Prayer and Fasting (Part 1)
Sometimes the best place to begin is not by doing more—but by becoming still before YHVH.
When there are areas of our lives where we feel stuck, confused, overwhelmed, weary, or simply unsure of what comes next, our first response doesn’t have to be striving for an answer. - This is just as much for me as it is for you. I desire for this to be a more natural FIRST response. I don't know about you- but I'm terrible about jumping for answers and getting to work on fixing and thinking or even praying later. Starting with HIM is always the best first step...
Before we reach for another solution, another opinion, another distraction, or another thing to fix… what if we first came before YHVH and said:
“Father, I need You. Show me what I cannot see. Search my heart. Lead me in Your ways.”
🤍 WHEN do we pray and fast?
We don’t have to wait until everything falls apart.
We can fast when we’re seeking direction, wisdom, clarity, repentance, breakthrough, renewed focus, or a deeper relationship with YHVH.
We can fast when we have a decision to make.
When we’re carrying something heavy.
When we’re asking for wisdom.
When our hearts have become distracted.
Or simply when we feel the need to draw closer to Him.
Scripture says:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of Elohim…”— James 1:5
🌿 WHY fast?
Fasting isn’t about trying to manipulate YHVH into giving us what we want.
It isn’t a hunger strike.
It isn’t punishment.
And it isn’t a way to prove how spiritual we are.
Fasting is about making room.
We temporarily set something aside so that our attention can be redirected toward YHVH.
Our hunger can become a reminder to pray.
Our quiet can become an opportunity to listen.
Our surrender can expose what we’ve been depending on instead of Him.
Yeshua taught His followers about fasting in Matthew 6:16–18, emphasizing that fasting is something we do before the Father—not something we perform for the attention of others.
And Isaiah 58 reminds us that true fasting reaches far beyond simply going without food. YHVH desires a life that reflects justice, mercy, compassion, humility, and obedience.
🕊️ HOW do we begin?
Start simply.
You don’t have to make it complicated.
1. Pray first.Tell YHVH exactly where you are. Be honest. You don’t need impressive words. He already knows your heart.
2. Ask Him what needs to change.Instead of only asking, “YHVH, change my circumstances,” also ask,“What are You showing me through this?”
3. Choose your fast intentionally.For some, that may mean abstaining from food for a period of time. For others, a partial fast or setting aside a particular distraction may be appropriate. Pray about what your fast should look like.
4. Replace what you’re giving up with seeking Him.Don’t simply remove something—use that time to pray, read Scripture, worship, journal, and become still.
5. Listen.Prayer isn’t only about talking. Give yourself space to be quiet before YHVH.
6. Obey what He reveals.The purpose isn’t simply to finish a fast. It’s to allow our hearts to become more surrendered to His ways.
7. Give yourself grace.If you’ve never fasted before, start where you are. This isn’t a competition. YHVH is looking at the heart.
🌾 AND PLEASE REMEMBER…
You don’t have to have the perfect words.
You don’t have to have everything figured out.
You don’t have to clean yourself up before coming to Him.
He invites us to come to Him BOLDLY.
Bring the confusion.Bring the grief.Bring the questions.Bring the fear.Bring the things you don’t understand.
Seek YHVH.
“Draw near to Elohim, and He will draw near to you.”— James 4:8
And when you don’t know what to pray, start with:
“Father, search my heart.Show me Your ways.Give me wisdom.Reveal what needs to change.Help me surrender what I’m holding onto.Teach me to hear You and obey You. And lead me in the path You have prepared for me.”
Sometimes the greatest breakthrough begins quietly…
on our knees.
🌿 Mackey Meadows
Faithfully Covered, Naturally Restored. Psalm 91:4
SEEK HIM • DRAW NEAR • BE TRANSFORMED
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