“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” - Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV).

Does prayer and fasting pay? Possibly every follower of Christ has wondered. Fortunately the Bible is abundant with examples where God’s children fell on their knees, prayed and fasted, and God opened doors. One of those that comes through is Queen Esther.

Upon getting to know that there was a plot to annihilate her people the Jews, Queen Esther sent word, “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 maid 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).”

And what were the results! Not only did King Xerxes receive Esther with favor but yielded to her request, that spared the lives of the Jews! Possibly here we may wonder if Esther’s petition would have yielded as much result without prayer and fasting. We can’t tell for sure. But what we clearly see is that God opened door through prayer and fasting.

It is a good thing therefore in our lives when a matter is heavy on our hearts, never to hesitate but to bring it to God in prayer and fasting. It works.

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Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, may I in times of need never hesitate to drop everything and come to you in prayers and fasting.