Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Yesterday I spoke to a friend of mine, who had just finished reading the book of Esther. Esther is a queen who fasted and prayed and saved her people from destruction. He told me that he wished someone with religious authority would issue a request for people to fast and pray. Talking with him gave me the idea to write letters suggesting a day of prayer and fasting.

I do not have the legal or religious authority to ask all of you to fast and pray. I ask you this knowing that intercessory prayer is powerful.  God loves us with an everlasting love, and will answer our prayer.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 vs 9,10,11 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread,^* or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

I am asking everyone reading this message today, please fast and pray on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. If you have not been called to fast, PRAY. Pray the world will be delivered from the Coronavirus and the chaos it has caused. Because of the virus we have fear. Fear for our future and the future of America. It is said that war brings people to their knees. We are in a ruthless war with an invisible enemy. It is not an accident that the day we are asked to fast and pray, is in the middle of Holy Week, the time set aside to think about the suffering and death of Jesus and celebrate his resurrection.

Fasting is throughout the Bible in the Old and New Testament. Before Jesus went into his public ministry, he fasted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. He was tempted by the devil three times. After the last temptation he said

“Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him. (Mark 1) Jesus fasted for 40 days; we should be able to fast for one day.

The weapons we use to fight Satan are not physical, they are spiritual. The weapons should match the warfare! Satan cannot be eliminated with physical force. He will be defeated today if we fast and/or pray.

Oh God, whose power is over all, hear the voice of those in despair. Save us from the power of the wicked, deliver us from our fear.  Be mindful of us, O Lord. Make yourself known in the time of our distress and give us courage. Guide and protect our President and his advisors. Keep your loving arms around the medical personnel, who are on the front line fighting this battle. We pray in the holy name of Jesus, Amen

With Love,

Wanda J. Simar,

Orange, Texas