Many Christians around the world are taking time to fast and pray. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that allows you to petition God in a powerful, yet intimate way. It focuses on depriving yourself of things that are of value to you (such as food, drinks, social media, etc.) so that you can cry out to God in desperation.

To illustrate, I want to tell you a story.

Imagine that you’re a young, vibrant woman who has been through more than your fair share of things. Your parents have both died and your selfless uncle has graciously taken you under his wing as his own. You are all he has and he is all you have.

Then one day, the king calls for all the single, young women to be gathered together. You fit the description they’re looking for. The queen has been banished and the king needs a new queen.

Sounds exciting, right?

Except, this isn’t really your home. You live here because of circumstances beyond your control, but your heart longs for your home, your own people. Your heart longs for the Jews.

All the women vying for the limelight undergo a serious regimen of beauty preparations. Somehow, some way, you find favour among those running the show. You find yourself with more beauty options than the other girls. You’re assigned 7 choice maidservants from the palace. You get the best of the best accommodations.

No one knows who you really are. That’s the way you want it.

Everyone loves you – except the other women. They wish they were you.

They say you’ll never have a second chance at creating a good first impression. That’s especially true in your situation. You have one chance to meet the king; one chance to make a lasting impression.

The results are in. The king is enthralled. The royal crown is placed on your head. You are now the queen.

One day, you find out that there is an evil plot against the Jews. A plan to eliminate your own people – a plan to eliminate you.

Still, no one knows who you really are.

Your beloved king agrees to annihilate your people. He has no idea that you are the target.

What do you do? Desperate times call for desperate measures. You must go before the king to reveal your true identity. You know this is what you must do, but it is certain death if you do. It is forbidden.

The king has proven to be ruthless, banishing his previous queen only to prove a point. There’s no reason why he wouldn’t shower the full extent of the law on you.

You look back on your life and resolve that you were made for such a time as this.

You will go before the king. You will petition for your people. You will expose the evil schemes at work within the kingdom.

If you die, you die.

In desperation, you ask your uncle to gather all the Jews.

“Fast for me.” You say. “Fast with me.”

The time has come. You put on your royal gown. You stand in the inner court of the king’s palace. Your head drops as you silently whisper one last prayer.

The king sees you. This is the moment. When you lift your eyes, you catch a shimmer of the golden sceptre.

You will not die. You will live. For such a time as this.

When you expose the atrocities, the king reverses the plot.

Your people are saved. You are saved.

If you want to read the full account of this story, check out the book of Esther in the Bible.

Through fasting, Esther was able to not only endure a stressful situation, but to overcome it as well. Fasting was a key part of this ordeal.

We can also incorporate fasting into our lives and enjoy the benefits that come along with this type of discipline.

If you’re interested in fasting, let me know in the comments. I’ve put together this Fasting Guide 2020 for you to use.

Enjoy fasting.

Remember, you were made for such a time as this.