Life Group - Study Guides

This week we wrap up our series on prayer and fasting. As we step into a new year, our desire has been to help our church develop essential habits that reset our lives and realign our hearts with the Word of God. Life is a gift—but it is also hard. When we learn to be people who consistently reflect, seek God, and ask Him to reveal our next steps, we find ourselves anchored to His promises rather than overwhelmed by our circumstances. With that in mind, let’s look at a few final truths about prayer and fasting practices, that help align us with God and His plans for our lives.

As we continue this series on prayer and fasting, we are looking closely at the example Jesus gave us in Matthew 6 through what we commonly call The Lord’s Prayer. Many people believe prayer matters yet feel intimidated by it—unsure how to pray or afraid of doing it “wrong.” Jesus did not give us a script to repeat, but a framework, pattern, and guide to shape how we pray. When prayer and fasting are practiced together, they bring alignment—aligning our hearts, desires, and will with God. If we fast without prayer, we’ve missed the point. Together, prayer and fasting create space for God to work in us.

At the beginning of a new year, many people focus on resolutions, goals, diets, exercise plans, or a “word for the year.” Others are completely over all of it. But whether we love or hate resolutions, most of us can agree on this: it's a natural time for a reset. What we need most isn’t just better habits—it's a heart and mind that hunger and thirst for God. Often, we assume nothing needs to change, or we tell ourselves that we will deal with spiritual things later. Over time, that delay can harden our hearts without us realizing it. Together, we want to be a church that intentionally seeks Jesus in 2026—not out of pressure or guilt, but out of desire and trust.

The New Year often feels like a fresh start. For some, it’s a reset in relationships, health, work, parenting, or faith. We set goals and make plans, but like diet and exercise, growth takes time—and sometimes we hit ruts or plateaus. As we approach 2026, what if our biggest goal wasn’t just external improvement, but spiritual growth? King David made it clear that above everything else, there was one thing he truly desired. Join us as we explore what it means to pursue God in a deeper way and how that pursuit can shape every area of our lives.

Jesus turned every expectation upside down. Instead of demanding service, He offered it freely. Instead of elevating Himself, He humbled Himself. Instead of claiming power, He laid it down. His greatness was found in His willingness to serve — and He invites us to follow in that same quiet strength.