April 13: Weekly Focus

Published April 13, 2026
A graphic for a 2026 Bible reading plan with a leafless tree in a yellow field. Text reads 'daily reminders: daily practices for spiritual growth'.

April - Fasting

Fasting is the practice of giving up food or another form of comfort to seek God in a deeper way. It is not about earning God’s approval but about drawing near to Him with humility and dependence. Through fasting, we remember that our true nourishment comes from God alone, and we make space to listen more fully to His voice. This month we focus on fasting as a way of realigning our hearts with God after the joy of Easter, grounding ourselves in His presence and provision.

Week of April 13- Week 15

Reading:

15Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem! Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. 16Gather all the people—the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters and the bride from her private room. 17Let the priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence, stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar. Let them pray, “Spare your people, Lord! Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery. Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say, ‘Has the God of Israel left them?’” Joel 2:15–17 (NLT)

God calls His people to fast together as a community. Fasting unites us in humility before Him and expresses our longing for His mercy and presence.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Why do you think fasting was called for the whole community?

2.    How does fasting with others make it more meaningful?

3.    What role does humility play in fasting?

4.    How can you seek God’s mercy through fasting?

5.    What might fasting look like in your own faith community today?

Why this matters for life today:

God cares about more than the act of fasting; He cares about the heart behind it. Real fasting is meant to set us free from selfishness and help us see the needs of others more clearly. It pushes us to live with compassion and generosity.

Take it Deeper:

  • The people fasted and prayed for God’s protection and He answered them.

21And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. 23So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. Ezra 8:21, 23 (NLT)

  • Nehemiah fasted and prayed, confessing sin and seeking God’s mercy.

4When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. 5Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!” Nehemiah 1:4–6 (NLT)