40 Days of Prayer & FastingSample

Fasting Creates Favor with the Father

In Genesis 25, we read the story of Jacob and Esau. Esau went out hunting and he was hungry. He said to Jacob “let me eat some of the stew”. As the firstborn son, he had a birthright: the favor of His father, but he desired the things that were worldly. The birthright was the double portion, naturally and spiritually, a once in a lifetime opportunity—a God-encounter with the Father. He decided he would rather have stew than that encounter. He traded his future for food; for something that gratified him for a moment. What if Esau had fasted? What if he would have been able to deny his flesh and keep the favor of His father? If we are willing to fast and deny our desires, we will have God encounters and the favor of the Father.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for Your grace that leans toward me as I lean toward You in fasting. I want the encounters that You have for me during this time. I don’t want to miss anything that You have for me or any word that You want to speak to me. Teach me Your ways so that I may know You and find Your favor. Help me to finish strong while I deny my desires and make time for powerful encounters with You. Amen.