Fasting without prayer is just a diet.
Why do we fast?
Clarity, divine revelation, guidance, protection, increase of anointing, increase wisdom & so much more!
4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, 6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’ 10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
For I was the king’s cupbearer. (Nehemiah 1:4-11)
Theres a few things we can learn from Nehemiah's prayer.
Nehemiah had reverance toward God with his prayer.
5 And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, (Nehemiah 1:5)
Confesses sins of him & his fathers house.
6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. (Nehemiah 1:6)
Nehemiah continues to pray Gods word.
8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; (Nehemiah 1:8)
These are a few things we can learn when we pray to the Lord.
I want to leave ya with five things to do during a fast
#1 Pray
#2 Journal
#3 Be still
#4 Ask God to guide you through scripture
#5 Pray without ceasing
We learn through Nehemiahs prayer & fasting that a God can certainly do the impossible.
What seemed impossible to man, was possible with God.
He was able to get the Jerusalem wall rebuilt in 52 days!
Praise God.
Never limit what the Lord can do.
Seeking clarity through prayer & fasting will do so much wonders in our lives.