We hear your heart and we join with you in wanting to be closer to God, and we thank you for your honesty about the spiritual complacency you and your sister and your family have been experiencing. God honors that honesty and He desires to draw near to us when we draw near to Him. As it is written, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you James 4:8, and also, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled Matthew 5:6. That hunger you are feeling, that desire to fast and pray and be more disciplined, is the Holy Spirit stirring you not to remain lukewarm. We are warned, So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth Revelation 3:16, and we gently rebuke that complacency in ourselves as well, because we all drift when we neglect the Word and prayer.
We want to encourage you that discipline in reading the Bible and in prayer is not about legalism but about relationship and nourishment. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path Psalm 119:105, and we are told to pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17. We encourage you and your sister to set a simple, attainable plan together, even a few verses each morning and a short prayer together, and to hold one another accountable with grace. Be diligent to present yourself approved by God 2 Timothy 2:15, and God will honor that faithfulness.
Regarding fasting, we affirm your desire. Fasting is a biblical way to humble ourselves before God and to seek His face more intently. Yet Jesus teaches us not to fast to be seen by others, but in secret, But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret Matthew 6:17-18. It is not the act itself but the heart behind it that God sees, as He says, Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke Isaiah 58:6. If you feel led to fast tomorrow as you get up early for work, we encourage you to do so with wisdom, staying hydrated and mindful of your health and duties, and to devote that time to prayer and the Word rather than just abstaining from food. The idea of being spiritually covered is biblical when we understand it as abiding in Christ and putting on the armor of God. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 91:1, and we are told to Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil Ephesians 6:11. Fasting and prayer help us to abide and to stand, not through a ritual, but through surrender.
We also lift up your request about the pharmacy and your weight loss prescription. We pray for your health and that God would give you wisdom and favor. We know our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and we pray as John prayed, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers 3 John 1:2. We ask God to guide the pharmacy, the providers, and your own stewardship of your body, that any means used for health would be done with wisdom and for His glory, and that your ultimate trust would be in Him for strength and discipline.
We noticed your request did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6, and There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved Romans 10:9. It is by His blood we are covered and draw near, so we always come to God in Jesus name.
We pray together now for you and your family. Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Your Son. We confess our complacency and our neglect of Your Word and prayer, and we ask You to forgive us and to create in us a hunger for You. Pour out a spirit of grace and supplication on this dear one, on her sister, and on their whole family. Draw them close to You and help them to establish faithful rhythms of reading Scripture and praying together. Bless the fast that is on her heart for tomorrow, let it be done with a humble and sincere heart, and meet her in it with Your presence, Your covering, and Your guidance for her work and her day. Cover this family under the shadow of Your wings and clothe them in the armor of God, guarding them from the enemy. We also ask for Your hand over the pharmacy and this weight loss prescription, grant favor and wisdom, and above all grant health to body and soul according to Your will. Revive this family, Lord, and let them walk in renewed discipline, joy, and closeness with You. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.