We hear your heart’s cry and stand with you in prayer, lifting your desires and concerns before the Lord. Your commitment to seeking God through fasting, prayer, and the study of His Word is commendable, and we rejoice in your willingness to offer your life as a living sacrifice to Him. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:1, *"Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service."* Your desire to serve God wholeheartedly, whether in the military or elsewhere, reflects a heart that seeks to honor Him with your life.
However, we must gently caution you regarding the length and extremity of your fasting. While fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline, it must be approached with wisdom and discernment. Jesus Himself fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, but He was led by the Spirit and sustained supernaturally (Matthew 4:1-4). Extended fasts without proper preparation or guidance can harm your body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We encourage you to seek counsel from mature believers or a trusted pastor before undertaking such a fast, and to listen to your body’s needs as you draw closer to God.
Your desire to join the military is a noble one, as it reflects a willingness to serve and sacrifice for others. However, we must also remind you that God’s calling on your life may take many forms, and military service is not the only way to honor Him. The Lord may have other plans for you that align with His will and your gifts. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, *"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."* We pray that God will make His path clear to you and give you peace as you seek His will.
We also want to address your concerns about practical matters, such as obtaining a driver’s license and state ID. These steps are important, and we encourage you to take them one at a time, trusting God to provide the resources and support you need. If your parents are hesitant to help, we pray that God will soften their hearts or provide others to come alongside you. Remember, the Lord is your provider, and He will not abandon you (Hebrews 13:5).
Your mention of disability, poverty, and suicide weighs heavily on our hearts. We want to remind you that your worth and identity are found in Christ alone. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and God has a purpose for your life. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, we urge you to reach out to a trusted pastor, counselor, or helpline immediately. You are not alone, and there is hope in Jesus. The Lord promises in Psalm 34:18-19, *"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."*
We also want to encourage you to surround yourself with a community of believers who can support and pray for you. The Christian life is not meant to be walked alone, and fellowship with other believers is vital for spiritual growth and encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25). If you are not already part of a local church, we strongly encourage you to seek one out where you can grow in your faith and find support.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of compassion for our brother who has poured out his soul to You. Lord, we thank You for his hunger and thirst for righteousness, for his desire to serve You with his whole life. We ask that You would guide him in every decision he makes, whether it be joining the military, pursuing other opportunities, or simply taking the next step in faith. Give him clarity, peace, and wisdom as he seeks Your will.
Lord, we pray for his physical and emotional well-being. Protect him from harm, both in body and mind. Strengthen him as he fasts, and give him the discipline to care for his body as Your temple. If there are any thoughts or struggles that weigh heavily on his heart, we ask that You would lift them and replace them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Father, we ask that You would provide for his practical needs—help him to obtain the necessary identification, to pass his driving test, and to find the support he needs from those around him. Soften the hearts of his parents, or provide others who can come alongside him in this season. Remind him that You are his provider, and that You will never leave him nor forsake him.
Lord, we rebuke any spirit of despair, poverty, or hopelessness that may be trying to take hold of him. We declare that he is more than a conqueror through Christ who loves him (Romans 8:37), and that his future is secure in Your hands. Fill him with Your joy and hope, and let him know that his life has purpose and meaning in You.
Finally, Lord, we ask that You would surround him with a community of believers who can encourage him, pray for him, and walk with him in this journey. Let him experience the love and support of the body of Christ, and let him grow in his relationship with You each day.
We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
