21 Days of Prayer and FastingSample

FAST

In our everyday conversations, we typically use the word "fast" to refer to speed. We talk about fast athletes, fast technology, and perhaps may exclaim from the passenger seat, "You're driving too fast!" Being fast can be an advantage, but not always. Usually, the idea of quickly completing something means that we don't always put our "all" into it. Finishing something with haste rarely produces better results than when we slow down and devote the proper time and energy.

The fact that the word, when translated to English, became 'fast' is yet another example of God's sense of humor. He knows us. He knows that we live in a world that wants to move at full speed. He knows that for us to slow down, take a break from something, and focus on Him wouldn't be easy. We have to let go of many things that we normally hold onto and surrender, not only from what we are fasting from but to whom we are fasting.

Our prayer for this season is that we may all find peace in the surrender, rest in the slowing down, and joy in the middle of saying no to something good so that we can say yes to something better.

- Jason and Bethany Yuly, Next Gen volunteers