Connect 21- Prayer + Fasting - Holy Spirit, Our HelperSample

Day 1 | Be Still

As we enter twenty-one days of prayer and fasting, we must set our hearts on hearing from God. Often, as we approach a new year, we already have a plan of what we want to see God do in our lives or the lives of others. We often envision outcomes or timelines for how we think God will fulfill His promises. There is nothing wrong with having a vision. Still, it is more important to clear the canvas and desire to connect with God just because of who He is and our need to deepen our fellowship with Him—not simply because He will supply all our needs accordingly to His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19). When we come to God with an agenda, we risk focusing more on what we want from Him rather than experiencing the beauty of simply knowing Him. The quiet time we spend with Him is full of glory when we let go of our plans.

Despite the busyness of our lives and the sometimes chaotic situations of society, we must take advantage of these precious moments when we can spend quiet time with our God. We don’t merely find time for what is important; we make time for whatever or whoever is important to us.

Quiet time with God is more than physical silence. It involves calming our minds and souls so we can concentrate on Him. It’s sitting in the silence and listening to hear God speak to us. We bask in the presence of God as we abandon our agenda, worries, doubts, fears, plans, concerns, anxieties, frustrations, and distractions so we may find comfort in His love and power. As we surrender our control and listen to the Holy Spirit, our Helper (John 14:26), He can work within us, guide us to trust, speak to our hearts, lead us into deeper understanding by revealing God’s wisdom, and give us clarity.

When we prioritize spending quiet time with God, the Holy Spirit helps us recognize God’s voice among the many distractions of life. In these moments, as He speaks to us in this silence, our fears and anxieties fade, and our faith and peace grow.

God wants us to know Him personally. We cannot garner strength or confidence from how someone else knows God. This is an individual journey, and no one can do it for us. God is our defender against all enemies, and He will fight for us. All we must do is be still. He is our refuge from the storms of life. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we grow in intimacy with God and experience the full depth of His love and guidance.

Reflection: Pause to evaluate how you have approached your quiet time with God. If you have felt rushed or distracted, try a different method. The Holy Spirit can strengthen your prayer life and guide you to experience God’s presence in a more profound way.

Prayer: Father, I ask You to help me to be still in Your presence and to cease from all my striving. Reveal Your ways and Your character to me so that I may know You more deeply and trust more fully in your faithfulness and love. In Jesus’s name, amen.