Why fast and pray? Because of them we set a watch against them day and night.

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It is the time of the year when Christians fast. I note that my two earlier fasting blogs have made it to the top ten read currently.
https://kzlam36.wordpress.com/2016/09/03/queen-esthers-fast/
https://kzlam36.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/fasting-god-wants-nt/
In the two articles I shared the famous testimony of Queen Esther whose three days’ fast with no food and no water together with her Jewish countrymen in her city stopped the annihilation of the Jews and Israel as a people. I also shared what it means for New Testament Christians based on the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.
I have posted in the following blog about the alertness required in this last forty days before the New Year, through fasting, praying and reading God’s words:
https://ghostwriterforgod.wordpress.com/2016/11/22/in-forty-days-what-it-means-in-the-last-forty-days-in-2016/
“This watchman will take heed of what the Lord Jesus has urged His followers and the apostles’ similar advice:
Nehemiah 4:9: Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.
Matthew 26:41: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Mark 13:33: Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
Mark 14:38: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 21:36: Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Ephesians 6:18: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
1 Peter 4:7: [ Serving for God’s Glory ] But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”

Fasting makes one more watchful and alert. The war is not yet over in the spiritual realm which manifests in physical consequences as readers would have noted in your own political countries and geographical regions. Even in the most powerful countries in the world. There is no certainty of absolute victory in the human terms, just as the Bible has declared. Can Christians stop being spiritually vigilant?  The answer is a big NO. The Lord Jesus and the apostles clearly teach us to be vigilant. Fasting is a way to stay vigilant.

Let us take heed of Nehemiah’s advice and practice as he re-built the Jerusalem walls:
Nehemiah 4:9: Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.

Nehemiah 4 New Living Translation (NLT)
Enemies Oppose the Rebuilding

4 [a]Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices?[b] Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”

4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5 Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of[c] the builders.”

6 At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.

7 [d]But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8 They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.

10 Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.”

12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”[e] 13 So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.

14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

15 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. 16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. 18 All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.

19 Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”

21 We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. 22 I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. 23 During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.[f]

Footnotes:
4:1 Verses 4:1-6 are numbered 3:33-38 in Hebrew text.
4:2 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
4:5 Or for they have thrown insults in the face of.
4:7 Verses 4:7-23 are numbered 4:1-17 in Hebrew text.
4:12 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
4:23 Or Each carried his weapon in his right hand. Hebrew reads Each his weapon the water. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

End times witnessing: conversation between the watchman and God about love etc.

It was after the third day of absolute fasting. The watchman broke his fast after 2am. He had a thick chicken, carrot and turnip soup, rice, coffee and ice cream (a treat). This time he could eat normally as he prayed for divine ‘digestive system’. After that he could not go back to sleep and he prayed for direction from the Lord. It started a long nightly discourse. After midnight is always the best time for any watchman intercessor. He has the whole stillness of the night to wait before the Lord. The air is fresh and refreshing as the Spirit of the Lord moves gently.
He has recently tidied up three main areas in his house to specifically meet with the Lord: However, after he went through the house thoroughly to cleanse and clear the clutters from the ‘temple’ by faith, led by the Spirit, he found it very comfortable and natural to pray and read the Bible just anywhere.
The three days and three nights absolute fast was not that difficult after all. The difficult part was the second day when he got into depression. The third day was wonderful and normal as he could walk around the garden and clean the walls of fungus. He did not need to sleep during the day and at night he slept several hours and felt refreshed.
So he was looking forward to this late night /after midnight discourse with the Lord. The first night he was led to sit on the floor at the ground floor meeting place. (He and family friends have regular prayer and Bible reading there). The coolness of the early morning air breathed through the french windows. He asked the Lord what to do about some investments, as he discovered in his 2010 notes that “God is the investment expert”! He received his answers.
(The following are only some summarized excerpts of the actual conversation. The purpose here is to demonstrate how the Lord meets with and talks to us .)
Healing and deliverance
After he had asked about someone he loved he asked, “Why do I keep seeing this big patch of blackness looming before my eyes?”
Answer: “That is because you are overcoming. You will go through with this key: ‘mind the things of God.’”
He then thanked the Lord, “I thank you Lord that the oppression on my head has lifted.”
Answer: “It will. The more you trust me the more it will lift.”
He asked, “What about my stiff-neck?”
Answer: “The less stiff-neck you are, the less it will be too.”
The watchman then repented over a number of things over which the Spirit of the Lord had convicted him. He was also led to read Philippians 2:4-5, 7-8.
After a few hours he fell asleep for awhile. When he woke he felt cleansed. He worshiped in spirit and in truth (the word of God). He was led to read Psalms 31-47 and 51 in a non-English language, and Psalms 47-48 in English. As he read and meditated on the word he was convicted by the greatness and goodness of God. He was filled by the Holy Spirit and prayed in new tongue for quite sometime, with joy and thankfulness.
On altar building, justice system, plumb line
The next night/early morning event. He was woken after two hours of sleep and led to read Exodus 20:24, “build My altar wherever I cause My name to be remembered, and I will come to you to bless you.” Where the Lord’s name is being proclaimed, He expects sacrifices. Altar living today means ministering to the Lord in worship, prayers and reading of His word (proclaiming His greatness and goodness), living before the Lord, being mindful of the things of God. (Col.3:1-4)
20:25 “Use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.” Anything man-made, shaped/modified by man’s effort is of no spiritual value to the Lord. (Zech4:6b ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.)
He read Exodus 19-25. A number of verses stood out in answer to his prayers and petitions during daytime. The Lord answered him specifically through chapter 23 about justice and legal system, the watchman’s concern and indignation over political corruption, social injustice and mistreatment of the poor. The Lord’s instructions to Moses specifically dealt with case in point. He required truthfulness of witnesses (who should not give regard to popular opinion, feelings, relationship, or even social concerns). The watchman asked what truthfulness was. How to measure?
Answer: “Biblical truth is the only plumb line.”
On how a ‘guilty’ person can be acquitted: the power of John 3:16.
Asked (on behalf on the ‘guilty’): “what shall I do?”
Answer: “plead for mercy.”
Asked: “will I be granted mercy?”
Answer: “Yes, you will. John 3:16.”
Asked: “I never realized that John 3:16 can be so important and powerful.”
Answer: “It is. It is the only way the guilty can be acquitted. By blood. My Son’s blood.”
The watchman burst into praises and thanks, “how great You are; how great is your goodness and love for me. Thank you Lord for demonstrating Your love for me!”
Answer: “This is how I teach and show you what love really means. If you do not know this love, you don’t really know love. 1 Cor.13:5 ‘love does not demand its own way.’”
On behalf of those who want to know about ‘love’
The watchman was led to read 1 Corinthians 13. He found these about love as defined by the Lord:

1. love is complete (as in John 3:16 “God gave His only”)
2. love has no time limit. (Patient, long-suffering, kind)
3. love is not influenced by internal self-seeking nor external circumstances.
4. Truth wins out in love.

Summary: love is not influenced by body and soul. Love is spiritual.
He sighed, “I don’t really understand love.”
Answer: “You do understand love. How else do you think you could have loved ‘someone’ (name)? But love is responsible. You need to learn responsibility(not just in word but also in deed).
Asked: “Are you building truthfulness in me?”
Answer: “Yes, for My name’s sake, for My purpose.”
Asked: “Why are you so good to me?”
Answer: “Because I love you. You are My son (Romans 8:14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God).
Asked: “I really do not deserve such great love from You Lord.”
Answer: “No one deserves, for all have sinned and fall short of My glory (Romans 3:23). Remember John 3:16.”
On praying in tongue
He prayed (but not really flowing in the Spirit) in tongue for awhile. Then he asked what it meant.
Answer: “It means you are trying hard to connect to Me. But that is not how it should be.”
Asked: “How should it be, Father?”
Answer: “Just by keeping still before Me and hear Me in your inner voice. You are already connected to Me (Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit!)”
On letting go
Asked: “why do I keep seeing this black water, with white cloud/sand/waves/shore?” (With his eyes closed)
Answer: “That is the struggle within you. You want to follow Me. But you don’t want to let go.”
Asked, “How can I let go?”
Answer: “Continue reading the book ‘Demands of Love’ and finish it.”
When the watchman said he still wanted to listen to the Lord he was asked to read Psalm 23. Then he read and went to bed.
By the time he woke, his spirit man was happily singing over and over the scripture song,1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
GOOD NEWS TO ALL -John 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.