A New Direction for the Roaring ’20s

The decade between 1920-1929, known as the Roaring ’20s, featured a time in our nation’s history where economic prosperity was on the rise, setting the stage for the Great Depression and the eventual government takeover of the economy, and ultimately society.
Economic prosperity aside, not much has changed in our day, as the long arm of government reaches into every aspect of our lives. People are increasingly leery of those who are elected to public office, particularly the younger generation. At the same time, there is something exciting on the horizon with our youth.
Perhaps, the pendulum is swinging back again, as churches are beginning to experience an upswing in youth attendance. I believe our youth are looking for answers, and more than that, something to hope in.
When I teach on Thursday nights at my church, in Ocean City, I am inspired by the faithfulness of the teens and young adults who consistently attend in large numbers. I believe they are ready for a great awakening and are hungry for truth. 
What if I told you that my part, your part, plays a part in moving our God’s heart—in our character, community, and country. How so, you ask? Through a combination of two spiritual disciplines, which are prayer and fasting.
Fasting detaches us from the world around us, while prayer attaches us to the world above us. It is through prayer and fasting that we are physically flushed out for God can spiritually fill us.
God says, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).
When we humble ourselves through prayer and fasting, we see God responding. Throughout scripture, we see God moving on behalf of His people when they humble themselves before Him.
While it is not possible to twist God’s arm, it is possible to touch His heart, which is why fasting may be done for direction: In the book of Acts, the church seeks God for His will in ministry (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23). Likewise, in Nehemiah, we see one man personally inquiring of the Lord through prayer and fasting about what direction he should take in light of the condition of his country (Nehemiah 1:4).
It is done for intervention: David fasted when his son was sick (II Samuel 12:16-23). Esther called for a fast before she told King Ahasuerus about a plot to destroy the Jews, which could have resulted in her own death (Esther 4:16). Likewise, Daniel consecrated himself through prayer and fasting on behalf of the sinful state of his people (Daniel 9:3-19).
It is done for submission: In light of God’s pronouncement of judgment upon the people of Nineveh, through the prophet Jonah, the king of Nineveh commanded all the Ninevites to fast in repentance for their sin (Jonah 3:5-9). In other words, they humbled themselves. “Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10).
It is done for revelation: Moses fasted before he received God’s law on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 34:28). Daniel fasted before he received a heavenly vision (Daniel 10:2-3). Even Jesus fasted before He began His public ministry (Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:1-2).
At the end of His fast, the devil came tempting, yet Jesus overcame temptation by utilizing scripture, such as, “Man shall not leave by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Fasting may even be done for freedom from oppression or addiction: Isaiah prophesied that God’s heart was for His people to fast for the poor and oppressed (Isaiah 58:3-14).
Now, more than ever, our land needs divine healing, which is why it’s time for the church to begin rising and roaring through prayer and fasting.
ED. NOTE: Maher is the teaching pastor at Coastal Christian Ocean City and is president of Soldiers For Faith Ministries. Social media and website: @TruthOverTrend.