The Queen’s Fast

Fast for me . . . And so I will go.

Esther 4:16

There may be times in life when we must say no to our physical desires so we can focus on spiritual needs. Fasting can express our fervency in prayer and therefore prepare us to meet challenges.

Esther’s life provides a good example of the importance of fasting, especially when approaching an important moment. In Esther 4:4–16, Queen Esther became so deeply distressed about the fate of her people that she stopped eating or drinking and told all the Jews not to eat or drink for three days. The king had been tricked into signing an order for the annihilation of the Jewish nation. Knowing that it could mean her death, the queen approached the king to plead for the lives of her people. Instead of killing her, the king offered her half his kingdom because “she found favor in his sight” (5:2).

Esther prayed and fasted to save her people, and God saved them. If you are facing a critical decision, practice the spiritual discipline of fasting. Your single-mindedness will help you focus on earnestly seeking God.