Text: Ezra 8:21-23
Memory text:
“So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭8‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Mercy and grace for every need are drawn from the throne of grace. Unfortunately, many still can not draw from it because they do not approach it. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ‭‭(Heb‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬).
What happened when Jacob approached it in Peniel? The foundational and the hidden problems of his life were solved. He was blessed and favoured (Gen 32:28-29). What about Hannah, Jabez, Daniel, and even our Lord Jesus, who was strengthened by an angel in the place of prayer. The testimonies of the scriptures are written for your encouragement, that, if you do what they did, you will also experience what they experienced? God hasn’t changed, nor has He abdicated the throne of grace. Only dare to approach the throne of grace and come boldly.
When we pray, we connect with God through communication but when we pray with fasting, we sharpen that connection by removing distractions and expressing earnestness of the spirit, humility of the heart and the urgency of our needs. “Then I proclaimed a fast … that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.” ‭‭(Ezra‬ ‭8‬:‭21‬). Ezra expressed humility and desperation to seek God. It’s a way of saying I am waiting for You, my God, and I need You more than food or any pleasure, and I give them up just to seek You.
When fasting, it’s important that you remove all worldly distractions, like food, unedifying media, comfort, marital emotional and physical intimacy, to help focus entirely on God (Daniel 9:3; 1 Cor 7:5). NASB says, “So I gave my attention to the Lord God, to seek Him by prayer and pleading, with fasting, …” When you turn your attention on the Lord, He turns to you.
The altar of surrender is where God’s best is poured out. Fasting empties the body so the spirit can be filled with God’s fullness. It may be the food and that pleasure you’re unwilling to let go of, which is keeping you from what God has prepared. The best of God is reserved for those who hunger for Him more than for food or pleasure.
Friends, when you turn down your plate and turn up your prayer as you approach the throne of grace, heaven will start to open for you. Dare to come! Dare to sacrifice!

Prayer points
1. Father, I thank You for the access I have into the throne of grace through prayer.
2. Father, I receive grace to give up all distractions to seek You by prayer and fasting, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. My desperation for God is expressed by what I willingly give up to seek Him.
2. I won’t allow food or any form of pleasure to keep me from the best that God has prepared for me.