Fast and Pray

1. God expects us to fast (Matthew 6:16-17)

2. Jesus Himself - and the early church - fasted (Matthew 4:2: Acts 13:3)

3. Fasting promotes intimacy with God

4. Fasting makes us sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1-2)

“Fasting is abstaining from anything that hinders prayer.” – Andrew Bonar

It is not only sinful or bad things that can hinder us from praying and fasting. Even good things in life—such as food, comfort, entertainment, work, or personal activities—can become distractions when they take our focus away from God. Fasting teaches us to temporarily set aside even legitimate pleasures so that our hearts can seek God more deeply and our dependence on Him can grow stronger.

Fasting Options

1. Normal Fast (no food, only water)

2. Juice Fast

3. Partial Fast (one meal, two meals, eat only certain food)

4. Object Fast (TV, computer games)

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Teach us the importance of prayer and fasting. Thank You for the example of the Lord Jesus Christ and the early church, who sought You with humble and devoted hearts. Help us to understand that fasting is not merely abstaining from food, but setting aside anything that hinders our fellowship with You.

Lord, remove every distraction that keeps us from seeking You wholeheartedly. Teach us to deny ourselves, to depend on You more deeply, and to desire Your presence above all earthly comforts and pleasures. As we fast and pray, make us more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and draw us into a closer intimacy with You.

Strengthen our faith, purify our hearts, and align our desires with Your will. May our fasting glorify You and produce spiritual growth in our lives.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

MATTHEW 9:36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

The Lord Jesus Christ saw the deep spiritual need of the people and responded with compassion. He compared them to sheep without a shepherd—confused, weary, and helpless. Christ then called His disciples to pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest. Whenever God’s people are serious about His work and His kingdom, spiritual opposition will often follow. The enemy does not remain passive when people are being drawn back to God.

2 CHRONICLES 20

2 CHRONICLES 19:4 So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.

Jehoshaphat had been actively leading the people back to the worship of the Lord. There was spiritual renewal in Judah, yet difficulty still came. This teaches us that faithfulness to God is not a guarantee of an easy life. At times, spiritual victories are followed by spiritual battles because the enemy resists the work of God.

2 CHRONICLES 20:2 Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord.

When Jehoshaphat heard the alarming news, fear came naturally, but he responded correctly—he turned his attention to seek the Lord. Instead of relying merely on military strength or human wisdom, he called the nation to prayer and fasting. Fear should not drive us away from God; it should drive us toward Him. Seeking the Lord is not only for moments of crisis but should become a lifestyle of dependence upon God.

1 Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.

At this point in history, the kingdom had already been divided, and Jehoshaphat ruled over Judah, the southern kingdom. Although he sought to lead the nation back to God, a great threat suddenly arose against them. This reminds us that obedience to God does not exempt us from trials. In fact, opposition often increases when we commit ourselves to God’s will and purposes.

2 CHRONICLES 20:13 All Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives and their children.

The entire nation stood before the Lord together—men, women, and children. This picture reflects humility, unity, and complete dependence upon God. In times of uncertainty, the people of God must gather before Him with surrendered hearts, acknowledging that their hope and security come from Him alone.

2 CHRONICLES 20:5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord before the new court, 6 and he said, “O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. 7 Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

Jehoshaphat began his prayer by focusing on who God is. Before presenting requests, he meditated on the greatness, sovereignty, and power of God. He also remembered what God had already done for His people in the past. True prayer strengthens faith because it shifts our attention from the size of the problem to the greatness of God. Remembering God’s faithfulness in previous generations helps us trust Him in present difficulties.

2 CHRONICLES 20:8 They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, 9 ‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’

Jehoshaphat then recalled the promises of God. He believed that God hears the cries of His people and is faithful to deliver them. Faith is strengthened when we stand on the promises of God rather than on our emotions or circumstances. God’s promises become an anchor for the soul during times of fear and uncertainty.

2 CHRONICLES 20:10 Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), 11 see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

After worshiping God and remembering His promises, Jehoshaphat finally presented his petition. He openly confessed their helplessness and admitted that they did not know what to do, but he fixed his eyes upon the Lord. This is true dependence on God—not self-confidence, but God-confidence. Sometimes God allows situations beyond our ability so that we will fully rely on Him.

God had not made a mistake years earlier when He restrained Israel from destroying these nations. The Lord was sovereignly preparing circumstances for a future display of His power and deliverance. Even events we do not understand today may later reveal God’s wisdom and purpose.

JAMES 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

James reminds believers that human plans are uncertain because life itself is temporary. We often make plans confidently, forgetting that only God is fully sovereign over tomorrow. This passage teaches humility and dependence upon God’s will. We may plan responsibly, but ultimately our confidence must rest in the Lord who controls every detail of life.

2 CHRONICLES 20:14 Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; 15 and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”... 20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”

God answered through Jahaziel, assuring the people that the battle ultimately belonged to the Lord. Judah still had to step forward in faith and obedience, but victory would come from God’s power, not their own strength. Jehoshaphat encouraged the people to trust in the Lord and in His word spoken through the prophets. Faith is built upon the character of God and the reliability of His promises.

Today, believers have the completed Word of God, giving us even greater assurance to trust Him fully in every situation.

2 CHRONICLES 20:21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

Before the victory became visible, Jehoshaphat appointed singers to praise the Lord. Thanksgiving came before the resolution of the problem. This demonstrates mature faith—praising God not only after the answer comes, but while waiting for His deliverance. Gratitude reflects confidence that God is already at work even when circumstances remain unclear.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

The apostle Paul echoes this same principle by teaching believers to bring everything to God through prayer with thanksgiving. Anxiety loses its grip when we entrust our concerns to the Lord and remember His faithfulness.

2 CHRONICLES 20:22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

As the people worshiped and praised God, the Lord Himself intervened and caused confusion among their enemies. Judah did not win through military strategy or human ability, but through God’s supernatural power. This reminds us that God can work in ways far beyond human understanding. The battles we cannot solve ourselves are never beyond His control.

2 CHRONICLES 20:24 When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found much among them, including goods, garments and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry. And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much.

What began as a fearful crisis ended in overwhelming blessing. The people not only experienced deliverance but also received abundant provision. Sometimes God’s blessings have been present all along, yet we fail to recognize or appreciate them until He opens our eyes. God is able to bring blessing even out of seasons of hardship and fear.

2 CHRONICLES 20:26 Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the Lord. Therefore they have named that place “The Valley of Beracah” until today... 29 And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.

The valley where they gathered became known as Beracah, meaning “blessing.” What once appeared to be a place of danger became a testimony of God’s faithfulness. The surrounding nations recognized that the Lord Himself had fought for Judah, and God gave His people peace and rest.

When we trust God, seek Him through prayer and fasting, stand upon His promises, and worship Him even before the answer comes, God is glorified through our lives. The battles may still come, but the Lord remains faithful to fight for His people.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for reminding us through Your Word that You are sovereign over every battle and every circumstance in our lives. You remain faithful to Your children today.

Lord, teach us to seek You first in times of fear, uncertainty, and opposition. Help us to turn our attention to You through prayer and fasting instead of relying on our own understanding and strength. Strengthen our faith to trust in Your character, Your promises, and Your perfect timing.

Forgive us for the times we become anxious and forget that the battle belongs to You. Teach us to worship You even before we see the answer, and to give thanks knowing that You are already at work for our good and for Your glory.

May our lives reflect complete dependence upon You day by day. Use us, Lord, as faithful workers in Your harvest, and help us to lead others back to You just as Jehoshaphat led the people of Judah. Fill our hearts with peace, courage, and confidence in Your presence.

Thank You for being our refuge, our defender, and our faithful God who never fails.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

The content of this article is adapted from the source below:

Fast and Pray: Be Filled with God-Confidence

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