Welcome to Day 14 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we'll focus on the importance of spiritual growth and how fasting can help us grow in godliness.

One of the most encouraging aspects of our walk with Christ is that there is always an opportunity for more. We can experience more of His presence, more of His power, and more of the miraculous in every situation. The Bible reminds us that His mercies are new every morning, so each day we can discover more in our relationship with the Lord.

This means we continually have the opportunity to grow and become more like Jesus. Growth is healthy, necessary, and beneficial - something most people desire in various areas of their lives. However, growth doesn't always happen naturally; it often requires intentionality.In his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides guidance and encouragement to the young leader. In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipline and highlights the benefits of fasting in developing a strong and steadfast faith. He writes, "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Paul urges believers to distance themselves from trivial distractions and to embrace a life of godliness. But notice that he tells us we must train for godliness - it's not automatic. This training involves orienting our lives around God's Word and putting it into practice.

Fasting and prayer are biblical ways we can train for godliness. By abstaining from food or other desires, we learn to cultivate self-control, humility, and dependence on the Lord. The result is spiritual growth that benefits us today and for eternity.

As you continue through this fast, you'll find yourself growing closer to the Lord and strengthened by His power as a result of your obedience to pursue Him in a greater way.

Welcome to Day 13 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we reflect on the theme of "Since Day One", focusing on the power of prayer and fasting as illustrated in Daniel's story.

Yesterday, we explored Daniel’s 21-day fast in Daniel 10. In this passage, we encounter a pivotal moment in verse 12, where we gain profound insight into the effectiveness of prayer and fasting: “Then he said to me, ‘Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.'”

As Daniel speaks with the pre-incarnate Christ, he receives supernatural understanding of what has been taking place in the spiritual realm throughout his fast. Jesus reassures him that from the very first day he began fasting, things started to change. The Lord was actively fighting for Daniel in the unseen world from the moment he humbled himself before God in prayer and fasting.

The Apostle Paul reinforces this truth in Ephesians 6:12 when he writes, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This reminds us that there are powers at work in the spiritual realm that we may not see or fully comprehend in this lifetime.

During our fasting journey, it can sometimes feel like nothing is happening. However, God wants us to understand that since the first day we began our fast, things have begun to change. Your circumstances may not appear to transform yet, but Daniel and the Apostle Paul assure us that even when we can’t see it, God is fighting for us, and victory is on the horizon!

In this episode of The Table: A Celebration Podcast, we chat with Mariah Daniel—Celebration’s Family Pastor, a wife, and a mom of four. Mariah shares her story, offers wisdom, and reflects on what trusting God has looked like through different seasons of life. We know you’ll leave encouraged!

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Welcome to Day 12 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the supernatural results that are on their way through the disciplines of prayer and fasting.

Prayer and fasting are powerful spiritual tools that can accelerate the Lord’s blessing in our lives. These practices also cultivate a greater sensitivity to God’s voice and open our eyes to the work He is doing in the unseen realms.

Daniel 10 provides an incredible story that offers us a glimpse into the supernatural realm when we fast. After receiving a troubling vision of the future, Daniel decides to fast and pray for 21 days. The results are astounding!

On day 24—three days after completing his fast—Daniel’s spiritual eyes and ears are opened as he encounters the brilliance of the pre-incarnate Christ! This miraculous encounter equips Daniel with supernatural strength and insight into the future because he chose to pray and fast. The Lord reassures him, saying, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage” (Daniel 10:19).God desires to strengthen His people, and fasting is a means through which we can receive that supernatural strength! Even when your body feels weak from fasting, remember that God is fortifying you spiritually.

What situation have you been praying for but have yet to see answered? Whether it’s the restoration of a broken relationship, the salvation of a loved one, or a financial breakthrough, fasting is a pathway for believers to hear from God. As you continue fasting and praying, hold on to this truth: supernatural results are on their way!

Welcome to Day 11 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the certainty of change and how fasting can prepare us for new seasons in our lives.

You may have heard the saying, “the only constant in life is change.” This simple statement holds much truth, as we witness constant changes around us—whether in technology, seasons, or our personal lives. Change is inevitable.

When we look through Scripture, we often find that significant spiritual seasons in people’s lives were preceded by fasting. For instance, Moses fasted before receiving the law, and Jesus fasted before beginning His earthly ministry. In Acts 13:2, we see how fasting can usher in new ministry: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Through prayer and fasting, new ministry opportunities emerged for the early church, and you never know what the Lord may reveal to you regarding your future as you fast! One thing is certain: whatever change the Lord brings, you can live with a holy expectation of great things. God will not send you into new seasons without anointing and preparation for what is to come.

Welcome to Day 10 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the theme of nearness and what it means to draw closer to God.

In Matthew 9, Jesus provides an insightful analogy regarding fasting. He says, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15, NLT). Here, Jesus refers to Himself as the groom at a wedding feast, emphasizing the joy and communion His disciples were experiencing in His presence. However, He also foreshadows a time when that nearness would be interrupted—a time that began with His ascension to Heaven after the resurrection and continues today.

While Jesus is present with us through the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul expresses a longing in 2 Corinthians 5:8, saying, “We [would] prefer to be absent from the body and at home with the Lord.” This illustrates a sense of homesickness that every Christian feels for their Savior.

John Piper articulates this sentiment beautifully: “In this age, there is an ache and a longing inside every Christian that Jesus is not here as fully and intimately and as powerfully and as gloriously as we want him to be. And that is why we fast.” When we long to draw closer to God and experience His empowering presence more fully, fasting becomes the appropriate response.

During this time of fasting and prayer, let us acknowledge through our hunger that we desire to be closer to God. This cry for nearness is one that God will honor!

Find out how to live with more freedom every day by getting closer to God! The more we know Jesus, the more we experience real freedom and start to love what He loves.

Listen to this message today and discover the freedom that Jesus has for you.

Welcome to Day 9 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the kind of fasting that God honors and the importance of our motives during this spiritual practice.

In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses the issue of motive right at the start of His teaching on fasting. He instructs us, “But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” (Matthew 6:17–18, NLT).So, does this mean that no one should ever know you are fasting? The short answer is no. However, Jesus is emphasizing that fasting can easily become an attempt to seek the admiration and applause of others. He understands this pitfall and wants us to avoid it. Instead of focusing on how others perceive us, we should direct our attention to the God who knows our hearts.

John Wesley declared, “First, let [fasting] be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven.” The kind of fasting that God honors is centered on putting our focus on Him. When we do this, Jesus promises that God will see what others cannot and reward our sincerity!

As we continue in our 21 days of prayer and fasting, let God’s attention be your aim. Be encouraged that He will reward you as a result of this season!

Welcome to Day 8 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the theme of daily direction in our decision-making.

Did you know that the average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day? That means during this fast, you will make approximately 735,000 decisions! From the moment your alarm sounds in the morning, your decision-making process begins, and with so many choices to navigate, it can be challenging to know where to spend your time. However, the Apostle Paul points us toward one daily decision that can change the trajectory of every other decision we make.

In his letter to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul writes, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NLT). He encourages us to pray continually, as talking to God realigns our thinking and priorities, allowing us to reflect His will in every decision we face.

One of the beautiful aspects of a season of fasting is that it helps us put Paul’s words into practice. Our empty stomachs remind us to seek God and invite His direction into our lives!As you navigate the 35,000 decisions you’ll make today and the 735,000 throughout this fast, prioritize inviting God’s guidance into every part of your day. Be encouraged that during these 21 days, you will experience His leading in every area of your life as you draw close to Him!

Welcome to Day 7 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the theme of appetite and what it means for our spiritual journey.

The writer of Hebrews warns us, “Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite” (Hebrews 12:16, MSG). This concept is vividly illustrated in Genesis 25, where we read about Esau returning home famished from hunting. He notices his brother Jacob cooking and asks for some food. Jacob seizes the opportunity and offers a trade: he will give Esau his stew in exchange for Esau’s birthright—the right to the family inheritance and spiritual leadership.

It seems astonishing that Esau would sacrifice something so valuable for a mere bowl of stew, yet this scenario reflects a common human tendency. We often settle for less, trading our long-term blessings for immediate gratification.

Fasting is all about appetite. It serves as a declaration of what our greatest appetite truly is and what we believe will ultimately satisfy us. This is why God honors fasting and works powerfully through it. As John Piper writes in his book, A Hunger for God, “God rewards fasting because fasting expresses the cry of the heart that nothing on earth can satisfy our souls besides God. God must reward this cry because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”As we continue our fast, let’s reflect on our appetites. Are we pursuing temporary satisfaction, or are we seeking the lasting fulfillment that comes from God alone?