We are so excited about what the Lord is going to do in us and through us during this time. I am so glad that you are seeking after the Lord together as His church. I wrote a brief description of fasting for your spiritual growth.

Fasting is a grace given to us by God. We fast to draw near to the Lord and experience Him more deeply. We fast for breakthrough. We fast in times when we need the Lord to move powerfully. Fasting is like prayer on steroids. It focuses our hearts and is a way to humble ourselves before the Lord. Jesus tells us not to seek approval or make it self-centered. What we see throughout the Bible is individuals fasting but also whole communities and churches fasting and praying together.

Jesus also told us that man does not live on bread alone but on every Word from the mouth of God. I encourage you to read the Word and pray over your normal meal times. Pray for the Lord to move in the hearts and minds of our church. Pray for the gospel to spread in our community. Below you will see some different types of fasting and tips.

24 hour fast

Eat dinner and then the next day go without food until sundown.

Whole day fast

Wake up and go the whole day without food until the next morning. It is about 36 hours in total.

Partial fast

Usually for a long period of time such as in Daniel 10. Daniel spent three weeks fasting in prayer and ate sparingly with a simple diet.

You might be tempted to abandon your fast. Jesus was when He fasted for 40 days, so don’t be surprised. You could get a little tired or grumpy. The Lord is growing you through those moments as you depend on Him and seek after Him.

If you have health restrictions that could harm you, like diabetes or you are a woman who is pregnant, it would not be wise for you to fast from food. There are other things to fast from than food as well, such as TV, social media, your phone, etc. The Scriptures even give us an example of couples fasting from normal sexual relations in the context of marriage to focus on prayer for a time (1 Corinthians 7:5).

Sign up for fasting here

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Prayer is an incredible gift that the Lord has given to us. It has the power to transform not only our lives but our world. The early church was born from prayer. After Jesus ascended to heaven, Acts 1:14 reports that the disciples “were devoting themselves to prayer.” and this went on for ten days before the arrival of the Holy Spirit. These followers of Jesus prayed for 10 days and 3,000 people were saved (Acts 2). Today very few followers of Jesus embrace this awesome gift of prayer. Through prayer, we can commune with God, seek after Him, and bring our requests before Him. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). The Lord wants you to know this incredible gift and power that He has given to us. One of most influential men to ever live, Billy Graham, once said, “Sometimes I’m asked to list the most important steps in preparing for an event and my reply is always the same: Prayer, prayer, prayer…Prayer undergirds everything. If there is no prayer, nothing works.”

PRAYER – Ask the Lord to bring renewal to our hearts, church and community. Pray that we would have a greater grasp of God’s power and love.

Matthew 6:17-18

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks directly to the heart of spiritual disciplines. Notice He doesn’t say, “if you fast,” but “when you fast.” Fasting, like prayer, is not optional for the believer—it is an expected part of our walk with God. Prayer is communion with the Father. It is where we bring our burdens, our joys, our confessions, and our praise. It is both speaking and listening. It is powerful, not because of our eloquence, but because of the One who hears. Fasting is a physical act with deep spiritual impact. It’s the discipline of denying ourselves something—often food—for a time, to seek God more intently. It reminds us that “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). When paired together, prayer and fasting become a spiritual catalyst. They quiet the noise, humble the heart, and create space for God to move. We see this throughout Scripture: Moses fasted 40 days and received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Daniel fasted and prayed for 21 days, and God gave him understanding (Daniel 10:2–3, 12). Jesus fasted before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:1–2). The early church fasted when appointing leaders and seeking direction (Acts 13:2–3).

PRAYER – Pray that this time of fasting and prayer will create time for us to be present in the presence of God.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

If you have ever moved a couch, you know that the job is hard to do by yourself. It’s much easier (on your body and on the house) if the job is shared with someone else. Jesus has watched more than a few people try to push through their lives on their own, trying to do it all by themselves. He knows how hard that is. So He invites all of us who are weary with those heavy burdens to come to Him, and He will give us rest from those burdens.

How? By taking up His yoke. The “yoke” was the wooden harness that farmers would place onto two oxen in order to control the oxen so that farm work could be done. Between those two oxen, there was one ox that would be the lead ox; that ox knew which direction to go, when to turn, and how fast (or slow) to walk. The second ox would be forced to go where that lead ox went; to turn when that lead ox turned; and to go as fast (or slow) as the lead ox. So by taking up Jesus’ yoke, we learn from Jesus; that’s because He is that “lead ox” in the yoke! Where He goes, we go. Where He turns, we turn. We don’t have to do anything else but follow what He does! That is why Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden light: it is because Jesus is in the lead!

​PRAYER – What are your heavy burdens today? Thank the Lord for taking those burdens and carrying them for you. Commit today to come to Jesus and to make His agenda for today, your agenda.

Colossians 3:1-2

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Whatever season of life we are in, there is no shortage of things to occupy our minds and demand our attention. Many of us are perpetually busy and consumed with the tasks and commitments of daily life. There are also significant issues such as health, relationships and security that occupy our minds. They can produce great concern, worry and even anxiety. Having an eternal perspective can help us navigate our lives and prioritize our concerns as we learn to more fully trust God. God’s word reminds us not to be anxious about anything, but let our requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:7) We have a loving Father that may not spare us from trials but WILL be with us in them. Paul tells us to fix our minds on the things of God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7-9). And Jesus himself gives us incredible words of encouragement; reminding us to keep our focus on the kingdom and assuring us that God will provide everything we need. (Matthew 6:25-34) While we must do our best to fulfill our roles on the earth, we don’t want the cares of this world to overwhelm us. We can trust our Lord with the big and the small things. God has a purpose and function for each one of us.

PRAYER – Pray that we would seek God’s priorities and that we would more readily see things in light of eternity as we learn to trust Him with everything in our lives. That He will help calm our anxieties and make us more effective in the work of the kingdom.

Hebrews 13:5

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

For many Christians, our walk with God and his son Jesus is characterized by periods where we encounter separation from God, in addition to times when we are renewed in spirit and experience a close intimate relationship with God and his Son. There are many reasons why we might encounter separation from God and Jesus. Betrayal, that we might experience in relationship with fellow Christians, whether it is real or perceived, is one possible reason and often is the catalyst that separates us from God. Betrayal, followed by the perception that we are abandoned by God and Jesus in the midst of betrayal, might ultimately lead to significant long-term separation from God. There are multiple examples of historical figures in the Bible that have experienced betrayal from surrounding family or friends. In retrospect, the betrayal that was experienced led to refinement of their spirit and a renewed relationship with God. A good example is Job (Job 6:15 and Job 19:13-14). Unsurprisingly, Christ provides us with the ultimate example of betrayal. We should take solace from the scriptures that Christ was betrayed and abandoned by two of his closest friends, Judas (Matthew 26: 14-16) and Peter (Luke 22:54-62), at a time in Jesus’ life where their support and friendship was needed the most. Moreover, at the Cross, Jesus displayed for us his momentary spiritual agony and abandonment when he cried out to God and asked him why he forsook him at his very hour of need (Matthew 27:46). Yet we know through the Scriptures that the betrayal and abandonment experienced by Jesus was ultimately refining him for the days following his death and resurrection (Acts 1-3).

PRAYER – That your experiences associated with betrayal and abandonment might serve to refine and ultimately renew your spirit and strengthen your relationship with God and his son Jesus. That daily prayer regarding your circumstance will renew and strengthen your relationship with God and Jesus.

Colossians 3:9-12

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Christ’s work on the cross has justified us and we are saved by grace through faith. This means there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. Our heart’s natural response to this gift should be a life lived for Him. Throughout the Bible, it is clear that those who are in Christ are called to walk according to His ways. As followers of Jesus, we are called out of passivity and into active pursuit of Him. While the heart-transforming process of sanctification is only possible through the Holy Spirit, Paul gives us a picture of our role. It involves taking off the old self (our sinful nature) and putting on the new. We are to yield ourselves to the Spirit’s work of transformation from the inside out. It is in this posture of surrender that we are most likely to be transformed by the Holy Spirit’s renewal of our minds.

PRAYER – That our God would make us people who want to walk in His ways, not because He’s forcing us to but as our hearts genuine response to the finished work on the cross. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we would become a little more like Jesus and a little less like us.

Hebrews 12:2

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

We often tend to come to church, small groups, Bible studies, and other church events thinking of ourselves and how we want God to renew us. We tend to forget that the focus shouldn’t be on us. We are not capable of renewing ourselves. Yes, we can go on a relaxing vacation, a beautiful hike, we can experience God’s creation and feel the fleeting feeling of renewal those things brings. We can forget that God creates true renewal. He is the one we need. We need him, we need his presence. We need his grace. We need his love. We need his strength and to trust him to do the work of renewal in our hearts that is long lasting. This involves drawing near to God in prayer to experience Him. We are to spend time each day in God’s word and allow that to be our source of renewal. We are to remember that Jesus finished our redemption at the cross and resurrection and He is faithful to complete the work in us. Today, take this moment to thank God for the work he completed on the cross. The finished work that allows us to know who He is and for the renewed life he gives.

PRAYER – Thank God for the ability to know Him. Thank Him for being made new and for His continued grace that allows us to change into His image and not our own. Thank Him for Jesus.

Psalm 19:1-2

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

Sometimes it’s just hard to connect with God. We can’t see Him, and we don’t typically hear Him directly speaking to us. Our daily lives are full of noise and distractions. We get to a point where we feel separated from Him. We need rejuvenated, we need renewed. One of my favorite things is to take a walk in the woods, especially along trails that lead me not only through the trees but along rivers and streams, next to lake shores, and into open fields. There are few things that bring me close to God like getting away from what constantly battles for my attention and spending time in the beauty of His creation. I love to take a deep breath, look all around and try to take it all in; from the vastness of the stars in the sky down to the exquisite detail in the closeup of a leaf, or a flower, or a handful of sand from the ground. From the largest expanse to the tiniest component, the patterns, colors, textures, fragrances, all of it lets us know that God is with us; the beauty in all the details reflect His love.

In the opening of Psalm 19, David marvels in the constant declaration of the Lord by His creation. It is a great reminder to us that God is everywhere. All of creation points to Him and there is no question of his eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20). The earth is full of His steadfast love (Psalms 119:64). In creation we can experience the love of Christ, the Word of God, through whom all things were created (Genesis 1, John 1:1-5). Everywhere we are we can take time to be in creation, to be in God’s presence, to be renewed by being with Him.

PRAYER – Take time to say, “Thank You, Lord, for the majesty of Your creation. Thank You that I can feel Your love, and know Your love, and understand that because I am part of Your creation, I am loved. Help me to remember to take a step back and be present with You and that anywhere I am, You are there with me. Refresh me, Lord, through Your beauty and in Your presence.”

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

In society today we feel we are entitled to or deserve, well, everything. A huge salary, a great car or house, the latest and greatest iPhone, a perfect spouse, model children, and fancy vacations. Teens also feel they are entitled to everything as well. Our society is all about self. Taking “selfies”, how many likes we get about us on Insta or Snap. Toddlers and babies can’t help but be selfish as they are not yet independent, and have tantrums to tell us they “deserve” attention, love, their needs met, etc. God has proven to us in his word over and over again we are undeserving, however when we accept Him into our heart, He forgives us from all unrighteousness regardless. He gives us grace and forgiveness over and over again. We are human and cannot help but struggle with sin. However, we must also remember to put aside our sin and “die to self” daily by seeking his holy spirit and asking for renewal in him. This means we put aside our earthly desires and spend time in his word and ask him to forgive our selfishness daily. Ask him to teach us to be selfless instead – and renewal of our mind will follow.

PRAYER – Lord, your word says you will never leave or forsake us, therefore we can be confident to always request your presence and ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, to create and renew in us a right spirit. Restore to us the joy of your salvation so we can tell others of your love as we abide in you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

We all appreciate a well-manicured garden filled with colorful flowers and free of weeds. If you’re a golfer, every April, during the Masters Tournament, we see the gorgeous azaleas at Augusta National displayed throughout the course on TV. I’ve heard it’s even more breathtaking in person. (This is something I hope to experience one day.) But beauty like that doesn’t come without effort. Even an hour in my personal garden beds at home leaves my knees and my back aching. Yet the results are always worth it. Our hearts are no different. Jesus, the Master Gardener, gracefully works in us through the Holy Spirit, pulling out the weeds of sin that distract us and keep us apart from Him. The process can be uncomfortable, but it’s always for our good. When we surrender and obey, He creates a life in us that reflects His beauty and draws us into deeper intimacy with Him.

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Gardener of my heart. Help me to trust You in the process of growth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Remove what doesn’t belong and plant in me the fruit of Your Spirit. Teach me to fix my eyes on You and walk closely with You each day. Amen.

Matthew 25:35-36

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.

In our busy world, it’s easy to miss opportunities to connect with strangers. Yet, busyness also brings countless chances to meet new people and reflect on who Jesus is. Whether at the office, the grocery store, or the gas station, I look forward to these everyday places because they give me the chance to engage with someone I don’t know. I’ve had incredible conversations in checkout lines and with cashiers, which often opened doors to pray for them sincerely and step into opportunities for service. As James reminds us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). In order to experience God, sometimes we need to step out in faith and watch Him work.

PRAYER – Father, open my eyes to see the people You’ve placed in my path today. Give me the words to speak, the compassion to pray with them, and the willingness to use the blessings You’ve given me to bless others. Thank You for reminding me that my true treasure is stored in heaven with You.

Matthew 25:1-4

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.

The days we live in are perilous. Jesus promises us that deception abounds in the last days. This Scripture urges us to see the absolute necessity of being watchful and prepared. The five wise virgins brought more oil than they could burn. They were also required to spontaneously trim their lamps when the announcement was made. It was not their first time. Possession of this oil requires it to be burned. In order to be watchful and prepared, regular maintenance to trim their lamps was required. It allows our light to shine brightly in the darkness. Daily diligence is required to keep our hearts focused on Christ.

We see some cautions with the foolish virgins on being unprepared. Their downfall was to be unprepared and also to believe that the oil can be bought. We often try to earn our relationship with God or think that we can somehow merit the grace of God. This is rubbish and should be trashed as such. We cannot earn a relationship with God, nor can we depend on life infused into us from another. Our relationship with God must be personal and it must be fresh. I urge you to meditate on the word of God daily and live your life in an abundance of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER – Thank God for His amazing love in Christ Jesus. Thank Him for the security that it gives and nothing can keep you from Him. Ask Him for greater faith to trust Him during trials.

Acts 5:41-42

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

The apostles had been called to “stand trial” for their preaching. They were close to being sentenced to death, but they were flogged and beaten instead. They were warned by the religious leaders to stop speaking about Jesus. Yet, rather than retreat in fear, they left with joy—rejoicing that they were worthy to suffer for Christ. Their response shows us that sharing the gospel is not simply an obligation but a privilege. Yes, a PRIVILEGE. When we tell others about Jesus, whether it’s welcomed or resisted, we are joining in the same mission Christ gave His first followers. Their joy should remind us that suffering or rejection is not a sign of failure but of faithfulness.

Notice also how they preached: day after day, in the temple courts, and from house to house. The apostles didn’t wait for people to come to them. They went out into the public spaces of their community and into the private homes of their neighbors. Their outreach was both bold and personal, proclaiming the gospel openly and sharing it relationally. This challenges us as a church today. We are not called to keep the message of Jesus within our walls, but to bring it into our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and homes—joyfully proclaiming that Jesus is Lord.

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of the apostles who rejoiced in serving You, even when it cost them greatly. Give us the same boldness and joy as we go into our community. Open our eyes to opportunities to share Your love with our neighbors. Help us to proclaim Your name in both public and personal ways so that many would come to know You as Savior and Lord, Amen!

2 Samuel 16:14

And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.

Way back in the day many of us remember renting movies from the local video store. Of course, when you rented movies the lingering thought was, “Am I going to be able to return this on time and avoid the late fee later this week?” Inevitably, the time came when the sight of video cases lying in the living room evoked a rush of annoyed panic through the part of your brain where headaches are born. In between a myriad of other tasks, you called the store to ask how late they’d be open so you could be sure to drop the videos off and avoid any penalties. To your delight, the squeaky teenager on the other end informed you that he could simply renew your rental for another three days, enjoy! What a relief we feel when things are renewed.

There’s a wonderful story recounted in 2 Samuel that may give us some insight into the deeper, spiritual renewal we’re desperate for. As King David and his men are fleeing Jerusalem, because of Absalom’s rebellion, a man named Shimei (who hated David) comes out hurling stones, dust and accusations at David. Abishai, one of David’s men, offers to “take care of the problem” (wink, wink). David resists and speaks these words, “Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. Maybe the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”

David’s heart was being changed. The exposure of his sin with Bathsheba, the resulting war waged against him by his son, the mercy of God in the midst of it all, it was affecting him. Even though he wasn’t guilty of the charges Shimei leveled against him, he knew he was guilty of worse. David was learning to leave the battle to the Lord, even when the outcome was uncertain. Eventually, in 2 Samuel 16:14 David experiences refreshment, or renewal, in the waters. Like King David, we need to refresh and renew ourselves in the water of God’s Word and in the presence of His Spirit.

PRAYER – Ask the Lord to bring renewal and refreshment to our lives, our church, and community.

Titus 3:3-5

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit

We all have a past filled with decisions. Some of those decisions may have been better than others. As you engage more deeply during these 21 days, consider how the Spirit of God renews and regenerates us. Not through our efforts, but simply by giving the burdens of our past to Him. Isaiah (40:31) refers to “waiting on the Lord” leading to fresh power and resilience. Paul, in Ephesians (4:22-24), writes about shedding a former self and embracing a new identity. This new identity is who God says you are. We live in a world filled with temptations to build our identity on a multitude of other things. God both fully knows and fully loves you. The only identity that is solid enough upon which to build your life is from the One who knows every detail about you and not only loves you anyway, by died so that you may live.

PRAYER – That you will remember and meditate on the identity God gave you, even if you have backslid recently. That you would use this time to recall how big and awesome God is, and how fully known and fully loved you are in Him.

Ephesians 4:2-3

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

We all have relationships that feel strained or broken at one time or another. Ephesians 4:3 says to “make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace”. So practically, how can we “make every effort” to move towards renewal in our relationships? The key to being able to make every effort is given right in the verse beforehand – we have to “be completely humble and gentle.” (Ephesians 4:2) This can seem impossible, right? But “what is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27). We don’t have within our own ability to be completely humble and gentle, but praise God that we know someone who “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Phillipians 2:7) Jesus is the perfect picture of humility. When we “take his yoke upon us and learn from him” (Matthew 11:29), we grow in our ability to keep a posture of humility toward those among us and work toward the renewal of our relationships.

PRAYER – That we humble ourselves completely before God and others and that He would move in mighty ways to bring renewal into our relationships.

Matthew 14:23

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone

We all have family and friends that are important in our lives. To cultivate and grow these relationships, we spend one on one time with the people that we care about. Our relationship with God is not different. In fact, God should be the person we seek first and most often. Jesus continually throughout His ministry sought quiet places to pray in solitude (Matthew 1:35, Luke 6:12). Jesus was refreshed and renewed by spending time with God. This was a priority for Jesus and should be a priority for each of us (Matthew 6:6, Romans 12:12). We should view this time as a necessity; not as an obligation or check the box exercise. Take this time to focus on simply being present in God’s presence.

PRAYER – That this time of prayer will renew and refresh your spirit. That you will grow closer to God. That these 21 days will ignite a desire within you to continue a steadfast prayer life.

Colossians 1:13-14

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

What is redemption? The word means “to buy back.” It is illustrated in the story of a boy whose favorite toy was a toy sailboat, and was busy playing with it in a stream near his house out in the countryside. The current was surprisingly strong that day, and the boat was carried away from the boy. He chased it along the bank of the stream, but the current was too swift, and the boat was lost. A few days later, the boy was in town, and went into his favorite toy store. Much to his surprise, he saw that his boat was on a display shelf, with a price tag on it marking as being for sale. He tried to explain to the store owner that the boat was his, that he lost it, and that he wanted it back, but the owner refused. Determined to obtain the boat, the boy hurried home and emptied his piggy bank of all of his money. Having just enough, he returned to the store and bought the boat…his boat that had been lost. Walking out of the store with the boat in hand, the boy said to the boat, “Little boat, you were once mine; now you are twice mine!”

God paid the highest price ever to buy us back: the life of His Son. He not only created us but redeemed us through the precious blood of Christ. We are doubly God’s. We can never thank Him enough…but we can try.

PRAYER – Thank You, Father, for giving Your Son to buy me back for Yourself. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for laying down Your own life to buy me back from my sin. As I go through this day, please continue to remind me of this great love that would pay such a price to buy me back.

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Just as we practice daily habits to cleanse and care for our physical bodies—like showering, brushing our teeth, and putting on clean clothes—our hearts need regular spiritual cleansing. But unlike outward routines, the cleansing of our hearts requires something deeper: a work only God can do.

David’s prayer in Psalm 51 was born out of repentance. He had sinned and knew he couldn’t fix himself. So, he cried out to God: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” This is not a surface-level request. It’s a plea for inner transformation—a renewal of what was broken, stained, and misaligned. Our heart is the center of who we are. It directs our thoughts, motives, emotions, and actions. God desires truth, humility, and purity in the innermost parts of us. He is not interested in behavior that merely appears righteous—He wants hearts that are truly surrendered and in step with His Spirit (1 Samuel 16:7). When we ask God to cleanse our hearts, we are opening ourselves to His refining love. It is in this place of surrender that God not only forgives, but renews. He restores the joy of salvation and gives us a willing spirit—one that desires to follow Him, not out of duty, but out of delight.

PRAYER – That God will reveal anything within your heart that needs cleansing. That you will surrender to the cleansing God is asking of you. That God will create a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within you. That God will help you walk daily in His presence.

John 4:13-14

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

We have probably experienced times in our spiritual walk where God feels distant, or maybe we feel distant from Him. There could be any number of reasons for this – family problems, relationship woes, difficulties on the job, health issues and concerns for ourselves and others, financial struggles, etc. Maybe we’ve prayed that God would intervene, that He would fix things for us, but we aren’t hearing anything and things go unresolved. In those times, it can be easy to fall into thinking that God isn’t hearing us, or even worse, that He is hearing us, but doesn’t care enough to help. Rest assured that isn’t the case! I love what Tim Keller said about this: “God will either give us what we ask for in prayer or give us what we would have asked for if we knew everything He knows.”

As we seek God’s face through prayer, fasting, and Scripture reading, we are renewed and strengthened as we draw upon the living water, as we align with God’s will, as we plant Scripture in our hearts and minds, and as we trust the promises of God through every circumstance.

PRAYER – Ask for the Lord to give you more of the Living Water of Jesus’ presence

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We now live in a society of subscriptions. Our computer software, what we view on television, a whole host of services, are subscription-based. That means that every month, every six months, every year, we have the choice of whether or not we want to continue with that subscribed service. If we want to continue, we have to renew that subscription.

When we come to faith in Christ, we are given a brand new life: a life that lasts forever with Christ as His own children. He also gives us a new mind; a mind that seeks to please God in all we say and do. However, just because we had the mind to discover God’s will and do it yesterday does not mean we will wake up today automatically wanting to do that again. What has to happen? We need to “renew” our minds. How do we do this? We start by getting into God’s word: reading it, studying it, marinating our minds in it, memorizing it. We continue that renewal by seeking God’s face in prayer. We take what God shows us in that time in His word and that time in prayer to direct our minds to do the things that God showed us throughout the day. Then…tomorrow we do it again!

PRAYER – Pray and ask the Lord to keep you close to Him so that you can depend totally on Him to do the things He is instructing you to do today.