Reading the Bible through with me? Then grab your pen and journal and read Esther 4-6. In 4:16, Esther calls on all of Israel to fast for 3 days. Fasting is often, if not usually, paired with prayer. God Himself will often call His children to fast and pray. It's an oft neglected spiritual discipline. Fasting along with prayer has several spiritual benefits. It will help us to . . .
* See our own sins more clearly so that they might be confessed and forsaken. Upon our confession & repentance, God purifies us for His use,
* More clearly discern God's will. Fasting & prayer will clear our spiritual eyes & ears while intensifying our focus on God and His desires for us,
* influence situations locally, regionally, nationally, and even globally,
* Experience a renewed outpouring of spiritual power as we go deeper in our faith. This is important because Jesus said that some situations can only be resolved through prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:21).
Do you practice the discipline of fasting? Jesus did. (Matthew 4:2). So, did Nehemiah, David, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezra, and Paul, just to mention a few.
