One Desire Fast is HMCC’s annual fast so we can start off the year hearing from God, both individually and as a church. This year’s theme is Locked In.
Let’s take a moment to pause and consider our schedules today. Have we been starting our days earlier during this fast, or do we still find ourselves rushing into things? When was the last time we paused and prayed to God before heading into a meeting, class, or meet-up? Let’s spend the next thirty seconds praying over our schedules, asking God to sustain us throughout today.
Let’s imagine our next meet-up with someone is our last opportunity to speak with them. What would we say? We might recount good times, share encouraging words, or even talk about our faith and what the Gospel means to us. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave His disciples a final command: to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, teach them to obey, and remember that He is with us always to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20). He entrusted this bold, world-changing mission not only to the Jews or to those they already knew, but to His followers (and now to us) with faith that the nations would be reached.
As a church, HMCC’s mission statement is to “Transform lost people into Christ’s disciples, who will then transform the world.” Who are the lost people that we are going to reach out to? How will we make these disciples of all nations? Look around you – whether you are in your office, in your school, or commuting to your next appointment. There is a good likelihood that there is a variety of ages and people, be they children, adults, or elderly – these are the generations that God has passed down to us. In fact, they are the very people we are called to love and witness the Gospel with. See not just individuals, but generations. Our God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is a covenant-keeping God who works across generations. The people in your sphere today are part of a generational story He is writing.
Our calling is to be a link in that chain. This last phrase of Matthew 28:20 “end of the age” implies that we are currently in an age, an age before we see what will happen in Revelation 7, where “every tribe, tongue, and nation” will hear and worship the LORD. Hopefully, these few weeks of fasting have sharpened our spiritual sight, tuning our hearts to God’s deep love for every nation and generation. We created space to be more aware of what God is doing and notice the spiritual hunger around us. The patience we developed prepares us for the long-term work of investing in people around us.
As we reach out and love on our generation in our offices, schools, and city, we are praying that people would come to know Christ, just as the LORD “added to their number those who were being saved” in Acts 2:47. At the end of the day, we can take heart because God deeply loves the lost, and He is actively inviting us to be a part of His great work! We are looking forward to seeing the nations and generations being reached, as we anticipate the day that Jesus comes back.
Reflection and Application
- How do you view your generation? Does your generation feel a sense of burden for the lost and those around you, or does it stir up feelings of apathy/hopelessness at how God will work?
- Spend some time reflecting on your own generation and what God is doing in your life and in the lives of those around you.
- Who is your “one?” Each of us has friends, classmates, or co-workers who have yet to believe in Christ. Who is someone you can actively pray for and share the Gospel with that only you can reach out to?
- Write out their name and share with your accountability partner(s).
- Afterwards, spend some time praying for them and for an opportunity to share the Gospel with them.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our hearts to be looking outward for the salvation of the nations
- Pray for our boldness and open doors among unreached people groups
- Pray for the strengthening and equipping of local church leaders and partnerships to be formed
Click here for full devotional link and other pre-fasting materials!