PRAYER
JOIN US THIS JANUARY
As we step into the new year, we invite you to join our powerful 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting this January. This isn’t just a spiritual practice—it’s a transformative journey of drawing closer to Jesus, unifying our hearts, and seeking God’s purpose. Whether you’re facing challenges or celebrating victories, these 21 days offer a profound opportunity for spiritual renewal and breakthrough.
Download a Prayer Calendar or pick one up on Sunday. Post it on your mirror, refrigerator or wherever you will see it every day! Together, let’s start 2025 with intentional prayer, believing for miracles and stepping into God’s incredible plan for our lives.
HOW TO PRAY
It’s our hope that your prayer life becomes more natural, effective, and enjoyable.
SERMON ON PRAYER
WHAT IS PRAYER?
Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God.
PRAYER RESOURCE CARD
Download this resource card to use when you need specific prayer prompts.
CREATE A DAILY PRAYER RHYTHM
- Decide on a time and a place to pray.
- Decide on and commit to a time duration. Don’t overreach. Start where you are. If you don’t pray daily, aim for 5-10 minutes. If you pray daily, consider increasing it from where you are. Just take the next step.
- Create routines or rituals you actually enjoy to make your daily prayer habit something you look forward to all day long — light a candle, make yourself coffee or tea, sit by a window you love, go outside, savor the quiet, or put on worship music.
- Those of you who are more kinesthetic may find it helpful to pray while walking, inside or in nature, or with something to keep your hands busy, like knitting or drawing. Ultimately, work with your personality, not against it.
PICK OUT A PRE-MADE PRAYER AND TALK TO GOD
- The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
- The Psalms
- To begin your day with God: Psalm 5, 19, 20, 23, 25
- When you are sad: Psalm 13, 22, 42, 77
- When you are in distress: Psalm 57, 60, 86
- When you are scared: Psalm 27
- When you are hurt: Psalm 10
- When you ache for more of God: Psalm 63, 84
- When you want to repent: Psalm 51
- When you are grateful: Psalm 9, 103
- When you want to worship: Psalm 8, 148-150
- Scripture — Find a passage that resonates with your heart and pray it back to God
- Singing — Sing acapella, put on a worship album, or play an instrument
- Liturgy — The Book of Common Prayer, The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle, or Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
- Apps — Echo, Lectio 365 from 24-7 Prayer, Pray as You Go from the Jesuits, or Hallow
A.C.T.S AS A PRAYER MODEL
ACTS is a simple, but powerful way to pray. The origin of this prayer model is unknown, yet it is used today frequently. We can even go back to the ancient prayers from the Bible, such as the Lord’s Prayer, and other saint prayers, and see the model in action. ACTS stands for:
HOW TO FAST
The goal of fasting is to draw near to God. It hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out.
WHAT IS FASTING?
Very few modern Western followers of Jesus fast. But through the history of the Church, it was considered just as central as reading the Bible or gathering weekly. Fasting is one of the best disciplines we have to reintegrate our mind to our body and offer our whole selves to God in surrender. It prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
- Matthew 6:16-18
- Matthew 9:14-15
- Luke 18:9-14
- Acts 27:33-37
- Nehemiah 9:1-3
TYPES OF FASTS
When deciding on a fast, we encourage you to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. The timing of your fast is not as important as the strength of your focus on God as you fast.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Want to go deeper? Here are some resources that you can do on your own, with your family, or with your Life Group:
PRAYER PRACTICE
FASTING PRACTICE
GOD’S PROMISES
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
John 14:1
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
Proverbs 3:25, 26
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:11
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:1-2
We would love to hear from you or pray with you in-person at the end of each Sunday morning service.
