Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.
Andrew Murray
The first thing Jehoshaphat did, upon learning of the impending attack on Judah, was to call upon a national fast. He did not call upon them to pray but to fast. Shouldn’t he have appealed to the people to pray?
I use to think of fasting as the magic ingredient that somehow changed God to be more benevolent and give me what I sought after. If I desired something bad enough I would express that desire by fasting. Wrong! Fasting does not change God. Fasting changes me.
When fasting, we are putting aside our flesh and allowing God to work on our spirit. We are crucifying the old man and letting him die, so that Christ can live and control us. As we become more Christlike by fasting, we are allowing the power of God to flow through us in a more powerful way.
By proclaiming a fast among the people of Judah, Jehoshaphat was calling upon the nation to draw nearer to God. He knew that in order for their prayers of salvation to succeed, the flesh had to die, and God’s righteous lifestyle must be manifested.
God desires to work in your life. He wants to do great things with you and through you. He has great plans for your life but, unless you are willing to be like Christ, he cannot move within you as he desires. Fasting helps to kill self and allows God that opportunity of working His power in and through you. Because of the nation of Judah fasting, God could move within the people and fight for them. He can do the same with you, if you’re willing.
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