Fast and Pray

“So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” Ezra 8:23

I’ve been reading through the book of Ezra, and oh, what a man of God! He was a great example of leaning on God’s power and wisdom over “our own understanding”. Ezra had the responsibility of leading a large group of Israelites back to Jerusalem, and before leaving, Ezra told the king, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”

Ezra could have asked for protection from armed guards, but instead, he and the people fasted and prayed for God to protect their lives. (And I encourage you to go read what came next!)

We’re living in drastically different circumstances, but reading through this brought me to tears. As followers of the Most High, don’t we all want this kind of faith? I know I do.

Michael finished a 14-day water fast this week. He’s incredibly tough! I’m so thankful he didn’t have to go through it alone, either, and had a friend join him for the two-week duration while they studied and prayed together.

And while Michael’s fast was for health reasons, we, like Ezra, asked God to radically move in his life and provide protection.

And He did.

Michael had not had tumor markers checked in about two months, so we didn’t know what to expect, but we knew it was possible for the cancer to advance again during that time.

By the time Michael left the treatment hospital, he finally saw a downward trend, but his levels were still in the 5,000 range (normal being 5-15).

Today, we got new results.

484.

We were shocked! That’s even a thousand points lower than his post-surgery numbers after removing the main tumor.

Look what God did!!!!!

Today has been a steady stream of tears, rejoicing, and spontaneous moments of praise to the One who is above it all.

I thank the Lord for each and every one of you who has fasted and prayed alongside us in these past few months as well. It’s a blessing we can’t ever repay.

I know if you’ve been following along, I don’t have to ask for continued prayers. God’s not done, and neither are we.

Our Father in Heaven, Jehovah Jireh, thank you for Your provisions of safety and healing. What a privilege it is to read your Living Word and the accounts of how You answered prayers 3,000 years ago and are still answering prayers today. May we never forget Your power and might. It’s in Your strength that we stand. It’s in You we take refuge. Increase our faith. Help us “give thanks in all things”. We love you. In Yeshua’s name, amen.