Dear Friend,
Intercessory Prayer & Fasting – A Form of Grieving
A few years ago, I was at a prayer meeting with a man who, afterward, complained quite a bit about some of the leaders at that meeting. He seemed overly concerned about a number of the leaders who did not pray aloud in the assembly. This (not praying out loud), he interpreted as them being unable or incapable of praying. As he further complained, he even went as far as to imply that maybe they were not called to church leadership. I learned something interesting about that man on that day: He likes to talk more than he likes to listen.
For some, prayer can be more about listening and discerning what is happening in the spiritual atmosphere. At moments, this type of praying may feel heavy and oppressive. It may feel like you are bearing someone else’s burden. The pain is real. You cannot eat. You cannot rest. Sometimes, there are tears. Many times, there are no words.
Fasting is One Form of Intercession — Sometimes God calls an individual into a fast to stand in the gap for an entire nation of people. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30
In Matthew, chapter 9, Jesus was questioned about fasting by the religious leaders of the day: Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. So, Jesus told us that there would come a day when He would be taken away, and then we would mourn and fast.
A Blessing in Mourning — Remember, Isaiah promised blessing to those “who mourn in Zion — beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning — the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
Groaning in Fasting and Prayer — In all sincerity, there is no condemnation to those who (like the man I mentioned above) prefer to pray beautiful, articulate prayers in a public setting where everyone can hear and understand them. On the contrary, it is very important. But, if you were to ask me my thoughts about intercessory prayer, my answer might look more like this: There is no greater force on this earth than a child of God, alone, lying prostrate on the floor in fasting and intercession.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know for what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. — Romans 8:26-28
Are you thinking about fasting? Read on –
