FAST 2026 | Week 3
Week 2 Declaration
Keeping Oil in Our Lamps
God, we need You more than we admit.
We confess that we often run on empty
and call it strength.
As we fast this week, teach us how to receive again.
Fill the places that have grown dry.
Restore what hurry and noise have worn down.
We don’t want borrowed faith
or shallow devotion...we want hearts that
stay ready and lives that stay awake.
Fill us with Your Spirit.
Give us oil that lasts.
Amen.
Fast Facts: Meditation
Fasting helps us notice where excess, noise, or habit is draining oil without producing light
Meditate on What Shapes the Light
What grows unchecked begins to smoke
Trimming restores clarity
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 119: 15-16
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Matthew 6:16-18
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Fast Scripture:
1. For youth, young adults, and those searching
Psalm 119
Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
beth
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
For youth, young adults, & the searching
Aleph (vv. 1–8) and Beth (vv. 9–16)
“Who am I becoming?”
Meditation focus
God’s Word as a path not a fence
Formation before information
Identity shaped early by what you store inside
Direction, Identity, and Formation
2. FOR FAMILIES, MOMS & DADS
Psalm 119
Gimel
17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.
Daleth
25 My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
2. FOR FAMILIES, MOMS & DADS
“How do I stay grounded when life feels heavy?”
Meditation focus
God’s Word as renewal, not pressure
Teaching by example, not perfection
Life-giving rhythms in exhausting seasons
Stability, Teaching, and Passing It On
3. FOR THE ANXIOUS, FEARFUL, OR OVERWHELMED
He
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
Waw
41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
3. FOR THE ANXIOUS, FEARFUL, OR OVERWHELMED
He & Waw (vv. 33–48)
“What do I fix my attention on?”
Meditation focus
God’s Word as an anchor
Choosing what shapes your imagination
Courage rooted in truth, not circumstances
Security in an Unstable World
4. FOR THE WEARY, STRONG, AND THOSE WHO KEEP SHOWING UP
Psalm 119
Yodh
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!
Kaph
81 My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
4. FOR THE WEARY, STRONG, AND THOSE WHO KEEP SHOWING UP
Yodh & Kaph (vv. 73–88)
“How do I keep going?”
Meditation focus
God’s promises as sustaining fuel
Faithfulness in unseen seasons
Trust formed over time
Endurance and Inner Strength
5. FOR THE HOPEFUL, THE HURTING, AND THE WAITING
Resh
153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O Lord;
give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life, O Lord, according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Sin and Shin
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
5. FOR THE HOPEFUL, THE HURTING, AND THE WAITING
Resh & Shin (vv. 153–168)
“What am I anchoring my hope to?”
Meditation focus
Peace as alignment, not escape
Hope shaped by God’s faithfulness
Trust that holds in uncertainty
Future, Promise, and Trust
FAST PRACTICES
Scripture meditation rather than information intake.
Honest self-examination without condemnation.
Naming distractions instead of defending them.
FAST MEDITATION QUESTIONS
1. What is this revealing about God?
2. What is this awakening in me?
3. What is this realigning in my life?
4. What promise can I hold onto today?
5. What is one step of obedience I can take?
Fast Fact
Fasting doesn’t begin with removal, but with attention.
We tend what we value
Fast Practices
Begin each day acknowledging God’s nearness.
Replace hurried prayer with unhurried presence.
Let gratitude shape the fast before discipline does.
WEEK 1 DECLARATION
Tending the Flame
God, You are the one who lit this fire.
We didn’t create it, and we don’t want to rush past it.
As we fast and pray, slow us down.
Show us what needs to be trimmed.
Take away what clouds the light You’ve placed in us.
We lay aside what distracts us,
not because it’s bad,
but because we want what is best.
Help us care for what You’ve
entrusted to us.
Let our lives burn steady and true.
Amen.
Fast Fact
Fire fades when the source is neglected.
Oil must be replenished.
Fast Scripture
John 6:35
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Isaiah 40:31
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Matthew 25:1-13
Ivanka Demchuk
Restore the inner life
Fasting exposes how often we live on fumes instead of fullness.
Fast Practices
Creating margin for prayer and rest.
Refusing hurry and false urgency.
Practicing dependence on the Spirit, not willpower.
WEEK 3 DECLARATION
Carrying the Light
God, You have called us to be light in this world.
Not perfect light.
Not loud light.
Faithful light.
As we come to the end of this fast,
lift our eyes beyond ourselves.
Help us see people the way You see them.
Help us walk with clarity and compassion.
We choose to carry what You’ve given us.
Into our homes.
Into our work.
Into our city.
Let our lives point to You.
Let the light remain.
Amen.
