Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)

¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

When Jesus spoke His final words to the disciples, He didn’t give them a suggestion. He gave them a mission. “Make disciples.” That command still shapes the church today, and it begins with us choosing to live as disciples ourselves, you have to Be One to Make One!

A disciple is more than someone who believes in Jesus. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus. Belief is essential, but discipleship moves belief into daily practice. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus did not invite people to simply agree with Him. He invited them to follow Him with their whole lives.

As we begin these 10 days of prayer and fasting, we are not just asking God to do something for us. We are asking Him to do something in us. Prayer aligns our hearts with God. Fasting removes distractions and reveals what we truly depend on. Together, they create space for God to shape us more deeply.

Discipleship is not accidental. It is intentional. It is formed through habits, rhythms, and choices repeated over time. Over the next 10 days, we will focus on seven practices that mark a growing disciple. These practices are not about earning God’s love. They flow from the fact that we already have it. They are not about perfection, but direction.

As you pray today, ask God honestly:

“Jesus, what does it look like for me to truly follow You right now?”

Let this be a reset. A fresh start. A reminder that discipleship is not about information alone, but transformation. Jesus is still calling people to follow Him, and He is faithful to shape those who respond.

Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Every healthy relationship is built on consistent connection, and our relationship with God is no different. Meeting with God daily is not about fulfilling a religious obligation. It’s about building relationship, one moment at a time.

David wrote Psalm 63 while in the wilderness, a season marked by discomfort, uncertainty, and lack. Yet his deepest longing was not for ease or escape, but for God Himself. His words reveal a disciple’s heart. Even in a dry and weary land, David recognized that only God could truly satisfy his soul.

Daily time with God keeps us grounded. It reminds us who God is and reorients us when life pulls us in competing directions. When we neglect this practice, our faith can quietly drift. We may still believe in God, but we begin to rely more on ourselves than on Him. Meeting with God daily draws us back into dependence.

This practice does not have to look the same for everyone. For some, it’s reading Scripture and praying in the morning. For others, it may be journaling, worship, or sitting quietly before God. What matters most is consistency, not complexity. Disciples are formed through daily rhythms, not occasional moments of inspiration.

Fasting sharpens our awareness of need. When your body feels hunger today, let it remind you that your soul also needs daily nourishment. Just as your body requires food to function, your spirit requires time in God’s presence to remain healthy and aligned.

Ask God today:

“What would it look like for me to meet with You daily in a way that is realistic and life-giving?”

Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for presence. God honors those who seek Him earnestly, and He promises to meet them there.

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

Serving is not an optional part of the Christian life. It is a defining mark of discipleship. Jesus consistently modeled a life of humble service, showing His followers that greatness in God’s Kingdom is measured not by position, but by faithfulness.

Peter reminds us that every believer has received gifts from God. No one is excluded. These gifts are not given for personal recognition or spiritual status, but to bless others and build up the body of Christ. Serving faithfully means stewarding what God has entrusted to you, even when it feels ordinary, even when it’s inconvenient, sometimes even if it goes unnoticed.

Faithful service reshapes our hearts. It moves us from consumer to contributor. It trains us to see beyond our own needs and preferences and to consider the needs of others. Often, God does deeper work in us through serving than through being served. In those quiet, faithful moments, our character is formed and our dependence on God grows.

Fasting brings this practice into sharper focus. When our energy is limited and comfort is reduced, service requires greater intentionality. That makes it a powerful offering. Serving while fasting reminds us that our strength comes from God, not ourselves. It teaches us to rely on His grace rather than our own capacity.

Serving faithfully doesn’t mean doing everything or saying yes to every opportunity. It means discerning where God has called you and showing up consistently with a willing heart. Obedience matters more than visibility, and faithfulness matters more than applause.

As you pray today, ask God:

Where have You called me to serve, and how can I do so with humility and joy?

Ask Him to renew your perspective, so that your service becomes an act of worship and a reflection of the servant-hearted love of Jesus.

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

Sharing your faith is not about having all the right answers or winning spiritual debates. It is about honoring Christ with your life in such a way that hope becomes visible. Peter assumes something important here: that followers of Jesus will live differently enough for people to ask questions.

Intentionally sharing your faith begins long before words are spoken. It starts with how we live, how we respond under pressure, how we treat people, and where we place our trust. When Christ is honored as Lord in our hearts, it naturally shapes our attitudes, priorities, and relationships. Over time, that difference invites curiosity.

Preparation matters, but posture matters even more. Peter emphasizes gentleness and respect. Disciples don’t share their faith with arrogance or fear, but with humility and love. We trust that the Holy Spirit is already at work before we ever speak.

Fear is often the greatest barrier. Fear of rejection. Fear of awkwardness. Fear of saying the wrong thing. But sharing our faith is not about convincing people. It is about faithfulness. God is responsible for transformation. We are responsible for obedience.

Fasting helps realign our focus. As distractions are stripped away, we become more aware of the people God has placed in our lives. Pay attention today to conversations, nudges, and opportunities to listen. Often, sharing faith begins by caring well.

As you pray today, ask God:

Who have You placed in my life that needs to see and hear the hope I have in You?

Then ask:

How can I represent You with clarity, courage, and love?

God often uses ordinary conversations to do extraordinary work. Be available. Be prayerful. Trust Him with the outcome.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 (ESV)

¹⁷ As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Generosity is not simply something disciples do. It is a reflection of who they trust. Paul warns that wealth and possessions are uncertain, but God is not. Living generously is a way of declaring with our lives that our hope is in God, not in what we own or control.

Generosity goes far beyond money. It includes our time, attention, hospitality, compassion, and resources. A generous life is marked by open hands and an open heart. Disciples understand that everything they have has been entrusted to them by God, not owned outright. We are stewards, not owners.

Fasting has a unique way of exposing where our security really lies. When comfort is removed, we often discover how tightly we cling to what makes us feel safe. Generosity pushes back against that instinct. It trains our hearts to release control and trust God as our provider.

Paul reminds us that generosity produces eternal impact. When we live generously, we store up treasure that cannot be taken away. We invest in what lasts. Generosity reshapes our priorities and aligns our hearts with God’s Kingdom rather than our own comfort.

Living generously may feel risky. It may require sacrifice. But generosity always forms us into the likeness of Christ, who gave freely, sacrificially, and joyfully. Jesus did not give out of excess. He gave out of love.

As you pray today, ask God:

Where are You inviting me to live more open-handed?”

What am I holding onto out of fear rather than trust?”

Trust that God sees every act of generosity, whether large or small. As you give, serve, and share, remember that God is faithful to supply what you need as you seek His Kingdom first.

Luke 9:23 (ESV)

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

Surrender is at the heart of discipleship. Jesus makes it clear that following Him is not a one-time decision made at salvation, but a daily posture of the heart. Every day brings fresh choices about who we will trust and whose will we will follow.

To surrender means to release control. It means placing our plans, preferences, desires, and assumptions into God’s hands. This can feel uncomfortable because surrender confronts our desire to lead our own lives. We often want Jesus as Savior while still holding tightly to being in charge. But discipleship requires something deeper. It requires trust.

Fasting brings surrender into focus in a very practical way. When we willingly deny our bodies something familiar and comforting, we are reminded of how dependent we truly are. Hunger exposes how often we rely on routine, control, or comfort instead of God. That awareness is not meant to shame us. It is meant to draw us closer to Him.

Daily surrender keeps our hearts soft and responsive to the Holy Spirit. Without it, even good things can slowly take God’s place. We may still follow Jesus in name, but begin directing our lives by our own priorities. Surrender realigns us. It reminds us that discipleship is not about asking God to bless our plans, but about stepping into His.

Jesus does not ask us to carry yesterday’s regrets or tomorrow’s fears. He invites us to take up our cross daily. One choice at a time. One act of obedience at a time.

As you pray today, ask God honestly:

What am I holding onto that You are asking me to release?

Where do I need to trust You more fully?

Surrender may feel costly, but it always leads to freedom. God is faithful to meet us where we lay our lives down before Him.

Matthew 22:37 (ESV)

“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”

Loving God is the foundation of discipleship. Every other practice flows from this one. When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, He didn’t hesitate. Loving God with our everything is the starting point for a life that honors Him.

This kind of love is not passive or sentimental. It is active and intentional. To love God with our heart means our affections are directed toward Him. To love Him with our soul means our identity and purpose are rooted in Him. To love Him with our mind means our thoughts, beliefs, and decisions are shaped by His truth. Discipleship involves all of who we are.

Prayer and fasting are powerful expressions of love for God. They are not tools to manipulate Him or earn His favor. They are ways of saying, “God, You matter more to me than anything and everything else.” When we fast, we willingly set aside something good to pursue Someone greater.

Loving God also means choosing Him daily. It means returning to Him when we are distracted, weary, or discouraged. Our love will not always feel strong or emotional, but it can always be faithful. God is less concerned with intensity and more concerned with consistency.

As you pray today, take time to examine your heart. Ask yourself what competes for your affection and attention. Loving God often requires letting go of lesser loves so we can cling more fully to Him.

Ask God today:

What draws my heart away from You?

How can I love You more fully with my whole life?

As you fast and pray, let your love for God be renewed. He is worthy of our devotion, and He faithfully meets those who seek Him with sincere hearts.

John 13:34–35 (ESV)

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus did not say people would recognize His disciples by their theology, their activity, or their passion. He said they would be known by their love. Loving our neighbor is not an optional add-on to discipleship. It is one of its clearest expressions.

Loving like Jesus goes beyond politeness or surface-level kindness. Jesus loved sacrificially. He loved when it was inconvenient. He loved people who misunderstood Him, opposed Him, and even betrayed Him. To love our neighbor as Jesus loves us means choosing compassion over convenience and grace over judgment.

This kind of love is deeply practical. It shows up in everyday moments: listening instead of interrupting, forgiving instead of holding onto resentment, serving without expecting recognition, and choosing patience when frustration would be easier. Loving our neighbor often costs us time, comfort, or pride.

Fasting has a way of revealing where love still needs to grow. When we are tired, hungry, or uncomfortable, impatience and irritation can surface quickly. Instead of seeing those moments as failures, see them as invitations. God uses them to expose areas where He wants to form Christlike love in us.

Loving our neighbor does not mean agreeing with everyone or avoiding hard conversations. Jesus loved with both truth and grace. Love seeks the good of others, even when it requires humility or courage.

As you pray today, ask God:

Who are You calling me to love more intentionally right now?

What would love look like in action toward them?

Ask God to open your eyes to the people around you. Love is how the world sees Jesus in us. May our love point clearly and consistently to Him.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)

²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

From the beginning, discipleship was never meant to be lived alone. Jesus did not call individuals to follow Him in isolation. He formed a community. Faith is personal, but it is not private. We grow best when we walk alongside others who are also learning to follow Jesus.

Community plays a vital role in spiritual formation. It encourages us when we are weary, challenges us when we drift, and reminds us that we are not alone in the journey. God often uses relationships to shape us in ways that private devotion alone cannot. Through community, we learn humility, patience, forgiveness, and perseverance.

Consistency matters. Occasional connection rarely leads to deep transformation. When we engage in community regularly, trust is built and growth happens over time. Shared life creates space for honesty, prayer, accountability, and encouragement. Discipleship is formed in repeated, ordinary moments with others.

Fasting can sometimes tempt us to withdraw. Low energy and quiet reflection are natural, but isolation can quickly become unhealthy. Community brings balance. Others help us stay grounded, pray for us, and remind us of truth when our perspective narrows.

Engaging in community is all about showing up honestly, even when we feel weak or unfinished, allowing God to work through relationships. Community is not about impressing others, but about growing together.

As you pray today, ask God:

Where are You calling me to engage more consistently in Christian community?

What step can I take to move from attendance to participation?

God often does His deepest work in us through other people. Community is not optional for disciples. It is essential for growth, faithfulness, and perseverance.

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

These ten days of prayer and fasting are not meant to be an ending. They are meant to be a beginning. God never designed spiritual practices to be short-term experiences that inspire us for a moment and then fade. He uses them to form long-term patterns that shape who we are becoming.

As this fast comes to a close, it is important to pause and reflect. What has God been revealing to you? What practices stirred something in your heart? What areas felt stretching or uncomfortable? Reflection turns an experience into formation. Without reflection, we risk moving on too quickly and missing what God is trying to solidify in us.

Discipleship is not about doing everything at once. It is about faithful next steps. Growth happens when we choose consistency over intensity and obedience over emotion. Small decisions, repeated daily, shape our lives more than occasional bursts of motivation.

Paul reminds us that God finishes what He starts. The work God began in you did not start with this fast, and it will not end with it. God is patient. He works over time. He shapes us in ordinary days just as much as in focused seasons like this one.

As you pray today, ask God two important questions:

What is one practice You are inviting me to prioritize moving forward?

What is my next faithful step?

Write it down. Share it with someone you trust. Commit to it prayerfully. Discipleship grows best when it is intentional and shared.

Do not underestimate the power of small, faithful obedience. God is not finished with you. Keep meeting with Him. Keep surrendering. Keep loving. Keep serving. He is faithful to complete the work He has begun.