SEEKING GOD THROUGH FASTING AND PRAYER

"So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer." [Ezra 8:23]

Don't we love to eat?

We love to meet up with family and friends over a delicious meal and it's also a great way to get to know new people, by sharing a meal together. So, it comes as no surprise that we feel more comfortable feasting rather than fasting!

Fasting and prayer, though, are powerful tools for seeking God's guidance and help, especially in hard times. The purpose of fasting should be to take our eyes off the things of this world and to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. It helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.

In the Bible we see many great examples of fasting, with the greatest example of fasting being Jesus Himself. He spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting and praying to prepare for the calling His Father gave Him. (Matthew 4:1-11)

Some other great examples from the Bible are:

• Ezra, in Ezra 8:23, was leading a group of Jews who were carrying valuable temple treasures to Jerusalem but they faced danger from hostile tribes in the desert. Ezra called for a fast and prayer. They humbled themselves and fasted and prayed for God's protection. As a result, God heard their prayers and they had a safe journey to Jerusalem.

• Paul and Barnabas fasted when seeking God's wisdom regarding the elders of the churches. (Acts 13:2)

• After Jonah preached to the Ninevites they relented and began to fast. (Jonah 3:5)

• Nehemiah mourned and fasted when he heard the terrible news about Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 1:4)

• Daniel fasted when seeking an answer from God. (Daniel 10:2-3)

• The Israelites fasted when they lost many men in battle and realised they needed God's help for victory. (Judges 20:26)

It was common practice for the Jewish people in the Old Testament to fast twice a week until sundown and the early Christians in the New Testament continued this practice. And yet, today it isn't common practice and is arguably the single most neglected spiritual discipline in the Western Church today. However, it's one of the most essential and powerful of all the practices of Jesus.

Jesus does not demand that we fast but He assumes that, as His followers, we will fast because of the advantages.

In Matthew 6:16-18, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a quick teaching about fasting. We notice two things in these verses:

1. Jesus says " When you fast" not "If you fast"

2. He says when you fast, the Father "will reward you." Meaning, there is a gift waiting for us on the other side of fasting.

Jesus also explains in this piece of scripture, fasting is not to be a show of supposed righteousness before others but that it is a personal affair between us and God. From our outward appearance, no one should be aware we are fasting.

Fasting really is feasting on the grace, the love, the mercy, the provision and the Word of God. It's our food. It's our daily bread. It's not about other people thinking we are spiritual, or doing this for any other means than to focus more on God, by abstaining from food.

You may feel like you need to start a fast but first it's important to understand why we fast.

Do we need guidance, healing, wisdom, grace or answers regarding a situation we might be in?

Knowing why we are fasting will help us be more intentional and specific in our prayers.

Decide what kind of fast we are doing and set an amount of time and create a daily schedule with a set time to pray, worship, and read God's word. Prepare ourselves spiritually. Fasting isn't supposed to be easy, so pray and ask God to give us strength as He opens our hearts up to receive.

Fasting is a meaningful practice that brings spiritual breakthroughs and deeper intimacy with God. By understanding the reasons, timing, and methods of fasting, we can approach it with purpose and sincerity, allowing it to transform our faith and guide us in our walk with God.

God Bless