Start the year spiritually strong

by Sunday Ready
on January 5, 2026
in stat, quote, story

I hope your new year is off to a great start.

So many churches start the year with a 21-day emphasis on prayer and fasting because people are hungry for direction, clarity, and a deeper sense of God’s presence.

Today I’m giving you 1 stat, 1 quote, and 1 story to help you preach on prayer, fasting, and starting the year spiritually strong.

One More Thing: It would mean so much to me if you share this email with 1 or 2 other pastors who would enjoy it.

Pastors are motivated to make healthy changes in the new year, and I would love nothing more than to help them ease the burden of weekly sermon planning.

I started Sunday Ready to help lift the burden pastors carry. This email is just one small way to do that.

Would you use the link at the bottom of this email and text 1 or 2 pastors who would benefit from this email every week.

Thanks for helping me spread the word.

Stat

Fasting is mentioned 77 times in the Bible. Just for comparison, baptism is mentioned 75 times.

Source: https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/spiritual-disciplines-gospel-fasting-denial-prayer-donald-whitney

Quote

“You will never be a greater Christian than your prayer life.” – Leonard Ravenhill

Source: Leonard Ravenhill’s classic book Why Revival Tarries.

Story

Susanna Wesley’s life was unbelievably hard—poor health, a difficult and often volatile marriage, nine children lost in infancy, ten more to raise, and a home that burned down twice.

She carried more heartache and responsibility than most people could imagine, yet she remained steady, committed, and spiritually grounded. She was a woman of prayer.

But it wasn’t easy. There was nowhere at home she could get away to pray, so whenever Susanna wanted time with the Lord, she would pull her apron over her head. This was her prayer room, and her children knew that she was not to be disturbed.

That apron became sacred space. Under it, she poured out her grief, prayed for her husband, and interceded for each child by name.

Takeaway: There’s no perfect place or time to pray. Just do it!

Source: How to Pray: A Simple Guide For Normal People by Pete Greig

Interesting Links

Fasting for Beginners
A helpful article that explains fasting is not a mechanical attempt to earn His favor, but a practice to awaken a deeper desire for God’s presence.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Get Ahead in Your Preaching Planning
As you start 2026, I want to make sure you know you can download a free preaching calendar to get ahead in your sermon planning. I also wrote a step-by-step guide to help you create a plan to get ahead.

Want Next Week's Email?

I send emails just like this one to pastors every Monday. The goal is to help lighten the load of weekly preaching. I would love to add you to the list.