Fasting For Revelation

(Our Sunday blogs during Lent will focus on the subject of fasting.)

I turned my attention to the Lord God to implore him by prayer and requests, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. (Daniel 9:3)

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine came to my lips, nor did I anoint myself with oil until the end of those three weeks. (Daniel 10:2-3)


Immediate access. In both of the examples above, Daniel's petitions were immediately heard by God. The angel Gabriel said, "At the beginning of your requests a message went out, and I have come to convey it to you, for you are of great value in God's sight." (9:23) Later on in chapter ten, an awesome angel pays a visit to Daniel. "Daniel, you are of great value... from the first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words." (10:11-12)

In-depth information. The angels give Daniel prophetic insight filled with details: specific days, specific countries, information about who would stand and who would fall.

Incomplete understanding. Though Daniel was valued by God, it did not mean that he was privy to all the details of the world's future. "Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until the time of the end." (12:9).

Daniel's experience shows us that, even in our engagement of a partial fast, God hears the questions of our hearts. And, praise God, He answers! The LORD informs us of what we need to know, and He withholds information that, in His sight, is not our concern.

Lord, we are so blessed to have the privilege of fasting as a means of hearing clearly from You. Please help us to be intentional and faithful in our efforts to humble ourselves before You with fasting. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.