Fasting and Prayer

Seeking God’s guidance and protection through fasting and prayer brings breakthrough. Like Ezra, trust Him fully in times of uncertainty.

“Then I proclaimed a fast … to humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.”—Ezra 8:21 NASB

Ezra had been sent from Babylon on a critical assignment to implement the directive of King Darius that the Jews were to rebuild the Temple. The journey to Jerusalem was long and dangerous. Though Ezra could have requested protection, he was determined to demonstrate that God would protect and provide for him.

Ezra understood the importance of not taking God’s blessings for granted, so he gathered his traveling companions and proclaimed a fast to commit their journey to Him. He had two specific goals. First, “to humble ourselves before our God.” Ezra knew from Israel’s history how often pride and a haughty spirit had led to ruin. They needed to depend completely on God for their success. They also fasted to seek “a safe journey.” God heard their prayers, and they arrived safely.

Jesus taught a similar lesson when the disciples could not drive out a demon. He told them, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:14–21 NKJV). In order to have a powerful ministry, they needed the spiritual sensitivity that comes through prayer and fasting.

Remember to pray and fast when you’re worried and don’t know what to do, when you face challenges and opposition, when you want to be freed from pride and worldly influences, and when you’re seeking God’s will and need a breakthrough of His blessing, anointing, and favor.

God is ready to hear and answer you.

Reflection Question: How can fasting and prayer help you seek God’s direction?