21 Days of Prayer & Fastingਨਮੂਨਾ

A Deep Hunger for God

As we kick off another year, I believe there is nothing more important we can do as a church family than prayer and fasting. Why? Not so we can see change around us, although prayer and fasting change things. Not so we can see breakthrough in our lives, although prayer and fasting open doors only God can open. Not so we can receive supernatural provision, although prayer and fasting position our hearts for more of God’s blessings. Not so we can see healing, although prayer and fasting transform our faith for miracles.

We pray and fast because we want more of God. We want to hunger for Him. That’s it. There is one thing we need more of in life, and that’s Jesus.

Prayer and fasting don’t draw God closer to us, He can’t get any closer. But they bring us closer to Him. Better yet, they make us more aware of how close He has always been. The longer we go without prayer and fasting, the more we lose our appetite for the things of God, all while increasing our appetite for the flesh.

Psalm 37 reminds us that God is a good Father who gives us the desires of our hearts. But before we take that verse out of context, notice the call to action first: “Take delight in the Lord.” When we delight in His presence, His Word, and His ways, our hearts begin to desire what He desires. And when our desires reflect His, He never fails to give to His children. The glorious result is a hunger for God, an appetite for more of Him.

Reflection Questions:

• Do I desire to read the Word of God?
• Do I have an appetite for His presence in prayer?
• What have I been taking delight in?

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You. I need You. Please help me. I don’t want to go another year without You having full access to my heart. I surrender again to Your ways. I repent of any desire that sins against You. Search my heart and wash me clean. As I ask for Your desires, fill me with a hunger for You. With the fire of Your Holy Spirit, help me desire what You desire, hate what You hate, and love what You love. More of You and less of me. This year, I don’t want more stuff, I want more Jesus. Amen.