 Eating Disorders Day Of Prayer, Feb. 28th
You can also email: [email protected] or visit the website: www.eatingdisorderprayer.com
FINDINGbalance also has community prayer groups beginning in April, signup for the waitlist.
If the Lord is calling you to serve Him in some way, trust Him to do it. You just need to be obedient, be faithful in prayer, and follow His lead. He doesn't call the equipped, He equips those He calls. If He has called you to serve Him, He will do it through you as an obedient vessel. He uses your weaknesses, your gifts, your fears, and even your failures to serve Him in His perfect plan.
Seek Scripture to speak to your heart. A few weeks ago, I was at a retreat center, praying as I walked through a large empty room by myself. The focus of my prayer was, “Lord, please let me know what I should do next…help me to take the next right step; is my current ministry of providing prayer support to those struggling with eating disorders where you still want me to serve?” I no sooner prayed that and looked up to see a large banner with Ephesians 2:10 written on it; this was the same verse the Lord gave me a few years ago when I began this ministry journey! And, incidentally, it was in the exact same room as the retreat I attended where I wrote that verse in my notebook! Thank you, Lord, for that encouragement!
Pray through each step of the way and ask others to pray for you too. I truly believe that the prayers of my prayer team and others have been foundational to my ministry!
- Beth Ask
Prayer Group Leader. Wife & Mom. Women's Ministry Volunteer. Founder of the Annual Eating Disorders Day of Prayer. Loves adventurous road trips, great coffee with her husband, and family laughter! Overcomer.
FINDINGbalance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing non-clinical support and encouragement to those battling food issues. The contents of this blog article, including any attachments, are for educational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe a particular course of action. If you or someone you care about is battling an eating disorder, please seek care from a licensed professional. If you are in crisis and need immediate support, please call, text, or chat 988 to speak with someone at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7.
