Vital Signs: Saturday, May 3, 2025

Positioned to Encounter God

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,”—Jude 1:20 (NKJV)

Our ultimate desire from this season is to have a deeper relationship with God. While we rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, there are practical ways to intentionally position ourselves to engage with Him.

One way is to reflect on how you’ve approached God in the past, then consider how you can engage with Him differently during prayer and fasting. This is an opportunity to discover more of your relationship with Jesus. Think about your context in this season: have you placed yourself in the right space to receive something new in your life?

Are there areas of trust that require growth? Prayer can be a communicative process that raises questions and listens for His answers. As the sheep know their shepherd’s voice, yearn to unlock the presence of His supernatural voice in your life.

Take advantage of this time to enrich your study of God’s Word. As you press in for a fresh encounter with Christ, your spirit can benefit from new reading habits. Start a new Bible plan; integrate a supplementary resource. Ask the text, “What is God’s heart in this passage?” Journal to stimulate your spiritual imagination.

While fasting is a private act, stay motivated by connecting with community. As iron sharpens iron, build each other up by sharing what God is doing in your life. God often uses our day-to-day conversations to speak to us. When addressing personal struggles, it’s likely someone else has faced similar challenges. Take the power out of strongholds by bringing them into the light and staying accountable. If you’re fasting with your family, create intentional time to share needs and pray together. Then, minimize distractions to increase your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.