From Religious Ritual to Real Relationship [Mark Speiker's Story]

In this episode of the Formed by Jesus podcast, we sit down with Mark Speiker, a faithful member of our church community, to talk about his first real experience with fasting—not as a religious ritual, but as a spiritual practice. Mark shares his journey from growing up in Catholic traditions to embracing a deeper, more intentional walk with Jesus. We discuss the physical and spiritual tensions of fasting, the temptation to fill the silence with distractions, and how this practice has softened his heart, strengthened his marriage, and brought unexpected clarity to his daily routine. This is a raw, honest, and encouraging conversation about learning to say no to cheaper desires and yes to deeper union with God.