As we begin day 2 of our fast, it is easy to feel a little physically weak in the morning and wonder if it’s worth it.
All glory and power to God – yes! It is worth it! God will give you strength as you fast and pray to intervene for those you love. We need spiritual strength to follow Jesus in the times we live in.
Here are some snap shot scriptural truths about fasting and why it’s worth it –
Isaiah 58:6 says this is the purpose of fasting: ““Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” When a person is under the heavy weight of oppression and slavery to the devil’s lies and manipulations, fasting will help to set them free.
Mark 9:29 “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” When the disciples, who were given authority by Jesus to cast out demons, could not cast the deaf and dumb spirit out of the boy, they asked Jesus for insight. Jesus simply said, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Why? We don’t know exactly why, we just know Jesus told us some spirits come out only under the condition where the person commanding it to leave has been spending time devoted to prayer and fasting. Jesus tells us here in the passage that there are principalities with greater measure of strength, which will refuse to come out of a person. The Lord calls us to a spiritual lifestyle where we are so surrendered to the Lord through self-denial and submission that we live in an increased measure of faith. The main guidance we have from Jesus is that a life devoted to prayer and fasting will prepare us to face and conquer whatever strong man that stands against us.
Daniel 10:12-13 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.”
When Daniel prayed and fasted for 21 days, he refrained from choice foods and wine. This prayer set into motion things in the spirit realm that were not resolved until the end of the 21 days of fasting. Seeking the Lord in spiritual battle for someone’s soul can require patiently waiting on the Lord by faith.
Luke 2:37 Fasting can position us to hear and receive more clearly from the Lord. “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” Anna was 84 years old, and didn’t let her age stop her from a lifestyle of fasting and seeking the Lord. She was able to hear from God and know who the infant Lord Jesus was before anyone else, except his mother and earthly father Joseph and Simeon. She prophesied over Jesus in the temple.
With these truths in mind, let us continue to pray for our children and grandchildren using Psalm 103. Today, we will focus on verses 6-12.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Prayer Adaptation –
Lord, you work righteousness and justice for the oppressed. I pray today for my children and grandchildren. I ask that you break the yoke of injustice that tries to come against them. Lord, the enemy brings chains through sin. The world oppresses through evil people. I pray you break the enemy’s chains on my children and grandchildren through the righteousness of Christ. Deliver my children from evil people in this evil world. I pray, Lord, that you will glorify yourself in this great work of deliverance.
Deliver my children and grandchildren from Satan’s schemes to hold them prisoner. Lord, it says in Colossians 2:14-15 that Jesus,”…canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Lord, you took away the legal keys to Satan’s chains in my children when you died on the cross and rose again. Through the forgiveness of sin, Satan loses ground.
If your child is not walking with God, pray this portion – “Lord, I ask that you forgive my child for his/her hard heart toward you. I pray you forgive rebellion and unconfessed sin. I pray you have mercy on his/her soul and draw him/her by your lovingkindness. Speak by your Spirit and draw my child/grandchildren to you by the power of your love, grace and mercy. I pray for you to save my child/grandchild, in Jesus’ name.”
I pray, Lord that you will dismantle Satans kingdoms and strongholds in the lives of my family by your mighty power in the name of Jesus. I say that Jesus is the strong tower over my children. I declare that every evil power that has set itself up to oppress or dominate my children is defeated by the cross of Jesus Christ.
Lord, it says in your word that, “He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.” I thank you for revealing Christ to me. I pray that you will send your Holy Spirit to bring revelation and understanding of Jesus to my children/grandchildren. Open the eyes of their hearts that they can see the hope of their calling. Let them hear/see and feel you calling them, Lord.
It says you made your deeds known to Israel. Let my children/grandchildren see works of God. Do miracles to draw them to yourself that they will know you personally – not just because they have heard stories about you. Be real to my children, in Jesus’ mighty name.
Lord, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. You will not always accuse, nor will you harbor your anger forever; Thank you for your compassion and grace! Let my children and grandchildren know and see these attributes in you. Thank you for loving my child more than I do. Thank you for not getting angry easily. Help me to not be easily angered with sin or weakness. Give me your Spirit that I can walk in your grace. Lord, show your mercy to my child. Relent from any judgements on my children and show them your heart toward them, in Jesus’ name. Pour your love and compassion out to my children in visible and tangible ways this week, Lord.
Lord, you do not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
Thank you for this unmerited grace. Thank you for who you are. I pray that even when my children sin – in small ways or even in great ways – that you will not repay them according to their iniquities. Lord, who could stand if you demanded an eye for an eye? Please breathe life into my child and give him/her a great awareness of your love, grace and mercy. Speak kindly to my child.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Thank you, Lord, for this great truth. Remove the power of shame and condemnation from my child that he/she can function, walk in and thrive in your truth and love.
Thank you, Lord, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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