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.
We are in the second week of fasting! Perhaps you found a new hunger for God’s Word, or maybe you’ve felt more distracted than ever and are still searching for a rhythm in this fast. That is precisely why we emphasize doing this fast together as a church. There will be moments when you stumble and need to receive grace, not judgment. There will be days when your own strength fails, and you desperately need the prayer of a friend. This is why we have intentionally built so many community checkpoints in this season of fasting.
Now in this second week, things can get real. That first spark of excitement might cool down, and fasting can start to feel like just another task on your list, or even a drag. It’s easy to slip into just going through the motions, checking the box but missing the heart behind it. That’s exactly why having people around you, especially accountability partners who check in, makes all the difference. Accountability is not about shame or surveillance, but it’s about spiritual partnership. This is especially vital for sustaining the purpose of your fast. Knowing what you’re fasting for is the starting point, but consistently checking in and praying about it together is what guards your purpose from distraction and keeps your faith anchored in God’s promise.
When fasting to break a stronghold (a persistent pattern of sin, thought, or bondage), we need people who will ask, “What lie is holding you back?” They’ll stand with us to believe God’s word that prayer and fasting can break chains (Isaiah 58:6) and that nothing is impossible in His strength (Matthew 17:21).
When fasting for a breakthrough (a specific, needed intervention or movement of God’s power in a difficult situation), we need others to pray with us and not give up, just as King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast when Judah was under threat, uniting the people to seek the Lord’s deliverance (2 Chronicles 20:3-4).
Accountability changes a lonely battle into a shared mission. We gather for accountability because we believe when two or three come together in Jesus’ name, He is with us – giving us the grace to keep going and the strength to persevere, not perfectly, but faithfully.
Reflection and Application
- Throughout this fast, which areas of your life have you felt most vulnerable? Have you been more aware of a personal stronghold needing to be broken, or a specific breakthrough you’re praying for? How can others keep you accountable or help you?
- In your next accountability/LIFE Group check-in, shift the focus briefly from reporting on your fast to praying in agreement for one another’s strongholds or breakthroughs. Speak Scripture over each other’s situations, and believe together that “nothing will be impossible” (Matthew 17:21) as you seek God as one.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for enduring hunger and strength for those who are finding the second week of fasting more challenging.
- Pray for hearts that value investing in one another to build strong, supportive, and accountable relationships.
- Pray for a spirit of humility that removes pride and judgment, helping us extend and receive grace.
Click here for full devotional link and other pre-fasting materials!