21 Days of Prayer

January 4 2022

Believe

Pastor Kim Burnell Blog, Contributor, new 21 Days of Prayer

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If you were to visit our home or walk into my office, you would see the word BELIEVE in pictures and plaques everywhere. BELIEVE is at the very core of my heart. There was a time though, after the death of our 2 month old son, that I didn’t believe anything or anyone; I even questioned my belief in the existence of God Himself. After a very dark season, I began to BELIEVE again but with a greater understanding of God and His love for me, and how I could connect with Him at any time through prayer.

Prayer had always been so confusing to me as a child. I had heard many adults pray with such eloquent and “big” words, and the volume in which they spoke was so boisterous and loud. I believed I had to pray like them in order for God to hear me, and being a quiet child, I believed God wasn’t hearing my prayers.

When I was about 9 years old, my dad asked me to pray during our family devotionals. I was terrified to pray out loud as it wasn’t going to sound like my dad or other adults I had heard pray. My father saw my hesitation and simply said, “Kimberly, praying is just talking with God.” I understood what he said, but it was still intimidating. That began my prayer journey but not in a healthy way. I believe this insecurity and wrong thinking of prayer and God not hearing my prayers added to my doubt of Him years later during one of the most traumatic moments of my life.

As I made the choice to BELIEVE, my heart followed, for you see – choices lead; feelings follow.

Fast forward many years, my husband and I were leading a small group and having a conversation about prayer. Ed made a statement which has stuck with me ever since. “I pray what I BELIEVE and BELIEVE what I pray.” What a straight-forward statement that made such an impact on me. I had a healthy prayer life with God by this time, and his statement helped me realize a fundamental truth that Jesus stated in Matthew 21:22, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (NIV) and the Message paraphrase, “Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.”

Does this mean that you get whatever you ask for? No, not at all. I believe Jesus is talking about relationship here, not our desires. As we spend time with God, read His Word, and talk to Him, we begin to know more about Him, about Jesus, and start to BELIEVE His Word. In my prayer time, I allow the Holy Spirit to correct my wrong thinking and bring it into alignment with His Truth. I have learned more about God, His purposes, and His concerns which helps me pray according to His will.

In the beginning of this journey though, it was really difficult to BELIEVE, to change many years of a wrong mindset about God. But as I made the choice to BELIEVE, my heart followed, for you see – choices lead; feelings follow. It may be difficult to grasp at first because of what you may be going through or what you believe about God, but do it anyway. I promise you that one day you will BELIEVE. And if you have any unbelief, cry out to God as this father did in Mark 9:23-24 NLT

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Jesus healed this father’s son and I imagine he BELIEVED that day! Jesus didn’t condemn him for his unbelief, nor does he condemn us. He loves us and will help us overcome our unbelief if we just ask. So ask. He is faithful and loves you so much.

BELIEVING may be difficult for you right now, and prayer might be confusing for you as it was for me, but take that first step. If you don’t see answers right away, BELIEVE He’s making a way! If you don’t feel Him close, BELIEVE He is always with you! If you’re waiting on a breakthrough, BELIEVE it’s on its way! BELIEVE He loves you and has a hope and future for you!! As you do, I BELIEVE you’ll begin to see things differently and will BELIEVE in the One who loves you, hears your prayers, and is working all things out for your good and His glory! Trust Him and just…BELIEVE!✨

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January 28 2021

Day 22

Pastor Josh Baird 21 Days of Prayer, Contributor, new 21 Days of Prayer, Prayer

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As we close out the 21 Days of Prayer, I want to encourage you to keep praying, keep trusting, and keep believing. Let these 21 days propel you into a new level of faith in your prayer life. Don’t let this be merely an event that you took part in to start the year. Let it become your new normal.

One of the most low-key, but powerful prayer verses in all of the Bible is found in Daniel chapter 10. At this point in the story, Daniel has been fasting and praying for 21 days. On the 22nd day (yes, after his 21 Days of Prayer had concluded) he had a vision. In this vision, an angelic being sent by God visits Daniel. He is terrified at first, but once he gathers himself, he begins to listen to the words that were being spoken. In Daniel 10:12, Daniel says, “Then he said to me, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel! For from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come because of your words. However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for 21 days, but behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I had been detained there with the kings of Persia,” (emphasis added).

Here is what you need to know today: your prayer was heard the first day you prayed it.

Did you catch that? Daniel prayed on day 1 for something that didn’t seem to come to pass during the entire 21 days. But here on day 22, God comes to tell him that his prayer from day 1 had been heard. And although Daniel might not have seen anything happening, there was heavenly activity happening the whole time. In other words, God was working even when Daniel couldn’t see it.

Here is what you need to know today: your prayer was heard the first day you prayed it. There is much activity in heaven as a result of your prayers. God is working. God is moving. God is directing. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean He isn’t doing it. God is doing more than you can see. Your prayers are working more than you know. So, don’t stop believing now. Don’t give up. You don’t know which day is going to be your “day 22”. Our job is to pray and then keep showing up. It’s God’s job to answer.

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January 26 2021

The Power in Persistence

Pastor Tony Lutyk 21 Days of Prayer, Contributor, new 21 Days of Prayer, Persistence, Prayer

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Like many of us, I like to use the dawn of a New Year as an opportunity for some self-reflection and goal setting. Some of us do New Year Resolutions, some prefer setting goals for the year, some of us just know of a couple of areas that we’d like to see get better in 2021. The trouble is that the math isn’t on our side. A recent report in Forbes Magazine article found that 80% of New Year Resolutions don’t make it to February, and only 8% of people achieve their New Year Resolutions. That’s stunning.

And yet somehow it makes perfect sense. Because anyone can start, it’s the finishing that’s the challenge. This is why it’s so difficult for us to unlock the blessing of God. Because the key to accessing God’s best for us is found in making a proactive decision to continually place God first in every area of our lives starting with the habit of prayer.

The key to accessing God’s best for us is found in making a proactive decision to continually place God first in every area of our lives starting with the habit of prayer.

The trouble with this is, of course, the word continually.

We have to place Him first over and over again or else we will begin to drift. And we never seem to drift towards healthy decisions. When it comes to our diet for instance, no one drifts towards a kale salad, we drift towards Krispy Kreme! The same is true for us spiritually. There is power in persistence.

But the process of developing the habit is where too many of us get frustrated with prayer. Because let’s be real: prayer is not amazing all the time.

Prayer is never bad, but sometimes those moments seem ordinary. Maybe we find it hard to concentrate, we don’t hear an audible voice from heaven, or we grow tired of praying for the same things over and over again. We want to experience the power of God, but we chafe under the mundanity and discipline required to cultivate a life of prayer. And too often we simply settle for rote platitudes and a half-engaged mind when we pray because we know prayer is something we’re supposed to do, if we even stick with the process at all.

This is common frustration, but it stems from a skewed perspective many of us have about what prayer actually is. Prayer is a conversation with God. It is a foundational element of our relationship with the Creator of the universe specifically because it is a relational interaction. The theologian Edmond Clowney says of prayer, “The Bible does not present an art of prayer, it presents the God of prayer.” Prayer is primarily about developing our relationship with God.

Where did we develop this notion that prayer was different than any other relationship? Is every interaction you have with your spouse, your children, or your friends mind-blowing? Of course not. But it is the consistency and regularity of your investment into those relationships that makes them meaningful. That’s why prayer is so powerful. It is not the answer that makes prayer great, it is the presence of the God who answers that makes prayer great.

The true value of persistent prayer comes from the health that develops in our souls when we connect with the glorious God of the universe and grow in our relationship with him. And just like any other intimate relationship, growing requires intentionality, consistency and persistence.

The true value of persistent prayer comes from the health that develops in our souls when we connect with the glorious God of the universe and grow in our relationship with him.

No one knew this more than Jesus, who believed so completely in this idea that He decided to model it for those of us who take the call to follow Him seriously. One of the most astounding verses to me in the entire Bible is Luke 22:39, “Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives,” (emphasis added). And at the Mount of Olives, Jesus did what He usually did there, He prayed. God incarnate modeling to His followers the power of persistent prayer on the night before He would go to the cross to pay for humanity’s sins.

Too many of us want the power without the patterns. We want to see God do the supernatural, but we are not willing to invest in growing our relationship with the God of the supernatural. But Jesus knows that your life will chase your usual. So, as you lean into prayer during 2021, when developing the habit of prayer becomes challenging, frustrating, or just mundane, remember that your persistence is laying the foundation of your intimacy with your Heavenly Father. And the rewards found in intimacy are so much greater than simply an answered prayer.

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January 21 2021

Directing Our Spiritual Hunger

Pastor Brittney Baird 21 Days of Prayer, Contributor, new 21 Days of Prayer, fasting, Prayer

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://8kwd60.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DirectionBlog_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” custom_padding=”||25px|||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]Every January, our church joins many others across the globe to pray and fast for 21 days. It’s an intentional time where right at the beginning of a new year, we are deliberate about seeking God and refreshing our hearts and minds. We call it 21 of days of prayer because prayer is the aspect of these 21 days that the majority of people participate in, but I want to share a little bit about the other aspect of these 21 days, and one that can completely transform your spiritual life. Fasting.

Fasting is simply a Biblical principle where one abstains from food in order to draw closer to God. There are many misconceptions about fasting that have unfortunately turned into wrong motivations for doing it, so let me clear some of those up right off the bat. Fasting is not dieting. Fasting is not something you do so that other people will think you are more spiritual (Matthew 6:18). Fasting is not something you do so that God will justify you (Luke 18:9-14). You do not fast in order to be commended to God (1 Corinthians 8:8). Fasting does not allow you to earn anything at all from God.

When any of these misconceptions become the motivations for fasting, nothing at all is gained spiritually, and one can be left wondering how fasting is even relevant to their Christian life today. It is entirely possible to do a whole fast and not do it for the right reasons, so let me share some right motivations for fasting so that you can see just how relevant fasting can be to your spiritual health and walk with God.

Fasting in its essence, is a discipline of the Christian to direct their spiritual hunger.

Right motivations for fasting: You fast to demonstrate your love and desire for God above everything else. You fast to get clarity from God. You fast to receive specific direction from God for your life. You fast to gain spiritual strength against the enemy’s attacks on your life. You fast to show and express an ache for the return of Jesus. You fast in order to position yourself to be more receptive to what God wants to speak to you and do through you. Fasting in its essence, is a discipline of the Christian to direct their spiritual hunger.

Hunger is a crazy thing. Everyone has it. No one has to try and become hungry and no one has to remind themselves when they are hungry. You don’t need to set an alarm or a reminder to tell yourself that you need to eat, and you don’t need anyone else to come tell you either; it just happens. Our bodies let us know when it’s time to consume. There is this hormone in our bodies called ghrelin. It’s basically known as the “hunger hormone.” You know when your stomach growls (sometimes in embarrassing settings) and you have no control over it? You have ghrelin to thank for that; it’s saying “feed me!”

Can I tell you that as a follower of Jesus, you have a spiritual hunger inside of you, and it is so critical that in seasons, through fasting, you direct your spiritual hunger.

In 2 Kings 6, the Bible tells us that there was a great famine in the city of Samaria as the result of being sieged by the King of Aram. The siege lasted so long that the people of Samaria become starving. They were so starving and desperate that a donkey’s head ended up selling for eighty pieces of silver, and a cup of dove’s dung sold for five pieces of silver. They would eat these things. So gross. The people were paying a high price to eat things that they would have never imagined consuming before because they were so hungry. Can I tell you that as a follower of Jesus, you have a spiritual hunger inside of you, and it is so critical that in seasons, through fasting, you direct your spiritual hunger. If you do not discipline your spiritual hunger, substitutions can take place and you may end up consuming things that you never imagined consuming before and paying a high price for it. By fasting, you are not letting your hunger direct you, but you are directing your hunger to a complete dependence on God.

Psalm 69:10 says, “I wept and chastened my soul with fasting.” Fasting is a chastening of your soul so that your hunger drives you to Him and Him alone. The hunger pains, the ghrelin, and the stomach growls remind you that HE is whom you need to seek. And when you seek Him in those moments, in your desperation and with distractions and substitutions gone, He is clearer. He is more in focus. He becomes what you cling to.

There are many different types of fasts that people do today that do not involve abstaining food such as a social media fast, fasting TV, fasting of sweets, etc. Only you can decide for yourself what would truly cause you to be “hungry” if you did not have it, but whether you are one that chooses to fast food for a period of time, or something else that has your attention in your life, I encourage you to try fasting as a spiritual discipline and watch God’s voice become clearer and more focused in your life.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://8kwd60.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Baird-30-scaled-e1608747732288.jpg” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://8kwd60.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://8kwd60.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

January 19 2021

Praying in an “Us v. Them” Society

Pastor Jenny Baird 21 Days of Prayer, Contributor, new 21 Days of Prayer, conflict, enemies, Love, Prayer

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One of the most important ways we can show others love is by praying for them. At Love Church we know that prayer is not our last resort, but our first response. Prayer is an invitation to partner with God and pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We are called to pray in agreement with God’s Word which has authority over every situation we face.

If we face illness, we pray in agreement with God’s word that, “By his wounds you have been healed.” (I Peter 2:24) If we face financial lack, we pray in agreement with God’s word that, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19). Praying God’s Word aligns our heart with God’s will and positions us for His blessing.

As a nation we have experienced polarizing perspectives this past year. The divide has fractured communities and most grievously splintered believers and even families, creating an “us v. them” mentality in so many areas of life. We have instant access to everyone’s micro-opinions on social media and quickly decide if they are an “us” or “them”. We feel the need to quickly post our support or opposition to the crisis of the day and we’re reaping the fruit of untamed lips (and fingers) – a divided nation and divided hearts.

We have this in common: we are offended… we are fearful… we are in pain. What can we do about this? We can pray. We can gather up our offenses, fear, pain and bring them to Jesus. We can pour our heart out to God and search His word so we can align ourselves with His heart.

We have this in common: we are offended… we are fearful… we are in pain. What can we do about this? We can pray.

In a season where I was wrestling with a deep personal offense, I found it nearly impossible to forgive. I would choose forgiveness, but every time I had to interact with the person who had offended me, I knew in my heart I had not forgiven. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus gives us this command, “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” When I tried to pray for my “enemy” my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and I had no idea what to pray. Honestly, I wanted to pray disaster on them, but that is Old Testament and not what Jesus was talking about.

As I sought God’s help, I read this passage in 1 Peter 3:8-9 and felt the Holy Spirit give me some practical ways to pray. This approach softened my heart and allowed me to find release from the offense that gripped me and move into forgiveness step by step. I’m sharing it in the Amplified version because that is where I read it. I love how that translation of the Bible parenthetically expands the some of the meanings of the original language.

“Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble). Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God–that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].” I Peter 3:8-9 AMP

We are called to pray for our “enemy’s” welfare, happiness and protection and then the promise is that we will experience God’s blessing bringing our own welfare, happiness and protection. What if we obeyed this Scripture and prayed for God’s blessing for those we most oppose and who most oppose us? What if we approached our enemy with tenderhearted sympathy instead of hardhearted wrath?

“For know that to this you have been called.” (I peter 3:9)

Peter finishes that thought by quoting Psalms 34. “For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good–whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]” I Peter 3:10-11 AMP

I share this today in prayerful expectation that as followers of Jesus we will lead the way in our home, church, community, and ultimately nation. That we will be united not in our experiences and offense, but in our love for one another because we have first been loved by God. Let’s guard our hearts, our lips and our fingertips. Let’s prayerfully pursue peace with God, our neighbors and ourselves.

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January 14 2021

Are You Really Looking?

Pastor Debbie Rhoads 21 Days of Prayer, Contributor, new 21 Days of Prayer, Prayer

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As a mom, there have been many occasions where I told my children to go find something.

“Please go find your shoes.”

“Where did you put your coat? Please go find it.”

“You can’t find your favorite toy? Where did you play with it last? Go and look for it there.”

Almost every time, I would see my child aimlessly wandering around the house, half-heartedly looking. After a little while, I would hear, “Mom, I can’t find it.”

To which I would reply, “Are you REALLY looking?”

As we lean in for this 21 Days of Prayer, we commit to seek God. We seek God for answers, we seek Him for wisdom, we seek Him for healing, for understanding, for peace, for direction, etc. As we seek Him, let us ask ourselves the question, are we REALLY looking? Or are we aimlessly wandering around with half-hearted prayers? We tend to be impatient beings with our instant gratification ways, and it is sometimes easy for us to give up and throw our hands in the air and say, “God, I can’t find you. You must not be here.”

God’s response to us is found in Jeremiah 29:11-13 where he says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Basically, God is asking us, “ARE YOU REALLY LOOKING?”

He has the answers we seek, the comfort we crave, the peace we desire, and the hope we long for.

I find so much comfort is this promise from God. He calms us by assuring us that He has plans for us, and the plans are good and full of hope. After this year, I am so ready to receive this promise. I am ready for some good and some hope. Bring it on!

God then goes on to remind us that He hears us when we pray. He says, “I’m listening.” Think about the enormity of that! He hears me! Little ol’ me, down here in Gainesville, Virginia, as I work in my home office…He hears ME. No matter where you are, no matter what your circumstance, no matter what is going on: God is listening. He hears YOU!

So, we know that God has a plan for us. We know that He is listening. Now God is reminding us that He’s here; we just have to really look. Open our eyes, take off the blinders and LOOK! No half-heartedly aimless looking…REALLY LOOK! When we look WHOLEHEARTEDLY, we will find him! It’s not like He’s hiding; we just have to look. However, we are sometimes like the child who can’t find their shoes that are sitting right by the door.

My friend, I challenge all of us to REALLY LOOK for God during these 21 Days of Prayer. He has the answers we seek, the comfort we crave, the peace we desire, and the hope we long for. May we all find Him.

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January 12 2021

The Not-So-Secret Power of Prayer

Pastor Shawn Baird 21 Days of Prayer, Contributor, new 21 Days of Prayer, Prayer

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Growing up, I loved “spy” related movies, tv shows, video games, etc. I loved everything about the fantastical world of intrigue, stealth, and action. From James Bond to Jason Bourne, I loved it all. One of the main aspects of any good spy story is the concept of secret codes or passwords. The hero would often find him/herself in a scenario where they had to discover some hidden information; perhaps a code to unlock a safe or a password to access a computer terminal. It was incredibly important for the hero to gain the right information, in the right sequence, in order for the mission to be achieved and lives to be saved.

Fortunately for us, unlocking the power of prayer isn’t at all like a spy cracking a code. There is no right “way” to talk to your Heavenly Father. There is no advantage to praying in King James English. I remember growing up thinking that in order for my prayers to be heard by God, I had to pray like some of the more eloquent (and possibly long-winded! lol) people in my home church. I had the impression that wordiness equated to spirituality. Boy, was I wrong. Jesus even said so himself. Right before giving His disciples the prayer that we know as “The Lord’s Prayer”, he said this in Matthew 6:7-8 NLT,

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

Don’t get caught up in how eloquent your prayers need to be, but rather, talk to your Heavenly Father plainly and as you are.

Jesus was instructing us to pray, not in a manner that resembled some sort of secret code that had to include the right elements in the right order, but in a manner that resembles how a son or daughter might have a plain, yet intimate conversation with their loving earthly father. One benefit that plain prayers have over verbose prayers is that while I’m praying, I can focus on the reality of both my situation and God’s love and guidance for me. If I’m having to try to decode a secret combination of religious jargon, I can easily spend so much energy and focus on figuring out what to say that I miss what He may be wanting to say back to me.

As we get going during this 21 Days of Prayer season, my prayer for you is that you will continue to seek God each day. Don’t get caught up in how eloquent your prayers need to be, but rather, talk to your Heavenly Father plainly and as you are. I promise that your prayer times will be more enjoyable and productive as a result.

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February 1 2020

Not a Sermon Just a Thought

Pastor Josh Baird 21 Days of Prayer 21 Days of Prayer, Josh Baird

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“Day 22”

Well, today is day 21 of our annual 21 Days of Prayer! It’s been an incredible time and we have seen God move in amazing ways. Tonight we will close it out with a night of worship, healing and breakthrough. Tonight, I’m believing for God to perform significant miracles and bring substantial breakthrough in your life. It is the culmination of these three weeks and will be a powerful time in God’s presence. Hopefully you can join us at 6pm at our Winchester Campus.

Although today is the last of the 21 days, I’m believing it will be a first in your life, a brand new level of faith that you will continue to live in throughout this year and beyond. I want to take a moment and encourage you on “day 22” and beyond.

Day 22 represents a new way of living for you. New flows. New rhythms. New priorities. New levels. New blessings. New mindsets. New perspectives. New favor.

Be intentional in making 21 Days of Prayer more than a one-time event. Let it be a catalyst for a new way of living in 2020. We won’t be gathering corporately every day again until next January, but what if you continue the flow in your own life? Take an hour of each day and worship God, read your Bible, cry out to God, still your soul, listen to His voice.

How much better will your life look on December 31, 2020 if you make a decision on day 22 to continue this rhythm instead of making it a one-time thing? I would contend that your life will look drastically different, for the better. Go after it. Be deliberate. Be intentional. Be consistent. Let’s make 2020 the best year of our lives when it comes to our relationship with God.

Church, I love you. I’m proud of you. I’m excited about this year. Let’s do it!

-Pastor Josh

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January 25 2020

Not a Sermon Just a Thought

Pastor Debbie Rhoads 21 Days of Prayer 21 Days of Prayer, Debbie Rhoads

Prayer Lessons We Learn From Our Children

Probably one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about prayer, I learned from my oldest son, Jordan, when he was about 9 years old. He was attending Children’s Church where the leader announced that they were having a contest that month. The winner would receive a brand new DVD player and a gift card to buy a DVD. Jordan was beyond excited about this! We were one of the few families that did not have a DVD player yet in our household. He wanted this….BAD!

He came home and asked me to pray with him that God would help him win this DVD player. He prayed for this every single day. However, Jordan didn’t just pray, he went to work. The terms of this contest were stated that every Sunday you came to Children’s Church your name would be put into the drawing for the DVD player. You could also increase your chances by bringing your friends. Your name would be entered for every friend you brought that month, as well. Jordan made sure he was in Children’s Church every single week. However, he didn’t stop there. Within that month, Jordan brought over 20 friends to church.

We arrived at church on the day of the drawing. Before we got out of the car, Jordan asked me to pray with him one more time that he would win. Before I prayed with him, I gave in to my motherly ways. I wanted to guard him from possible disappointment. I remember telling him that I was proud of him that he had worked so hard but that he might not win. Many kids were hoping for the same chance. I celebrated him for bringing all his friends to learn about Jesus and told him that was the ultimate win, etc., etc. I wanted him to be prepared for the possibility that he wasn’t going to come home with that DVD player. However, my 9-year-old son looked at me with such conviction and said, “No, Mom. I’m not just praying, I’m believing! Only say positive things about it.”

Well, okay, then. I prayed with Jordan one more time and took him to Children’s Church. I was resigned to the fact that after church I would be having the conversation that God always answers our prayers but sometimes he says no or wait.

When Children’s Church was over, I went to pick him up with a sinking feeling in my stomach. However, I was met with a son who was beaming from ear to ear as he ran toward me holding a brand new DVD player and a gift card to buy a DVD. He was overjoyed with excitement as he exclaimed, “See, Mom, God saw that I really believed!”

As I look back at this powerful lesson, I can’t help but think how many amazing things I have missed out on due to empty prayers. Prayers that were just words. Prayers full of “hope” but not “BELIEF.” Prayers that didn’t have any conviction behind them. Jesus said in his very own words, “…Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24 (NLT)

There is something to be said about childlike faith. As adults, we tend to complicate things by talking ourselves out of God’s blessings. Yes, sometimes God says “no” and “wait.” Yes, sometimes the answer doesn’t always look the way we think it should look. BUT…are we truly BELIEVING? Are we putting action behind our belief? Is there doubt in our hearts? Are we speaking life over what we believe? Don’t just pray…believe!

—Pastor Debbie Rhoads

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January 20 2020

Not a Sermon Just a Thought

Pastor Jenny Baird 21 Days of Prayer 21 Days of Prayer, Jenny Baird

“Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Ex 33:11a ESV

When this Scripture came to my mind, I remembered it as Moses speaking to God as a friend. It was stunning to read that it was God who spoke to Moses as a friend.

Prayer is an invitation to come into God’s Presence and experience the intimacy of a conversation with a good friend. There is nothing like talking to a friend who just gets you. And this is what God desires prayer to be for us. It is more than bringing Him a list of things to do for us. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. As we pour out our heart to Him, He reveals His heart for us. Prayer is a two-way conversation between soul and Savior where time and eternity meet as friends and heaven comes to earth.

God called Abraham his friend. He spoke to Moses, face to face as a friend. Jesus called the disciples his friends. This is what God longs for—friendship with us—to know and be known.

Today as we pray, let’s lean into this friendship with greater abandon. Let’s pause our wishing and whining and listen for His whisper. God is so good, and He has something to say to us, His friends, today.

—Pastor Jenny Baird

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