How prayer, fasting and wholehearted devotion reorient our hearts and prepare us to follow Jesus fully

At Cross Point Church, Awaken is more than a Sunday series. Every February, we set aside a month for corporate prayer and fasting, joining with other churches across Middle Tennessee to seek God together. We devote ourselves to Scripture, prayer and surrender, asking God for renewal in the church, revival in our city and awakening across our region.

This year, Awaken met us in the final stretch of our year-long journey through the Gospel of Mark. As Jesus moves closer to the cross in Mark 12–14, His words grow sharper, clearer and more urgent. Again and again, we are invited to stay awake, examine our hearts and respond with bold devotion.

Throughout this month, we wrestled with questions many of us are already carrying:

• What is shaping my focus and forming my life?
• Have I drifted from what matters most?
• How do I live faithfully when the world feels uncertain?
• What does real devotion to Jesus actually look like?

Below is a summary of each week’s message, including key Scriptures and takeaways to guide your continued prayer and discipleship.

February 1 – “Have We Drifted from What Matters Most?”

Scripture: Mark 12:28–34
Speaker: Kevin Queen

Blog: Handling criticism through the lens of the Gospel
Pain Point Answered: What happens when my heart slowly shifts away from wholehearted love for God?

In Mark 12, Jesus names the greatest commandment: love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. These two commands are inseparable. Our love for God is always revealed in how we love people.

Pastor Kevin invited us to audit our hearts. When life gets heavy, it reveals what we are truly plugged into. What we trust, what we run to and what we cling to under pressure exposes our deepest devotion.

This message was not about striving harder. It was about honesty, repentance and returning to wholehearted love.

Key Takeaways:

• Love for God and love for others cannot be separated.
• Pressure reveals what we truly worship.
• Repentance is the pathway back to wholehearted devotion.

February 8 – “What We’re Focused On Is Shaping Our Life”

Scripture: Mark 12:35–44
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: What is forming my heart and shaping my future?

We all magnify something. Our fears. Our success. Our pain. Our opinions. What we focus on is what we magnify, and what we magnify shapes who we become.

Through Jesus’ teaching in the temple and the example of the widow who gave all she had, we were challenged to ask whether our lives are magnifying Christ. Are our attention, resources and affection aligned with Him?

Awaken called us to lift our eyes and live in a way that reflects His grace, love and truth.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus determines formation.
• Hidden faithfulness matters to Jesus.
• A life that magnifies Christ points others toward hope.

February 15 – “Why Does the World Feel So Uncertain?”

Scripture: Mark 13:1–37
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: How do I live faithfully when the future feels unstable?

In Mark 13, Jesus speaks directly into cultural instability and uncertainty. While no one knows the timing of His return, Jesus makes one thing clear: we are called to stay awake.

When the world feels unpredictable, it is easy to drift into anxiety or distraction. But Jesus gives clarity for today. Stay ready. Stay alert. Stay on mission.

Awaken reminded us that preparedness is not panic. It is faithfulness.

Key Takeaways:

• Uncertainty does not cancel God’s sovereignty.
• Spiritual drift often begins with distraction.
• Faithful living today matters more than speculation about tomorrow.

February 22 – “What Does Real Devotion to Jesus Actually Look Like?”

Scripture: Mark 14:1–11
Speaker: Laurel Bunker
Pain Point Answered: Am I holding anything back from Jesus?

In Mark 14, a woman pours out her most valuable possession at the feet of Jesus. While others criticize her, Jesus calls her act beautiful.

Pastor Laurel reminded us that real devotion is often bold, costly and misunderstood. Following Jesus may cost comfort, reputation or control. But when loving God, serving others and sharing Jesus become non-negotiable, bold obedience becomes our response.

Awaken ended with a deeply personal question: Are we pouring it all out, or are we still holding back?

Key Takeaways:

• True worship is often costly and courageous.
• Jesus sees and honors wholehearted devotion.
• Bold obedience flows from deep love.

Share Your Awaken Story

We believe God is writing a beautiful narrative in every life. During this month of prayer and fasting, we have seen Him renew faith, restore hope and awaken hearts.

If God moved in your life during Awaken, we would love to hear your story. Your testimony could strengthen someone else’s faith.

Share your story at: https://crosspoint.tv/share-your-story/

What’s Next?

Awaken has re-centered our hearts as we move toward the final subseries in our study through the Gospel of Mark, culminating on Easter Sunday.

As we continue, we do so with renewed focus, deeper surrender and greater expectancy. Renewal in the church. Revival in the city. Awakening across Middle Tennessee.

Ready to keep going?

• Read Mark 14–16
• Watch or rewatch the sermons at crosspoint.tv/mark
• Download the Gospel of Mark resource guide for reading plans, podcasts and tools for deeper study