For every follower of Christ, fasting is a spiritual practice expected as part of our faith journey and spiritual lifestyle (Matthew 6:16). In this article, I delve into the Esther Fast, a three-day fasting practice involving the abstention from both food and water.
At the end of the article I also share a downloadable guide showcasing what I adhere to during the three days.
This form of fasting is documented in the book of Esther, which recounts the story of Esther, a Jewish woman elevated to the position of queen in the Persian Empire.
Upon learning of a plot to exterminate her fellow Jewish people, she instructed them to observe a three-day fast. Through the miraculous power of God, the plans were completely thwarted, showcasing the efficacy of fasting and prayer.
Below is the guideline I personally adhere to when undertaking the Esther Fast.
Before The Fast
- Identify the specific area of concern in which you seek to invoke God’s intervention.
- It is advisable to record this in a prayer journal a day or a few days prior to commencing the fast. For instance, you could write: “My grandmother is in poor health,” clearly articulating the present circumstance for which you are seeking God’s involvement.
Fast Day 1: Petition
- Initiate the fast by engaging in worship and praise through songs or prayer to give honor God.
- During your prayer, seek both physical and spiritual strength for the forthcoming three days.
- Thereafter petition to Him your request or area of concern and ask Him for spiritual wisdom and divine revelation. In our example a petition would be: “I want my grandmother to be healed of her sickness”.
- Dedicate time to read and meditate on the Word in a quiet setting.
- Record noteworthy verses and document your reflections, as well as any divine revelations, insights, or understanding imparted by God during this contemplative process.
Fast Day 2: Expectation
- Continue to engage in prayer and study the word in a quiet setting.
- Ask God for His guidance to gain clarity on your specific area of concern.
- Expect to receive an answer or breakthrough on this day.
- You may receive revelations and divine wisdom while journaling, reading, and contemplating on God’s word.
Fast Day 3 – Thanksgiving
- Thank God for the divine wisdom and understanding He has given to you.
- Believe that the power of God is working so mightily to bring change in your area of concern.
- Believe your request has been granted. Give thanks and praise to God. It is done!
After The Fast
- You will encounter sense of lightness and tranquility.
- Presently, it is your moment to embrace stillness and observe the transformative influence of divine intervention in your life.
- The issues that have troubled you are not entrusted into the hands of God thus alleviating your worries.
- Savor your first meal, notice how your senses have been refreshed.
Final Remarks
Dear reader, with each day you persist in the three day fast, understand that you are ascending into greater spiritual heights. I’ve noticed in the Scriptures that the third day always moves the hand of God. Supernatural events and miraculous signs always occur on the third day.
An example to demonstrate this notion is how Paul lost his eyesight on the road to Damascus after an encounter with Jesus. He then dry fasted for three days (Acts 9:9), and God sent Ananias to lay his hands upon him that he may have his sight again.
Acts 9:11-12 NLT
The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
Is it a coincidence that God, who dwells in the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2), answers our prayers or gives us clarity on the third day as we conclude the fast? I firmly believe that with each day of fasting we are transcending higher in the spirit and into third heaven where God dwells.
Our prayers are heard, and God responds to our requests. Though sometimes what we desire may not manifest immediately, the entire process of fasting deepens our faith in Him such that it creates in us deepened endurance and patience until such time the results manifest.
I like this website it’s a master piece! Glad I detected this