2 November 2008
Sharon’s Sunday Blog
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Guest Blogger .
A Time for Fasting and Prayer
Fasting, or abstaining from food and drink, makes us aware of our vulnerability and increases our humility. When coupled with sincere prayer, it also increases our spiritual strength. It is a principle that can bring great blessings into our lives and the lives of others and even upon communities and nations.
There is an Old Testament story that illustrates the power of fasting.
During the time of the Captivity, Esther the adopted daughter of Mordecai the Jew was chosen to become queen to the kind of Persia. Haman, chief man at the king’s court, hated Mordecai and obtained a decree to put all Jews to death. When the plot became known, “in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing…” (Esther 4:3)
Ester determined that she, at the peril of her life, would in unto the king in an effort to save her people. She sent a message to Mordecai saying, ” Go, gather together all the Jews . . . and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink . . ; I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king.” (Esther 4:16)
We are told that Esther was well received by the king and Haman’s plans to have the Jews destroyed were consequently revealed. The Jews were spared, Haman was hanged on his own gallows, and the feast of Purim was instituted to commemorate their deliverance and victory. “And to confirm these days of Purim . . . they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fasting and their cry.” (Esther 9:31)
At this time of national peril WE may want to not only pray for our country, but fast as well. May God bless America.
“If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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