Scripture provides us with examples of individuals and groups who engaged in 3-day prayer and fasting and the results. Some of these examples include:
- Jonah – “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. And [after spending three days and three nights in the fish’s belly,] the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land” (Jonah 1:17; 2:10)
Just like Jonah, after spending some time (specifically 3 days) isolated with the Presence of God, I will experience re-routing and re-alignment with my destiny. The time I have lost, traveling on paths that were not of God’s choosing, will be restored.
- Jesus – “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Matthew 12:40; Romans 8:11, NIV).
Like Jesus, after 3 days, I will rise with the same spirit [and power] that caused him to rise from the dead. No grave is able to withstand the power of our living God.
- Esther & the Hebrew captives – Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15-16, NIV)
When my life and livelihood are threatened, similar to Esther’s results, 3 days of fasting will release the wisdom, strategy, boldness, and favor that I need.
- The children of Israel – And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. (Numbers 10:33, NIV).
“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’” (Joshua 1:11, NIV)
When I am uncertain about where and when to go (the place and timing), that 3-day journey that I take with the Lord in prayer and fasting will cause the Spirit of God to search out and reveal to me that which has been freely given to me (1 Corinthians 2:12, KJV).
- The Egyptian – … He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights. (1 Samuel 30:12, NIV)
The Multitude – Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way (Matthew 15:32, KJV).
When the 3-day fast is over, I will be fed, miraculously provided for, and be revived in my spirit.
- Saul (Paul) – For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything…. Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again…. and after taking some food, he regained his strength (Acts 9: 9, 17-18, NIV).
At the end of 3 days praying and fasting, I will receive sight and strength.
Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (NKJV). Hence, based on this word and the evidence from the results detailed above, I can conclude that if I engage in a similar fast, then I should also experience the following results:
- Re-routing and re-alignment with destiny. Redeeming of and restoration of time lost.
- Rising with power and might.
- Release of favor, wisdom, strategy, and boldness; all that I need to solve the problem for which I am praying and fasting.
- The Holy Spirit will search out a resting place for me and I WILL cross over and go in and possess that which the Lord has given to me to possess.
- Reviving in and of my spirit.
- Miraculous provision.
- Receiving of my (new) sight and strength.
Isaiah 58:6, 8-9, 10b – 11 – “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
…. Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
…. Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (NKJV)
This is the power of prayer and fasting! It brings deliverance, shifts your atmosphere, and yields restoration through and to the power and glory of our Lord God.
DIG DEEPER:
- Blog Post: Getting Pass Your Past
- Devotional: The Gift of Mercy