A Time of Prayer and Fasting
Then Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. - >2 Samuel 12:15-17
David’s sin with Bathsheba caused yet another terrible consequence. God did not allow their child to live. David was a broken man and knowing the mercy of God, he prayed and fasted for the child––perhaps the Lord would change His judgment and heal his son?
What do we see here? There is real evidence of David’s true repentance and restored fellowship with God. We can see his transformation into a new person. The Lord had already answered his penitent prayer: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit (Psalm 51:12).
David still suffering the consequences of his sin, was not bitter or angry with God. He had once again become a spiritual man, praying and fasting, face down on the ground all night long. Although the answer to David’s prayer would be no, he would look to God to support him through this very difficult time.
Like David, there will be times when we will need to fast and pray, asking that God’s will be done and not our own (Matthew 6:10). No matter the answer, He will sustain us and work out His perfect plan.
…The man who prays with fasting is giving heaven notice that he is truly in earnest.
~Arthur Wallis~
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