THE EFFICACY OF FASTING AND PRAYER
Esther 4:1-16
A typical example of a Bible character who truly practised the art of fasting and effectual prayer, is Queen Esther, the wife of Ahasuerus, whose prayers yielded great results. It is common knowledge among Christians that those who wish to attain certain heights or intend to achieve certain goals in life must master the art of fasting and prayers.
However, the challenge we often encounter is the immediacy of the results forgetting that prayers are like seeds planted in the soil, and when watered with fasting, positive confession, prayers and the word of God, we reap the fruits of our prayers. A great judgment and doom awaited the Jews, and this news, on getting to Esther, was immediately acted upon by declaring a three-day fast among the Jews, not excluding herself, that they seek the face of God for the miraculous to take place.
It takes a lot of courage, faith and strength to pray to God with a hope that all requests will be attended to and granted provided we abide in Him, and pray according to His will. The spiritual truly controls the physical as the physical is birthed by the spiritual, as such, prayers and supplications must be constantly made on our altars. Fasting and prayer help facilitate our miracles, leading to achievements, breakthrough and success. Not only did Esther gain favour in the sight of the King; her uncle, Mordecai was remembered and promoted in the king’s palace.
Spiritual discipline in fasting is one of the basics of a Christian’s life. There is a strong tie between fasting and spiritual purity. When one controls the physical appetite, the power and authority gained through that spiritual discipline extends to power over other kinds of temptation. As Christians, we must to learn to exert control over our appetites so that we are not disqualified as witnesses for the work of the ministry. This finds support in the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 9:27, where Apostle Paul says he disciplines his body to bring it into subjection. The healing power of living a fasted life is supported by nutritionists. Plutarch, the famous Greek philosopher and biographer advised that: “Instead of using medicine, fast a day.”
Prayer: LORD, I receive the grace to live a fasted life that is full of virtue and power.
