Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt

Episode: “Prayer and Fasting” with Grant Troutt
Date: October 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Madison Prewett Troutt is joined by her husband, Grant Troutt, for a deep dive into the topics of prayer and fasting. They discuss how true intimacy with God is cultivated, why prayer and fasting matter for spiritual breakthrough, the importance of biblical truth amid today’s confusion, and how forgiveness and humility transform not just circumstances, but personal character and relationships. Madison and Grant intersperse their teaching with candid stories from their marriage and spiritual journeys, creating an episode that is encouraging, Biblically-grounded, and actionable for listeners who want to stay true to their faith in a complicated world.

Main Themes

• What is “truth” and why does it matter?
• The transformative power of prayer and how to practically develop a prayer life.
• Biblical fasting—what it is, why it’s essential, and practical advice for beginners.
• The necessity of forgiveness and the way it impacts spiritual freedom and prayer intimacy.
• Staying true amidst cultural noise, distraction, and subjective “truth”.
• Building a faith-centered home and marriage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction, Book Release, and Context

[02:25–08:28]

• Madison and Grant celebrate the release of Madison’s new book “Dare to Be True.”
• They reflect on the struggles and spiritual attacks during the writing process.
• Madison shares how living out the truths she wrote about became a real-time challenge:
  “This book is for your husband. This book is for your pastor. It’s really powerful, and I’m proud of you.” – Grant [04:54]
• Importance of finding a partner who pushes you toward biblical truth rather than settling.

The Cultural Crisis of Truth

[09:58–13:19]

• Drawing from John 18, the conversation addresses Pilate’s question: “What is truth?” and how it echoes in today’s culture of subjective reality and confusion, especially with rising AI and redefined values.
• Madison: “When truth becomes based off of personal opinion and experiences... it creates so much bondage and confusion and chaos.” [10:56]
• They note how pursuing truth in Jesus yields peace and freedom not found in relationships, social media, or self-image.

Prayer and Fasting: Introduction

[15:11–18:52]

• This episode is part of the “Dare to Be True” series, focusing on topics from the new book, with today’s focus on prayer and fasting—described as Madison’s “lifeline” for spiritual intimacy.
• They open with a playful “Truth or Dare” segment (the Whisper Challenge) as a metaphor for how distractions and “noise” can block us from hearing God’s voice, paralleling prayer life.
  “You can’t hear a whisper if you’re talking.” – Grant [21:21]

Hearing God in the Whisper

[19:24–21:55]

• Drawing from the story of Elijah, they point out that God’s voice often comes as a gentle whisper, discernible only by intentionally tuning out distractions.
  “It requires intimacy to whisper. To hear a whisper, you gotta be close.” – Madison [20:45]
• The spiritual principle: often, God is not in the big, flashy moments but in quiet, persistent, daily connection.

Developing a Prayer Life—Personal Journeys

[27:03–29:36]

• Grant shares how as a new Christian, he wasn’t expected to have long, “mountaintop” prayer sessions but started by learning God’s Word and writing down prayers in a journal.
  “You wanna know how I learned the voice of God? You gotta learn His Word first and foremost.” – Grant [29:18]
• Madison emphasizes that prayer matures from mere requests to authentic relationship:
  “Prayer is not just something you do, it’s something done to you.” – Madison [26:43]

Praying Scripture and Spiritual Warfare

[34:26–37:32]

• Madison talks about the practical and spiritual power of praying Scripture out loud, particularly in spiritual warfare.
• Praying the Word fights lies and spiritual attack, shifting prayer from personal agendas to God-centered victory.

Honesty, Growth, and Intimacy through Prayer

[39:09–42:43]

• Madison shares her personal transformation during “21 Days of Prayer and Fasting” in college.
• She moves from formulaic prayer to authentic connection, describing her breakthrough as marked by repentance, worship, and genuine hunger for God.
• The demand to have both structured “plans” for prayer (using e.g. the Lord’s Prayer) and flexibility for the Spirit to move is highlighted.

Prayer’s Impact on Marriage and Family

[42:43–44:57]

• Grant describes Madison’s commitment to her prayer closet—and the dramatic impact it’s had on their marriage and family:
  “The biggest target Satan has on Maddie is your prayer life, because it changes the whole flow of our marriage.” – Grant [44:46]
• Shared prayer as a couple produces unity and spiritual covering.

Forgiveness, Offense, and Intimacy with God

[51:40–61:29]

• Drawing from “The Bait of Satan” (John Bevere), they discuss unforgiveness as a primary block to answered prayer and spiritual effectiveness.
• Grant: “We forgive because God in Christ forgave you.” [54:22]
• Forgiveness is not excusing or forgetting; it’s handing the wound to God and praying blessing over those who hurt us.
• Madison: “Unforgiveness blocks prayers. It blocks your prayer life, it blocks your ability to be intimate with the Lord.” [59:59]
• Practical action: Pray blessings over those who have hurt you, and watch your heart change.

“Real Talk” — Common Questions About Prayer

[63:02–73:13]

• What is the “right” way to pray? (No required formula—just honest conversation with God.)
• Why pray if God already knows? (Because He designed prayer as the channel for relationship, change, and aligning our hearts with Him.)
• Jesus’ example: early morning secret place, retreating to pray, prioritizing devotion to the Father.
• Practical prayer models: ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), Lord’s Prayer, or simply responding honestly to the Word.

Fasting: What Is It and Why Do It?

[67:15–77:50]

• Fasting is specifically about abstaining from food—not social media (though digital fasts are helpful too)—to position yourself in dependence on God.
  “Prayer is feeding your spirit, fasting is starving your flesh.” – Madison [66:49]
• Jesus assumed fasting: “WHEN you fast...”
• Grant shares recent experiences of breakthrough, clarity, deliverance, and spiritual authority during periods of fasting:
  “What I’m seeing is breakthrough. What I’m seeing is authority. What I’m seeing is deliverance.” – Grant [68:03]
• Fasting is not just for “the super spiritual”—essential for every believer.

The World’s Counterfeits vs. Biblical Discipline

[73:13–73:38]

• Madison contrasts cultural meditation, manifestation, and secular fasting—which focus on self—with biblical prayer and fasting, which focus on God, surrender, and transformation:
  “The world’s way is all focused on self. God’s way is self-denial and God-glorifying.” [74:11]

Towards Practical Application

[80:21–89:16]

• How to start a fasting journey: Start small (e.g., coffee) and graduate to more significant fasts. Involve community for support and accountability.
• Continual prayer: Build it into daily rhythms, not just “quiet time”. “Pray without ceasing”—walkie-talkie with God all day.
• Find your “mountain”—a consistent place for communion with God (closet, porch, walk, etc.).
• Pray the Word: E.g., pick a Psalm or use the Lord’s Prayer as a template, pausing to personalize each line.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On truth in an age of confusion:
  “People are so sick of ‘your truth.’ Gen Z is like, ‘I want to know the truth, because the truth is the most loving thing.’” – Grant [13:31]
• On silence in prayer:
  “You can’t hear a whisper if you’re talking. The most powerful lesson I’ve learned in prayer is: it’s not you just talking to God, it’s more listening.” – Grant [21:21]
• On spiritual warfare:
  “Prayer is your battle plan. It’s warfare.” – Madison [35:02]
• On forgiveness:
  “Forgiveness is not optional. It’s not forgetting, belittling, or throwing it under the rug. It’s saying it and handing it over to God.” – Grant [59:17]
• On the power of prayer:
  “We don’t believe that prayer changes things, because if we did, why would we not pray all the time?” – Grant [86:52]
• Practical discipline:
  “Prayer should be a discipline, and then it becomes a desire and a delight. Rarely do we want to pray... but once we do, we can’t stop.” – Madison [90:06]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction, Book Release, Laying the Groundwork – 02:25–08:28
• What is Truth? The Cultural and Eternal Crisis – 09:58–13:19
• Metaphor for Hearing God (Whisper Challenge) – 15:11–21:55
• Developing a Prayer Life: Personal Stories – 27:03–29:36
• Spiritual Warfare & Praying Scripture – 34:26–37:32
• Marriage and the Power of Praying Together – 42:43–44:57
• Forgiveness and Prayer Blockages – 51:40–61:29
• Fasting: Diving Deeper – 67:15–77:50
• Practical Advice and Q&A Lightning Round – 80:21–89:16

Natural, Relatable Tone and Advice

Throughout the episode, Madison and Grant keep the tone conversational, honest, and sometimes playfully self-deprecating. They emphasize authenticity over performance, steady faithfulness over overachievement, and community over isolation.

“The Lord doesn’t want the fake you or the perfect prayer. He just wants your heart.” – Madison [90:06]

Takeaways for Listeners

• True prayer is both speaking and listening; prioritize time with God over seeking outcomes.
• Fasting is a spiritual act, not just a diet; start small and seek God, not your own improvement.
• Forgiveness is non-negotiable for spiritual freedom; ask God to help you release bitterness and start by praying blessing over those who hurt you.
• Praying with and for your spouse can transform your marriage.
• Don’t be discouraged if prayer feels awkward at first—it’s a spiritual discipline that becomes a delight.

For Further Action

• For practical deep dives, read Madison’s book “Dare to Be True.”
• Try a simple fast (coffee or one meal) this week and use the time to pray and listen.
• Personalize the Lord’s Prayer or a Psalm in your next prayer time.
• Write down the names of those you struggle to forgive and begin to pray blessing over them.

Stay you. Stay true.