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.
As we embark on the first full day of our fast, let’s take a moment to truly sink into this spiritual practice. Fasting isn’t an adjustment we make overnight, it does take time to embrace the rhythm. It’s normal to find ourselves wanting to scroll through social media or reach for our usual food or drinks. There may also be other distractions we hadn’t considered that God reveals. For instance, you might find yourself turning to the news instead now that you don’t have social media. All these distractions can pull us away from the true purpose of this fast: creating space for God in our lives.
The core of this journey should be the Gospel. Romans 1:16 states, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” The Gospel changes everything. This transformative power offers hope and new life. It changes our relationships, our priorities, our identity and our purpose.
As we reflect on the Gospel, consider how it has shaped your own journey. Are there aspects of your daily life where its message hasn’t fully taken hold? In our busy lives, it’s easy to let our lives become centered on ourselves or everything else and not the Gospel. We might find ourselves focusing more on work, relationships, or personal ambitions. This fast provides a unique opportunity to clear those distractions and realign our focus. It is often easy to make excuses for not practicing or deepening our understanding of the Gospel, especially due to different things going on in life.
Let’s use this fast to feast on God’s Word and be Gospel fluent! To be Gospel fluent is simply being able to speak truth to ourselves and others around us. If we are fluent in the Gospel, it gives us humble awareness of our inability to measure up through works, and we know that the only hope we can hold on to is Jesus. Learn more about the Gospel and how you can be Gospel fluent through related posts on Gospel Fluency!
Reflection and Application
- Try drawing out your life before and after experiencing the Gospel. What would be the theme? If this is your first time and you are still seeking, try drawing a significant moment in your life that changed you.
- How can you be locked in for the Gospel? Think about practical steps to display the Gospel message in your daily actions.
Prayer Requests
- Pray that the Gospel would take hold in our lives, casting out all idols to put God above all else.
- Pray for quiet time with God to reflect or study His word day and night
- Pray for your accountability groups to speak truth to each other and grow in Gospel Fluency
Click here for full devotional link and other pre-fasting materials!