40-Day Corporate Prayer and Fasting

Fasting and Prayer for Protection - The Ezra Story: Because the roads were terrorized by bandits, Ezra feared for the safety of his people and was concerned they might be robbed. He was leading a large group of exiles back to Jerusalem, a journey fraught with potential dangers from bandits and hostile forces. He and his people abstaining from food and dedicating themselves to fervent prayer before embarking on a dangerous journey back to Jerusalem from Babylon, essentially seeking God's divine protection over them during their travel, rather than relying solely on human means like a military escort; this act of deep devotion demonstrated their trust in God's power to safeguard them against potential threats along the way. Instead of requesting a military guard from the king, Ezra chose to rely on God's protection by proclaiming a fast among the people, signifying their complete dependence on God's guidance and safety. He believed the Lord would come through so he called the people to fast and pray for 21 days. Ezra knew God's promises to protect His people, but he didn't take them for granted. He also knew that God's blessings are appropriated through prayer, so Ezra and the people humbled themselves by fasting and praying. And their prayers were answered. By demonstrating their faith through fasting and prayer, Ezra and his people experienced a safe passage to Jerusalem, signifying God's faithfulness in protecting those who trust in Him. “Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer”  Ezra 8:21-23 (NKJV).

Fasting for the People of God - The Queen Esther Story: Fasting in this context was not just about abstaining from food, but a spiritual act of humility, deep prayer, and reliance on God's power to intervene in a seemingly impossible situation. Queen Esther and the Jewish community in Persia, led by Mordecai, to seek God's intervention when they faced imminent danger of annihilation from Haman, the king's advisor; this act of collective fasting was crucial to Esther's ability to approach the king and successfully plead for the lives of her people, demonstrating the power of united prayer in times of crisis. Esther and the Jewish community fasted for three days and nights to seek God's favor and guidance before Esther approached King Ahasuerus to plead for the protection of her people, knowing that entering the king's presence uninvited could be deadly. Today, the “ Esther Fast”  is often used by Christians as a practice of dedicated prayer and fasting when facing significant challenges or seeking God's intervention in a specific situation, drawing inspiration from Esther's courageous act of faith. Today, there are still many displaying the same passion as Esther for God to intervene in a situation that looks impossible. An Esther fast is usually done when there are very serious circumstances that require God’s intervention or deliverance or where someone is desperate for deeper relationship with the Lord.  The most important point to remember is to ask the Lord to lay a fast on you. Doing this specific fast in your own strength will not be possible and might be harmful to your health. Therefore, be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you whenever you undertake a fast. “ Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him” Esther 4:15-17 (NKJV).