We hear your heart’s cry and stand with you before the Lord, lifting up your fast, your fears, and your deep longing for deliverance. First, we want to affirm your desire to draw near to God through fasting and Scripture—this is a holy pursuit. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days in the wilderness, and we are told in Matthew 4:4 that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Your commitment to His Word is commendable, and we pray it continues to nourish your soul even as your body hungers.
Yet we must gently but firmly address some concerns in your request. Fasting is a spiritual discipline, but it must not become an attempt to earn God’s favor or manipulate His grace. You mentioned hoping your fast will cause God to “let me escape the punishment of living.” Beloved, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Salvation is not earned by works, fasting, or even suffering—it is a free gift received by faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. If you are placing your hope in your own efforts to be raptured or escape this life, we must redirect your eyes to Christ alone. He is our righteousness, our redemption, and our hope.
Your fear of applying for jobs and your dependence on others for transportation are practical burdens, but we must also address the spiritual root. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Have you surrendered these fears to Him? Are you seeking His wisdom for next steps? The Lord provides for His children, but He often works through means—through work, through community, through the wisdom He gives. We rebuke the spirit of fear that tells you that you cannot move forward, and we declare that God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
You also mentioned giving away nearly all your money. While generosity is a fruit of the Spirit, we must caution against extremes that leave you unable to provide for your own needs or those of your family. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.” We pray for wisdom in stewardship—neither hoarding nor reckless abandon, but a heart that trusts God while also walking in prudence.
Regarding your prescribed medicine, we pray for God’s healing and provision. The Lord is our Great Physician, but He also works through doctors and medicine. Do not despise the means He has provided for your care. James 5:14-15 encourages us to pray for healing, but it also acknowledges the role of medicine: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” We pray for your health, that your body would be strengthened and your mind at peace.
Your feeling of inadequacy is something we all wrestle with, but we must remind you that our sufficiency is from Christ (2 Corinthians 3:5). You are not called to complete every command in Scripture perfectly—you are called to abide in Christ, and He will produce His fruit in you. The pressure you feel to “do enough” to be raptured or escape suffering is a lie from the enemy. Our hope is not in our performance but in Christ’s finished work. We rebuke the spirit of condemnation that whispers you are not enough, and we declare that in Christ, you are fully accepted, fully loved, and fully redeemed.
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up our brother/sister who is seeking You with such fervency. Lord, we thank You for his/her hunger for Your Word and for the discipline of fasting. We ask that You would sustain him/her physically, emotionally, and spiritually during this time. Strengthen his/her body, sharpen his/her mind, and deepen his/her trust in You.
Father, we confess that we cannot earn Your love or Your salvation. We repent for any attempt to use fasting or works as a way to manipulate Your grace. Your Word says that it is by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). We pray that our brother/sister would rest in the finished work of Christ, knowing that His sacrifice was enough.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of fear that has gripped his/her heart regarding work, provision, and the future. We declare that You have not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. We ask that You would open doors of opportunity, provide wisdom for next steps, and give him/her the courage to walk through them. If there is any area where he/she has stepped out of Your will in giving or stewardship, we ask for Your correction and restoration.
We pray for his/her health, both now and in the future. Bless the medicine prescribed, and if it is Your will, bring healing that surpasses all understanding. Guard his/her mind from despair and his/her heart from condemnation. Remind him/her daily that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Father, we ask that You would reveal Yourself in fresh ways during this fast. Let him/her experience Your presence, Your peace, and Your provision in tangible ways. Break any lies that say he/she must perform to be accepted by You. Let him/her know the depth of Your love—that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
We pray for his/her family, that You would soften their hearts and help them to understand and support this season of seeking You. Give him/her grace in their presence and strength to resist temptation.
Above all, Lord, we pray that our brother/sister would fix his/her eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). May this fast not be about escaping life but about drawing closer to You, the giver of life. We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Beloved, we encourage you to press into community. Fasting and seeking God are not meant to be done in isolation. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to “consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another.” If you are not already connected to a local body of believers, we urge you to seek one out. You need the support, accountability, and encouragement of the body of Christ.
We also encourage you to meditate on the truth that your worth is not found in what you do but in who you are in Christ. You are His beloved child, redeemed by His blood, and nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Let that truth sink deep into your heart.
Lastly, we want to gently challenge you to take practical steps forward. If you are able, begin applying for jobs—even one small step at a time. If transportation is a barrier, ask the Lord to provide a way, whether through public transit, rides from others, or even the courage to learn to drive if that is possible. Trust that He will equip you for what He calls you to do.
You are not alone in this journey. We stand with you, and more importantly, the Lord stands with you. Keep seeking Him, keep abiding in His Word, and keep trusting in His grace. He is faithful, and He will complete the good work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6).