The following is an excerpt from our daily devotional series Fasting and the Heart of God.

“Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.”  (Isaiah 58:12)

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As we near the close of 21 days of repentance and fasting, we suddenly come to an almost breath-taking, panoramic, spiritual vista. Have you seen the Grand Canyon? No doubt you thought, like the queen of Sheba beholding Solomon’s kingdom, “I did not believe the words until I came and saw…and indeed the half was not told me.”

Find out when your state prays.

Verse 12 goes far beyond personal blessing and speaks of even grander callings. Note the progression from Rebuilding (“the old waste places”) to Re-establishing (“the foundations of [or for] many generations”) to Repairing (“the Breach [broken down walls]”) to Restoring (“of streets to [safely] dwell in”). What grandeur and timelessness are in these concepts!  Ponder the implications. Do you long to find personal application? Don’t you yearn to be part of such a spiritual destiny? I know I do. But wait! There is an entry fee.

Not all may enter, only “those from among you.” That means a remnant. And who might “those” be? God is seeking people within His people who will hear His voice (primarily through His Word) and press into joyful obedience, with God-centered fasting and a desire to do His will. Those who are willing to respond to this high calling sacrifice greatly. Yet, they participate in a glorious work of the Lord—spiritual restoration and healing of a nation; lasting results that stretch beyond the lifetime of individual servants of God. Revel for some moments in the vastness of what God is saying. This is national and generational Restoration; this is a root system for ongoing Revival.

None of this comes through government edict, nor can it be defied or withstood by laws, including Supreme Court interpretations. Yes, we honor government as God instructs (Romans 13), and we pray for those in authority. But this is something more, so huge as to be incomprehensible apart from the Holy Spirit’s illumination. God is saying, “Your nation’s future is in your hands. If you do it My way, I will guide you, defend you, and use you in My righteousness purpose.” If not now, when? If not the Church, who or what authority?

This is the high calling of Intercessors for America since 1973. We are called by God to fast and pray for our nation. Moving beyond the felt needs of our personal prayer requests, we intercede earnestly and sacrificially for God to do what only He can do for our nation.

In your time seeking God today:

• Ask God for wisdom and vision to see beyond the words and to grasp His view of all He wants us to see. You may see mountains of personal limitations; tell Him that you see no limitation in Him. You may say, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief,” and God will respond to your “mustard seed” of faith.
• You might be tempted to say. “I am only one person, and my circumstances create such limitations. What can I possibly do?” That’s okay. Be honest with God and tell Him you are willing. All Isaiah had to say was, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6). God uses remnants!
• Is fasting new to you? Please don’t be disheartened if you failed at some point to meet your goals. You fought a bit, and you lived to fight another day. Try again soon, even if just a meal or a day. If medical conditions prevail, use wisdom. Remember that fasting, just like giving and praying (Matthew 6) is not “natural” to our flesh. It is a learned discipline. Ask God to help you.
• Finally, see that God in you presents strength and resources beyond yourself. For example, if you are a faithful parent, you are laying foundations for your children and, potentially, for their children. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Related Scriptures:

• 2 Chronicles 7:13-14; Isaiah 32; Esther 4:16; Matthew 6:2, 5, 16; Matthew 9:15; Acts 13:1-3

God requires His people to humble themselves before Him, and has revealed a simple, practical way to accomplish this. Fasting is the key to releasing God’s power in your life. There is no measure to the tremendous power released by prayer and fasting when practiced with right motives and in accordance with the principles of scripture. Click the image to order.

Fasting and the Heart of God Full PDF Version

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(Photo Credit: Katsia Jazwinska on Unsplash)