Listen to the whole sermon on fasting HERE [at 39:30]
This week, our church is entering a time of Prayer & Fasting—something we do every January and September to set aside space to seek God in a focused way. We’re encouraging our community to participate, but I want to extend the invitation to you as well! If you’d like to join us, you can download the 1-week Prayer & Fasting Journal (available in English and Spanish), which includes daily devotionals, scripture, and prayer points to guide you.
So why fasting? Fasting is not about dieting, punishing ourselves, or trying to earn God’s approval. Instead, fasting is about making space—setting aside one appetite so our spiritual appetite can truly feast. Hunger pangs or missed routines become reminders to turn our hearts back to God.
Fasting is depriving one appetite to feed another appetite.
And true fasting always leads to transformation. It draws us into God’s presence, softens our hearts toward others, and frees us to live more like Jesus.
Here’s the image God gave me as I prayed for this week: a huge banquet table overflowing with delicious things. Scripture, prayer, worship, fellowship—all of it is laid out before us. But more than the meal itself, the reward is the One sitting across the table.
The purpose of a spiritual meal is not to consume but to commune.
Whether you’ve fasted before or this is brand new, you’re invited. God has made Himself “findable,” and as we seek Him, He promises we will encounter Him!
Audrey Wells 