Fasting for Breakthrough: The Swarm

by Marilynn Chadwick

The story is told about a group of Texas fifth grade school children who figured out a way to stop bullying in their classroom. Whenever a fellow student was being bullied, the other classmates would gather around the victim and simply stand without saying a word. This show of solidarity stopped the bullies dead in their tracks every time. The students nicknamed their tactic "The Swarm."

I think we can learn a lesson about prayer and fasting from those school children. Let's be like “The Swarm” as we gather with brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. I believe our swarm of prayers and fasting can have a powerful impact, especially in the spiritual realm.

If you want to stand strong, don't fast alone. I encourage you to get a family member or friend to fast with you. Share your prayer and fasting experience with your small group. What if we agreed to fast and pray together as a “swarm” for persecuted believers? Or what if we prayed specifically for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages? Every day of prayer and fasting can have purpose.

During my first experiments with fasting several years ago, a friend and I would pray and fast on the same day. We would often trade prayer requests and sometimes we'd go for a walk to pray for our needs. It was good to have someone else in the boat. Plus, I discovered it helped to confess my own sin God had revealed to me and get that into the light. Remember, confession is a valuable part of fasting.

Jesus was clear about the power of "a swarm" of believers in prayer. He promised that when we are gathered in his name, even just two or three of us, he is there with us. “Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19-20).

The Greek word for agree is symphone (from which we get symphony), meaning “together with the same voice.” This word can also be translated as “music.”

I wonder if our fasting and prayers in one accord sound like music to God. I can imagine the unified voices of many believers around the country and even all over the world who are crying out to God in fervent prayer on behalf of Israel and especially the Israeli hostages. What could happen if we agreed to stand strong in solidarity with them through our continual swarm of prayer and fasting. Together.