Essential Spiritual Habits: Prayer and Fasting

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Daily Prayer

Establishing a daily habit of prayer connects us intimately with God, allowing us to step away from the chaos of life and enter a quiet place where we can encounter His presence. Whether you are new to prayer or have been walking with Christ for years, making prayer a daily appointment—just as you would with a loved one—deepens your relationship with the Lord. In this secret place, you can pour out your heart, listen for His still small voice, and find guidance for every decision. God delights in spending time with you, and as you prioritize this habit, you will experience His goodness and favor in your life. [14:00]

Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Reflection: What specific time and place can you set aside each day this week to meet with God in prayer, making it a true appointment with Him?

Day 2: Fasting with Intention and Purpose

Fasting is more than abstaining from food; it is a spiritual discipline that prioritizes seeking God above our physical desires. When you fast, you intentionally set aside what your flesh craves to pursue God with a specific spiritual goal in mind—whether for breakthrough, guidance, or protection. Scripture shows us that both individuals and entire communities fasted together, seeking God’s intervention and favor. Start simple, dedicate your fast to the Lord, and let your hunger for God surpass your hunger for food. In this way, fasting becomes a powerful tool for spiritual growth and transformation. [32:15]

Matthew 6:17-18 (ESV)
"But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Reflection: What is one spiritual goal or breakthrough you are seeking from God that you can dedicate a simple fast to this week?

Day 3: The Secret Place—A Source of Refuge and Strength

There is a unique power in withdrawing from the noise and busyness of life to dwell in the secret place with God. In this quiet space, you find refuge, protection, and renewed trust in the Lord, who becomes your fortress and deliverer. The secret place is not just a physical location but a spiritual posture of dependence and intimacy with God, where you can bring your fears, decisions, and needs before Him. As you make this a regular habit, you will experience His covering and peace, even in the midst of life’s storms. [14:40]

Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

Reflection: Where can you create a “secret place” in your daily routine to intentionally seek God’s presence and protection?

Day 4: God Delights in Your Prayers

God is not a distant or forbidding figure; He is a loving Father who takes great joy and pleasure in spending time with you. When you call out to Him, He promises to answer and reveal things beyond your understanding. Your prayers are His delight, and He longs for you to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He welcomes you into His presence. As you pray, remember that God is eager to listen, respond, and show you His goodness in ways you have not yet imagined. [25:33]

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience God’s delight and answer? Will you boldly bring it to Him in prayer today?

Day 5: Making Spiritual Habits a Lifestyle

The truly Christian life is marked by intentional spiritual habits—praying daily and fasting purposefully—that shape your character and effectiveness as a follower of Jesus. These are not optional extras but foundational practices that Jesus expects of His disciples. As you develop these habits, you will find your relationship with God deepening, your faith growing, and your life bearing fruit that impacts those around you. Start where you are, take small steps, and trust that God will honor your pursuit of Him as you make these habits part of your daily lifestyle. [41:21]

1 Timothy 4:7b-8 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: What is one new spiritual habit you can begin or strengthen this week to move closer to the lifestyle of a truly Christian disciple?

Sermon Summary

We all have habits that shape our daily lives, from the way we fold towels to how we make a sandwich or fill up our gas tanks. These routines, whether big or small, form the fabric of our lifestyles. In the same way, our spiritual lives are shaped by the habits we choose to cultivate. Today, the focus is on two foundational spiritual habits: praying daily and fasting intentionally. These are not optional extras for the Christian life, but essential practices that Jesus himself assumed his followers would engage in—he said “when you pray” and “when you fast,” not “if.”

Praying daily is about more than just reciting words; it’s about intentionally setting aside time to meet with God in a secret, quiet place. This could be a specific chair at home, a spot in the office, or anywhere that allows for undistracted communion with the Lord. The routine of prayer is not about legalism, but about relationship. Just as we cannot grow close to a spouse or friend without spending time together, we cannot grow in intimacy with God without regular, honest conversation—sometimes talking, sometimes listening, always seeking his presence. The reward of this habit is not just answered prayers, but the open display of God’s goodness and favor in our lives. God delights in spending time with us, and he promises to meet us in the secret place.

Fasting intentionally is a spiritual discipline that has been largely neglected in the modern church, yet it is deeply rooted in Scripture. Fasting is not merely abstaining from food for the sake of it, but setting aside physical cravings to pursue God with a specific spiritual goal in mind. Whether it’s seeking breakthrough, guidance, or protection, fasting is a way to humble ourselves and declare our dependence on God above all else. The Bible is filled with examples of both individual and collective fasting, and the results are always marked by God’s intervention and provision. Practical steps for fasting include starting simple, pursuing God instead of food, avoiding boasting, seeking medical advice if needed, and always having a clear spiritual goal.

These two habits—prayer and fasting—are not about earning merit or impressing others, but about aligning our hearts with God’s purposes and experiencing his transforming presence. As we look ahead to a season of collective prayer and fasting, may we open our hearts to these practices, trusting that God will reward those who diligently seek him.

Key Takeaways

1. Habits shape not only our routines but our entire lifestyle, including our spiritual walk. The habits we form in our relationship with God—especially prayer and fasting—are the foundation for a fruitful and effective Christian life. These are not optional disciplines, but essential markers of a life truly centered on Christ. [05:23]
2. Daily prayer is an invitation to meet with God in a secret place, away from the noise and busyness of life. This habit is about intentional relationship, not ritual; it’s where we pour out our hearts, listen for God’s voice, and align our thoughts with his. The secret place is where major life decisions are made and where we find refuge, guidance, and strength. [13:20]
3. The reward of consistent prayer is not just in receiving answers, but in the open display of God’s favor and presence in our lives. God delights in spending time with us, not as a distant or forbidding figure, but as a loving Father who longs for relationship. When we prioritize time with him, we experience his goodness and mercy in tangible ways. [24:16]
4. Fasting is a neglected but powerful spiritual habit that involves abstaining from food to pursue God with a specific purpose. It is not about self-denial for its own sake, but about humbling ourselves and seeking God’s intervention, guidance, or breakthrough. Biblical fasting always has a spiritual goal and is marked by intentionality and dependence on God. [30:55]
5. Practical wisdom for fasting includes starting with small steps, focusing on seeking God rather than just abstaining from food, avoiding pride or public display, and being mindful of health needs. Most importantly, fasting should always be directed toward a clear spiritual goal, whether personal or collective, trusting that God honors those who seek him with sincerity. [38:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:40] - Everyday Habits and Routines
[03:37] - Habits Shape Our Lifestyles
[05:23] - The Power of Spiritual Habits
[06:41] - Reading Matthew 6:6, 6:17
[08:47] - The Call to Pray Daily
[11:23] - Finding Your Secret Place
[13:20] - The Routine and Reason for Prayer
[17:20] - The Privilege of Access to God
[20:09] - Prayer as Relationship, Not Ritual
[23:32] - The Reward of Prayer
[26:55] - The Call to Fast Intentionally
[30:55] - What is Biblical Fasting?
[34:19] - Collective Fasting in Scripture
[36:58] - Fasting for Breakthroughs
[38:49] - Practical Guidelines for Fasting
[41:21] - Invitation to Prayer and Fasting
[44:00] - Responding to God’s Call

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:6, 17-18 (ESV) — 6 "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
17 "But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 6:6, what instructions does Jesus give about where and how to pray?
In the sermon, what are some examples of everyday habits that were mentioned to show how routines shape our lives? ([01:23])
What does Jesus say about fasting in Matthew 6:17-18, and how does he expect his followers to approach it?
What is the difference between praying “if you pray” and “when you pray” as highlighted in the sermon? ([08:47])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasizes praying and fasting “in secret” rather than in public? What does this reveal about God’s priorities for our spiritual habits? (Matthew 6:6, 17-18)
The sermon compares spending time with God to spending time with a close friend or spouse. Why is regular, intentional time so important for building a relationship with God? ([20:09])
The pastor mentioned that fasting is often neglected in the modern church. Why might this be the case, and what are we missing out on by not practicing fasting? ([27:36])
What does it mean to have a “spiritual goal” when fasting, and how does this change the purpose of the fast? ([30:55])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about finding a “secret place” for prayer, whether it’s a chair at home, a spot in the office, or somewhere else. Where could your secret place be, and what would it take to make meeting with God there a daily habit? ([13:20])
Think about your current prayer life. Is it more of a routine, a relationship, or something else? What is one small change you could make this week to move toward more intentional, relational prayer? ([20:09])
The pastor said, “If you fast a meal but you’re not pursuing God, it’s really not a fast, it’s a diet.” What would it look like for you to pursue God during a fast, even if it’s just skipping one meal? ([32:52])
Fasting was described as setting aside physical cravings to seek God for a specific purpose. Is there an area in your life where you need breakthrough, guidance, or protection? Would you consider fasting for that need? ([36:58])
The sermon gave practical advice to “start simple” with fasting. If you’ve never fasted before, what is one step you could take to try it for the first time? If you have fasted, how could you be more intentional about your spiritual goal next time? ([38:49])
The pastor mentioned that God delights in spending time with us and rewards us openly. Have you ever experienced God’s favor or presence as a result of prayer or fasting? Would you be willing to share that story with the group? ([24:16])
As our church prepares for a season of collective prayer and fasting, what is one way you can prepare your heart and schedule to participate? What support or encouragement do you need from this group to take the next step? ([42:41])

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