Text: Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 4:1-4, Acts 13:1-3, Ezra 8:21-23
Do you remember the story of the four guys who dropped their paralytic friend through a roof in order to be healed by Jesus? (It’s not a part of our reading for today, but you’ll find their story in Mark 2:1-12.)
This very hopeless man was at Point A, and Jesus—the man they’d heard was healing many—was at Point B. Things would have stayed this way had his friends not interceded. They carried him across town and knocked on the door of the home where they knew Jesus was teaching.
It turns out, they weren’t the only ones with this big idea. The Bible says the home was so full of people eager to hear Jesus’ message, even the doorway was blocked (v. 2). Their intercession mission might have been short-lived had it not been for the persistence of these four friends. They did whatever they could to get their sick friend to Jesus—even if that meant carrying him to the roof of the house and cutting a hole through the branches and dried clay above where Jesus was teaching.
Jesus forgave the man’s sins right away because, no matter how sick we are, our sin is always more profound. He showed the house full of people that day that He has authority to both forgive sins and heal bodies, and he did both for the paralytic whose friends carried him to Jesus.
This is intercession. It’s working and sweating and not stopping—forsaking all worldly sensibilities because people need Jesus.
The Bible is filled with accounts of men and women fasting as a means of earnest intercession. Sometimes they intercede before long journeys, like Ezra did before Israel’s return trip to Jerusalem from exile (Ezra 8:21-23), or as the early church did before sending men out on missionary journeys (Acts 13:1-3). Other times, the intercession was in the midst of trouble, like when Nehemiah heard of the destruction occurring to the place and people of his hometown. He tore his clothes and fasted and prayed on their 800-miles-away behalf, asking the Lord to help them:
“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven . . . let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants . . . ”
-Nehemiah 1:4-6
Fasting is a tangible way we can declare our utter dependence on the Lord. It can also be a way we lay others at the feet of Jesus.
When I think about the men who pursued Jesus tirelessly on behalf of their friend, and Nehemiah who petitioned and fasted and repented before the Lord on behalf of his people, I remember that however compassionate those men were, God’s compassion is greater still. Because I serve a God of compassion who answers the persistent petitions of His people (Nehemiah 2:1-9) I can approach the throne just as boldly, just as reverently, and with the same persistence, and be heard by the Almighty God upon whom no prayers are wasted.
We fast because our need is great and our God is greater. We fast in reverence of this truth. In fasting, we are saying to God, “Our spiritual need is greater than our physical discomfort and the supply for both comes from You alone.”
We fast because He listens.
Let’s lower the physical and spiritual needs of others on a mat before Jesus, trusting and remembering that He has all authority in heaven and on earth, to heal our bodies and forgive our sins.
After reading today’s passages and devotionals I decided to visit one of my favorite Christian websites to see what Biblical insight they offered into the discipline of fasting. While there, I came across a video where John Piper expresses his heart for his book “A Hunger for God”. In that video he said, “Fasting is the exclamation point at the end of the prayer”. He explained that fasting is faithfully enduring our physical discomfort as a means of worshipping God physically with our bodies. To me, this meant that fasting is a means of demonstrating not only to God, but to ourselves, our sincerity and our utter dependence on Him. The pangs of hunger serving as our reminder to “turn back” to God and realize once again that we are only in this world, we are not of it. We fast in this life because we believe in the life to come.
Tnx for your post. I like the exclamation point!
Is there a way I can find a someone on here doing these studies who can hold me accountable or even 2 or more people. Just need that push because I can never find the time do sit down, dig in, read the verses and really understand it and get something out of it. I would love to chat with some of your or one person a few times a week over Google Hangouts just to talk about what we have read so far through out the week. Also I need help with the Weekly Truth’s (memorizing the verses together) making sure I actually understand them and know them by heart. If there is someone other people that can reach out to me about this I would really appreciate it.
I’d love to help/chat. I agree, accountability is so helpful. I could use a boost memorizing also and it would be great to have someone to discuss the studies with. I have a google account but an unfamiliar with google hangouts so I’d have to check it out.
My Google email is [email protected] send me an email and I can help you with the Hangouts
Amanda, what’s your Google email?
Hey Amy! I don’t use hangout, but you are more than welcome to find me on Facebook and we can hold each other accountable that way. I think it’s awesome that you desire to be in strong relation with God and we’re called to be in relationship with people. http://www.facebook.com/bridarlene
I’m in! [email protected]
“We fast because our need is great and our God is greater”. I needed this today. Too many times I focus on my great need, not my great God. My husband and I are in the process of adopting a little girl from east Asia and, right now I am forgetting that God is the ultimate provider. That huge looming bill… He’s got it covered. That uncertain timeline… He’s got it. Our girl… He’s got her. My need for God is great. I’m so thankful that, through Jesus, I can approach His throne with confidence today.
The same thing stood out to me today, Stacy. It’s a truth that in this particular season I’m in, I have to keep reminding myself of it. No matter how hard life seems or how easy it may be to forget. “We fast because our need is great and our God is greater.” Wow. What a truth. Praying for you today (and for your sweet little girl)!
Amen, Stacy!!
Can someone one explain me how should I fast. Should I go without food all day
Fasting is taking a break from something in your life as a reminder to think of what Christ did for us on the cross. By recognizing his grace on the cross, we then repent and draw closer to him. So food is often used to fast because we physically need it and consume it on a daily basis. When someone feels the hunger they can use that as a reminder to draw close to God and pray. Myself, I chose to remove something in my life that was taking the place of God- Netflix. Sounds silly, but I struggle with anxiety and when I feel anxious I tend to veg out on Netflix in an attempt to get my mind off of my worries and fear. Now when I feel anxious and I want to go to Netflix, I instead go to God and let him remind me that He is in control. Lent is the 40 days before Jesus went to Jerusalem and a week later he died on the cross. So to prepare our hearts for Easter, his resurrection, we fast for that time by withdrawing something noticeable from our lives. It’s a form of worship ultimately. When fasting “the rest of time” (don’t know how else to phrase that), you can choose to fast for a whole day, a meal (if you’re fasting from food), a week, month, whatever you feel is appropriate for the situation you’re seeking counsel on and preparation for. It is between you and God. I know I definitely need to work on fasting in other seasons of my life besides Lent! Hope that answers your questions and if someone has anything else to add, by all means go for it! :)
Thank you Laci, Your answer is very helpful.
Laci had a great explanation, but in case you were interested in some practical advice for fasting specifically from food, I found this article from DesiringGod.com to be very helpful. :)
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/fasting-for-beginners
“Because I serve a God of compassion who answers the persistent petitions of His people (Nehemiah 2:1-9) I can approach the throne just as boldly, just as reverently, and with the same persistence, and be heard by the Almighty God upon whom no prayers are wasted.” These words Raechel wrote really struck me this morning.
Feeling I’ve been in an extended waiting season with God, I feel that my own bold and persistent prayers have just floated away into the clouds. According to my time table, I’m feeling at my wits end… and maybe this is where I need to be. I *know* God’s timing is perfect, but I guess in a season of staying, it feels endless and never approaching and I just don’t know what to do. I pray and pray that He will show me the way, but … silence… So much so, that as I was journaling these words I found myself writing, “I serve a God of compassion who HEARS the persistent petitions of His people…” I could not muster up the conviction in my own heart to write that He ANSWERS, as Raechel wrote.
Ladies, my heart desperately wants to hope above all hope. But can I really, truly believe that He always answers my petitions? I just don’t know. And that doubt scares me a little bit. Choosing to meditate on His compassion toward His people today with the hopes that He can set my weary heart right.
If anyone has any personal stories of hope or encouragement to share, I would be so very grateful to read them. :) Or any prayers or heart meditations that have helped you in your own “in-between” season.
Love and hugs to all you ladies!
Sorry – my heart and thoughts are a bit off topic from today’s focus…
Please remember that this season you are in, no matter how
extended, He has a purpose for it and as you stay focused on Him thoroughly leaning on Him you will look back on this experience and see how perfect His will is. I am praying for you
Grateful for your encouraging words and generous prayers, Vanice.
If you are not seeing evidence that God is hearing and answering your prayers, I think the first thing to do is to change the focus of your prayers. In my case, I had to start praying for God to soften and change MY heart and align my desires with his. I recently experienced miraculous healing directly after changing my prayer focus. It went from “God please take this pain away”, to “God, please give me what you know I need”. I think more than ending my pain, the miracle was directly seeing evidence that God listens to me after years of just reaching out in faith and belief.
This is so good.
Wow, Laura, thank you for sharing your story. There is great truth and encouragement in reading it. I do need to change my prayer focus, as well as, discipline myself not to give up when I don’t see what I think I need. He knows better. Grateful for your words.
I have changed the focus of my praying from “God, make this better” to “God, make this count”. I read about this on a blog. It has totally changed the way I think about my prayer time. I have a friend who has just been diagnosed with cancer. My prayer has been “God, don’t just make this better, but make this count. Use this time of suffering to usher in Your kingdom and Your will.”
I don’t know if this will help you, but it has done miraculous things with my prayer life.
Praying for you that God will make this time of waiting count for His kingdom.
There is such faith and confidence in that kind of changed prayer perspective. A great reminder to pray for God to use my life – even this season – for His glory and not my own. Thank you for sharing and praying, Kathy.
Girl, I have been in your position. Waiting and feeling like God isn’t hearing you is so hard. I think one of the most freeing things that I have learned in my walk with Jesus is that it’s okay to express what I’m feeling to Him..even if it’s not what I think He wants to hear. You can let God know you’re frustrated, you can let Him know you’re disappointed. Don’t feel like you have to have perfect patience every day! Just keep turning your heart to Him with what you’re going through. You are precious, sister, and you are loved. Keep going <3
Melanie, thank you! Yes! To truly being honest and open, sharing my feelings with Him. It may be messy, but it’s a relationship with Him that matters most. I am so grateful for your encouragement and affirmations. “Keep going” is my mantra during this season. :)
Hey Beverly, I had also been in a season for a couple of years of not feeling like God was answering me & I really didn’t feel I could hear him either. I had a deep (and looking back I see an idolatrous) desire for a certain accomplishment, and a constant up & down struggle with anxiety, depression, and discouragement. In those times of struggle I would run to God and as soon as I felt back on my feet emotionally, I would be confident in myself & run to the accomplishing of my goal(s). I didn’t see it then but I used God as a means to my own end rather than an end in Himself. Just last week, I feel something finally changed. I felt in spirit God saying to me “daughter, this is who you are on your own. this is what your flesh defaults to.. you can’t do this without me. I can carry this for you. The self pity, the depression, the anxiety and fear.. If you give it to me, knowing you can’t do this without me, I can help you. Ill never leave you.” and just this morning as I’m reading I get an image in my mind of a parent who allows necessary pain/discomfort, such as a shot, medication, a consequence to disobedience, or just simple disciplines for the ultimate well being of their child.. and I image God doing the same, saying “This will be hard and painful, its not what you’re praying for and you wont like it.. but trust me, I know what you NEED.”
This realization has been worth it all. Jesus is all I NEED. As much as my pride loves to feel independent and capable, there is nothing sweeter than His presence. I am so thankful we serve a Father who doesn’t just give us what we want but He loves us enough to give us what we NEED, no matter how hard. <3
Oh Andrea, I can relate to so much of what you write. Thank you for sharing your personal story and walk with God. Your words are a blessing and an encouragement to trust Him through my own season. A beautiful reminder that we have a gracious God who meets us in all our mess, and patiently shows us His way. Praying He share words of truth over my own heart. I love how you say, “He loves us enough to give us what we NEED, no matter how hard.” Such grace and love! Grateful for your words, and I’ll be praying over your journey as I process my own.
Beverly, I so relate to how you’re feeling. In my case it was prayers for emotional healing and I felt that the praying and the waiting was going on forever- that for so long I was really seeking God and nothing was changing.
I did get my answer eventually and it was definitely worth the wait. I don’t know why the waiting had to go on for so long but, looking back, I can see that I grew closer to God in that time as I was seeking him and it has helped me in other situations since then. I’ve written some more about it in a blog post here: https://lifeinthespaciousplace.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/waiting-for-the-happy-ending/
Praying for you today for hope and patience as you wait.
Carly, thank you for your thoughts and prayers today. I’m heading to your blog post now! By the way, I love the name of your blog. :)
In the midst of marital problems that were making me feel hopeless, I started a 40-day fast from alcohol and began earnestly praying for my heart to change toward my husband. During those 40 days, my marriage went from bad to worse. I almost gave up the fast several times because it didn’t seem to be doing any good… but I hung in there. At the end of the 40 days, I was in the exact same place maritally-speaking, but in a worse place spiritually. I ended up “celebrating” the end of my fast in a terrible way and got very drunk. The next day, I was really beating myself up and feeling like a total failure as a wife, a mother, and a Christ-follower. My husband – who did not know anything about my fast or my prayers and is not an incredibly spiritual person – showed me such kindness and forgiveness that my heart for him immediately melted. That day was a game-changer for us. Walls that had been built up over the years crumbled in an instant. That was over two years ago and my marriage is stronger today than it has ever been. My take-away from it all was that God’s plan was not revealed to me in the way I expected. I did not think He was answering my prayers… but He was. And although my mind knew that His mercy, grace, and healing were not controlled or triggered by anything I did, that realization really struck my heart and changed me. Also, the fact that my failures and sins did not cancel out His amazing healing plan for us left me so humbled and very grateful. Praying for you, Beverly!
Oh, Angela, thank you for sharing your story of waiting, and of redemption. I am so blessed by your honesty and realness. Thinking back on my own experiences, I can remember how God has brought good out of what appeared to me as hopeless. It is so true what you say, “His mercy, grace, and healing were not controlled or triggered by anything I did.” He loves us still. Through it all. And patiently waits for our hearts to turn to Him again and again. Thank you for this reminder of who God is, which is not dependent on me or on my circumstances.
In a season that often has me feeling guilt or ‘behind,’ your words encouraged me to keep trusting Him. I am hopeful that He also has an amazing plan for me despite my own perceived failures and sins during this wait. I look forward to looking back on this time and being so in awe of God and His perfect plan. I, too, want to be so very humbled and full of gratitude.
I appreciate your encouraging words and your generous prayers, Angela.
Loved what was shared today! Does anyone have any practical tips as to how you’ve incorporated fasting regularly into your day to day life? I’d love to know what you ladies are doing :) thanks!
Thank you Lord that when we plead with you, you grant us our requests!
http://www.in-due-time.com
In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, when the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites came against the people of Judah and Jerusalem, was afraid. But in his fear he “resolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah, who gathered to seek the Lord. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him,” (2 Chronicles 20: 3-4). In his prayer he acknowledges power and might are in God’s hands alone and he and his people are powerless in this impending battle. In the midst of fasting and praying, ” the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants), and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:14-15) The battle is the Lord’s! In verse 17 God tells them they do not even have to fight the battle. Because it is God that did, and does, the fighting. We fast and seek Him and He fights the battle. I am so encouraged by these verses when I desire a specific outcome and dread the battle, but if I ‘declare my utter dependence on the Lord, and lay my petitions at the feet of Jesus”, in fasting and prayer, then the battle is the Lord’s!
Thank you for this reminder. I believe God used your words to speak to me today.
I have a Susan in my life who has echoed the same sentiment. Thank you for this!
So good, Susan. Thank you for this truth today!
Thanks, Susan. That’s really encouraging.