In Week 3, we respond to hunger by walking in obedience.
Jesus told His disciples, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me." That statement reveals something vital: doing the Father's will sustained Jesus. It wasn't a duty. It was a delight. His obedience flowed from a relationship, not pressure. Now, as we fast and pray, we follow Him in that same posture of surrender.
Fasting creates space to see more clearly. It disrupts our routines and helps us notice what we often ignore.
This practice doesn't prove anything. It positions our hearts to receive. When we fast, we feel the edges of our weakness. That weakness becomes a doorway. Hunger turns into prayer. Longing grows into attention. And God meets us with what we genuinely need.
This week is about more than self-denial. It is about drawing close to the One who already drew close to us. God strengthens those who wait on Him. He fills the empty. He leads those who trust Him with what they cannot control.
Fasting creates space to see more clearly. It disrupts our routines and helps us notice what we often ignore.
This practice doesn't prove anything. It positions our hearts to receive. When we fast, we feel the edges of our weakness. That weakness becomes a doorway. Hunger turns into prayer. Longing grows into attention. And God meets us with what we genuinely need.
This week is about more than self-denial. It is about drawing close to the One who already drew close to us. God strengthens those who wait on Him. He fills the empty. He leads those who trust Him with what they cannot control.
What we are praying this week
Each day, we pray with surrender:
"Lord, my life belongs to You. Shape me through this fast and lead me in Your will."
We ask God to fill us where we feel empty. We listen for what He wants to form in us.
"Lord, my life belongs to You. Shape me through this fast and lead me in Your will."
We ask God to fill us where we feel empty. We listen for what He wants to form in us.
Next steps for our whole church family
1) Define your fast with purpose
Choose what you will fast from and write down your "why."
"I want to become more attentive to God's presence."
"I need clarity in a place where I feel stuck."
"I want God to reshape my desires."
Let this purpose guide your prayer.
2) Turn hunger into prayer
When you feel physical hunger or reach for a comfort you've set aside, respond:
"God, I'm bringing this moment to You."
"Use this emptiness to form something deeper in me."
3) Listen for the next step of obedience
Fasting clears space to hear. Ask:
"Lord, is there something You're inviting me to trust You with?"
"Is there a step of obedience I've been avoiding?"
Write it down and ask for the strength to respond.
4) Let your fast create compassion
As Isaiah 58 reminds us, the fast God desires leads to mercy and justice. Ask God to increase your awareness of others.
"Who around me needs care today?"
"Where can I respond with generosity or attention?"
5) Intercede as you wait
Let fasting move you toward prayer for others. Write a short list of names and carry it with you.
Pray:
"God, move in their life in a way only You can."
"Give me faith to keep lifting them to You."
A prayer to carry all week
Father,
You know my limits.
You see what I laid down this week.
Shape me through this fast.
Help me hear Your voice and walk in Your will.
Satisfy me with Your presence.
In Jesus' name, amen.
As we enter this final week, remember that God meets those who surrender. He forms us in the quiet. He responds to hunger with presence, direction, and joy. Keep seeking Him. He is faithful.
Choose what you will fast from and write down your "why."
"I want to become more attentive to God's presence."
"I need clarity in a place where I feel stuck."
"I want God to reshape my desires."
Let this purpose guide your prayer.
2) Turn hunger into prayer
When you feel physical hunger or reach for a comfort you've set aside, respond:
"God, I'm bringing this moment to You."
"Use this emptiness to form something deeper in me."
3) Listen for the next step of obedience
Fasting clears space to hear. Ask:
"Lord, is there something You're inviting me to trust You with?"
"Is there a step of obedience I've been avoiding?"
Write it down and ask for the strength to respond.
4) Let your fast create compassion
As Isaiah 58 reminds us, the fast God desires leads to mercy and justice. Ask God to increase your awareness of others.
"Who around me needs care today?"
"Where can I respond with generosity or attention?"
5) Intercede as you wait
Let fasting move you toward prayer for others. Write a short list of names and carry it with you.
Pray:
"God, move in their life in a way only You can."
"Give me faith to keep lifting them to You."
A prayer to carry all week
Father,
You know my limits.
You see what I laid down this week.
Shape me through this fast.
Help me hear Your voice and walk in Your will.
Satisfy me with Your presence.
In Jesus' name, amen.
As we enter this final week, remember that God meets those who surrender. He forms us in the quiet. He responds to hunger with presence, direction, and joy. Keep seeking Him. He is faithful.
As we step into Week 2, we learn to depend on the One who satisfies.
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” These words, spoken during His own fast in the wilderness, invite us into a new way of living... one shaped by trust, not self-sufficiency.
We often try to push through life with our own strength. We carry burdens without asking for help. We fill the day with tasks but leave little room for rest in God. This week, we slow down and ask Him to teach us how to receive.
God does not ask for more effort. He invites us to lean on Him. He promises strength for the weary and satisfaction for the soul that seeks Him. As we return to His Word each day, we learn to live by what He provides.
What we are praying this week
Each day, we bring this prayer to God:
“Lord, teach me to depend on You and live by Your Word.”
We ask Him to show us where we have relied on our own effort. And we welcome His presence as our strength.
“Lord, teach me to depend on You and live by Your Word.”
We ask Him to show us where we have relied on our own effort. And we welcome His presence as our strength.
Next steps for our whole church family
1) Speak honestly with God about your limits
Dependence starts when we stop pretending we can do it all.
Say:
Dependence starts when we stop pretending we can do it all.
Say:
- “Lord, I feel stretched and tired.”
- “Here is where I keep trying to carry too much.”
- “I need You to lead me here.”
2) Read Scripture as nourishment, not just information
This week, approach God’s Word like a meal.
This week, approach God’s Word like a meal.
- Sit with one passage.
- Read slowly and without hurry.
- Write down a phrase that speaks to you.
- Let God feed your heart with what is true.
3) Respond to pressure with prayer
When tension rises or weariness sets in, pause and pray.
When tension rises or weariness sets in, pause and pray.
- “Father, give me what I need in this moment.”
- “Be my portion right here.”
- These short prayers build a rhythm of trust.
4) Invite dependence into your home
Ask questions that turn conversations into moments of faith:
“Where do you need God’s help today?”
“What feels uncertain or heavy?”
Then pray with one another:
Ask questions that turn conversations into moments of faith:
“Where do you need God’s help today?”
“What feels uncertain or heavy?”
Then pray with one another:
- Children: “God, help me lean on You.”
- Students: “Jesus, guide me today.”
- Adults: “Lord, I receive strength from You.”
- Seniors: “You are my peace and provider.”
5) Arrive expectant and rested in God's care
As we gather this week, remember we come as a people learning to depend on God. We trust He will speak. We trust He will strengthen us. Come ready to receive.
A prayer to carry all week
Father,
You are my portion.
I want to live by every word that comes from You.
Teach me to rest in Your strength and walk in Your promises.
Give me joy in depending on You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
This week forms us. As we depend on God day by day, He leads us into deeper peace, steady strength, and lasting satisfaction. He knows what we need, and He loves to give
As we gather this week, remember we come as a people learning to depend on God. We trust He will speak. We trust He will strengthen us. Come ready to receive.
A prayer to carry all week
Father,
You are my portion.
I want to live by every word that comes from You.
Teach me to rest in Your strength and walk in Your promises.
Give me joy in depending on You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
This week forms us. As we depend on God day by day, He leads us into deeper peace, steady strength, and lasting satisfaction. He knows what we need, and He loves to give
As we begin Week 1, we start with honesty.
Psalm 42 gives us language for the human heart: “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” This is the voice of desire. It is the cry of someone who knows where life comes from and feels the need for God deep within.
That sets the direction for this week. Week 1 focuses on naming our hunger and asking God to awaken it where it has grown quiet or crowded out. Some of us feel that hunger clearly. Others feel distracted, weary, or unsure what we feel at all. Psalm 42 reminds us that thirst itself draws us toward God.
What we are praying this week
Each day, we come to God with a simple prayer:
“Lord, awaken my hunger for You.”
We also ask Him to show us what competes for our attention and affection. We do this with trust, knowing God reorders our loves with grace.
Next steps for our whole church family
1) Tell God the truth each day
Begin with honesty in prayer.
Begin with honesty in prayer.
- “God, this is what my soul feels like today.”
- “Here is what has my attention.”
- “Here is what I want to want.”
- Bring your real condition to God. Psalm 42 shows us that honest prayer opens the door to renewal.
2) Choose one daily practice
Keep your focus simple and consistent.
Keep your focus simple and consistent.
- Read Psalm 42:1–2 slowly each morning.
- Pray during your commute or walk.
- Set a daily reminder to pray, “Jesus, awaken my hunger for You.”
- Turn one ordinary moment each day into a prayer moment.
- Small spiritual disciplines create space for God to work deeply to transform us.
3) Pause and pray when you feel empty
Pay attention to moments when you feel restless, bored, anxious, or tired. Let those moments prompt prayer.
- “Lord, meet me here.”
- “Jesus, feed my soul.”
- These pauses train our hearts to turn toward God throughout the day.
4) Pray together at home
Create a simple rhythm of prayer with those you live with.
Ask:
Create a simple rhythm of prayer with those you live with.
Ask:
- “What are you thankful for today?”
- “What do you need God’s help with?”
- Pray one short sentence each:
- Children: “Jesus, help my heart love You.”
- Students: “God, help me want what is right.”
- Adults: “Lord, awaken my hunger for You.”
- Seniors: “God, be my portion and my strength.”
5) Gather with expectation
Come to church ready to seek God together. Bring your hunger, your weariness, and your questions. God draws near to those who come to Him with open hearts.
A prayer to carry all week
Father, awaken my hunger for You.
Break through anything that dulls my desire for Your presence.
Teach me to come to You first.
Satisfy me with Yourself.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Break through anything that dulls my desire for Your presence.
Teach me to come to You first.
Satisfy me with Yourself.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
As we begin these 21 days, we trust God to do what only He can do. He meets us where we are, and He faithfully satisfies those who seek Him.