Prayer & fasting

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

My wife would say I’m a good “gift-giver”, but she would also say that I have terrible timing for giving them. I tend to get overly excited and give my gifts too early. Most of the time, it takes away from the gift.

I’m glad God is not like me! His timing is always perfect. We may have a hard time being patient for a result or His plan, but let’s look at what the Word says:

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 ESV, emphasis added).

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

As we go through these next 20 days, let’s remember that God’s plan and timing for us are always good and perfect. Trust in His unfailing love and plan for you!

PRAY

LORD, help me to trust in Your timing in all areas of my life. Give me the wisdom and faith to remember that You work all things together for the good in my life. Please work patience in me as I learn to sit and wait on You.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

When Job experienced unimaginable suffering, three of his friends heard what had happened and traveled to be with him. When they saw him, they wept, tore their clothes, and then did something surprisingly simple: they sat with him. For seven days and seven nights, they said nothing because they could see how deeply he was suffering (Job 2:11–13).

Later in the story, Job’s friends get a lot wrong. They try to explain his suffering through their own human reasoning and eventually become what Job calls “miserable comforters.” But before all the explanations and bad advice, they actually got something right: they showed up. They entered into Job’s suffering and helped him carry the weight simply by being present.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” (Rom. 12:15)

Sometimes carrying another person’s burden does not require having the right answer. We don’t always need to understand what someone is going through or know how to fix it. Sometimes we simply need to be willing to enter into their pain and walk alongside them.

Ultimately, this reflects Jesus’ heart. Christ did not remain distant from us in our brokenness. He entered into our world, took on flesh, and carried a burden we could never carry ourselves. At the cross, Jesus bore our sin and accomplished for us what we could never accomplish on our own. As His followers, we are called to reflect that same self-giving love by carrying others’ burdens.

During these 21 days, fasting should not only cause us to look inward; it should also make us more attentive to the people God has placed around us. Who in your life is carrying something heavy right now? Instead of only asking God to meet your needs during this fast, ask Him to show you whose burden you can help carry. Maybe you don’t need the perfect words. Maybe you simply need to show up.

“Let no one seek his own good, but that of the other person.” Psalm 27:14

As a kid, I struggled to share with others. It was hard for me to share my toys, and I often got jealous of what other kids had that I didn’t. If one of my siblings had one of my toys, I would yell, “Hey! That’s mine! Give it back!” I would snatch the toy back, whether I was using it or needed it in that moment. Maybe you’re like me, and you have shared this reality that reveals how the flesh looks out for our own needs and our own happiness. It isn’t natural for us to put others first; it’s part of the human condition and our sinful nature.

“For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.” (Gal. 5:17)

Jesus reveals a way of living through His sacrifice on the cross. He came to earth as a lowly, humble servant and died in our place. Jesus, God in the flesh, showed selflessness rather than selfishness. He did not focus on Himself when Satan offered the world without the cross; He looked at us and our need for salvation. His selflessness and love for us led Him to death on the cross so that we can have salvation in Him. Jesus willingly gave up His life so we may be forgiven our sins and be granted eternal life.

The gospel compels us to be selfless and generous to others. It invites us to go from “give me, give me” to “how can I give?” Christ’s sacrifice helps us see others as more important than ourselves and to consider their interests instead of our own gain. The more we look to Christ and reside in the Word of God, the more our selfishness will fade.

PRAY

LORD, how can I serve others? What could I be holding onto that is preventing me from being useful to my fellow brothers and sisters? Teach me to be more like You.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God.” Romans 1:1

I read this somewhere: “to be set apart,” but I couldn’t remember where. As it turns out, I was reading Romans, and there it was: Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and “set apart” for the gospel of God.

As Christians, God calls us to be set apart, but he does not force us to be; our unwavering faith and obedience to Him and His Word make us that way. To be set apart for the Gospel, we have to be submerged in God’s Word every day; we must pray constantly, be bold in our faith, not only inside the church where we are safe from ridicule, but outside the church, in our homes, with our spouse, with our children, in our community; praying for complete strangers and not living in fear of rejection or mockery for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. As believers set apart for the gospel, we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. As God’s disciples, we go against the world’s current, and we must put on the armor of God every day to survive and accomplish the mission God has laid before us.

The world around us is brutal, but what a blessing it is to be called by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, to be set apart for the gospel (no calling is greater than being elected to spread the good news of Jesus Christ).

When God speaks to our hearts and we listen, He equips us, and we receive our marching orders to fulfill his will, making us battle-ready soldiers in God’s great Army.

So, let’s follow Jesus intimately; let’s be doers of God’s Word, not hearers only; and let’s fan the flame the Lord blessed us with. Let’s be Bold in our faith and in our words to those whom God has set before us, and be faithful soldiers of Christ. Let’s be set apart!

“Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief!’” Mark 9:24

Grief, loss, disappointment, and seasons of spiritual doubt are a natural part of life, even in our walk with God. When we experience broken relationships, unanswered prayers, lost dreams, or the pain of losing someone we love, it can be tempting to isolate ourselves or question where God is. But Scripture reminds us that God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and Jesus Himself wept in the midst of loss (John 11:35). We don’t have to hide our pain or pretend to have it all together; we can bring our honest questions, doubts, and sorrow to God, just as the father in Mark 9:24 did.

Even in our weakness, His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). God also gives us the gift of community—people who can pray with us, encourage us, carry our burdens, and simply sit with us in our sorrow (Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15). Healing is a journey, and we don’t have to rush it. As we fast and seek God, may we remember that we are never alone. God is with us, strengthening and helping us even when we cannot see what He is doing.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” (Is. 41:10)

Today, choose to lean into His presence and allow trusted people to walk alongside you.

PRAY

LORD, thank You for keeping me and for holding me in Your mighty hand. Thank You for those You have placed in my life to help guide me back to You. I love You and praise You.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” John 15:5b

Jesus doesn’t call us to simply visit Him; He calls us to abide in Him.

A branch doesn’t have to struggle to bear fruit on its own. It doesn’t produce life. It doesn’t work independently of the vine. Its job is to stay connected. The vine's life flows into the branch, and fruit naturally follows.

That is such a powerful image of our relationship with Christ.

During this fast, we can become focused on what we’re asking God to change, what we’re asking Him to provide, or what we’re hoping He will reveal. Those things matter. But Jesus brings our attention back to something even more important: remain in Me.

Fasting isn’t about trying to convince God to move. It is about creating space in our lives to recognize that we need Him.

The goal of this fast isn’t simply to make it through 21 days. The goal is to become more deeply rooted in Jesus. And when we abide in Him, fruit begins to appear, not because we’re trying harder to produce it, but because we’re connected to the One who produces it through us.

PRAY

LORD, help me to abide in Christ. Teach me not to depend upon my own strength, understanding, or ability, but to remain connected to Jesus every day. During this fast, draw me closer to You. Remove what distracts me, quiet what competes for my attention, and make my heart hungry for Your presence. Let the life of Christ produce fruit in me that brings You glory.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“The whole earth will worship you and sing praise to you. They will sing praise to your name.” Selah Psalm 66:4

When you picture worship, what do you see? I see the heavenly scene in Revelation 4:8, where angels surround the throne and praise, "Holy, Holy, Holy," day and night. A heart of worship simply longs to join that eternal song.

Worship was never meant to depend on dim lights, perfect sound mixes, or flawless media production. It’s not about the atmosphere we create, but the God we praise. It is our raw, unashamed gratitude to the One who rescued us from death, brought us back to life, and freed us to rejoice.

Worship isn't confined to a Sunday service. It happens while you work, when you're resting at home, as you open the Scriptures, or in moments of quiet communion with God.

“Day and night they never stop, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come.” (Rev. 4:8)

Today, as we fast, let's strip away every distraction and offer Him intentional, heartfelt worship.

PRAY

LORD, thank You for dying on the cross for me. You are a good Father who delights in my worship. Holy Spirit, I invite You into this time to move as You please. Silence every distraction in my mind and fill me with joy as I praise You today.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.” Ephesians 6:10

Have you ever found yourself going through the day carrying something? Maybe it’s been more than one day. Maybe it’s been a month—or even longer.

Even if you get time off, do you still not feel fully rested? We carry burdens for many reasons: physical fatigue, grief, stress, unmet expectations, doubt in God’s plan or timing, and sometimes simply trying to overcome them in our own strength. Over time, these burdens can become overwhelming and even defeat us for a time.

But God has something different in store for us. God wants us to take His yoke. God wants us to learn from Him. God wants us to rely on His power. And God wants us to find rest in Him—even while carrying what He has called us to carry.

It may seem strange: finding rest in a burden? But that’s exactly what Jesus tells us:

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:28–30)

Jesus doesn’t simply tell us to try harder or carry our burdens by ourselves. He invites us to come to Him.

So remember today: if your burden feels heavy, find your rest in the Lord. Maybe it’s time to exchange your heavy burden for the lighter burden God has called you to carry.

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

The first recorded words of God in the Bible are among the most familiar in all of Scripture: “Let there be light.” Most Christians would see that and think of the creation story, when God created light in Genesis 1:3. But what if I told you they’re packed with significance beyond their brevity? Let’s see what Paul says.

We’ll look at his second letter to the church in Corinth.

“The god of this age has blinded unbelievers to keep them from the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4)

This blows me away. Paul has taken the very first recorded words God spoke and has read out of them the revelation of God in Jesus Christ (v. 6); he’s read out of them the active work of God to bring us to faith, and he’s read out of them how God has shown us the light of who He is through Jesus Christ.

As we continue through this fast, let’s use this time of denying ourselves to turn our attention more fully toward Christ, asking God to shine His light into our hearts so that we may see His glory more clearly in the face of Jesus Christ.

“Not to us, O Yahweh, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.” Psalm 115:1

Have you ever been in a room with a prideful person? A prideful person can suck the air out of the room and lead others to feel uncomfortable or frustrated. Bringing accomplishments back to oneself can feel unpleasant, but it may also be something we are unaware of. Pride is a sneaky sin because it can be hard to recognize when we are showing it. Even when it's hard to recognize our own pride, we must stay mindful of its tendency in our lives as believers. Jesus calls us to live a life of humility in what we say and do.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”(Eph. 2:10)

Jesus calls us to live humbly and sets the ultimate example. He washed his disciples' feet. He, God in the flesh, came down to earth as a poor and lowly human. He chose to take on the death that we all deserved. He died for each one of us, and we are called to die to self and live humbly as He did.

PRAY

LORD, humble our hearts. Thank you for the gifts that You have given us. We pray that You remind us that this life is not about us, but about You and You alone. Guide us in the way of humility, the humility that You lived here on earth.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, dedicate yourselves to the LORD, and worship only him.” 1 Samuel 7:3

For twenty years, Israel lived under Philistine oppression while the worship of false gods crept into their lives. They knew the LORD. They had seen His faithfulness. Yet somewhere along the way, familiarity bred complacency, and the things of the world began competing for their hearts.

Then something changed. Scripture tells us that Israel began to long for the LORD. But Samuel challenged them, saying that longing alone was not enough. If they were truly returning to God, something had to change. They needed to put away their idols, dedicate themselves to the LORD, and worship Him alone. Biblical repentance is more than feeling sorry or wanting things to be different. It involves turning away from what has taken God’s place and returning to Him with our whole heart.

Confess what needs to be confessed. Remove what needs to be removed. Surrender what needs to be surrendered. And above all, hear Samuel’s invitation: Return to the LORD with all your heart.

As Israel gathered before the LORD, they fasted, confessed their sin, and even poured out water before Him (1 Samuel 7:6). In a dry land, water was precious. Interestingly, people worshiped Baal as the god who supposedly controlled the rain. While Scripture does not tell us exactly what pouring out water meant, it gives us a beautiful picture of surrender: placing what is valuable before God and declaring our dependence on Him.

Maybe something has slowly taken a place in your heart that belongs to God. Fasting gives us an opportunity to quiet that distraction and seek the Lord again. Don’t merely give something up for 21 days. Ask God to search your heart.

What would it look like for you to “pour it out” before the Lord and trust Him with it completely?

“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

In Galatians 2:1–10, we see Paul and Barnabas faithfully following God’s calling without seeking recognition or approval from people. Paul stood boldly for the truth of the gospel, refusing to compromise the freedom we have in Christ, while Barnabas served alongside him with humility and support. Their example reminds us that:

Faithfulness doesn’t always look like being in the spotlight; sometimes it means standing firmly for truth, and sometimes it means quietly encouraging and supporting someone else.

Paul also reminds them to remember the poor, showing us that faithfulness to the gospel is expressed not only in what we say but also in how we love and serve others.

During this fast, ask God to help you choose faithfulness over recognition, obedience over approval, and service over self-promotion.

PRAY

LORD, teach me to serve with a willing heart. Where pride may try to take root, may Your Spirit bring humility and help me grow in selflessness. Make me a humble and gentle servant.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. Nehemiah 4:14a

In Nehemiah 4:16, we see the people rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. But they weren’t just building. They built with one hand and held a weapon in the other. They understood something we need to understand today: If God is building something, the enemy will try to tear it down. Jesus said it clearly:

“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (Jn. 10:10)

The enemy would love to break down our walls — our marriages, families, businesses, and churches. Most of all, he wants to weaken our relationship with the Lord. So what do we do?

We build our faith — and we hold onto the Word. Like the workers in Jerusalem, we can’t afford to do either without the other. Building faith without the Word leaves us vulnerable. Holding the Word without building leads to stagnation. It’s both. We build by praying. We build by obeying. We build by choosing faithfulness in the small things. And we hold onto the Word — tightly. It steadies us when pressure rises. It reminds us who we belong to. It guards our hearts and shapes our decisions.

But here’s the honest part: To build with one hand and hold the Word in the other, we may have to let go of something.

We can’t build if our hands are full of distractions. We can’t hold fast to Scripture if we’re gripping compromise. We can’t strengthen our faith if our attention is divided.

What do we need to release today? Because building faith and holding onto the Word go hand in hand.

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Fasting creates space to quiet the noise, turn our attention toward God, and bring our hearts into greater surrender to Him. We don’t fast to convince God to do something for us. We are fasting because we want to draw closer to Him and become more sensitive to His voice, His direction, and His will.

One of the enemy’s greatest lies is, “You have to carry this yourself.”

Paul reminds us that every burden has a destination: God's throne.

Some situations call us to pray on something, bringing it before God for wisdom and direction. Some seasons call us to pray over someone, covering our family, our church, our brothers, and even our enemies in prayer. And then there are valleys where we must pray through the struggle, refusing to quit until we see God move or until He changes us in the waiting. Jesus Himself modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane. He didn’t avoid the pressure; He prayed through it. He wrestled honestly with the Father, surrendered completely to His will, and walked out of that garden with peace before He ever reached the cross.

Men and women of God aren’t marked by having fewer battles. They’re marked by knowing where to take them.

Whatever you’re facing today, don’t just think about it. Don’t just talk about it. Don’t just worry about it.

Pray on it. Pray over it. Pray through it.

Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4:31-32

I don't actually enjoy running, but I do like free donuts. So occasionally I cart my family off to the local 'Donut Run' to endure a moment of torture for a few $1.70 donuts. Sounds fun, right?

3 miles completed, filled with accomplishment but drenched in sweat... we were eager to get ourselves and our stuff into the SUV. The Phoenix sun wasn't the only thing running hot that morning. Fun fact: using the remote to open the hatch and loading the stuff first typically fails to unlock the car. This meant everyone else had to wait instead of climbing into the air-conditioned car. Poorly communicated expectations and frustration set in as I angrily yelled, "Can't you see I'm trying to load the car?! Just wait!" Not cool. As we headed off to our next adventure, I stubbornly realized I needed to apologize and make things right.

What does a genuine apology actually look like?

1. Expressing Regret: Acknowledge the specific pain and hurt caused. Example: "I am truly sorry for speaking to you that way." Own it and be specific. This matters with others, but even more with God. Specific ownership is a gateway to freedom. This practice will revolutionize your relationships. (Col. 3:13) 2. Accepting Responsibility: True responsibility means letting go of the need to be "right" and owning the sharp words or actions. (Proverbs 28:13) 3. Making Restitution: Find a way to make amends and right the wrong. This is about a changed heart. (Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8-10 is a great example.) 4. Genuinely Repenting: Turn away from destructive patterns and set an action plan to change how you handle stress, frustration, anger, or other emotions. (Psalm 51:17) 5. Requesting Forgiveness: Humbly ask for restoration without demanding it, recognizing that true forgiveness is a gift. (Psalm 32:5, Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 1:9)

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

Sometimes life can get distracting. Our focus can shift away from what really matters. This is why I love dwelling on Heaven and the promise of life after death. It helps me refocus on what God has called me to do. Our time on this earth is short and fleeting. Being heavenly minded gives us urgency to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. It gives us a perspective that goes beyond what we can see here and now.

Here are some truths that can comfort us and ground us in this heavenly mindset:

1. Heaven is a real place, and it is where we belong.

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 3:20)

2. Jesus said He would go and prepare a place for us.

“Don’t let your heart be troubled…If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3

3. Heaven is a place of joy and peace, where there will be no more death or tears.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” Rev. 21:1-4

4. We will recognize those who have gone before us. — Matthew 17:1–4

“…Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them and talked with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’”

So as we look forward to Heaven, let’s remember the people around us who still need to hear about Jesus. Share the gospel with someone today.

“Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. Hebrews 1:8

Have you ever tried to sit in a seat that wasn't yours?

It may be difficult to admit, but pride is a struggle for all of us. Deep down, pride whispers the same lie that led to Lucifer's fall: "I want the throne." We may never say those words out loud, but when we insist on our way over God's way, we're making ourselves king.

Jonah is a powerful picture of where pride leads. As he ran from God, everything went down. He went down to Joppa, down into the ship, down into the depths of the sea, and down into the belly of the fish. Sin always takes us farther than we intended to go, and it always comes with a cost. Jonah even paid a fare to run from God. Pride promises elevation, but it always leads downward. Humility, however, takes the opposite path.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time." (1 Pt. 5:6)

The throne of your life was never meant for you. There is only One who wears the crown. When we step down from the throne and surrender it to Jesus, we discover the freedom, peace, and purpose that come from letting the true King reign.

PRAY

LORD, You are forever on the throne. No matter what happens today, I will say, “God is so good.” Help me to remember that I must decrease, and You must increase.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

As we go about each day, do we have a hunger, a thirst, or a desire to seek God in everything we do? Or do we just walk through life aimlessly, empty, waiting for Jesus to return?

Are we chasing after what the world provides, in hope that it will help us get through life and achieve what we want?

God actively fills those who seek and hunger for Him (Matt. 5:6)—yet the enemy wants us to hunger and thirst for sin. Sin fills our lives with distractions, worldly achievement, and despair. It alters our appetite so we no longer know what it means to crave or long for intimacy with God.

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (Jn. 6:35)

We can seek the world for bread that will never satisfy or fulfill us—or we can seek Jesus, the bread of life, an eternal solution that will never fade away.

In the times we now find ourselves living in, we have an urgent need to share the living bread and water with everyone, to reveal Jesus Christ and the eternal salvation they too can receive in their lives and what it means for them.

As we live out our faith today, let us keep seeking Jesus. Only then will we find what we are looking for. Let’s be hungry for Jesus today.

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

I remember years back when we went to San Diego for our family vacation. Like any normal people living in Arizona, the first thing we wanted to do was go to the beach and “hit some waves.” My father-in-law and I set out from where we camped at the beach out into the ocean. We spent about an hour swimming and riding the waves. We had so much fun, not worrying about anything but each other in the ocean. As we made our way back to shore, we expected to walk straight back up to where the rest of our family was. To our surprise, we had drifted nearly a mile from our family.

Isn’t it crazy to think that when we’re not intentionally fighting the current, we end up drifting? The same thing can happen in our faith and our trust in Jesus. If we don’t keep fighting the current of this world and going against it, we drift spiritually. We start to make compromises, and then, little by little, we end up in a place we didn’t want or expect to be in!

Brothers and sisters, as we go through this fast, let’s remind ourselves daily to keep our minds on Christ. Now let us look to the Bible to see what it tells us to do:

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Let us not drift like crazy Arizonans at the beach, but let us fight the world's current with God’s word in our hearts, seeking Him daily to pursue the holiness and righteousness only He (Jesus) can give us!

“Then Samson called to the LORD: ‘Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, God, just once more.’” Judges 16:28

Samson was set apart for the Lord before he was even born. God gave him an incredible calling, empowered him by His Spirit, and used him to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines. Yet Samson continually played with compromise. Little by little, he allowed his desires, pride, and sin to pull him away from the life God had called him to live.

By Judges 16, Samson seems convinced he can stay close to the edge without falling over. Delilah repeatedly asks about the source of his strength, and each time, Samson inches closer to revealing the truth. Eventually, he gives it all away. Scripture then records one of the saddest statements in Samson’s story: “He did not know that the LORD had left him.”

Compromise often works that way. It does not always come through a massive act of rebellion. Sometimes it happens slowly. We become comfortable with what we once resisted. Conviction grows quieter. Prayer becomes less important. Before long, we can find ourselves much farther from the Lord than we ever intended to be. But Samson’s story does not end there.

Broken, blinded, and humiliated, Samson finally cries out, “Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, God, just once more.” The man who had spent so much of his life relying on himself finally recognized where his strength had always come from. In his weakness, he turned back to the Lord. As we fast together, we have an opportunity to examine where we have become spiritually comfortable. Fasting reminds us that we are dependent on God. It removes something we regularly reach for and creates space for us to reach for Him instead.

During these past 19 days, where have you been relying on yourself instead of the Lord? Is there an area where compromise has slowly become comfortable? Ask the Lord to expose it, surrender it to Him, and let Samson’s prayer become the cry of your own heart: “Strengthen me once more!”

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3

When I wake up, I hope the enemy takes notice. I hope the only time they rejoice is at my departure—but may that joy be short-lived because of the lasting legacy I leave behind. I hope they say, “Oh, no…there’s more.” The gates of hell will not prevail (Matt. 16:18).

Don’t try to fight in the dark. That’s the devil’s playground. Bring everything into the light because that’s where the victory is already won.

If we belong to Jesus, we are not on vacation—we are in a war. This is not a battle against people (Eph. 6). It’s a battle against sin, compromise, fear, pride, shame, and the enemy’s lies. And the enemy is not threatened by passive faith. He is threatened by believers who are rooted in truth, consistent in prayer, and willing to carry the presence of God into dark places. That is when ground is taken. So how do we live like ready soldiers?

• We pray with boldness. Not safe prayers, but surrendered ones that align with God’s will. • We train in the Word. Scripture is not optional—it is our weapon. • We walk in integrity. Every time we choose obedience over compromise, we take ground. • We advance the mission. We speak life, serve others, and share the gospel. • And above all, we stay submitted to our Commander.

The question isn’t whether we believe in Jesus—it's whether we are living like soldiers. When we do, darkness doesn’t just notice—it retreats.