Open Arms Community Church

Do As I Do, Part 8
Open Arms Community Church – Bradford, PA

We live in a world full of shifting opinions, unstable foundations, and fragile faith. We scroll, listen, read, and react—but often we build on sand without realizing it.

In this week’s message, Don’t Just Read the Bible — Build Your Life on It, Pastor Zoe reminds us that the strength of our faith doesn’t depend on how much we know—it depends on what we’re standing on.

Because when life gets dark, when the winds pick up, when everything you trusted starts shaking… only one foundation will hold: the Word of God, hidden in your heart and lived out in your life.

🎥 Watch the full message on YouTube: The Secret Foundation to Unshakeable Faith | Do As I Do Pt. 8

📖 Hiding God’s Word in Your Heart

We often treat Scripture like a book to read, not a life to build. But Psalm 119 says something deeper:

Psalm 119:9–16 (NIV)
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

Pastor Zoe shared that the word “hidden” doesn’t mean concealed—it means stored, treasured, kept safe.
You don’t wait for the storm to start building the foundation. You lay it now.

💡 When the Lights Go Out

A little girl once got scared when the power went out at home. Her parents told her to grab the lantern from the closet. She didn’t panic—she walked straight to it.

Why? Because she already knew where it was before it got dark.

That’s what it means to hide God’s Word in your heart. When life goes dark, you don’t have to fumble for faith—you already know where to find the light.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”
— Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

🧱 Building on the Rock

Jesus told a story that gets right to the point:

Matthew 7:24–27 (NIV)
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

The difference between the wise builder and the foolish one wasn’t knowledge—it was obedience. Both heard the Word. Only one did something with it.

When we hear without doing, our lives lean like the Tower of Pisa—tilted by time, weakened by shifting ground. But when we hear and do, when we build on the Word, we stand firm no matter what hits.

📚 The Word That Breathes

Paul wrote to Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:14–17 (NIV)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Word of God isn’t just ink on paper—it’s breath. Every verse carries the breath of God Himself.
When you read it, it reads you. When you apply it, it forms you. When you obey it, it builds you.

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
— Jeremiah 23:29 (NIV)

💭 Renewing Your Mind

Faith that lasts begins with a renewed mind:

Romans 12:1–2 (NIV)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Transformation happens when we stop conforming to the noise of culture and start conforming to the voice of Scripture.

The Word doesn’t just inform your life—it forms it.

🔨 Putting It into Practice

The Bible is clear: it’s not enough to read or even memorize Scripture if we never live it out.

Start small.

• Open your Bible every day, even for five minutes.
• Pick one verse and ask, “What will I do with this?”
• Write it down. Pray it back.
• Practice it this week until it sticks.

As Pastor Zoe said:

“The goal of reading Scripture isn’t to finish it—it’s to let it finish you.”

✨ A Life That Doesn’t Fall

When your foundation is Scripture, you don’t just survive storms—you grow stronger through them. The winds may shake your house, but they’ll never move the Rock beneath it.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
— Matthew 24:35 (NIV)

Don’t just read the Bible.
Build your life on it.

🎥 Watch the full message: The Secret Foundation to Unshakeable Faith | Do As I Do Pt. 8
📍 Join us this Sunday at 9:00 & 11:00 AM – 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA
💛 Plan your visit: openarmscommunitychurch.org/visit

We live in a world that constantly tells us to get more, keep more, and protect what’s ours. But Jesus calls us to something radically different — to give. In this message, part seven of our Do As I Do series, we’re looking at what it means to live generously like Jesus did. Generosity isn’t just about money; it’s a lifestyle of trust, joy, and freedom. When we begin to live under our means and open our hands, we find that God fills them again and again — not so we can store it up, but so we can pour it out.

Pastor Zoe Hatcher | Open Arms Community Church – Bradford, PA

Living the Way Jesus Lived

Doing what Jesus did — that’s what disciples do.

We’ve been walking through this series called Do As I Do: Sabbath. Prayer. Fasting. Solitude. Miracles.

And now, we’re talking about Generosity — the most JOYFUL of all the practices.

But just like the others, generosity is a discipline. It doesn’t just happen on its own. Living a generous life requires focus, practice, and trust.

As we slow down, center our lives around Jesus, and apply these disciplines, our lives simplify. That simplicity frees us up to live under our means — instead of chronically overextended — and opens all kinds of possibilities to bless others.

God Is a Giver

God is a giver — that’s who He is.

He operates in a constant outflow of generous, self-giving, forgiving love. He held nothing back, even giving His only Son for us in the ultimate act of love.

John 3:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

When we give — our money, our resources, our time, our love — we get to participate in that same divine outflow of love.

That’s what radical generosity looks like. It’s counter-cultural, not normal — but we don’t follow normal, we follow Jesus.

So ask yourself honestly:
Are we known as people who give radically? Or as people who take and hoard? Ouch.

A Heart Check for the Church

Let’s be real — most Christians today aren’t known for generosity.

• U.S. Christians collectively make $5.2 trillion a year — nearly half of the world’s Christian income.
• The average giving per churchgoer is $17 a week — about the cost of a pizza.
• That’s $73.67 per month, or $884 per year.

That’s not the heart of our radically generous God. That’s a heart problem — and it’s time we face it.

Be Rich Toward God

Jesus tells a story in Luke 12:13–21 that hits this right on the head:

Luke 12:13–21 (NIV)
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

The man’s problem wasn’t saving. It was that he wasn’t rich toward God.

Being rich toward God means choosing generosity — storing up treasures in heaven, not just here on earth.

What It Means to Be “Rich Toward God”

Paul explains this beautifully in 1 Timothy 6:6–11, 17–19:

1 Timothy 6:6–11, 17–19 (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Radical generosity toward others is being rich toward God.

God’s vision is for His people to live this way — giving out of a ready and cheerful heart, knowing we’re laying up treasures in heaven.

Three Ways to Be Rich Toward God

1. Give a Full Tithe

A tithe is 10% of your income — given to your local church, your spiritual home.

Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)
“‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.’”

That 10% belongs to Him. It’s holy.

Here at Open Arms, we’re sustained solely by what our church family gives. No outside support, no government funding — just faithful giving. And we tithe too! 10% of what you give goes right back out into local and global missions.

Still, the average Christian gives just 2.5%. Imagine if we all gave faithfully — there’d be an extra $139 billion every year for God’s Kingdom!

Malachi 3:8–12 (NIV)
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings.
9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.
12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about invitation. God says, “Test me in this.”

He’s not trying to take something from you; He’s trying to bless you beyond measure.

Matthew 23:23 (NIV)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

Jesus Himself affirmed tithing — but He reminded us not to forget why we give.

Hebrews 7:1–2 (NIV)
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.”

Abraham gave a tenth before any law commanded it. Why? Because his heart was already generous toward God.

2. Give Sacrificially

Offerings — anything above the tithe — flow from a generous heart.

Mark 12:41–44 (NIV)
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

It’s not about the amount — it’s about the sacrifice.

Paul praises the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians 8–9 for giving joyfully even in poverty, reminding the Corinthians to “excel in this grace of giving.”

3. Give for God’s Eyes Only

Matthew 6:2–4 (NIV)
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

This kind of giving — what we call alms — is done in secret. It’s not for applause; it’s for God.

That’s why Open Arms keeps an Alms Box in the back. Everything in it goes straight to help those in need — quietly, humbly, generously.

The Measure You Use

Luke 6:38 (NIV)
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

God measures generosity by our hearts, not our wallets.

If you give with a thimble, you’ll receive a thimble back. But if you give with an overflowing cup — watch how He pours it back, pressed down, shaken together, and running over!

Acts 20:35 (NIV)
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Making It Practical

Not giving yet? That’s okay. Start small.

If tithing 10% feels overwhelming, start with 1%. Then increase by 1% each paycheck until you reach it.

Put your goal on your prayer card so we can pray with you. The enemy will fight your commitment to generosity — but you won’t fight alone.

The Challenge

Are you ready to commit to generosity and experience the JOY of the Lord through it?

Because when you live open-handed, you’ll discover that God’s hands were open all along.

If this message has stirred your heart, don’t wait to put it into action. Generosity isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we live. Every gift you give helps us continue sharing the hope of Jesus, serving families in need, and reaching our community with love. Whether you’re starting small or stepping out in faith, your obedience makes an eternal impact. You can give safely and securely anytime at openarmscommunitychurch.org/give. Let’s keep living open-handed and watch what God can do through our generosity.

🕊️ Do As I Do, Part 5 — Solitude: Finding the Secret Place

We all feel it — the constant noise, the notifications, the hurry, the crowds.
Our world hums with distractions that keep our souls restless and our minds captive.

But Jesus offers something radically different:
An invitation to step away.
To be alone with Him — not to escape the world, but to be renewed for it.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
— Mark 6:31 (NIV)

Through solitude, we are invited into Jesus’ rhythm of retreating from the noise to be fully present with the Father, and then returning to love and serve others.

🌿 Why Jesus Chose Solitude

Jesus made solitude a priority.
In a world full of need, pressure, and opportunity, He consistently withdrew to lonely places to pray.

Luke 5:16 (NIV)
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Jesus often went to solitary or deserted places to commune with God.
This wasn’t avoidance — it was alignment.
It was a deliberate choice to escape the demands of ministry and people so He could receive spiritual guidance, power, and rest.

If Jesus needed that space, so do we.
Solitude demonstrates priorities — it shows what matters most.

🔄 The Rhythm of Retreat and Return

Solitude was never a one-time act for Jesus; it was His rhythm of life.
Like breathing in and out, He practiced a pattern of retreat and return.

Matthew 14:22–23 (NIV)
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.

He sent His disciples ahead so He could withdraw in solitude.
Later, He returned to continue His mission.
This rhythm — inhale with God, exhale into the world — sustained everything He did.

🌤️ When Jesus Invited His Disciples to Rest

Even the disciples, busy with ministry and service, were invited to this same rest.

Mark 6:30–32 (NIV)
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Jesus didn’t say, “Work harder” — He said, “Come away.”
He understood that spiritual strength flows from spiritual stillness.
Without time alone with the Father, even good things eventually become draining things.

🕯️ The Foundation of Spiritual Life

Henri Nouwen once wrote:

“Without solitude, it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life.”

Solitude is foundational because it roots every other practice — prayer, Sabbath, fasting, and service — in love rather than performance.

Yet solitude isn’t always easy. It can be deeply refreshing, but it can also feel like painful emotional surgery.
When we slow down, the things we’ve buried — grief, regret, fear, anger — begin to rise to the surface.
But God brings these things up not to wound us, but to heal us.

In solitude, God forms us into the people He has always desired us to become.

⚔️ The Battles of the Soul

In solitude, we face the same three enemies that Scripture names again and again:

1. The world — the noise and distractions that keep us from hearing God.
2. The flesh — the restless desires that crave control and comfort.
3. The devil — the deceiver who distorts truth.

But solitude is where truth starts to win.
When the noise dies down, the voice of God becomes clear again.

🤼‍♂️ Wrestling with God

Solitude isn’t always serene — sometimes, it’s a wrestling match.
One of Scripture’s most profound encounters in solitude happened with Jacob.

Genesis 32:22–30 (NIV)
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

Jacob’s story is a reminder that solitude may not always feel peaceful.
Sometimes, it feels like a fight — a fight with fear, with guilt, with God Himself.
But notice: Jacob left that encounter limping… and blessed.
The limp became a reminder of grace — that in weakness, he had met the living God.

🕰️ Steps to Practicing Solitude

Solitude rarely happens by accident; it must be chosen intentionally.
Here are simple, practical steps to begin cultivating this rhythm:

1. Schedule Time and Place
   Select a consistent time and a quiet location free from interruptions. Make it part of your daily rhythm.
2. Eliminate Distractions
   Turn off your phone. Silence notifications. Let your family or coworkers know you’ll be unavailable for a short time.
3. Start Small
   Begin with 15–30 minutes. It doesn’t need to be hours — just a moment of intentional presence.
4. Set a Timer
   Use a timer so you’re not tempted to check the clock. This helps your mind settle.
5. Focus Your Attention
   You might focus on your breathing, a short verse, or simply the beauty of your surroundings.
   Let your attention rest on God.
6. Observe and Accept
   When thoughts or emotions arise, don’t fight them. Acknowledge them and gently return to your focus.
   Solitude is not about perfection — it’s about presence.

🌤️ The Rewards of Solitude

What happens when you actually make space for solitude?

• Self-Reflection: You become aware of your inner life — your motives, wounds, and longings.
• Spiritual Growth: You begin to hear God’s voice with clarity.
• Peace and Calm: Studies — and Scripture — show that stillness reduces anxiety and renews strength.
• Identity: You remember who you truly are — a beloved child of God, not defined by productivity or approval.

Solitude restores what hurry steals.

🌿 The Secret Place

Jesus spoke clearly about solitude in His teaching on prayer:

Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

The “secret place” isn’t necessarily a physical room — it’s a posture of the heart.
It’s any space where you can be honest, unguarded, and still before God.

This might be:

• A park bench at sunrise 🌅
• A quiet walk after work 🚶‍♂️
• A fishing spot 🎣
• Your bedroom late at night 🌙
• Even a locked bathroom if that’s the only quiet spot available 🚪

The place isn’t sacred — His presence is.

💬 Why We Resist Solitude

Even though we long for peace, many of us avoid solitude.
We fill every gap in the day with noise or movement.
Underneath, there’s a deeper battle happening — a push-pull dynamic of the heart.

Part of us desires God and His will.
Another part of us resists Him — wanting to rule our own kingdom.

We say:

“I’m too busy.”
“I’ll pray when I have time.”
“I just can’t slow down.”

But busyness is one of the enemy’s most effective weapons.
Hurry keeps us from hearing the voice that matters most.

We must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives.
The stakes are high — peace or exhaustion, presence or burnout, life or death of the soul.

🎸 Less Is More

In the 1980s, Gibson Guitars ran an ad for their Les Paul model that said,
“Les is more.”

That phrase captures a profound spiritual truth.
When we simplify — when we do less, hurry less, scroll less — we begin to notice more.
More peace.
More awareness.
More of God.

Less noise, more presence.
Less striving, more surrender.
Less distraction, more delight.

🔥 The Fruit of Solitude

Solitude isn’t about escape; it’s about empowerment.
When you retreat with God, you return refreshed and ready to love.

Through solitude we:

• Heal from inner wounds.
• Hear God’s voice more clearly.
• Gain spiritual strength to stand against the enemy.
• Learn to love from overflow rather than exhaustion.

Without the quiet, our spiritual lives wither.
But with it, we come alive to the greatest joy of life — a familiar friendship with Jesus.

💛 Find the Quiet — Find God

Each of the spiritual practices — Sabbath, prayer, fasting, solitude — is designed to keep us connected and aligned with the heart of the Father.

As we make space for the secret place, our souls begin to wake up.
A holy flame starts to burn again.
And in that flame, we rediscover what Jesus meant when He said:

“Come and see.”
— John 1:39 (NIV)

He invites you not just to believe in Him, but to be with Him.
In the quiet.
In the secret place.
In the stillness where His love restores your soul.

So find your secret place — wherever that may be — and go there often.
Fall in love with it.
Fall in love with Him.

Because when you find the quiet,
you’ll find God.

Fasting is one of the most essential and powerful spiritual practices in the life of a disciple—and yet, it may also be the most neglected. In a culture that loves comfort and convenience, the thought of giving up food or other pleasures doesn’t sound appealing. But in Scripture, fasting is not presented as an optional extra. Jesus Himself said, “When you fast” (Matthew 6:16), not if.

At its heart, fasting is not about dieting, deprivation, or looking “super-spiritual.” Fasting is about creating space for God. It is about trading meals for moments with Him, exchanging temporary comfort for lasting joy.

What Is Fasting?

Fasting is the practice of giving something up—most often food—for a time, in order to draw closer to God in prayer. It’s a way of asking: “Lord, what do you want me to set aside so I can seek You more deeply?”

As one writer puts it: “Fasting is literally praying with your body.” By denying the flesh, you open yourself more fully to the Spirit. By setting aside physical cravings, you make room for a deeper hunger for God.

Fasting is also a form of voluntary suffering. It trains us to be joyful even when we don’t get what we want. Just as parents teach their children that they can’t have everything they desire, God teaches us that true joy comes not from indulging our cravings, but from delighting in Him.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus Himself fasted:

Matthew 4:1–2 (NIV)

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”

But there were also times He didn’t fast, and even told others not to:

Mark 2:18–20 (NIV)

“Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, ‘How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?’

Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.’”

Jesus shows us there is a time to fast, and a time to feast. Both are important in the rhythm of a spiritually healthy life.

When Should I Fast?

Fasting is not about religious performance or fad diets. It’s not intermittent fasting or Keto with a prayer added on top. Fasting is Spirit-led. It’s not about shedding pounds—it’s about drawing near to God.

There are also times when fasting isn’t appropriate—holidays, birthdays, celebrations. God calls us to feast as well as fast.

But when He does lead us to fast, Scripture tells us how to do it:

Matthew 6:1, 16–18 (NIV)

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

The point is clear: fasting is between you and God. Keep it private. Don’t fast for attention or sympathy.

Why Fast?

The main purpose of fasting is simple: seeking God.

Throughout the Bible, God’s people fasted for:

• Breakthrough – Esther, Daniel
• Mission – Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13)
• Repentance and mercy – Joel 2

Jesus also taught that certain things only happen through prayer and fasting:

Mark 9:28–29 (NKJV)

“And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’

So He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’”

Fasting doesn’t guarantee answers, but it does amplify our prayers—like putting a megaphone on them. It increases both our capacity to hear God and to be heard by Him.

What Should I Fast?

Traditionally, fasting means abstaining from food and drink (except water) for a set time. But fasting can also include setting aside other things that consume time and attention—social media, entertainment, even good things like workouts or marital intimacy (see 1 Corinthians 7).

Here’s an important distinction: if it’s something sinful, giving it up isn’t fasting—that’s obedience. Fasting is about surrendering something good for the sake of pursuing something better: God Himself.

Feeding on God’s Word

Fasting teaches us to live on a different kind of nourishment.

John 4:31–34 (NLT)

“Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’

But Jesus replied, ‘I have a kind of food you know nothing about.’

‘Did someone bring him food while we were gone?’ the disciples asked each other.

Then Jesus explained: ‘My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.’”

When we fast, every craving for food becomes a reminder to crave God more deeply. It is a time to savor His Word instead of food.

How to Fast Well

If you sense God calling you to fast, here are a few simple steps:

• Pray – Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to guide you.
• Read – Spend time in Scripture; fill your soul with truth.
• Journal – Write down what God is showing you.
• SAVOR – Use this journaling practice to stay present with God:
  • S – Stillness: pause and breathe.
  • A – Acceptance: face reality honestly.
  • V – Verify: find a verse that speaks to it.
  • O – Observe: notice what’s stirring in your heart.
  • R – Return: repent and realign with God.

And finally—share. Fasting itself is private, but what God reveals to you can build up others.

An Invitation

Ann Voskamp writes: “Prayer (and fasting) aren’t about getting what you desperately want, but about getting more of the One who desperately wants you.”

This is the heart of fasting. Not striving to get more from God, but making space to receive more of God Himself.

So here’s the invitation: Ask the Lord what He wants you to fast from, and what He wants you to fast for. Trade your cravings for communion. Let fasting become a doorway to deeper intimacy, breakthrough, and joy.

Come Experience This With Us

We’d love for you to experience God’s presence, His Word, and His people in person. If you’re in the Bradford, PA area, join us this Sunday at Open Arms Community Church.

🕘 Service Times

• Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM

✨ You don’t have to have it all together—just come as you are. We’ll save you a seat, and we can’t wait to welcome you.

👉 Plan Your Visit Here

Many of us wonder, Am I praying right? Do I have to say the exact words? Does God really hear me? Family Pastor Annette Dennison answers these questions with Scripture, a personal healing testimony, and a simple framework for a life of prayer you can actually live. Prayer is not performance—it’s relationship.

“Prayer doesn’t change things; God changes things… It’s the God to whom we pray who has all power.” – Pastor Annette Dennison

What Is Prayer, Really?

Prayer is an honest conversation with God—real emotions, real requests, and a real relationship. It’s how we cultivate friendship with Him and grow in joy.

“Prayer is our primary portal to joy… The more you pray, the more you think to pray.” – Pastor Annette Dennison

Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer (Matthew 6:5–15)

Jesus warns against praying to be seen and invites us into secret, sincere communion with the Father:

Matthew 6:5–8 (NIV):
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites… But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen… And when you pray, do not keep on babbling… for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Then He offers a pattern we can follow:

Matthew 6:9–13 — The Lord’s Prayer:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

And He adds:

Matthew 6:14–15:
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Key takeaway: The Lord’s Prayer is a pattern, not a performance. It reorients our hearts to God’s name, God’s will, God’s provision, God’s mercy, and God’s leadership.

Does Prayer “Work”? Faith and God’s Power

Mark 11:24:
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Faith isn’t magic words—it’s trust in the God who answers.

Annette shared how, after the church prayed over her, doctors who previously saw four pituitary tumors found none on the follow-up scan. Her response?

“My God took them away.” – Pastor Annette Dennison

James 5:16:
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Why Solitude Matters—Jesus Shows the Way

Jesus practiced secret prayer—often, and for long stretches.

Luke 6:12:
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

Mark 1:35–38:
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up… to a solitary place, where he prayed…”

Solitude clears the noise so you can give God your undivided attention and learn spiritual discipline.

Psalm 100:
“Worship the Lord with gladness… Enter his gates with thanksgiving…”

Gratitude is the doorway to deeper love.

Why Pray Together? The Power of Corporate Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14–15:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray… then I will hear from heaven… I will forgive… and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”

When God’s people humble themselves, repent, and seek His face together, communities change.

Four Practical Levels of Prayer

Annette outlined a simple path you can start today:

1. Talking to God – Pray Scripture (Psalms), historic prayers, or sing.
2. Talking with God – Share details of your life with gratitude; ask for help (petition) and stand in the gap for others (intercession).
3. Listening to God – Make quiet space to hear His “still, small voice.”
4. Being with God – Rest in His presence: “To look at Him, looking at us in love.”

Try This Today

• Find a quiet moment. Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly.
• Add your own words: Name a need, confess a sin, thank God for one gift, ask for guidance.
• Sit in silence for one minute and listen.
• Text a friend: “How can I pray for you today?”
• Before bed, whisper: “Father, I trust You with this.”

Looking for a Church in Bradford, PA?

If you’re spiritually curious or hurting and wondering how to pray, we’d love to walk with you.

Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA is a place to find hope, healing, and purpose in Jesus—together in microchurches and on Sundays.

👉 Plan a visit: https://openarmscommunitychurch.org/visit