In just a few hours, we’ll begin our annual 21 Day Fast. Each year, we take this time to give God the first of our year through prayer and fasting. Whether this is your first time joining us or you’ve done this many times before, I want to take a moment to prepare our hearts together.

Many of you have already decided to participate in this fast, and I’m so encouraged by your willingness to say yes. If this is your first time, it’s okay if it feels unfamiliar or even a little intimidating. Please know this, you are not alone. Your Hope family is walking with you, and the Holy Spirit is with you to strengthen and guide you every step of the way.

Each day during the fast, you’ll receive a daily fasting blog in your inbox, written by me. These are meant to encourage you and help keep your focus on what God is doing in you and among us.

What is fasting?
Fasting is simply abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose.

Types of fasts
There are different ways to participate:

• Daniel Fast: fruits and vegetables
• Liquids Fast: clear liquids only
• Water-Only Fast

Some choose a combination fast, such as starting with the Daniel Fast, moving to liquids, and ending with water only. The choice is ultimately between you and God.

Fasting is not legalistic, and it’s not about earning anything from God. This is not a rewards-based sacrifice, it’s an intimacy-based sacrifice. We fast to make room for God’s presence and to hear His voice more clearly.

Our prayer over these 21 days is simple:

• That we would hear God’s voice clearly
• That we would experience His presence deeply

I’ll be right back here in your inbox tomorrow morning as we begin this journey together. I believe God is going to meet us in these days ahead.

Let’s enter this fast with open hearts and great expectation.