FASTING AND PRAYING FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION

EZRA 8: 21-23

Background

Ø 80 years after the first group of exiles

Ø Camped for three days at the Canal that flows towards Ahava

Ø When all who were going were there he proclaimed a fast

Why fasting and praying

Ø So that we may humble ourselves before God

Ø Fasting is a sacrificial form of prayer

Ø We deny our flesh as we seek God

Standing on your high place

Ø It’s a Spiritual position , it’s a standing on the Rock

Ø Although it was time to move, it is important to prepare for the journey

Ø Our hearts need to take the right Spiritual posture

Ø Yes we see a wider horizon, but we need Spiritual guidance for a physical world

Ø For that, fasting and praying is important

Ezra focuses on three things

1. Guidance focus:

Ø Humble ourselves before our God

Ø Humbling ourselves acknowledges our dependence on God

Ø We depend on God to lead us the right way

Ø Fasting helps us to be connected to God’s voice

Ø Guidance is important to help us choose between better and best

Ø It’s a matter of the heart, soft, open, receptive

Ø God is our only source of dependable direction

2. Assistance focus:

Ø Ask God for a safe journey for us and our children

Ø There were wild beasts and armed robbers on their way

Ø Ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen

Ø They asked God for a safe journey

Ø Ezra knew the Law of God like we know the promises of God

Ø He knew Deuteronomy 31:6 READ

Ø And we know Prov. 2:11 READ

Ø We depend on God

3. Substance focus:

Ø With all our possessions

Ø Fasting and praying releases God’s power in our situation

Ø Move your eyes from the difficulties you see, fix your eyes on the Lord

Lord, lead us, Lord guide us

Ø Show us the right way

Ø “ THE GRACIOUS HAND OF OUR GOD IS ON EVERYONE WHO LOOKS TO HIM”

Ø Let’s look to Him in fasting and praying