Fast and Pray
In the day of my trouble, I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. Psalm 77:2
Fasting is not simply choosing for a time to cease eating. In the past, as I have tried to fast, I have wrestled to connect the physical act of refusing food, and the spiritual act of prayer. But, I continued to obey the call to fasting and prayed even though it felt disjointed and forced.
Recently, The LORD gave me a clear understanding of what it means to fast and pray. I learned what it means to be in such spiritual distress in prayer that you do not want to be comforted by food, entertainment, friends, or conversation because you need to hear from God so urgently that nothing else will satisfy you. Suddenly, fasting made sense. Suddenly, it was not something I wanted to avoid, but fasting became the cry of my heart, "NO! I will not be comforted." I will not stop seeking the voice of my God because I need to hear his voice in my trouble. He alone is my refuge.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
This is how God’s people seek the LORD in our times of pain, sorrow and worry. Join me this week to fast and pray for our church and revival.