Fast and pray

When Queen Esther got Mordecai’s message asking her to speak to the king, she sent this message back: “Gather all the Jews in the city and get them to fast and pray for me. Don’t eat or drink anything for three days. My servant girls and I will do the same. Then I will go to the king—even if I must die for doing this.”

After the three days, Esther put on her royal robes and went to stand at the entrance to the throne room. When the king saw her, he invited her in and said, “You may ask for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”

What is a fast?

A fast is not the opposite of “a slow.” To fast means to go without food for a while. A food fast could last for a day or even a few weeks. You are probably wondering why anyone would want to go without food. Well, there is a good reason, and it has nothing to do with dieting.

Fasting helps our hearts draw closer to God because our hunger keeps reminding us to think about Him.

Because fasting makes us weak, it helps us to be humble before God (Ezra 8:21).

Fasting is a way of showing repentance—being sorry for our sins (Jonah 3:3–9).

People sometimes fast while praying for God's wisdom, and guidance (Acts 13:2–3).

Some people fast when they pray about something that is very important to them (2 Samuel 12:16).

Although some people, including Jesus, have fasted for forty days (Luke 4:1–2), a fast could be as short as skipping a meal. You could also decide to go without something else you enjoy. The main thing to remember is that a fast is between you and the Lord. It is something you want to do—a decision that comes from your heart.

Verse for today

When you fast... your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:17–18

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