Daniel Fast - Awakening to His RealitySample

“But Martha was distracted with much serving.” Luke 10:40a (ESV)

Intentions, Visitation, and Discerning What Is Best.

What do we do when Jesus visits us?
As we enter these 21 days of prayer and fasting, hold this question close to your heart.

Luke 10:38–42 describes Jesus visiting the village of Martha. Martha, full of good intentions, welcomes Him into her home. She is sincere, well-meaning, and eager to be a good host. We can easily imagine the effort she puts in—cooking, sweeping, washing His feet, offering a drink, making sure every detail is perfect.

But her sister Mary responds differently. Though she is also at home, she simply sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to His words. Both sisters are hosting Jesus, but they are offering entirely different things. Martha offers what she can do. Mary offers who she is—her ear, her attention, her whole being. The contrast is striking: Martha is distracted; Mary is available.

It is significant that this narrative comes immediately after The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). In that passage, Jesus highlights two commandments:

• Love the Lord your God with all your heart
• Love your neighbor as yourself (v. 27)

By this standard, Martha’s actions make sense. She is doing everything possible to love and serve her Guest—her neighbor. Yet Jesus gently points out that while Martha’s intentions are good, there is a better part: to love God with all of her being.

This is not a criticism of Martha. Instead, it shows that even with sincere intentions, we can miss what Jesus truly desires—our priorities aligned with Him.

Martha eventually discovers that when priorities are misaligned, serving becomes a burden, and even those we love can start to feel like interruptions. This is not what Jesus wants for us. He desires that we draw close to Him, listen to Him, and be restored by Him. Only He gives the living water that sustains us so we can run and not grow weary. He is our true source of strength and motivation.

As you begin this season of prayer and fasting, remember the guiding question: “What do you do when Jesus visits?”

This passage offers the answer: Like Mary, stop—and make yourself available to hear the Master. It is in His presence that we discover His will, find clarity, receive strength, and bear lasting fruit. From time with Jesus flows joy instead of frustration, peace instead of pressure, and healthy relationships instead of strained ones.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to be aware of Your presence and to respond rightly to You.

Quiet my heart and help me set aside every distraction. Teach me to order my priorities well.

Help me to choose the better part—to sit at Your feet, to listen to Your voice, and to be refreshed in Your presence.

As I draw near to You, let my service flow out of love, and protect me from frustration. Today and always, I make myself available to You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What distractions do you need to set aside so you can be fully available—sitting at the feet of Jesus and discerning the times?

2. Simplicity is not an easy task. In some cultures, it may even feel impossible. Yet Jesus longs for our undivided attention. Take time to name the challenges you need to simplify in your life and ministry: