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.
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Take a moment to reflect on your first week of fasting. You might be settling into a new rhythm, or perhaps you are encountering challenges and feeling weary. Both experiences reveal our deep need to continually renew and refine our “lock-in” with God.
Has your understanding of the Gospel felt more personal or profound this week? In what specific ways have you sensed God’s nearness or your own dependence on Him? Consider also how your LIFE Group community has shared in this experience, what have you learned from walking through this week together?
Ultimately, we fast to seek God as our one true desire. This requires daily commitment. Our salvation began with a choice to follow Jesus, but it is sustained by a continuous, active relationship. Our love and devotion must be renewed everyday, just as the Lord’s is (Lamentations 3:22-23). The phrase “new every morning” signifies that the Lord’s love and mercies are not merely recycled from the day before. In its infinite and unfailing nature, it is born anew each and every day. By choosing to focus on his unending nature, our faith is also renewed. In a way, we must tune into God and recharge our spiritual strength. Otherwise, our spiritual selves will begin wasting away because we fail to nourish them.
Therefore, to be locked in with God’s word and what he is calling us to do, we must respond by actively committing ourselves everyday. This entails nurturing our relationship with him. Growing in our love for and faith in him. Allowing our inner selves to be renewed (2 Corinthians 4:16). This doesn’t mean that growth will forever be linear or perfect, but there will be times that we fall back into old patterns or commit the same old sins. But here is the beautiful truth: each morning is a new invitation. God’s faithfulness meets us not with disappointment, but with fresh mercy. His grace isn’t just for our past forgiveness, it’s the very fuel for our next faithful step.
So as we soon enter this new week of fasting, let’s move forward not in our own strength, but in the confidence of His unchanging love. Today is a new morning. His mercies are new. And so, by His grace, can our commitment be.
Reflection and Application
- Looking back on your first week of fasting, what is one area where you have most needed or most experienced God’s fresh mercy or renewed strength? How does this shape your hope for the coming week?
- How can you intentionally encourage one other person in your LIFE group who may be weary or encourage someone who is adjusting a new fasting rhythm? Consider a simple text, a prayer, or sharing a specific way you’ve seen God’s faithfulness in them.
Prayer Requests – HMCC Austin
- Wisdom for our leaders as they shepherd the church in alignment with God’s heart and vision.
- Growth, spiritually and physically in our congregation. Praying for baptisms and opportunities to evangelize
- Our members would personally experience the gospel in their lives
Click here for full devotional link and other pre-fasting materials!