This scriptural fast has a two-pronged purpose. The first is for us to search our hearts and to sanctify ourselves. The imperative is for Christians to draw delightfully closer to our awesome God, to know His ways "as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God…" (Isaiah 58:2).

Secondly, it is to stir God’s people to become wise witnesses in words and deeds to "Light Up the Nation"—the theme for the Fast and Prayer.

In Isaiah 58:6–7, fasting was to encourage a person to respond positively to God by living a life pleasing to Him. By abstaining from food and denying our wants during the fasting period, we are preparing our hearts to yield to Him. We, therefore, become "living sacrifices" for the sake of being an example for others to see, know and believe that Jesus Christ is the answer to all our personal and nation’s needs.

Within the Church, our repentance and confession with a broken and contrite heart, should precede our laying down, not only the "Isaacs" of our lives but, the sins that so easily beset us. If we are willing to be like Abraham, who laid down Isaac—his most treasured possession on the altar in obedience to God’s will, God will not only give us back our "Isaacs" but also bless our "Isaacs" abundantly. Are we also willing to confess and forsake our sins? God has promised to forgive us and we can live the abundant life.

In the context of the changing scenario conditioned by political, social, economic and religious influences as well as the deteriorating moral standards of life, the Church of Jesus Christ in Malaysia is compelled to make praying and fasting a "high priority". Prayer is a powerful weapon that brings answers to our needs. Jeremiah the Prophet said, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jer. 33:3)

Meanwhile, principles such as belief in God, peaceful co-existence, loyalty to legitimate authorities and mutual respect and courtesy as entrenched in the Rukun Negara, and above all exalting Jesus, need to be manifested in our daily lives. By so doing, the Church can positively impact the nation, thus becoming the "salt and light". This is the calling of every Christian.

The 40-day Fast and Prayer project has been well received by the local churches and for this, we are most grateful to God. NECF Malaysia’s fervent hope is that prayer and fasting for church revival, national unity and transformation of the nation through the local church will continue to be a perpetual feature and, hopefully, an increasing engagement by the churches.

We, the Christians, need to remind ourselves that we have been called out as a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people" (1 Peter 2:9).

Above all, it is the ongoing sanctification through prayer and fasting that will play the pivotal role of preparing us to be presented as a "chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2).