The Blessings of Prayer and Fasting

Eight years ago this weekend, we lived through the 9/11 tragedy that all of us will never forget, especially those who lost their loved ones. Many lives went through a painful, drastic and sudden change because of this. Since then President George W. Bush declared war on terror.

Biblically speaking, the war on terror has been around since thousands of years ago. That’s why we need to “Put on God’s whole armor – the armor of a heavy-armed soldier, which God supplies, that you may be able successfully to stand up against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood – contending only with physical opponents – but against the despotism, against the powers, against the master spirits who are the world rulers of this present darkness, against the forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” (Eph.6:11-12, Amplified). Whether you realize it or not, our battle is going on 24/7.

The enemy is not after your money or your possessions; he is after your soul. What you do now will affect your future. You can experience change by force or by choice; the same thing with renewal. It is better to choose to be renewed than to be forced into it.

When you read the book of Joel, you will see that there are a lot of things that ate up their resources. They came after the harvest. When things like that happen, I’m not going to fold my hands and say, “Hhmm, what’s happening?” I am going to raise them up, stand up, and seek the Lord through prayer and fasting until God intervenes.

As you see in Joel’s context, there are three things that will happen:

1. God will leave a blessing. This is talking about prosperity, because whatever you harvest, the enemy will not have the power to steal from you (see Joel 1:14).
2. God will restore the years the locusts have eaten (see verse 25). Think about this: who sent the locusts? God did. Why did He do that? Because He loves us so much that in His mercy He wants us to draw closer and focus on Him so that He can restore us. If you are tired of your past, fasting and prayer will help.
3. God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh (see verses 28-29). This is a great blessing, because the Spirit of God Himself will be poured out. We have the tendency to equate God’s blessings only with material things, but God is the Ultimate Blessing you will ever receive.

Many times God will spare your life but take away the thing that you thought was your source. Read the book of Acts 7:21-34, and you will understand what I mean. They were without food, not because they wanted to fast, but the conditions forced them to. God saved their lives, but took the things they trusted in.

When you are in a storm, there is nothing you can do but anchor yourself in the Word of God. However, you don’t only fast just to receive a Word from God, because getting a word is one thing, but having it work — to put it into motion — is another thing. Continue to fast even after you receive that Word from God.