(Prayer and Fasting)
I recently did a report for my pastor on the different types and lengths of fasting in the bible and I must say, that the research was quite intriguing. The main thing that stood out was the fact that prayer and fasting was a way of life for those who needed answers or the comfort of a relationship with God the Creator.
Surely the technology of today has taken away from the spiritual things of life, that if done correctly, can give us all the direction we will ever need. Spiritual fasting for Kingdom Citizens of the New Covenant of Grace through Christ Jesus is not unlike some spiritual fasts of the Israelite or Jewish people of the Old Testament.
Judges 20 (1 Day Fast) (Direction)
As I was doing my research for the different times of fasting, I discovered the children of Israel once again calling on the mercy of God. There had been a horrific act committed in Gibeah, a Benjamite town in Israel. So the children of Israel stood as one and devised a plan to execute and burn out the evil within its own nation. But the Benjamites refused to give up the evil men. The children of Israel finally inquired of the Lord and asked if they could fight this evil. God said yes to them 3 times, curiously enough on the first and second day, they prayed and inquired of the lord, but the 3rd day they fasted the whole day and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord and on the fourth day God delivered all of the evil men into the hands of the children of Israel. They only asked the 1st two days, I can only assume that because of their close relationship with God, they thought they had all the answers. They were indeed chipping away at the enemy, but God gives us total victory, through His son Jesus. On that 3rd day, they fasted until evening and cried out to God specifically through their burnt offerings and peace offerings, surrendering everything before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord that was with them at this time. This one day fast gave them God’s direction in order for them to totally annihilate the enemy within their country. Fasting time is between us and God and our personal relationship with Him. Isn’t it beautiful to know how powerful God is within us, even in a day’s time.
Esther 4 (3 Day Fast) (Wisdom, Discernment,Protection,Guidance)
I have always been intrigued by the story of Esther. I marvel at the beauty and the majestic colors of love shrouded in mystery and obedience in her journey to save the Jewish nation from genocide by a serpent who spoke lies in the King’s name (a deceitful play of authority). Presenting herself as a gift to the King saturated in oil and sweet perfume ( a shadow to me of Jesus), not knowing that in her future she would save her people from certain extinction.
Esther’s cousin who raised her and adopted her as his own warned Esther to let the King know her true identity to stop the decree to have all Jews killed in the King’s name. Esther was afraid, because she could not go before the King with acceptance unless the King laid down his golden scepter. Nevertheless she sent word to Mordechai to have the people gathered and fast food and water for 3 days. She also asked her maidens to fast with her. She cared not for her demise, she had to do whatever she could to help save her people as their Queen. I believe that the Wisdom of God to fast was revealed in her because her people (Jews) were already fasting and crying out to God. Fasting those 3 days would give her discernment on what to listen for, how to speak to the King and guide her every step to victory for her people.
The King was so in love with Esther he received her with joy and asked her what she wanted. He was willing to give her half his Kingdom
(The major countries between Ethiopia and India are Sudan, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. That shows the vastness of his empire. It would have taken a huge army to conquer all these lands).
All she asked was to sup on that day with him and Haman, the serpent in the King’s Court. The King approved and they came to eat with Queen Esther, that same day. Her request was the same but scheduled for the next day with the promise of her true petition at that time and the King granted her her petition.
For some reason that night the King was unable to sleep and he commanded the record of Chronicles be read to him. In doing so he found some amazing information out about Mordechai and sent for Mordechai to be rewarded for his loyalty to the Kingdom.
The next evening at the Wine Banquet with Queen Esther the King (as Haman sat smugly stewing in his wickedness with fear, confusion and trembling) asked her what her petition was and again offered her half his kingdom. I believe the trust she had for God in her heart, gave God time to set certain motions in place, you must read it for yourself. It plays out like a season of Game of Thrones, with drama and heart stopping action.
Esther first adored his kingship and recognized his authority, and made known her petition to ask for her life and that of her people not to be extinguished in his Kingdom. Not only did he grant her petition, but he cut the head of the serpent smooth off.
Praying and fasting for 3 days gives you patience and sets you on a spiritual plain to hear accurate and precise directions from God. It offers protection from the enemy for your generation and generations to follow.
1 Samuel (7 Day Prayer and Fasting) (Wisdom,Grief,Guidance)
We often associate grief with the passing of a loved one, whether it is we who lost someone, or we grieve with those close to us who have lost someone. I have experienced both many times over in my life. It is followed with a loss of appetite ( a type of fasting), prayer for strength and guidance to hold on for those of us left behind. But I want to challenge your thinking,could it be be possible to grieve over the loss of a relationship, or perhaps a house or a home that you were forced to leave?
I left home when I was 16 and I lived on the street for 2 days, with a suitcase and a broken heart of how I was forced out of my home. At that time, I had been taken from my father and second mom and sent back to live with my mother who was now single and had her own issues to contend with. My grandmother who helped raise me and nurture my early years had passed away and I felt utterly alone. I was afraid, I was listless and I was drowning in grief. I had nowhere to go.
All of this was a type of grief designed to kill me, but now finally free from it all, I realize it was a grief I suffered designed to deliver me from the hands of the enemy.
When David was hiding from Saul in the cave of Adullam he feared for his life. He had nothing except some bread given to him. But David prayed in his hopeless state, because he felt the presence of God in the cave with him.
Years later when I established my own family with my husband we grieved the loss of our son, he passed in the womb, but it would take seven days for me to bring him into the world lifeless. For those seven days I sat listless, unable to eat, sleep or even cry. My husband would often find me sitting on the couch seemingly staring into space. Silently questioning God for an explanation as to why. Silently asking him if my child were a boy. Silently resting in the Father’s arms as God quietly kept His arms wrapped around me the entire time. Whispering, it’s ok, it’s ok.
It would be 16 years later before my husband and I could talk about our son out loud. We laughed at the child he would have been. We laughed as we thought about his future and we settled into a smile of relief when we talked about meeting him for the first time, when Jesus calls us home.
Praying and fasting for 7 days is completion and gives time for spiritual insight and communing with God for spiritual understanding and guidance on how to manage our lives as Christians. We draw closer to His Grace just as David did, when he prayed and fasted for seven days when his son died. Afterwards, he got up, bathed and worshiped the Lord, all of this before eating.
We also must rise and worship God after prayer and fasting. A 1 day fast or a 7 day fast, it always allows the Wisdom of God to flourish in our lives.
Daniel 1 (10 Day Prayer And Fasting) (Favor Strength Wisdom Discernment)
I began to read the book of Daniel for the purpose of finding a specific 10 day fast, but what I discovered was more than a belief system. I found Daniel depending on God for everything. Unlike Christians today, yes we believe God, but do we truly depend on His every action (WORD)? As a captive in Babylon, King Nebachanezzar demanded that the smart,handsome and gifted Jewish men be brought to him for training in Babylonian beliefs and Royal treatment. This included being fed from the royal table.
Daniel did not hesitate to tell the royal eunuch that he and his companions would not participate in the diet, but would eat vegetables and drink water for ten days, instead. The eunuch thought this to be foolish and was afraid they would not be as healthy or robust as the other participants in this royal training. There was no doubt in Daniel’s mind, he totally depended on God.
Understand clearly, that Daniel was Jewish and by law, he could not eat certain things anyway. He had to depend on God enough to make a way for his decision to disobey the king, work in his favor. That my friend is way more than belief, that is strength in knowing God Favors him and the discerning Wisdom of God to know how to get out of a deadly situation. During those 10 days, God imparted more Favor and Wisdom into Daniel and his friends that would keep them on a fasting track, that would ultimately span the 70 years of Jewish captivity and dreams and visions given to Daniel to be prophesied and revealed in the book of Revelation.
Oh what a mighty God we serve. I have a lot of challenges, but as I grow more knowledgeable about the Father, I find having a conversation with Him is easier and easier, moment by moment. Not indulging in certain things for a period of time to hear clearly from God, gives me an opportunity to truly depend on what the Spirit speaks to me, whether it is 1 day or 10 days. I win in the end.
Daniel 10 MSG (21 Day Prayer and Fasting) (Distress and Mourning)
In chapter 10 of the book of Daniel, there was a great war coming. Daniel, dependent upon God about his role in the matter, became mournful and began to grieve for Jerusalem, who by this time were in Persian captivity. He began a 21 day fast of plain unseasoned food without meat and he drank no wine. He also didn’t bathe or shave. Now that’s some Holy Ghost wilderness type fasting going on in this story.
But on the twenty fourth day. Side bar: Daniel never stated that he would fast for a specific amount of days, it just says on the twenty fourth day he was standing on the banks of the great River Tigris, when a fascinating man appeared that only he could see, his friends felt fearful and ran away. It goes on to say this man heard Daniel’s prayer three weeks prior, but was upheld by the angel over Persia, wow, pastor I could go on and on, but you know the story. I was floored, basically Daniel was praying for understanding, total dependence! And God (Jesus, the Holy Spirit) came to him directly to give him courage and understanding. This story is more alive to me now. I thought the story of Esther was amazing, especially since God is not mentioned in that entire book, but is relevant throughout. But I digress. This is indeed a great example of Fasting and Praying being between just you and God. 1 Day or 21, He is present from beginning to end.
Luke 9:28 Prayer and Fasting (Divinely appointed)
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus was arraigned in all His Glory. There, He prayed in preparation for His divine assignment. He was in the last stages of fulfilling the Law of Moses in order for a New Covenant to be evoked. Moses and Elijah were there. Moses was buried by God, who kissed him at death. Elijah had been spirited away by a Whirlwind, never to be seen again. This is fascinating. This glorious transformation would be the last 40 days of His life before His crucifixion. He had been divinely appointed before the foundation of the world and now prayer and fasting was required to carry it through. When we think about Him never saying a Word. When we close our eyes and see Him naked carrying the cross beam and His entrails hanging out and people jeering and spitting on him. Throwing rocks as His mother watched and followed, we gain a deeper understanding of what must have motivated Him those last 40 days of His life, descending from that mountain and continuing to heal those that would come to hate Him. He sacrificed it all, even being forsaken by His Father, knowing only the Glory that was set before Him. Imagine what we could behold in a divine appointment after 40 days with the Father.
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