“Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” – Joel 2:12
Fasting and prayer are not just about abstaining from food or making sacrifices; they are about reorienting our hearts toward God. At the core of these spiritual disciplines is a call to return to Him fully, laying aside distractions and focusing on His presence and purposes. Joel 2:12 reminds us that fasting is a heartfelt response to God’s invitation to draw near, aligning our hearts with His.
On this third day of our journey, let’s reflect on what it means to set our hearts on God and how fasting can help us do so.
A Call to Return
In Joel 2, the prophet delivers a powerful message from God: “Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” This call was given to a people facing a season of devastation, yet it also came with a promise of restoration. God wasn’t interested in outward displays of repentance but in hearts fully turned toward Him.
Fasting is one of the ways we return to God with all our hearts. It is a deliberate act of humility and surrender that says, “Lord, I need You more than anything else in my life.” It’s not about punishing ourselves or trying to earn God’s favor; it’s about removing barriers and distractions so we can experience His love, guidance, and power more deeply.
The Heart of the Matter
Setting our hearts on God means giving Him our full attention and devotion. It requires examining what occupies our time, thoughts, and energy. Fasting helps us identify the things that may have taken God’s rightful place in our lives—whether it’s comfort, control, or the demands of daily living.
When we fast, we intentionally remove these distractions and create space for God to move. This act of surrender aligns our hearts with His, allowing Him to refine our desires and priorities. As we fast, we often discover areas where we’ve relied on our strength instead of His or pursued our plans instead of seeking His will.
God desires our whole hearts, not just a portion. Fasting helps us recalibrate, ensuring that our love, focus, and worship are fully directed toward Him.
The Promise of Transformation
Returning to God with all our hearts is not just about acknowledging our need for Him; it’s about allowing Him to transform us. Joel 2:13 says, “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.”
This verse reveals God’s heart toward us: He welcomes us with grace and kindness, eager to restore and renew us. Fasting positions us to receive His mercy and experience His transformative power. It’s not just about what we give up but about what God wants to give us in return—peace, clarity, healing, and renewed strength.
When we set our hearts on Him, He meets us where we are and leads us into deeper intimacy with Him. This transformation may not be instant, but it is always profound, reshaping our character, perspective, and relationship with God.
Practical Steps for Setting Your Heart on God
- Evaluate Your Priorities: Take time to reflect on where your heart is focused. Are there areas where you’ve allowed distractions or idols to take precedence over God?
- Make Room for God: Use this fast to intentionally remove distractions and dedicate time to prayer, worship, and reading His Word. Let this be a season of drawing closer to Him.
- Surrender Your Desires: Bring your fears, dreams, and plans before God, asking Him to refine and realign them with His purposes. Trust that His plans are greater than anything you could imagine.
- Seek His Presence Daily: Set aside moments throughout your day to connect with God, even if it’s a quick prayer or a verse of Scripture. Consistency in small acts of devotion leads to lasting transformation.
Reflection Questions
- Are there areas in your life where you need to return to God with all your heart?
- What distractions or barriers can you surrender during this fast to make room for Him?
- How can you cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy with God during this season?
Fasting and prayer are tools God uses to draw us closer to Him and to refine our hearts. As you set your heart on God today, remember that He is gracious, merciful, and ready to meet you in this moment. Let this day be one of surrender, trust, and renewal as you return to Him with all your heart.
Ron Eivaz Blog 