Fasting as Intercession (2 of 3)
Open Your Bible
Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 4:1-4, Acts 13:1-3, Ezra 8:21-23
BY Raechel Myers
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.
152 thoughts on "Fasting as Intercession (2 of 3)"
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This week, I learned how my prayers and fasting can be used to intercede on someone else’s behalf! I’ve been praying so hard for my brother and sister in law. For their marriage, careers, my nephew and soon to be niece or nephew……pretty much been interceding on their behalf. Don’t want to go in detail but I’ve seen God’s faithfulness cover my brother’s family so much in the past 8 months or so. Recently a position opened up at my job and I knew that my sis in law would be perfect for. She applied and thankfully was interviewed twice. However, I suspected that she wasn’t who that chose to offer the job too. Still praying and believing in God’s faithfulness, I was hoping for a miracle (literally). Because I knew that she had the desire to leave her current job and with a toddler and baby on the way, the hour or more commute to and from work is/will be taxing on her. Well to make a long story short, she was offered a job, not a my organization, but at another that is only a 10 minute drive from home. More money, better opportunity and way shorter commute. Pretty much everything that I had been praying for, God provided in the way that he wanted to provide it! And with my job, I was concerned that they wouldn’t hire because of her pregnancy or give her enough family leave. Well at the organization she’ll be working at, they’re giving her short term disability so that she doesn’t have to worry about taking the time she needed after giving birth! God is so faithful and he even blew my mind with how faithful he has been to my brother and his family! Intercessory prayer allows you to go into prayer on behalf of someone else and allow God’s faithfulness to show up and show out!
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I definitely really appreciate these devos ~ sooo thankful that my husband (who does “hereadstruth”) told me about them. So with that being said, honestly, as a missionary, mother to 2 small children, and busy in everything from church planting to house work, I feel really overwhelmed and challenged by this. This could just as easily read architect or teacher, mother to 1 or 2 or 3 etc. children, and full-time worker (both at the job and in the home), etc…but Mom’s, those of you who get what I’m saying, I need some advice. I need to know how this practically plays out in your life. Regardless of what the fast is from, how do you get that QT with God in those moments? How do you get that quality prayer/conversation time with the Lord? When there is so much happening all day every day, it’s not so much the “fasting” part that’s hard but the sweet fellowship & growing closer to God that comes in those moments of being with Him and in His Word. That’s my struggle. And I welcome any advice sisters~
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Sometimes, it helps to remember, the season he has planted us in…and He knows your heart. That said, QT doesn’t HAVE to be a chair, coffee and no noise, while that is welcomed!!! It is in everything we do, as we drive, do dishes, etc. etc. For me, now that my children are a bit older, that frees up some “time”, but really…it is about taking each day, not MY to do list, but His…God what do YOU want me to do today…and that is the only thing I work on. Thus, I have all the time in the world…even in ministry…yes it’s busy…but how much do WE really put on ourselves as must do…instead of allowing God, and Him alone to direct that? Course, I am nearing 50 this year, its taken me that long to figure that one out…and still working on it every day
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Finding a “space” (both physical and temporal) for QT is easier said than done, my friend! I’m a young mama myself, and here are some practical things that have worked for me… Getting up in the morning before my children has seemed to most consistently work best when it comes to finding time for a quiet space. This doesn’t always happen — kids wake early unexpectedly… a lot ;) But the mornings that I plan for it (read: make sure I go to bed on time the night before), and it does happen, oh Joy! Also, I read Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts this past fall, and her meditation on the small daily graces has really opened my eyes to try and see the same in my own home and family and life. That has helped me tremendously to see God working in all things, all day long in the mess of parenting small boys in a messy home and a full life. Praying that the Lord would grant you the eyes to see His every-single-moment love for you!
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Oh Kelly! How cool of God that the this site and Wisdom through it is available to young moms and that you are feasting on it! I became a Christ lover-follower 2.5 kids and 10 years into my marriage and asked the same thing and the Holy Spirit told me to ask Him to wake me up, and to wake me up with a Word. He has been SO faithful to answer that God-prompted desire for over 15 years now! In fact, music is how God reaches the depths of my hearts and over 75% of mornings I awaken with a “song for the day.” So, I’d encourage you to ask God to direct your awakenings and to sharpen your spiritual ear to hear Him and His Word as the very first moment of consciousness to your day. Delight in his “inside out and upside down, better-than-you-can-ever-imagine ways” (Isa. 55:8) & He will give you the desire of your heart (Psalm 37:4). :)
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Thanks sooo much ladies :) Here goes to prayerfully giving it a go!
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Really needed this one today.
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I am right there with you sister. Our need is great but our God is greater. I am amazed at how He speaks to us through His Word and the Body of Christ.
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I love this devotional, I’m 15 and my small group is doing this together! So far I’ve been loving it! Right now I’m fasting From ALL social media, which is a big thing in our culture.. When ever I feel like scrolling
through Instagram or Twitter, I decide instead to either pray or to read my bible and get deeper into his word. I already feel so much closer to God and this devotional is really helping me through this whole thing!-
Good for you! Keep it up and I pray your efforts will encourage other people to do the same.
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I’m also fasting from social media and the Lord has been faithful even in the first week. I’m able to quiet my mind to hear Him and not just fill the time with mindless scrolling. I am encouraged by your testimony!
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I’m with you, Mattea! I’ve decided to give up social media too (which is really hard these days). This really encourages me to spend more time in the Word during the time I could be on social media. Keep it up! You are such a wise girl.
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Mattea- that is so wonderful! Excited for the things the Lord will teach you in this time.
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This is a great post that everyone should read! So happy I found this website that I can come to and be in God’s word. Thanks!
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“We fast because our need is great but our God is greater.” Such an important truth and a timely reminder. Thanks! greater
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I have always been fascinated with fasting in the bible and wondered how often people today do it as a means of answering a deep longing. Really loved today’s post! Has definitely got me thinking about how fervently I pray for others.
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Just wanted to report that whatever was causing SRT to spontaneously stop on my Android – all is well now! Thank you, SRT, for caring enough to contact me. Whatever you did, worked! You all are the best!
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