the wisdom of prayer and fasting

In many places in our nation, chaos seems to be erupting. In wake of these last months, with hurricane Katrina, major shifts in our Supreme Court, Earthquakes in Pakistan, and the Iraq debacle. As a believer there is an inner grappling to find God’s wisdom amidst the confusion.
When such confusion arises, God gives us a simple solution that any believer can engage in:  fasting and prayer.
This principle is well illustrated in the prophet Joel.  Joel prophetically sees an army that is emerging to destroy natural Israel.  In history this was the forces of Babylon which destroyed Jerusalem and put Israel in captivity for 70 years.  However, this picture also represents a dark army which will assault the people of God at the end of human history.
When such dire circumstances arise for us as Christians we must return to the Scriptures and search out God’s solution.  God declares to natural Israel (as well as to the Western Church at this time in history),
“Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel 2:13
First, we must believe that God is faithful and good to all who call upon Him.  With that knowledge of His love for us, we must turn to fervent prayer and fasting, inviting Him to have mercy upon us.
Without prayer, the worst case scenario in our nation and government will certainly come to pass.  But if we humble ourselves with fasting and prayer, perhaps the Lord “will leave a blessing behind” instead of the discouragement we now face.