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AUTHORITY THROUGH PRAYER & FASTING

Ezra 8 :21NKJV 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.

FASTING IS AN ACT OF HUMILITY BEFORE GOD

WHEN YOU FAST IT IS TO LET YOUR BODY, MIND & SPIRIT THAT THEY ARE SUBMITTED FIRST TO GOD’S AUTHORITY & PURPOSES

FASTING COUPLED WITH PRAYER HELPS BRING YOUR WILL IN ALIGNMENT WITH GOD’S WILL

2 Chronicles 7:1414 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Ezra 8:22-23,31 NKJV “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. 31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road. 32 So we came to Jerusalem, and stayed there three days.

To Love in Hebrew is "Ahava" which at it’s root is giving and sacrifice.

John 15:13love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

What was Erza fasting and praying about?

1. What is the right way to go? (Direction)

2. Direction & protection for the family and for finances

3. God answers Ezra’s prayer by delivering them from an ambush on the journey.

Ambush: To lie in wait, to lurk, to tie or knot so you are bound

1 Peter 5:8 NHEB

Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.9Withstand him steadfast in your faith……

Withstand: to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose, to set against

1 Peter 5:6-7NHEB 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

James 4:7-10 AMP 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

AUTHORITY: power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior (WEBSTER’S)

AUTHORITY: the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience (OXFORD)

AUTHORIZE: to endorse, empower, justify, or permit by or as if by some recognized or proper authority

AUTHORITY AND TO AUTHORIZE IS A LEGAL RIGHT OF EMPOWERMENT OR ENFORCEMENT OF WHAT IS PERMITTED AND WHAT IS NOT.

AUTHORITY CAN ALSO BE LOOKED AT LIKE THIS: AUTHOR-ITY

THE POWER AND LEGAL RIGHT TO AUTHOR

HEBREWS 12:2 APBE And let us gaze at Yeshua, him who is The Author and The Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was his, endured the cross and ignored the shame, and he sits upon the right side of the throne of God.

When we take and use our authority through prayer and fasting we will align ourselves with THE AUTHOR of your life and the book He has written about you!

Isaiah 58 GIVES US A DESCRIPTION OF THE AUTHORITY OF FASTING WHEN COUPLED WITH REAL HUMILITY, LOVE & SACRIFICE

Isaiah 58:8 AMP“Then your light will break out like the dawn,

And your healing (restoration, new life) will quickly spring forth; Your righteousness will go before you [leading you to peace and prosperity], The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

· JUST LIKE WITH EZRA: YOU WILL HAVE CLARITY (LIGHT) WHEN IT COMES TO DIRECTION FOR YOUR LIFE’S JOURNEY

· GOD WILL GIVE DIRECTION AND PROTECTION TO YOUR FAMILY

GOD WILL BLESS YOUR FINANCES & POSESSIONS