Fasting, or deliberately depriving yourself of food for an extended period, has medical and even spiritual purposes that you’ve probably heard of. But fasting, when done safely, can also be used as a means of sharpening the focus of our prayers and locking our attention onto the God who meets all of our needs.
Queen Esther has a big need. Facing the potential annihilation of her people, she called all of her fellow Jews to fast and collectively seek God’s favor. Esther was about to approach the king to plead for their deliverance, and she knew she’d need all the prayers she could get.
God hears every single prayer. That’s why it matters who we share our prayer requests with. The prayers of many can be a strong force, even in the most dire situations.