Living in Increase (Part 7) - Increase in PrayerIhe Atụ

The Humility of Fasting

In this passage of Scripture, a man named Ezra shares a time when he and his people prayed and fasted, and God answered their prayers. They were on a journey, and they prayed for protection for themselves and their belongings, and God “heard [their] prayer” (Ezra 8:23).

What I love about this passage of Scripture is that in verse 21, Ezra gives orders for people to “fast” and “humble [themselves] before God” (Ezra 8:21). What we learn from this verse is a crucial key: To fast effectively, we have to humble ourselves.

As mentioned earlier, fasting is about silencing the noise around us so we can hear God better. However, fasting also keeps our bodies and souls in check. When we fast, we humble ourselves and choose to obey God’s Word over the growling of our stomachs or the craving to scroll through social media. When we fast, we are entirely dependent on God, and dependence can only be achieved through humility.

As you practice fasting and implement it in your life, remember that it is more than saying “no” to food, media, or something else. Fasting humbles us and helps us say “yes” to God’s Perfect Will.

I will close today with a verse from Isaiah on what God sees as fasting:

“‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. 4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord? 6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. 8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.” - Isaiah 58:3-9 NLT

Emily N. Green

Action Step: Reread Isaiah 58:6-7. Write out the list of things God desires of us when we fast. Then, pick one action item you can do from that list today.