Prayer Rooms this week:
- Today – Noon | on Zoom
Scripture Readings
“This kind only comes out by prayer and fasting.” – Mark 9:29
“When you fast…” – Matthew 6:16
“Man does not live by bread alone…” – Matthew 4:4
Reflection
Jesus fasted. Jesus assumed his followers would fast also.
Even so…fasting has been lost as a common spiritual practice in much of the church of 21st Century America. There is a need to recover it and rediscover it. There are, it turns out, certain kinds of change and spiritual breakthroughs that only come through prayer and fasting.
When we fast, we set aside something (traditionally food) that takes up space in our mind, body, or spirit to make room for God. We take hold of the hunger created and redirect it toward God.
Ashley knew God was calling her to give up alcohol for a season. At first, she was afraid to do it because of the fear of missing out (FOMO). Her biggest barrier to fasting from alcohol was fear she’d miss out on fun moments with friends, but God spoke clearly: “You’re worried about missing out by not drinking, but what you should really worry about is missing out on Me.” God was inviting Ashley to step out of unholy FOMO and into holy FOMO. When she did finally obey the Lord, giving up alcohol, God did some deep and transformative work in her life.
Many of us are nervous about fasting, whether from food, or alcohol, or social media, or whatever…but the reality is that by NOT fasting, we are actually missing out on an opportunity to go deeper with God and in our journey of being transformed into his image.
This month is a great time to hit restart on a discipline of fasting. Wednesday is a traditional day for fasting in church tradition. Let’s refresh that rhythm now and see what God does as we redirect our hunger to him.
*if you’re part of Sanctuary Church click here to learn more about fasting during First Seek
Today’s Invitation:
Join us in fasting on Wednesdays this month. If you are able, we encourage you to begin by fasting from food. But you may want to consider other pathways of consecration in addition, such as giving up screens, or abstaining from something else such as alcohol, coffee, or social media. As you do, let the hunger pangs redirect you into deeper prayer. Remember, fasting without prayer is just a diet. The power comes when we set aside time during our fast to seek the Lord.
Purpose is also important during a fast. Just as important as what we are fasting FROM, is the question of what we are fasting FOR. It is the holy purpose we carry with us into the fast, that gets supercharged by our physical hunger when we pray during our fast.
Today’s Prayer Assignment:
- Ask God: What am I fasting for this season?
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you need breakthrough.
- Pray for spiritual hunger to replace complacency.
Simple Prayer:
“God, I want to make space for You today. I confess how often I fill my life with things that leave no room for You. As I fast, meet me in the emptiness. Redirect my hunger toward You. Help me remember I’m not giving something up—I’m drawing closer to the only One who truly satisfies. Amen.”
In Our Time 