Maureen Flynn, co-founder of the International Week of Prayer and Fasting, which takes place Oct. 20-28, 2023, sat down with ChurchPOP English Editor Jacqueline Burkepile to discuss the supernatural power of fasting. They also touched on the miracles of the rosary.
Flynn, who helped found the International Week of Prayer and Fasting over 31 years ago, explains how fasting fuels our prayers and makes them much more powerful.
She tells stories from both the Bible and her own personal experiences that prove the supernatural power of fasting and the rosary.
Flynn also says that when we "join forces in a group," as Pope Francis calls us to, "God intervenes."
"I think we're gonna see some powerful things happen and mitigation and you know God intervenes when there's enough prayer with enough fasting. He will have mercy on us."
Flynn also recalls the Biblical roots of fasting, particularly in the Book of Esther.
Queen Esther gathered many people to join in a three-day fast to prevent the king's advisor, Haman, from killing the Israelites and her uncle, Mordecai.
After the three-day fast, Esther appealed to the King. The King later had Haman hung, along with his ten sons. He then freed the Israelites and they won the battle.
Flynn then describes the Blessed Mother as "The New Esther."
"When she appeared at Fatima, she had the star at the bottom of her gown, and that is the star of Esther," Flynn says. "I believe Our Lady is interceding before our King of the universe --Jesus. She's interceding for our whole world --that we are protected and that this war would end."
"I think that's why it's important to pray the Rosary," she continues. "The Holy Mass is the most powerful prayer; adoration, and then fasting and sacrifice–some kind of penance. Because the two together are very powerful. One is good. The other is good. But together, it's like a spiritual atomic weapon that goes off. Meaning the grace is all over."
Flynn also explains the power of Our Lady's intercession in combination with fasting, especially through her Holy Rosary.
"Our Lady has told us in many apparitions throughout the world that prayer and fasting can stop wars. She's told us the power of the Rosary.
"Our Lady is very powerful. When she shows up in exorcisms, the demons have to leave. What we're learning is that when we pray the Holy Rosary, especially when we pray in the state of Grace with the right attitude, and the more we pray with people...the rosary is like an exorcism prayer, and the more we get people all around the country praying, the evil spirits that are trying to possibly foment war and violence eventually, if there are so many people praying, they are prevented. They're paralyzed from doing the work that they've been asked to do."