Empty To Be Filled: Desperation, Prayer & Power
Embracing the Power of Prayer and Fasting: A Journey of Faith and Transformation
In a world gripped by fear and uncertainty, there has never been a more urgent time for believers to call out to God. Prayer and fasting aren't just religious rituals—they're spiritual keys that unlock supernatural breakthroughs in our lives and communities.
The Prayer Struggle Is Real
Can I be honest with you? Many of us struggle with prayer.
We may love God, enjoy Bible study, and even have impressive theological knowledge. But when it comes to spending dedicated time in prayer? That's where things get complicated.
Perhaps you've experienced that moment of panic when asked to pray for an hour, only to run out of words after five minutes. You're not alone.
The beautiful truth is that prayer isn't about eloquence or length—it's simply conversation with your Heavenly Father. And fasting, when combined with prayer, amplifies this connection in powerful ways.
What Happens When We Fast and Pray?
Let me share a story from Scripture that illustrates the extraordinary power of prayer and fasting.
King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced an impossible situation—three enemy armies were marching toward his kingdom, threatening complete destruction. His military advisors must have been in panic mode.
But instead of relying solely on military strategy, Jehoshaphat did something remarkable:
"Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah."
The result? God intervened supernaturally, causing the enemy armies to turn against each other. Judah didn't have to fight at all—they simply collected the spoils of a battle God fought for them.
This account reminds us of a profound truth: our battles are often won first in the spiritual realm through prayer and fasting.
Why Fast? Understanding the Purpose
Fasting isn't about:
Earning God's favor
Manipulating Him to do what we want
Checking a religious box
Impressing others with our spirituality
Instead, fasting is about creating space in our lives to hear God's voice more clearly. When we deny ourselves physical nourishment, we open ourselves to spiritual nourishment in a unique way.
Think of it as a personal invitation from the King of Kings to meet with Him. When we approach fasting with this mindset, it becomes less of a burden and more of an honor.
The Joel Promise: What God Does When We Fast
The Book of Joel speaks powerfully about the impact of prayer and fasting:
"Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning... And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."
This outpouring of the Spirit—this supernatural empowerment—is directly linked to a call for God's people to return to Him with fasting.
As we look at the world around us, it's hard not to wonder if we're living in those last days now. If so, our commitment to prayer and fasting becomes even more crucial. We have the opportunity to participate in a global spiritual awakening by humbling ourselves before God.
From Consumer to Contributor: Transforming Our Relationship with God
Here's a challenging question: Is your relationship with God all about what you can get from Him?
True relationship involves both giving and receiving. If we only come to God with our hands out, expecting blessings and answers, we're not really in a relationship—we're consumers.
Instead, we're called to ask: "God, how can I serve You? What are You calling me to do?"
This shift in perspective transforms our faith from a shallow, self-centered practice into a deep, life-changing commitment.
Beyond the Spiritual Drive-Thru
Think of your spiritual life like nutrition. Showing up to church once a week for a spiritual "boost" is like eating one piece of salmon and expecting it to counteract a week of junk food.
It simply doesn't work that way.
We need a consistent, healthy spiritual diet to grow strong in our faith. Regular prayer and periodic fasting are essential components of this diet.
Breaking the Judges Cycle
Many of us find ourselves living out the pattern we see in the Book of Judges:
God blesses us
We drift away, thinking we can handle life on our own
Things fall apart
We cry out to God again
God rescues us
Repeat
God, in His infinite patience and love, continues to respond to our cries. But imagine how much richer our lives could be if we maintained consistent communion with Him through prayer and fasting!
Called for Such a Time as This
As we embrace spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting, we may find ourselves facing battles we never anticipated. The longer we live, the more challenges we encounter.
But here's the beautiful truth: God intentionally called you to this generation, at this time, because He knew He could equip you to make a difference.
Your struggles and battles aren't just random hardships; they're opportunities for God to strengthen you and prepare you for greater things. When we view our challenges through this lens, everything changes.
Developing Unshakeable Confidence
Prayer and fasting give us something invaluable in today's uncertain world: unshakeable confidence in God's promises.
When we spend dedicated time seeking His face, we begin to see situations from His perspective. The opinions of others—even experts—fade in importance compared to what God is speaking to our hearts.
This doesn't mean we ignore practical wisdom or medical advice. But it does mean we filter everything through the lens of God's Word and His personal guidance in our lives.
Starting Your Journey
If you're new to fasting, start small:
Skip a single meal and use that time to pray
Try a sunset-to-sunset fast (dinner to dinner)
Consider a media fast by disconnecting from entertainment for a day
Begin with a partial fast by giving up certain foods or drinks
The specific approach matters less than your heart attitude. The key is to approach fasting with a heart that says, "God, I want more of You."
The World Needs Spiritual Warriors
In these uncertain times, our world doesn't need more religious performers. It needs spiritual warriors—people who stand firm in faith, grounded in the power of prayer and fasting.
As we embrace these spiritual disciplines, we may just find ourselves on the front lines of a spiritual awakening that changes not only our lives but the world around us.
Are you ready to start this journey?
