21 Days of Prayer

My church has started a 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting for 2025. Each night, we come together in prayer, worship, and a deep desire to seek Christ. We are fasting as a community, each in our own way. For me, my fast includes skipping snacks and committing to a 7 PM to 7 AM fast, which challenges me. Additionally, twice a week, I do an Apple Day, where I only eat apples and drink water. This practice denies my flesh and feeds my spirit.

"But he answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" — Matthew 4:4

Tonight, our prayer focus was on what lies beyond—beyond anything we have ever thought possible, beyond what we’ve previously believed God for. Which had me thinking on my own self and what God wants from me this year. As I stood in a group with my friends and a new person, I heard two things come out strongly.

For me, tonight I prayed for breakthrough in my finances and physical healing. Admitting this requires vulnerability. Regarding healing, I’ve seen God move in miraculous ways—personally, I’ve experienced it in my own body and on my skin. But lately, I’ve grown comfortable with surface-level prayers for healing, not truly digging deep into that faith. In all honesty, the pieces I have been praying for, I hate! On my way home for Christmas, the TSA in Philadelphia subjected me to a 15 minutes pat down, primarily on my chest for a flag on their machine. By the end of it, I had blood on me from my open wound being opened in the process. It brought back shame and anger and sorrow to my heart for the wounds I still cant get to heal. For all the weird looks and changes in clothes, it all resurfaced as I knew I couldn't take my sweater off that day withoutpeople seeing. If I’m honest, part of this reluctance stems from my disappointment last year, when prayers for healing went unanswered. I prayed passionately, even until I was breathless, for my grandpa’s healing, but it didn’t happen the way I had hoped. In that disappointment, I withdrew from praying boldly for healing, both for others and for myself. My Pastor once shared that praying small prayers often comes from the desire to avoid hurt, to shield ourselves from disappointment. Unfortunately, that’s been me—I’ve allowed fear of change and further disappointment to lead me to pray easy, safe prayers. But that’s not how God has called me!

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." — 2 Timothy 1:7

Anxiety and fear have tried to hold me back in this season, and it's been a challenge to confront them. But I know God is bigger than my fears, and He has already provided the peace I need. I have allowed PTSD, anxiety, depression, and all the diagnosis from my past to come back in. From standing on the stage for the Christmas services withanxiety during a candle light moment to fear for specific events. So I prayed tonight for healing in my mind—asking God to remove the anxiety that has crept in, replacing it with His perfect peace. As I press forward, I am declaring that fear no longer has a place in my heart. I am choosing to press into my true calling this year, trusting that God will lead me into what He has destined for me, no matter how daunting it may seem. Whatever that looks like, I will press in!

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:7

As for my finances, it takes a lot to admit my struggles. It’s hard to share that things are tight and that I’m struggling, but I know I’m not alone in this. So many face similar challenges, yet I still feel shame when I admit it. But tonight, I put my trust in God—asking Him to pour out His riches on me, to reveal His will in this season of pressing into Him for the blessing. It’s so easy to be overwhelmed by bills and financial pressures, to shut down or pretend everything is fine. I can deceive myself into thinking I can handle it alone. But in reality, it’s when I lean into God and trust Him more deeply that He makes the impossible possible.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:19

As I reflect on this, I hear God calling me to go beyond, even in this blog. I trust that this journey will go beyond my expectations, that it will transform and change me in 2025. So, tonight, I commit to 21 days of blogging. I will post every day to share my heart, my story, and what God is speaking to me. Some posts will be short, others longer, but each one will reflect the work God is doing. Stay tuned every day From now till 3 weeks from now!

If you feel called to support, please visit the giving section. If God gives you a word for me, email me—I want to hear it. And if you feel led to share this journey with others, please do. Or if you have a topic youd like me to cover, email it over! This is a call for radical change and a time to make God our priority. It’s about stepping into my calling as a writer for His glory.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:13

So, what about you? What is your “beyond” prayer? What are you asking God for that goes beyond anything you’ve ever believed possible?