Question: How good is your relationship with the Holy Spirit?

Bible Passage: (Matthew 25:1-13) - Matthew 25:6 “It was the middle of the night when the cry rang out, ‘The Bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him!”

Reflection: Praying, Giving, and Fasting are equally important and critical to taking care of ourselves spiritually and bearing the Image of God well. The Holy Spirit is the Oil in the Parable of the 10 Virgins.

Look up how many of the writers of the New Testament Epistles called entire churches “little children.” It's a very intentional segué…we read “born again” in the precious red letters, and his disciples called those who were born again ‘children.’ Kids gotta learn a lot, and often get mad when confronted with this reality. They don't realize their own ignorance, and they can't help it.

If I had to sum up what the Holy Spirit wants me to say, it's “be vigilant, and keep your lamps full.” The first part of Matthew 25 is the first place we see this parable of the 10 Virgins.

‘Vigilant’ is defined as: being careful to watch for possible danger or difficulties.

What were the conditions the Messiah described when he taught about that during the Parable about the arrival of the bridegroom? There was darkness, and they needed oil in their lamp to “go out and meet him.” They were expected to be prepared. Half were, and the other half were lazy in their preparation.

Forget about the news, forget about your shows, and sports for a day. In other words, if the Holy Spirit is guiding you to fast from food, I challenge you to double down and for just one day subtract something that isn't food that your flesh likes too much. If you can't pray/meditate or read your Bible, then have conversations you've been putting off, do acts of mercy, show love (agape) to those around you. The council of the canon is pretty clear about there being a ‘path of life' and the ‘wide road to destruction.’ The LORD is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His manifold love is something I urge you to press into and rest in. We'll need it more every day until our mortal bodies return to the dust.

Jesus chose to allow himself to be handed over to the Temple Guards and allowed himself to be scourged and then carried the cross and laid down his life of his own accord on the cross, so that his followers could have the Holy Spirit given in the Upper Room on Pentecost (WOW, what love!). Those who are born again have access to that same spirit. Seek a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit in your quiet time today.

Prayer: Father, keep us vigilant and awake. In the darkness of this world, help us keep our lamps full and our hearts ready for the Bridegroom. Holy Spirit, fill us again where we have grown distracted, weary, or complacent. Teach us to hunger for Your presence more than the temporary things of this world. Help us to pray deeply, love faithfully, and walk in obedience. Thank You, Jesus, for the cross, and for making a way for us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Lead us on the path of life, and help us reflect Your love well until the day You return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Question: Why is having faith hard?



Bible Passage: John 6:66-69 “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Reflection: When Brock and I moved to Wilmington, we went on prayer and hope. We had only been there a few weeks when what felt like the perfect job opportunity fell into our laps. It was with a local faith-based organization that served and cared for the marginalized. It felt ideal. I would work in their offices, Brock would handle warehouse and delivery work. The best of both worlds: provision for our family while also loving and serving our community. Before accepting the positions, we attended one of their worship services. Nothing was particularly wrong or off about it, but we both drove home in silence that night until we finally looked at each other and said, “This isn’t it.”
We both knew it. And honestly, it hurt. We thought we had followed God’s call to move to Wilmington. We thought we had landed exactly where we were supposed to be, only to be met with a closed door. I remember looking at Brock that night and thinking about this passage, almost as if Jesus Himself was saying, “This isn’t it.” And in my hurt and frustration, my response was, “But where else would we go?”

I’m not an eloquent writer or speaker, so I don’t know how to wrap this up perfectly, but I do know this: I find hope in hearing other people admit that faith can be hard. For me, it’s a daily struggle. A constant choice to believe today and let tomorrow deal with itself.
So if you’re like me, I just want you to know you’re not alone.

Jesus knows faith is hard. As fully human, He understood how easy it is for us to doubt, question, and wrestle. I think that’s part of why He asked the disciples if they were going to leave too. And I think it’s why He already knew Peter’s answer: “Lord, where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Even on the days when it’s hard to believe, we have believed.

Even on the days when it would feel easier not to, we have believed.

Prayer: Jesus, we have believed, help us to believe until we come to know. Help me to choose faith today over worry and doubt. Jesus, to whom else would we go? You alone can restore all the places we try to tear down. Give me faith for today.

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back . . . no turning back.

Question: What does it look like to come honestly before God and admit that you feel crushed, confused, and hurt, and it seems like He hasn’t or won’t intervene?

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1-16

Reflection: Scripture gives us multiple stories of lament. Stories of God’s people: as a whole, and as individuals, going to God with their feelings and questions and laying them at his feet. There’s even a whole book, Lamentations, that shows how raw and real the people were with God about their circumstances.

Sometimes in scripture, God intervened, and sometimes he didn’t.

When King David lamented over Jonathon’s death, God didn’t hear him back.

God didn’t rescue Israel the way that they’d hoped, but one day he will redeem them.

God, through scripture, gives us permission and access to acknowledge our feelings and questions, and lay them at his feet.

Hannah’s story in First Samuel is a beautiful picture of our access and privilege. Hannah takes her pain straight to God.

When Hannah comes before the Lord, she is so broken that neither her husband nor the priest understands. She can’t even make words come out of her mouth. Weeping and kneeling before a holy God, knowing he had the power to change her circumstance, but hadn’t, she lays it at his feet. And even when no one else understood, God never rebuked her. He drew near to her and met her there.

Hannah’s lament wasn’t a lack of faith-it was an expression of it. Choosing to bring your pain before God instead of away from Him.

We’ve gotten really good at slapping on masks, numbing out, or sidestepping how we feel, so it helps us keep God at a distance.

Because maybe you’ve lamented before, and he didn’t fix it, so now it seems risky or even pointless.

If we’re being brutally honest, maybe part of the fear is this: “If he doesn’t move this time, I don’t know if I can trust him again.”

Can I remind you in this moment? He’s big enough to intervene, but righteous and holy enough that he may choose His way instead of ours.  Because one day he will set everything right. One day, lamenting will be a thing of the past, and you will stand in the presence of the God who redeemed it all.  

Let his closeness and his love drown out the enemy's whisper that He is distant and unbothered by your circumstances. Let God’s presence rest so heavy in the middle of your pain that praise oozes out of your soul with a peace that knows one day he will set all things right.

Prayer: Compassionate Lord, I’m sorry for settling for a distant relationship with You because of fear. I come now as honestly as I know how—weeping, grieving, and crushed. This world and these circumstances feel broken, and I don’t understand why You’re allowing it. How long, Lord, will it be this way? Draw near to me. Comfort my heart. Silence the enemy’s lies that say You don’t care. Remind me of Your redemption plan and the hope I have in You. Help my unbelief and draw me closer to Your love. In Jesus’ name I cry out to you, please hear my prayer, Amen.

Question: When you pray, do you ever find yourself simply resting in the presence of God - or are you always asking Him to fulfill your desires?

Bible Passage: Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Reflection: “Christians should not think of prayer as a means to an end, a tool to get what we want, but rather as an end in itself. Prayer is the goal.” - Francis Chan

We all go through seasons and circumstances where we are convicted about not praying or reading our bible enough. That is not always a bad thing, but certainly not the goal. When we know and experience our Lord’s love, grace, and mercy towards us, that creates in us a desire for Him. Sometimes it is like we are worshipping the benefits of a relationship with Jesus and not Jesus. Jesus’ sacrifice was more powerful than any of us can realize. For example, He not only died for our sins but also to make a way for each of us to come to Him, as we are told in Hebrews:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:19-23 ESV

Take some time today to pray and meditate on this truth: Our God is not a means to an end; He is our end. What a privilege it is to get to spend time with Him in prayer.

Prayer: God, help us to be a people who seek You above all other things. May our lives reflect Your goodness, Your mercy, and Your love. Teach us to hunger for what is eternal and not be satisfied with lesser things. Help us overcome the distractions of this world, the noise that pulls our hearts away from You, and the temptations that dull our affection for Your presence. More of you and less of us, Jesus…amen.

Question: How do you steer clear of a sin that doesn’t feel all that wrong?

Bible Passage: James 4:17 "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

Reflection: Sin isn’t only doing something obviously wrong. It can also be failing to do what you know is right, including wasting time or neglecting what God calls you to. A quick search can show you as many as 120 sins named throughout the bible. The Ten Commandments are pretty clear. Worship no other gods. No idols. Don’t misuse God’s name. Keep the Sabbath. Honor your parents. Don’t murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, or covet. Clean. Recognizable. Easy to spot. Hard lines.

But what about the sins that aren’t so transparent?  The sins that are SO easy to justify? The sins that are identified by the world as perfectly acceptable? Those sins that pull you away from community with God and other believers?

In Luke 10, Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus while Martha is busy making everything just right. Martha isn’t doing anything wrong. She’s being responsible. She’s serving. She’s getting things done.  But she’s also missing something so much better.  Jesus doesn’t correct her for being busy. He redirects her because she’s distracted from the best thing.

If you were to draw a pie chart of the time spent in your waking hours, what would it look like? Go ahead. Draw a circle and then divide it into these 3 slices of time:

Time spent doing things that need to be done
Time spent with God or intentionally for God
Time that just… disappears

There’s overlap, of course. Taking care of your family, doing your job well, showing up for people. Those can absolutely be acts of service. I don’t even like chicken and dumplings, but I make them anyway because my family does. I think that counts! But then there’s that third slice. The one that quietly grows. And if I’m honest, this is the piece that gets me. And I’ve got all the right language ready for it.
 “I need downtime.”
 “I’m not doing anything wrong.”
 “It’s fine to have time for myself.”

None of those are lies. But they can still be a cover. Because there’s a difference between biblical resting and escaping. A difference between being filled and just being distracted. A difference between pulling myself into a mindless time machine and pushing myself into community with God or fellow believers.

And truly, I don’t love how much space gets taken up by scrolling, tapping, checking, watching, and refreshing. But hey! I almost ALWAYS do my Bible study first! And a lot of my follows are biblically based! This helps me stay connected with other Christians! I mean, this is basically worship! See?? It’s so easy for me to make excuses to spend more time doom scrolling than I do hope growing.

I’m starting to see that sin isn’t only about doing what’s wrong. Sometimes it’s about not doing what’s right. And that’s where things get slippery. Because the most dangerous sins are rarely the ones that shock you. They’re the ones you can explain. The ones that sound reasonable. The ones that hide behind phrases like “I deserve this,” “I need a break,” or “it’s not that serious.”

And here’s the part that’s hard to ignore. God has already pointed this out to me. Not as a rule. Not as guilt. But as a nudge I keep brushing off and making excuses for. There’s nothing inherently sinful about liking photos, checking scores, or wondering why Instagram thinks I need a LOT of self-tanner options. But that’s not really the point anymore.

The point is this: I know the good I ought to be doing. And I keep choosing something easier instead. Sure, it doesn’t look bad on the outside, but it’s slowly pulling me away from what matters most on the inside.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the magnificent creation of time.  Thank you for providing moments in my life that aren’t full of busyness. Forgive me for using so much of it for mindless pursuits. You’ve made it clear where my time could be better spent, and still I choose what’s easy. Help me not just recognize the good you have ready, but to actually choose it over and over again. Give me clarity to see distraction for what it is, and the courage and conviction to rest only in you. Teach me to value your presence more than my comfort, and your purpose for my life more than simply passing time. Remind me that time spent with you is never time wasted. Realign my heart with what lasts. Lead me back to you.

Question: In what area or areas of your life are you pursuing success or victory without first seeking the Lord in hopes that you can claim the victory for yourself? When you succeed, are you tempted to boast in your own abilities without giving God the credit that He deserves? What do those moments reveal about your heart, and how can you intentionally surrender those areas back to the One who created you?

Bible Passage: Jeremiah 9:23-24: “This is what the LORD says: The wise man must not boast in his wisdom; the strong man must not boast in his strength; the wealthy man must not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this, that he understands and knows Me — that I am Yahweh, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the LORD’s declaration.”

Reflection: Pride is the delusion of self, a fun-house mirror that distorts your identity. It is also a refusal to accept God’s place in your life. By abandoning the mechanism that guides you, you are bound to be led astray. I imagine pride in my life as a young sailor going out into the ocean for the first time, ignoring the suggestions of the true captain.  Being confident in yourself is not a bad thing; the fault occurs when you forget (or purposefully reject) your identity as a servant of Christ. When we fast, we intentionally seek to return to that identity by rejecting worldly indulgences, whatever that may be for you during this time. What do you feel is distracting you in this world? What weight do you feel you have to hold onto? Is there a sin struggle that you pridefully do not seek help with? Is your self-image worth more than your relationship with Christ?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are holy, holy, holy. I want to honor you first and foremost and acknowledge your authority…I see the strengths you have given me, and yet I continuously use them for my own self. I boast in my own name instead of yours. I claim authority and control over things that I have no control or authority over. I rely on my wisdom, strength, and wealth, forgetting You are the one who gave it to me. In this moment, I physically clench my fists and recognize what I have been holding on to, the pieces I won’t let you sanctify, the rooms I don’t want you in… And I let it go. I release the tension I have been holding on to, the pride saying I have to do it all on my own. Thank you, Lord, for your faithful love, justice, and righteousness. I love you. Amen.


Question: What is one issue that consistently weighs you down - one that you feel God has uniquely positioned you to help address?



Bible Passage: Isaiah 58:6-7 -- “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”



Reflection: Fasting is not primarily about depriving ourselves to attain a higher spiritual dimension or to get something from God. Those reasons certainly have their place, but fasting goes beyond this. The fast God chooses is kingdom-focused and is action-oriented. It’s about yearning for His kingdom and playing an active role in its manifestation here on earth.

That issue weighing on your heart -- hunger, homelessness, oppression -- is not just a problem to pray and fast about. It’s a problem to act on. When we fast from food, what could we do with the money that meal would’ve cost? When we feel the weight of injustice, would we let it move us to break yokes, not just weep over them?

God has a role for each of us in His kingdom, and He has uniquely positioned us to address something broken - No matter how insignificant we may think it is. Our fasting becomes real when it leads to feeding, housing, covering, and freeing. Let’s not just yearn for the kingdom. Let’s be active participants in it.



Prayer: Father, creation groans for the return of your son and the consummation of your kingdom. We ourselves long for your return. But You have called us not just to wait but to work. Please break our hearts what breaks yours and let it move us to action. Let our fast be active: food shared, chains broken, homeless welcomed. Use our hands to bring Your kingdom here on earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Question: How do you balance your spiritual and personal life?

Bible Passage: John 3:30 – 30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Reflection: On the surface, this is a passage about cutting things out of your life for God. That is true, but if you focus on increasing God’s presence in your life, the decrease will happen as a result. It is a daunting task to sit down and try to balance our personal life with our spiritual life. What I mean by that is we fill up our days with stuff, then try to find time for the things we know we need to do to have a strong spiritual connection to our God.

As you prepare/walk through 21 days of fasting, it can provide an opportunity to replace a worldly activity with time spent on Godly things. We can fill up our lives with things to do. They may not be bad things, but if they are not directed by the Holy Spirit, they may be interfering with your walk. We must search ourselves, and, as John 3:30 says, “He must increase while we decrease.” This can be done by focusing on what to get rid of, but if we focus on how to increase God in our lives, this process can become clearer. Spend time praying and asking God what he wants for you daily. Start each morning asking God what he would have you do that day. You must approach this with an open heart and a willingness to say, I will obey God's will. If you approach your prayer for God’s increase by asking what He wants you to do each day, the things we need to remove will become clear.

God wants us to enjoy life. We can only find true joy from the richness of a deep and focused Godly walk. We will find true joy in life if that life is focused on the kingdom. The prospect of decreasing yourself so He can increase can feel overwhelming. Remember this world is not for us, but rather a short stop on the path to God’s Kingdom.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what would you have me do today? Every day belongs to you, and I want to make sure I am filling each day with the things you would have me do. Show me the path you have for me today, and where you would have me spend my time. This will allow me to remove anything not blessed by you. It is my desire to increase you, and decrease me. Heavenly Father, help me to stay focused on the path you have set for me daily, and ensure that all things I do are done for your express purpose and edification. Show me in the clearest way possible what you would have me do. Help me to make sure it is you that is shining in my life, as all good things are from you. Thank you for your patience and grace as I fail you daily. Help me to find the daily strength and willpower to get out of your way. Thank you for your son who died for me, and your spirit that resides in me. It is in your precious and holy name I pray, Amen.

Question: What is that step of obedience you took that may have left you feeling hopeless and questioning God?

Oftentimes, we believe that stepping out in obedience will be easy, leading to a life of peace and joy. But what if instead of peace, you’re met with chaos, and joy is replaced with moments of hopelessness? You may begin to feel as though God has abandoned you, leaving you questioning what God could possibly be teaching you amidst your suffering.

In those moments, it’s easy for our flesh to blind us from His truths and lead us to question whether taking that step of obedience was the right thing to do. Was it worth it? You may even ask why God would ask you to do this, knowing it was going to cause heartache. How could this possibly advance The Kingdom?

Bible Passage: Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Reflection: It’s clear that throughout scripture, obedience was met with hardship. I’m reminded of Paul in 2 Timothy 1:8-9, where Paul says he shares in suffering for the gospel. Sometimes following God is met with suffering, valleys, and hardship. But His word reminds us that suffering produces character and perseverance. It’s in our moments of hopelessness and desperation that our Good Father reaches out His hand to us and meets us there. He uses our hardships to mold us to become more like Him, stripping away our flesh and giving us strength to keep fighting the good fight of faith!

Prayer: Father God, thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. God, I thank you that even in the middle of suffering and feelings of hopelessness, you are with me. Thank you for pursuing and loving me even in my moments of doubt. Father, I ask for strength to battle my flesh, my desire to be in control. I ask for guidance, that you will help me see what it is that you’re trying to teach me in the middle of my suffering. God, I ask you for forgiveness for the times I’ve questioned your goodness. God, I pray that you will use this to mold me so that I may be more like you, for your glory and your kingdom’s cause. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Question: What are the issues you are dealing with that make you wonder why?

Bible Passage: Job 38:1-3 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man, I will question you, and you shall answer me.”

Reflection: Throughout our lives, we often ask ourselves, “Why?” Do we always need to know the reason, or do we fully trust God?

During our time on earth, we all have situations in life that we experience or know about that have us asking why. Why did the company I worked for close, and I lost my job? Why did the drunk who killed a family of four walk away from the crash? Why was our baby born with birth defects? Why did my kids fall away from the Lord? Why am I the only one in my family who has to deal with serious health issues? Why did my son have to die at such a young age? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people?

These are not new questions, but ones that people have asked forever. God gave us the Book of Job as a testament to how long people have been asking why, and some of the reasons people came up with.

Job was a Godly man who God allowed to be attacked by Satan to test his faith in God. Job was robbed of his possessions, his wealth, and his children all died in a tragic accident, but Job still remained faithful. Finally, his health deteriorated, and he had sores all over his body and sat on a pile of ashes. Even though his wife wanted him to curse God, Job maintained his trust in God.

Job had three friends: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They came to visit him during these trials. That is what friends do. After remaining silent for a long period, they finally wanted to share what they thought was the reason Job was suffering so.

These friends went on a litany of things they accused Job of doing that resulted in his terrible situation. They indicted him of various sins in his life that resulted in his punishment. Job responded to all of their accusations and defended himself. The friends persisted in sharing one charge after another, but Job remained fast to his faith.

Finally, a young man, Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite, who had been observing his elders’ rationalizations and Job’s responses, could not hold back and proceeded to list his reasons for Job’s situation. He was not respectful of his elders. Still, Job would not denounce his faith in God.

For 37 chapters, God listened to man’s wisdom and their reasons for how Job put himself in his dire predicament. In Chapter 38, God finally responds; Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man, I will question you, and you shall answer me.”

God went on to show how little wisdom man has. The end result was, man can never know why God allows bad things to happen to good people, or why good things can happen to bad people. In the end, God is God, and we are not. Do we trust the creator of all things, or do we fruitlessly keep on seeking answers?

Prayer: Our Father, help me to stop wondering why or why not and to place my trust in you completely. I have wasted too much time trying to figure out the reasons things happen. I confess, many of the things that have befallen me are results of my own bad decisions, and I have no one else to blame. Open my eyes and heart to show me how and where I can best utilize the gifts you have given me and stop wasting time with questions where there are no answers. I ask all of this in Jesus name. Amen

Question: What are you leaving undone before the Lord in His calling to give an answer for the hope that is in you?

Bible Passage: Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

Reflection: Since our hope is only ever found in one place, Jesus Christ, we can rest assured that our hope is secure. With disappointment and difficulty being a regular occurrence in our world and daily lives, isn’t that the best news! Whether you are facing health concerns, family upheaval, job uncertainty, or just your own struggles and doubts, wouldn’t you want someone to share with you the “Light at the end of the tunnel” so to speak? Since we as believers in Christ know true hope is only ever found in the goodness of the Lord, we are called to offer His hope to anyone struggling.

Author Paul David Tripp shares this quote: “Hope is rooted in the goodness,
holiness, power, promises, and grace of God. It is about holding on to the belief that
God will not let His grace die, that He will not let His plan fade away, and that He will
keep every one of His promises He has made.”

That is the hope and good news that each one of us not only needs to hear but
needs to share. Let’s be so quick to share the shining hope of Jesus and His word
every chance we get and leave nothing undone.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the unending and abounding hope that You offer to us by the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit, in the Bible, and through Your Son Jesus. Help us to be quick to give an answer for the hope that is in us in every situation to every person with meekness and fear. Please forgive us for missed opportunities and for spiritual amnesia, at times, to not put Your hope and Your goodness at the forefront of our hearts, minds, and actions. We need You to fill us with the overflowing power and presence of Your Holy Spirit so that those around us are immersed in Your hope and goodness, all for Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen

Question: Has there been a time in your life recently when God has felt distant?

Passage: Psalm 145:18 (ESV): “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

Reflection: God is always near, and you are never too far gone.

There is a song by Elevation Worship titled “Call God” that I’ve been listening to a lot over the past few days. One line in the chorus says, “Every time I call Your name, You come running.” What a beautiful truth.

Sadly, many of us struggle to believe that God always hears our prayers. Instead, we fall for the lies of the enemy - that God is mad at us and won’t hear our call if we have sin in our lives.

I’m not sure how many times we need to hear this before we truly believe it, so here it is again: God is not mad at you. Yes, your sin grieves God’s heart. But do you know what else grieves Him? When His children stop talking to Him.

Call God. He is always just one call away. God is not distant - you are.

Remember this: the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32) isn’t just a parable; it reflects reality. The Father is always waiting, always welcoming. Don’t wait to call on God until you have this whole sin thing figured out - you can’t figure it out without Him anyway.

As we fast together today, take a moment to talk to God honestly. You don’t need to use fancy, churchy words. Be vulnerable and be yourself. He is listening. Just call on Him.

Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for Your unconditional love - that even when I do the things You hate, You still love me and never turn me away when I come to You. I am sorry for every time I forget that Your love is so much greater than my sin. Help me remember that You are always near, just one call away. Teach me to develop a habit of calling on You every day, in every moment - on the mountains and in the valleys, on good days and bad days, when the enemy surrounds me, and especially when nothing is wrong at all. Amen

Question: what/who does your heart long for?

Bible passages: Matthew 6:6 “but you, when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your father who is in the secret place and your father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly.”

Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

Reflection: Jesus spent His life following the will of His Heavenly Father, retreating alone in prayer to establish a dwelling place, a place to worship, receive strength, find direction, and intercede, creating a deep, loving, obedient, surrendered relationship with God. Prayer is essential for all believers. This is how we develop a transformational life that reflects Christ. As Moses spent time in the tabernacle talking face to face with God, Daniel retreated to his upper room, David vowing no sleep or rest until a dwelling place for the Lord was found, so are we to establish a secret place with our Lord. How are we to know the heart of God? How do we learn to love Him with our heart and soul? How do we learn His voice without spending time alone in prayer, abiding in Him, and Him in us?

Prayer: God, show me Your ways, teach me, lead me in Your truth, and show me. For you are the God of my salvation. What do You want the secret place to look like? Reveal to me what I am to know. Oh, that the desires of my heart are Yours. My heart longs for You, to be with You, to worship You as You deserve. I close my eyes and see myself kneeling next to You, My Abba Father, with my arms around You and Your loving hand on my shoulder, drawing me near. I am completely captivated. The love You have for your children is consuming. I just want to stay in this secret place with You, always. Lord, that my life be pleasing to You. That I love others as You graciously love me. I humbly come before You and ask in Your name, Your will be done, Amen.

Question: What is a situation in your life that seems so daunting, that you don't even know how to begin to pray for it?

Bible Passage: Romans 8:18-23, 26-27 (NLT)— "18Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering...
26And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will."

Reflection: I recently read that fasting can be thought of as, "praying with your whole body." So often, we in the modern church restrict our faith to be a mental and emotional exercise. But sometimes our minds and hearts fail us. Sometimes, we are faced with situations that our minds and hearts can't begin to make sense of. How do we pray in situations that are so broken that we can't for the life of us figure out what an answer to prayer would even look like? How do we pray when the hope we have does not seem to be compatible with the world we are seeing around us?

Paul tells us in Romans 8. In it, he paints a picture of a church with a front row seat to the corruption and depravity of a fallen world; a church that is simultaneously saturated in a glorious hope and a discouraging reality. In that tension, all of creation is groaning for what will one day come to pass. At the same time, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings that are too deep to be expressed by words. And alongside all of creation, we ourselves groan. Even though we have the Holy Spirit in us and we don't mourn as those who have no hope, we still groan.

As I have fasted this week, I have felt my stomach, and my whole body groan. Is it possible that one of the benefits of fasting is that in it we are learning the native tongue of the Holy Spirit? Is it possible that when we fast, we begin the process of becoming participants in a conversation between the Father, the Spirit, and all of creation that is constantly happening, and is slowly and surely bringing about the renewal and reconciliation of all things? Is that why there is power in fasting?

Is it possible that fasting is like learning a second language? A sort of Rosetta Stone that teaches us a way of communicating with God that is deeper than mere words?

Could be.

Either way, as we fast together, when you feel that groaning in your body, remember that you are in good company, and that without words, your whole body is joining in with a prayer that has been going on long before you, and will ultimately be answered in a way more glorious than we can imagine.

Prayer: Father, the world is full of trouble. I don't know what to pray for, but I trust that you do. Even in the face of hard things, fill me to the brim with joy and hope. As I fast, help me to remember that my groaning is not wasted. Keep teaching me to know and understand your voice, as I expectantly wait for my body and all of creation to be released from sin and suffering. Amen.

By: Rachel Tyson

Question: How do I keep living out my faith when all I really want to do is give up?

Bible Passage: Hebrews 12:1-2:  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: Two of my younger sisters and I recently completed a triathlon in Hokes Bluff, Alabama.  Our team was appropriately named “Not Fast, Just Furious,” and bearing that in mind I volunteered to jog the 5K portion.  While I jog regularly to maintain both my physical health and my sanity, to say I am a runner would be inaccurate.  When I enter a race, my goal is never to win it but only to finish it, without walking or stopping if possible.  

I’m not fast.  

Neither, as it happens, are my sisters.  We finished next-to-last overall but still managed first place in our category because we were the only women’s team.  No one competed against us.

The writer of Hebrews, using word pictures to compare life to a race, is likewise unconcerned with speed.  He exhorts his readers to “run with endurance,” not to come in first place.  Finishing is winning, and in these two verses he gives a birds-eye view of what we need to bear in mind as we stay the course:

1.  Remember that people are watching how you live your life, from your family to your fellow church members to your coworkers to the pizza delivery person.  Hebrews 11 seems to indicate that departed saints are also witnessing our lives from the spiritual realm.  You have an audience who on some level bears witness to all your successes and failures.  Allow that knowledge to spur you to continue to make Christ-honoring choices every day.  

2.  Whatever is causing you unnecessary difficulty in living out your faith, get rid of it.  Maybe it’s sin, maybe not, but it needs to go.  In a race, runners carry nothing on their body that would slow them down or make the course any harder for them.  We can do the same in a figurative sense.  Repent of the sin.  Delete the app.  Turn off the podcast or television.  Refuse to participate in the gossip.  Stop hitting the snooze button.  Reconcile with the impossible relative.

3.  Keep doing the right, hard things no matter what.  For all of us, that means practicing spiritual disciplines.  For me it also means daily caring for my adult disabled son.  For you it might mean working on a wrecked relationship or continuing in a less-than-ideal job to provide for your family.  Our individual races are set before us by God and don’t necessarily look the same.  The Greek word translated “endurance” in Hebrews 12:1 is usually translated “patience” and means “steadfastness” or “constancy.”  These are all words for hard things; endurance isn’t necessary for easy or pleasant tasks, but only for difficult ones.  We can do hard things, and keep on doing them, and this is who we are called to be as Christians.

4.  Keeping Jesus in the front of your mind will give you perspective and help you endure.  His Spirit will strengthen you when your own strength is gone.  He endured the cross so that we can endure lesser trials — and we really can.  Jesus finished his race and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  His race didn’t last forever, and neither will yours.  Allow the hard things in your life to spur you to seek His help and guidance in prayer.

Prayer: Father, thank you so much your kindness.  You are a good, good father and your love me so much, and I am grateful.  I love you too, and I want to run the race you set before me well, with endurance, so that when it’s over I will hear you say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  In myself, I’m neither good nor faithful, but you have cleansed me by the blood of Jesus and you make all things possible.  Please shine your light into any dark places in my heart and show me what is mine to do.  Show me sin so that I may repent.  Reveal not only the things that are hindering my spiritual progress and but also how I should deal with them.  By your Spirit, give me the strength and grace to bring my thoughts and habits into alignment with your perfect will.  It’s in the holy name of Jesus I ask all these things.  Amen.

By: Charles Sienkiewicz

Question: When was your last time you paused to be entirely still, “silent,” before God?

Bible Passage: Habakkuk 2:20 "But the LORD is in His holy temple; let everyone on earth be silent in His presence."

Reflection: The goal of practicing the discipline of spiritual silence – it is more about being, rather than doing. Silence is not empty; it is packed with awe, submission, and expectant trust.
The world is full of constant noise and distraction. The discipline of silence (not solitude) is about being strategic and intentional in how you make room for the Holy Spirit. The discipline of silence is about “What will God reveal to me?” not personal prayer. The discipline of silence reminds us that God reigns over all. The discipline of silence is about reverence and praise
Why we practice the discipline of silence: it’s about
• To hear from God – It is easier to focus on God when we eliminate the voices of the
outside world
• To restore our soul – Silence gives us the opportunity to recharge and allow the Holy
Spirit to fill us when we have become depleted, discouraged, or depressed
• To be filled with His Spirit – The process of sanctification (becoming more like Jesus)
happens through the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When we practice the
discipline of silence, we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out
• To prepare for knowing and following His will – in those moments of silence, God’s will
about our life, the situations we are in, can be seen with much more clarity
• What will God reveal to me?

How to practice the discipline of silence – How is intentional, individual and is less important than the why. It may look different for each individual and the season of their life:
• Choose places/times that calm: a favorite chair, a walk (e.g. sunrise or sunset), a place
• Use uninterrupted time (no phones) – it doesn’t have to be the same time everyday
• It’s not about the absence of noise, but removing things interfering with the things of
God
• It should be a place where it is “silent” allowing you to remain alert to the task at hand
• No preconceived expectations – read the Bible, pray, journal, express praise, reflect,
listen.

Prayer: Father, teach me the value of silence. Show me the place of silence so I may rest in your presence. Grant me the quietness of heart and mind to hear Your gentle whispers. Calm my restless heart and anxious thoughts, renew me for what you’ve called me to do. Amen.

By: Abby Blackmon

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-10
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

Reflection:
Ft. Lauderdale Airport, sometime in 2017, after a particularly devastating week in Les Anglais, Haiti:

After the chaos of customs, navigating multiple buildings, re-checking bags, and getting through security, I sat on a bench. I needed to get my shoes back on and head to the gate. I couldn’t. I was overwhelmed with the heart-hurt of losing yet another patient, physical and spiritual fatigue, and foreboding anticipation, knowing I had to hit the ground running as soon as I deplaned in Knoxville. I put my head in my hands and wept.

A family of three, all smartly dressed for travel, walked by on my left. (I am not smartly dressed. I am dirty and sweaty and in barely clean clothes.) I glanced up to see the mom touch the dad and say she’d be right back. I felt, rather than heard, the grunted, “Mo-omm,” from the teenaged son. She turned and walked quietly towards me. As she approached, she leaned over and placed a soft hand on my shoulder. Looking at me straight in the eye, she said, “God says don’t stop what you’re doing. He sees you! He’s got you!,” then asked if she could give me a hug. Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!

From God’s heart through her mouth to my aching soul, words of prayer and love and gracious hospitality soothed me. Her hug and her eyes told me I was seen and held and Known. I am grateful she heard and followed the Spirit’s prompting.

The next right thing to do always looks and speaks Love.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, things feel dark and scary these days. In your kindness and mercy, show us how you want us to love and serve one another - friend, family member, and stranger. Give us the sense to feel Your prompts, the wisdom to follow them, and the joy of drawing closer to You. Bless us with conviction and repentance when we fail. Cloak us in Your grace and love always. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, amen.

**other scriptures to ponder: I Corinthians 12:31b-13:13; Micah 6:8; 1 John 4:18

By: Kensey Zimmerman

Question: What is a way in which you let the flesh rule in your life?

Bible Passage: Romans 8:5-8 (ESV)
“5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Reflection: We live in a fallen world, and in a country that prioritizes gratifying desires immediately. We’re bombarded daily with things to think about, purchase, focus on. And if you’re like most of us, the flesh gets to win a lot. We add to cart. We drink the caffeine. We numb the pain with our substance of choice. We scroll. Now, inherently, those things are not all bad. But we let them win far too often.

Take a moment to sit and ponder, “what’s a way that I let the flesh win?” Ask the Spirit to reveal it to you.

Part of the discipline of fasting is saying to that flesh: “you don’t get to rule anymore. You don’t get to be in charge.” It’s a tangible reminder that we aren’t slaves to this world any longer. We can stake claim over our lives, our bodies, our minds because they don’t get to stay in charge. How is the Spirit revealing to you that there may be something you need to lay down? To cut out? To prune back? When you feel that tug at your heart, heed it. It’s not something we can do on our own strength, but it is an effort that’s worth pursuing.

With the Spirit’s help, we can fight against the desires of the flesh and begin to tap into what is described in Romans 8:7, the “life and peace” that God has in store for us.

Prayer: Lord, would you show me the places in my life where I let things take the place of you? Would you show me the unhealthy patterns? Then, by the power of the Spirit, would you give me the strength to help tackle them. My spirit is willing, Lord, but my flesh is so weak. I need your help. Shape my mind to be more like yours. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By: April Fox

Question: What does it look like for us to live in God's refuge?

Bible Passage: Psalm 46 “1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore, we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”

Reflection: Picture a strong fortress -reliable and unbreakable. During tough times, it
stands firm, providing a gathering space for safety. Its high walls watch for any danger
from outside. Within those walls is a place of comfort. For those living there, it becomes
their safe haven, protecting them from outside threats.

God cares for our well-being. When the world feels scary, God protects us, helping us
deal with life's challenges with care.

This fortress is not just for a select few but for everyone. God is here for all of us. God
invites us to seek shelter in this safe space not just during hard times but as a lasting
home. Whether we are experiencing great joy, facing uncertainty, or going through
sorrow, the invitation remains.

What would it look like to put God at the center of your present circumstances?

Imagine what a fortress might look like for you. Consider the ways God could be
represented in its details.

Let's think about how we can put God at the heart of our lives each day. Let's hold onto
the promise of God's constant protection and embrace the peace that comes from being
in God's presence. As we reflect on these truths, may we find strength to face each day
with renewed faith and courage.

 Prayer: God of refuge, be at the center of everything I do. May I rely on your protection
and draw strength from the truth of your words. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

By: Adam Tyson

Question: What decision, tension, or uncertainty in your life right now is requiring wisdom—not just an answer?

Scripture: James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

Reflection: When we face hard decisions, our instinct is often to ask God for clarity: “Just tell me what to do.” And sometimes, in His kindness, He does.

But often, God answers that prayer in a deeper way.  He gives wisdom not simply by handing us a decision, but by forming us into people who can discern one.

Picture a father whose daughter has just moved away to college. In her first week, she calls home and asks, “Dad, some friends are going to play soccer—can I go?” The father pauses—not because he doesn’t care, but because he does. His deepest hope isn’t that his daughter would call him for permission for every choice. His hope is that he has raised someone who can think wisely and live well, even when he’s not there.

He doesn’t just want to give answers.  He wants to raise someone wise.

In the same way, God invites us to ask for wisdom—and He means it. But rather than offering immediate, step‑by‑step instructions, He often begins shaping something deeper within us.

That is where fasting becomes powerful.

Fasting is not a tool to force an answer from God. It is a way of quieting ourselves before Him. It is a tangible way of saying, “Lord, I want You more than I want a quick resolution.” In that space, our hunger clarifies what truly drives us.

As distractions fade, motives surface. What once felt urgent may lose its hold. What once felt confusing may begin to settle—not because we’ve received new information, but because we are being given a new heart.

This is how God often answers prayers for wisdom.

Not by lighting up the whole path, but by shaping the one who walks it.

Many of our decisions are not about choosing right versus wrong, but good versus best. Those choices don’t just require instruction; they require formation. Fasting places us where that formation can happen. It teaches us to wait, trains us to listen, and gently reorders our loves.

So if you are fasting with a decision before you, bring it honestly to God. Ask Him for wisdom. But don’t be surprised if His primary work is not around you, but within you.

Because God doesn’t only want to show you the right path.

He wants to make you wise.

Prayer: Father, You see the decisions before me and the desire I have for clarity. You invite me to ask for wisdom, and I do. Today, I also release my need for quick answers. Use this time of fasting to shape me. Quiet what is loud in me. Expose what is driving me. Align my heart with Yours. Teach me to wait, to listen, and to trust You when the way forward is not clear. More than anything, make me into a person who walks in Your wisdom. I trust that You are at work, even now.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

By: Brock Tharpe

Question: What is a sin in your life right now that might be grieving the heart of God?

Bible Passage: II Corinthians 7:10 "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Reflection: Godly grief is grief mixed with hope. Worldly grief is grief mixed with shame.
As we begin this fast together, take a moment to slow down and sit quietly before the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to gently reveal to you anything in your life that may be grieving the heart of God. Is there a sin you’ve been tolerating? An unhealthy pattern you’ve been excusing? A blind spot you’ve been ignoring?


Don’t rush past this moment. This is holy ground.

Remember this: in the kingdom of God, conviction is a privilege. Conviction is not God pushing you away…it is God drawing you near. It is evidence that you are seen, known, and loved by a holy God who holds you to a higher standard. Because of that, when we sin…
We see it, we own it, we grieve it, we repent of it, and by His grace…we change.

Conviction may not always feel good in the moment, but it is always good for you.

Worldly grief says, “Hide.” Godly grief says, “Come home.”

Prayer: Holy Father, Search my heart today. And reveal anything in me that might not be pleasing to You. Remove all the barriers that I have tried to put in the way of intimacy with You. Give me the courage to see my sin clearly, and the humility to deal with it honestly. Today, by Your grace, I see it, I own it, I grieve it…and I lay it down. Now lead me in a better way. Lead me home. Thank you for Your mercy and forgiveness. Help me to trust that Your grace will be there again when I fail. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Pray with us: Please pray that throughout this time of prayer and fasting, that we as a church would develop a deep and genuine hunger for the presence of God.