“Then I proclaimed a fast there
at the river of Ahava,
that we might humble ourselves before our God,
to seek from him the right way
for us and our little ones and all our possessions.
…So we fasted and entreated our God for this,
and he answered our prayer.”
Ezra 8:21, 23

In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the Scriptures speak often of fasting. If you’re up against a seemingly impossible situation, or if you’re interceding for someone who seems hopelessly bound in some sin or affliction, prayer with fasting is very powerful – it can change everything. It can break the wicked streak in a person, it can cut the yokes that keep people in bondage to sin or to obsessions, it can set free those who are oppressed. Prayer with fasting is a mighty tool in the hands of a believer.

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the bands of the yoke,
to free the oppressed,
and break every yoke?”
Isaiah 58:6

The very first thing to do though, is to set aside time to go before the Lord uninterrupted, and pray for guidance before you begin. Let him lead you, speak to you, encourage you, direct you, that your prayers might avail much.

“The effective, fervent prayer
of a righteous man avails much.”
James 5:16

And then wait in confidence, paying close attention to what he gives you as feedback.