Today I begin my 21-day fast. Most years, the Lord gives me a word to carry into the new year. But this time, He’s given me a phrase: New Beginnings.
That phrase came out of an experience I had in December (you can read more about it in my previous blog post). But what’s become undeniably clear to me since then is this: There are no new beginnings without repentance.
Scripture speaks often—and beautifully—about repentance. But in much of modern Christian culture, we’ve framed it as something shameful or condemning. The truth is, biblical repentance isn’t about guilt; it’s about freedom.
Metanoia, the Greek word for repentance that we see throughout the Bible, means a complete change of heart and mind. Metanoia is the invitation to step out of darkness into light. It’s about changing our hearts and returning to God’s original intention for our lives: to walk in the fullness and freedom found in Christ.
As I’ve been praying leading up to my fast and will continue to do so for the next 21 days, my main prayer is this: Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.
The Lord has also given me several verses to meditate on during this time, not only for myself but for my friends and family in this season of new beginnings:
Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)
Lamentations 3:22-24: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (NIV)
Recent research from OneHope has shown that Gen Z and the rising Gen Alpha generation are hungry for something deeply specific in our current cultural moment: authenticity.
In a world that feels increasingly cosmetic, synthetic, and curated—especially in digital spaces—young people are longing for what is real. They want honest relationships. Leaders they can trust. Faith that isn’t performative, but lived.
I don’t know of a better way for the Church to begin 2026 than with repentance; not as punishment, but as a return to authenticity. A return to humility. A return to the freedom we find in Christ.
Since I’ve been praying this way, there have been three or four situations revealed to me of leaders who have fallen into sin or made inappropriate decisions that threaten their lives, marriages, ministries, and churches. It’s a sobering reminder of why this matters so deeply.
It’s a scary thing to pray, “Lord, reveal what is in darkness and bring it into the light,” because it requires a response of humility and repentance from us. But this is the path to freedom. This is the way to new beginnings.
So I encourage all of you: as we seek the Lord over these next 21 days, join me in asking, “What is it that I need to repent of in order to walk into the fullness of the new beginnings God has for my life? For my family? For my children and grandchildren? For the ministry I lead?”
Let’s not be afraid of what God might reveal. Let’s welcome it. Because on the other side of repentance is the abundant life Jesus promised and a Church that reflects His authenticity to a generation desperately hungry for something real.
I pray for a rich 2026 for every one of you.
Are you fasting or seeking the Lord in a special way this January? I’d love to hear what God is speaking to you. Leave a comment below or connect with me on social media.
