21 Days Of Prayer

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Day 1 – The Creator – by Melanie Markunes

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:3; Psalm 19
Genesis 1:1‑3 (NLT)
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

John 1:3 (NLT)
“God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.”

Psalm 19 (NLT)
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.”

Devotion: Have you ever made something and eagerly shared it with others? How would you feel if someone else took the credit for it—or worse, if no one every acknowledged your work at all?

Our God—the One and Only—is the Creator of all things. Can you begin to grasp how powerful, remarkable, and magnificent that is? Without Him, nothing would exist.

There are many ways to describe God, but first and foremost, He is Creator. Without our Creator, there is no creation, there is nothing without our Creator.

Prayer: God, our Creator, You are worthy, holy, and perfect. Thank You for all Your beautiful creations. As Psalm 150 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” Amen

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Day 2 – The World God Made - by Melanie Markunes

Scripture: Genesis 1:2-25; Psalm 1
Genesis 1:2-25
2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.6 Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.”7 And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens.8 God called the space “sky.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.9 Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened.10 God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good.11 Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened.12The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.13 And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day.14 Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.15 Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened.16 God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars.17 God set these lights in the sky to light the earth18to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.19 And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.20 Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.22 Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”23 And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened.25 God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
 follow the advice of the wicked,
 or stand around with sinners,
 or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
 meditating on it day and night.

3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
 bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
 and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked!
 They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
 Sinners will have no place among the godly.

6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
 but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Devotion: God’s earthly creations are truly spectacular. Every time I ride my bike along a trail, I’m surrounded by the beauty of His incredible handiwork. The blue-sky peeks through as I pass through a variety of trees and plants. I’ve seen deer, snakes, frogs, hummingbirds, moths, and streams. I’ve heard the calls of owls and cardinals, along with the crunching of leaves beneath my tires. I’ve breathed in the scent of fresh rain, flowers, and crisp air. Being out in nature—in the quiet majesty of God’s creation—you can truly sense His presence. As one wise man once said, “Good job, God.”

Prayer: Lord, thank You so much for creating such a beautiful earth for us to live on. May I always respect and care for Your creation. Your goodness and glory shine through everything You have made. Praise and honor to our mighty Creator! Amen

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Day 3 - We are created in His image - by Michael Brown

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31; Colossians 3:10
Genesis 1:26–31 (NLT)
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” … So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Colossians 3:10 (NLT)
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Devotion: As a creation, you know the joy of building, imagining, and expressing something deep within. That desire didn’t start with you; it started with God. The very first thing we learn about Him in Scripture is that He created. And when He made us, He didn’t do so randomly. He said, “Let us make mankind in our image.”

Being made in God’s image means you reflect His heart, His nature, and yes... His creativity. Your ability to design, draw, write, build, or dream isn't a side trait. It’s divine DNA. Every sketch, melody, or idea is a glimpse of the Creator moving through His creation.

Paul writes in Colossians that as believers, we are being renewed in the image of our Creator. That means our creativity, when surrendered to Christ, isn't just a talent, it becomes a tool for transformation. You’re not just making art. You’re echoing heaven.

Prayer: This week, ask God to use your creativity to reflect His goodness. Whether you paint, film, sing, write, or do whatever you do to refill your creative tank, do it with the confidence that your gift is a mirror of His image.

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Day 4 - Downfall of Mankind and the Redemption Plan - by Dedele Otasanya

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 3:23-24
Genesis 3:1–19 (NLT)
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” … Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed…” (Full passage covers the Fall of humanity.)

Romans 3:23–24 (NLT)
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Devotion: Have you ever seen the video of the sheep stuck in a crack? Someone works hard to pull the sheep out. After all that effort, the sheep is finally free, takes a few joyful hops forward… and then jumps right back into the crack again. First, it’s funny. But the more you watch it, the more it starts to feel like real life.

That sheep is us.

In Genesis 3, we read about the very first-time sin entered the world. Adam and Eve were living in the garden, walking closely with God and enjoying all the good things they were given. Everything was perfect. But the enemy showed up and twisted God’s words, making them question if God was withholding something good from hem. They believed the lie and disobeyed. That choice brought sin, pain, and separation into the world. It was the downfall of mankind.

But even in that moment, God did not walk away. He held them accountable, but He also covered them, and He already had a plan to bring His people back.

Romans 3:23 reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That means all of us. But verse 24 gives us hope. It says that we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Jesus is the rescue plan.

God knows we’ll fall short. He knows we’ll run back to the same mistakes.

But His grace doesn’t run out. Like the sheep in the video, we may keep jumping back into the same crack, but God keeps rescuing us because He loves us. That doesn’t mean we take grace for granted. It means we live grateful for the rescue and ask Him for the strength to walk in truth.

Let this be a reminder. We all fall short. But Jesus is enough. His plan is still working. And He is still rescuing.

Prayer: As you reflect on today’s devotion, take a moment to pray through these three things:

1. Thank God for the rescue plan. Thank Him for sending Jesus to save us and for always being ready to pull us out when we fall.

2. Ask God to help you recognize lies. Pray that He would help you see clearly when the enemy tries to twist truth and that you would learn to trust God’s voice more.

3. Confess where you’ve been stuck. If there’s a struggle or sin you keep going back to, talk to God about it. Ask for forgiveness and for strength to walk in freedom.

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Day 5 – You can Repent – Dr. Vanessa Edwards

Scripture: Genesis 3; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 8:35-39; John 16: 7-14
1 Peter 1:18–19 (NLT)
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver… It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

Romans 8:35–39 (NLT)
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? … No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ… And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

John 16:7–14 (NLT)
But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come… When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.

Devotion: Redeemer definition: A releasing effected by payment of ransom, deliverance, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom, to redeem one by paying the price.

What a privilege it is to have a Savior, a deliverer, one who paid the ultimate price for our sins as our redeemer. Just as Adam and Eve sinned against our creator God in the beginning, in Genesis. We too have sinned against God. The scripture says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Because God sent His son to pay the ransom for our sins in full, we don’t have to hide in shame. Trying to cover up what we’ve done. We can go before the throne of grace with confidence and find mercy and grace to help in our time of need. As we saw in Genesis 3 after Eve gave the fruit to her husband, who was with her, to eat and he ate.

· Then their eyes were opened

· They knew they were naked

· They sewed fig leaves together and made for themselves loin coverings

· They hid themselves from the presence of the Lord

What was God’s response? How did He respond after they sinned? God called to the man and asked a series of questions. Where are you? Who told you that you are naked? Have you eaten from the tree I commanded you not to eat? God did not condemn them nor turn his back on them for going against His word. He came to them and sought them out. Yes, there were consequences rendered. But God still loved them, He still cared for them, He still wanted to have a relationship with them. He would still use them to carry out His purposes. Genesis 3:14-19 seems disheartening because punishments were being laid out, yet during this discourse, God shares His redemptive plan. His plan to bring salvation and deliverance through the seed of the woman.

When the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, how do you respond? Sometimes I find myself responding as our ancestors responded. Covering the sin or making excuses as to why I responded or acted a certain way. Or “hiding” from the Lord. Now we know that there is no place we can go from His presence. But we may “hide” by retreating and not communing with God as we did before the sin. Because we serve a God that is a relational God, a God who wants to commune with us. There is no need to retreat. So, when the Holy Spirit opens your eyes and reveals that you have missed the mark. Run to Jesus, our Redeemer, the one who paid the ultimate price for our sins so that we could walk in newness of life. You will find His arms open wide ready to receive you and forgive you of all your sins and to remember them no more.

Prayer: Thank God for sending Jesus to pay the ransom for our sin- 1 Peter 1:18-19

Thank God that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus- Roman 8:35-39. Thank God for the conviction of the Holy Spirit John 16:7-14

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Day 6 – We have access to the throne and God speaks to us – By Chris Frey

Matthew 7:14 NLT
14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
John 14:16-17 NLT
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
1 John 2:27 NLT
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
Romans 8:26-27 NLT
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Devotion: God still speaks to his children, tap into that holy spirit power!

God’s word tells us “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Not to be a downer, but chances are very good you will face trouble today. Trouble comes in many forms, but take heart, you have the power, living in you, to make your way through each one. Don’t take that for granted, and don’t take it lightly! The God of the universe who created you, marked your path, and sustains you has given you the gift of himself.

When you seek your heavenly father for daily guidance, he is faithful to give you that guidance. Yes, He does speak to us. While God can choose to speak to us in any way he wants, He typically speaks to us through the Holy Spirit living in us and fellow believers. He teaches us what the scriptures we are reading mean to us through the thoughts he places in our minds. He confirms the words He’s spoken to us through scripture, and in our thoughts, by giving those words of confirmation to fellow believers to share with us. He directs the circumstances of our lives to confirm the direction He has given, and He gives us all the tools we need to accomplish that direction.

The world we live in is getting uglier by the day, and Satan and his legions are out to seek, kill and destroy. But you have nothing to fear, because the power living in you is greater than anything this world can throw at you.

In my opinion, the greatest gift the Holy Spirit gives us is praying on our behalf. He knows the will of the Father; He knows the desires of our hearts, and he prays in accordance with the will of the Father on our behalf.

Today might be one of those days that you simply just don’t know what to pray. Allow the Holy Spirit to pray on your behalf. Our sinful nature can get in the way. We can be easily distracted by thoughts. Praying through the Spirit living in you and your heart in tongues, bypassing your natural intellect, is edifying in ways you could never imagine. Even the apostle Paul, spoke of how much praying in tongues privately with God, built him up. It is a narrow road and few will find it, deception doesn’t happen overnight, just as maturity in faith doesn’t. Daily choices mark your path. It is Satan’s goal to steal your choices of today, to ensure you take the path of destruction and not life. The lure to sin is strong, but it can be overcome, if you choose to allow the Holy One to guide you through it.

Prayer:   Thank you, Lord, that you are a God that does not change. Thank you for speaking to us through your word and revealing the deep things of God through your Holy Spirit. I believe your promises are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’. I believe you are a God that will not lie. I trust in your word and the Holy Spirit’s power to help me to serve, to guide me, to sanctify and transform me. May these days of prayer help me to understand I can have even more as the Holy Spirit intercedes for me and ways I may not understand, but I will believe! - By Mary Thomas

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Day 7 – God Speaks to Us – Part 2 – By Sherry Douglas

Scripture: John 1:1, 14, 18; Romans 1:20; Acts 16:6-10; Colossians 2:7; Ephesians 3:17; Jeremiah 17:7-8

John 1:1 (NLT)

In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (NLT)

So the Word became human and made his home among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory,
the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:18 (NLT)

No one has ever seen God.
But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart.
He has revealed God to us.

Romans 1:20 (NLT)

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.
Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.
So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Acts 16:6–10 (NLT)

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.
Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.
So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.
That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”
So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.
Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught,
and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Ephesians 3:17 (NLT)

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.
Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NLT)

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.”

Devotion: Have you heard of the practice of “grounding?” It involves doing activities that “ground” or connect you with the electrical currents of the earth. There is evidence to suggest this can give positive benefits to your body. Some people simply walk around barefoot in the grass while others use grounding equipment. I’ve never practiced it purposefully, but this made me think about other ways I recognize I’m grounded; other ways I recognize the way God speaks.

As I watched the sunset at my home one evening, I was reminded that it grounds me. Not in the sense that walking barefoot in the grass does, but deep in my spirit. I’m reminded there is a Creator who is all-powerful and a lover of beauty that I am connected with. That grounds me. I am reminded that the world doesn’t revolve around me. That grounds me. I am reminded there is evening and there is morning – a new beginning – and that grounds me. I hear Him speak.

Other beautiful experiences also ground me. The laughter of my children and grandchildren reminds me of the joy the Lord gives. The birds chirping in the early mornings remind me that if the Lord cares for each one of them, how much more he cares for me. Reading and focusing upon Scripture, how to love God and others is foundational! That grounds me. I hear Him speak.

These “groundings” are beneficial to my body, but more so to my mind and spirit. What about you? What grounds you? How do you hear God speak? Walking in nature as you hold the hand of a loved one? Working in and enjoying your beautiful garden? Or, having everyone in your family sitting at the table together sharing your day with one another?

This week let’s think about what “grounds” us as we move through our ordinary everyday lives. And then…make the time and take the opportunity to give God the glory for grounding us and speaking to us!

Prayer: Lord, we thank you because you still speak to us.  We have so many examples of your speaking to Abraham, Moses, Joshua, the high priests, the prophets, and now you speak to us through your word.  We thank you for the dreams and visions that point to your second coming and challenge us to be ready to serve in your kingdom.  Help us to always remember we are pilgrims traveling through. This world is not our home. Our hope is in you. Just like a tree draws nourishment from its roots, so, too, we are called to be rooted and grounded in Christ. Give us the strength and the stability.  Give us the gentle reminders that we can to all things through Christ who strengthens us. Amen – By Mary Thomas

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Day 8 – A Heart Remodeled – with Scripture and Prayer – By Hollee Stanton

Scripture: Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 28:19–20
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you,
will continue his work until it is finally finished
on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Matthew 28:19–20 (NLT)

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Devotional: Did you know that your physical heart is capable of literally remodeling itself? Motivated to keep you alive and functioning, the human heart can adjust its structure, grow new electrical pathways, and even shift slightly in its position—all so it can do its job more effectively.

In a far more profound way, when we surrender our lives to Christ, He begins remodeling our spiritual hearts.

Through the ongoing process of sanctification, God changes us from the inside out. He reshapes our desires, strengthens us in areas of weakness, and removes what no longer glorifies Him. As Philippians 1:6 reminds us:

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This spiritual remodeling isn’t just for our benefit—it’s for His purposes. As Ephesians 2:10 says:

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God not only transforms us, but also calls us to walk in the good works He’s planned—together, as one body.

Through the Holy Spirit, He connects us to fellow believers for support and encouragement. He shapes us into disciple-makers, inviting us to live out the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This divine heart renovation continues for a lifetime, until He calls us home. So, the next time someone asks if you’ve considered remodeling, don’t miss the chance to share about the Ultimate Contractor—Jesus—who is doing a transforming work in your heart that lasts forever.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for beginning a good work in me. I surrender my heart to You—again and again—as You reshape me into Your image. Remove what doesn’t honor You, and build in me what will reflect Your glory. Help me to walk in the good works You’ve prepared and to faithfully carry out the mission You’ve entrusted to all believers. Remind me daily that I am not alone in this process—that Your Spirit is with me, guiding and strengthening me. Remodel my heart, Lord, until the day You bring me home. In Your name, Amen.

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Day 9: Intimacy with God – By Aaron Seelbaugh

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:7-9; 6:5; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Revelation 2:4-5

Deuteronomy 5:7–9 (NLT)

“You must not have any other god but me.
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.
You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods…”

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NLT)

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NLT)

God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says,
and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 2:4–5 (NLT)

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!
Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.
If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.”

Devotion: A deep, intimate relationship with God is more accessible than we often realize. How so? The answer is simple, it’s because it's left up to us. Individually we hold the power to dive deeper into a relationship with God or push Him far away. God has always been pursuing you, even in the times when you didn’t notice Him. Ever since you were placed into your mother’s womb, God’s love, affection, and His passion, was to have you know Him as much as He knows, loves, cares for, and adores you. What an amazingly beautiful and comforting truth it is to know that we serve a God who is so invested in us.

Prayer: God, I want to pursue you with everything I have. Even in the midst of my discomfort, struggles, falling short of Your glory, my joy, my accomplishments, and my blessings. Let me always continue to acknowledge You. You have always been there for me and always will be. So even when I feel like You are absent, please let me remember that my relationship with You is not based on feelings. But instead, it is based on Truth. Your Love has never failed, for generations You have proven that You were and are always present. So, I pray for continued strength wisdom and guidance to read Your Words, seek your presence, and pray without ceasing. Amen.

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Day 10 - Listening Prayer - By Kathleen Bledsoe

Scripture: Psalm 46:10; John 10:27-28

Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

John 10:27–28 (NLT)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.
No one can snatch them away from me.

“Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”

“My sheep listen to My voice and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

Devotion: When my son was only a year old, he was scheduled for eye surgery. He was constantly sick, and I was concerned that he wouldn’t survive it. One night before the surgery I rocked him and prayed and rocked and prayed and rocked and prayed and prayed and prayed for hours. Finally, out of exhaustion I stopped praying, sat silently, and listened. God told me that as much as I love my son, He loves him more and that my son would be alright. A blanket of peace covered my frazzled soul. Instead of fearing the surgery I trusted the Great Physician.

What a powerful message! My approach to prayer changed. I asked my Heavenly Father to help me to do my part to care for my son while remembering that our God can be trusted. He is worthy to listen to.

Even now I need to make sure that I don’t have one-sided conversations with the Creator of the universe. Is anything stronger than God’s love? Do I know better than Him? Definitely not. Besides, how much can I learn about someone if I do all the talking?

Listening can be challenging. The world is full of needs and prayer requests. My mind is bombarded with information and noise, but it is well worth pausing to listen to the Holy Spirit. I have more breakthroughs if I pause and listen for God’s direction instead of rattling off a spiritual checklist. I can understand His will better if I listen to His Word.

The message of the assurance of God’s amazing love was comforting when my son had surgery. Years later it continues to bring confidence in God’s faithfulness and peace. I wouldn’t have that valuable message if I hadn’t listened. I needed to hear His voice and follow Him. I still do.

Prayer: Father God help me listen to you. Help me to quiet my soul, ignore distractions, and pay attention to Your voice in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

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Day 11: The Importance of Prayer – By Howard Walker

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 5:8; James 5:16; Matthew 5:11

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Stay alert!
Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.
He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

James 5:16 (NLT)

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Matthew 5:11 (NLT)

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”

Devotion and Prayer: “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” “It is for this cause, Lord that we…Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” May we always be mindful that we are… forever “blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. They may, and absolutely some, will hate us because we speak the truth. Lord, may we continue to see your face and continue to grow in boldness - because we have become convinced that each moment of hatred we see and feel is an actual blessing to us. May we… Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets of old who were before you. Our rejoicing is linked to the fact that we see your Word living in our lives; though our times of great pain and experience of resentment towards us.

Lord, Just as Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite…. endured the pain of having two wives, the first named Hannah and Peninnah. … but the first, Hannah was childless. Yet, whenever Elkanah offered sacrifice - he offered a double portion of the meat from it to his wife Hannah - in the face of his pain lay. And after some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son who became one of the great Old Testament prophets, Samuel … And Paul the apostle accepted the word from the Lord in his affliction. In the face of his great pain. Lord Jesus, help us! May we Lord be willing to accept the Mostly Godly fact as you told us. ”My grace is sufficient for thee.” In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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Day 12 - The Power of Prayer in Testing – By Christina Clark

Scriptures: James 1:12, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Corinthians 15:58

James 1:12 (NLT)

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.
Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Ephesians 6:10–18 (NLT)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,
against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord,
for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Devotion: Have you ever heard anyone facing a trial say something like “I wish this (fill in the blank trial) came with a set of instructions”? Maybe you’ve even had that thought yourself. The good news is that every trial we face, whether big or small, is not a surprise to God AND He’s already provided us with the ultimate set of instructions in His word: the Holy Bible.

When (not if) we are faced with trials, we have must choose how to respond. God’s word tells us in James 1:12 that those who persevere under trial will be blessed. How do we do this?

· We must prioritize time to be still, to pray and to listen.

· We must get into the Word daily and memorize scripture.

· We must be in relationship with other believers, who will share our burden.

· We must trust God and know that how we respond reveals our level of devotion and commitment to Him.

Doing these things not only requires discipline but also the desire, trust and patience to wait for God’s timing. God’s testing is intended for our good and to see if we will follow His commands. As we rely on Him, we build spiritual endurance, which brings us into a closer relationship with Him.

In our weakest moments, we must learn how to equip ourselves for battle. Ephesians 6: 10-18 tells us to put on the full Armor of God. As you read those scriptures, look at yourself in the mirror. Then physically go through the motions of:

· Buckling the belt of truth around your waist

· Holding the breastplate of righteousness in front of your heart

· Planting your feet in the ready position

· Holding the shield of faith to fend off all of the flaming arrows that Satan is shooting at you.

Once your armor is on, be alert and always ready to pray in the Spirit!

Prayer: Perseverance in testing. Dear Lord, help me to learn to rejoice in my sufferings, because I know that your Word says that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Today I pray that I will become a person of extreme perseverance, not allowing difficulties or delays to discourage me. I ask for patience and persistence that will build my character as I am in a “holding pattern” of waiting for my circumstances to improve. Help me to see that is easier for me to persevere than to live with the regret of giving up hope. Thank you for your gift of perseverance. Amen.

Devotion: Blessed when we are insulted, persecuted? Blessed when we encounter false accusations and experience all kinds of evil? Does the Lord really command us to rejoice and be glad?

Sometimes when hardships come, disappointments are around every corner and our hearts become so discouraged, it's hard to praise and worship the Lord. We find ourselves muttering under our breath like Hannah "If you will only look upon your servant's misery.". We must choose to remember in those moments that God sees all and He is good. His grace is sufficient and if we choose every day to keep walking alongside Him, He will see us through.

Prayer: Lord, in those times when I feel like I am drowning in disappointment and despair, help me to look up and to turn my eyes towards you. Help me in my wavering doubt to choose to believe that you will see me through. Amen.

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Day 13 – The Power of Prayer in Strongholds - by Jennifer Sowers

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12; 1 Samuel 1; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; 1 Peter 4:12-19

Matthew 5:11–12 (NLT)

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.
And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

1 Samuel 1 (NLT)

Summary of Chapter 1 (for brevity):
1 Samuel 1 tells the story of Hannah, a woman deeply distressed because she had no children. She is taunted by her husband's other wife, Peninnah, who has children. Despite her pain, Hannah faithfully prays to the Lord, pouring out her heart in the temple. She promises that if God gives her a son, she will dedicate him to the Lord’s service.
God hears her prayer, and she gives birth to Samuel. Once he is weaned, she brings him to the temple to serve the Lord under Eli the priest.

Key Verse — 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NLT):
I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request.
Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.”
And they worshiped the Lord there.

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 (NLT)

Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God.
So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh,
a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

1 Peter 4:12–19 (NLT)

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through,
as if something strange were happening to you.
Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering,
so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed,
for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.

But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household.
And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?
And also,
“If the righteous are barely saved,
what will happen to godless sinners?”

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God,
keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Strongholds are spiritual walls, merely built brick by brick through fear, shame, addiction, anxiety and sin. These walls block us from building a beautiful relationship with God through healing, freedom and faith. But through prayer we can tear down those walls. In our Old Testament passage, God showed Cain that sin is always close, always waiting, that sin is crouching at the door. Strongholds try to control, trap and paralyze you. But God says, "'you must rule over it." We need to surrender to the power of prayer and live a life of peace and righteousness through Christ Jesus.

The next passage we are told "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." We are reminded that our self-control is done through Christ-power not willpower. Just like how Cain was told to rule over sin, Christ gives us the strength to do it through Jesus. Our strongholds will fall!

We are reassured through Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" When we trust in God, even our worst strongholds- temptation, fear, anxiety, and doubts are powerless. And prayer is how we invite God's power into our struggle. Today your waters may be troubled mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. In John 5:4, we are reminded of the miraculous story- the troubles of the waters. Healing came to those who stepped in with faith. Stepping into the water with faith invites God's movement, trusting he is the Healer.

Prayer: Repentance and Surrender- Lord I lay down every sin and fear that has become a stronghold in my life. I repent and surrender it all to you. Power in Christ Father, I thank you for I am not powerless. Fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit today. Strengthen me to overcome temptation, to walk in boldness and stand firm in my faith. I declare I am strong, not in my own ability, but in the power of Christ who lives in me. Strength to Stand Father, when I am weak, remind me that I can do all things through Christ. Empower me to walk in victory by your Spirit. Step in Faith God, help me take a step in my faith today. Help me to move when you call, to pray when you prompt me and to trust in you fully. Trust in the Healer God break every stronghold and release your healing where there has been pain. Let freedom flood every part of my life. Allow me to trust in you alone and allow you to heal my soul.

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Day 14 – The Power of Prayer in Temptations - By Libby Martin

Scripture: Romans 13:12-14; 1 John 2:15-17; Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 7:21-25; Romans 8:1

Romans 13:12–14 (NLT)

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.
So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.
Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see.
Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness,
or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living,
or in quarreling and jealousy.

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

1 John 2:15–17 (NLT)

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you,
for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure,
a craving for everything we see,
and pride in our achievements and possessions.
These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.
But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Matthew 4:1–11 (NLT)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.
For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

During that time the devil came and said to him,
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem,
to the highest point of the Temple, and said,
“If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say,
‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain
and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’”

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Romans 7:21–25 (NLT)

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
I love God’s law with all my heart.
But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.
This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
Oh, what a miserable person I am!
Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law,
but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Romans 8:1 (NLT)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Prayer is not a ritual; it is our lifeline to God. It keeps us grounded, alert, and aware. When I pray, I am reminded that God loves me and wants to hear from me. Temptations will come, sometimes subtly and and sometimes strong. But remember, we don't fight alone. God's spirit empowers us, helping us to choose wisely, stand strong, and have the ability to say "no." Bring your areas of vulnerability to the Lord in prayer. He Lord in prayer. He empowers us to choose righteousness.

Prayer: Lord, I confess my weakness before you. Strengthen me when I am tempted. Help me to remain faithful in prayer. Thank you for being faithful, even when I am not. In Jesus name, Amen

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Day 15 - The Power of Prayer for our families (single moms, single life, infertility, miscarriages, raising children, foster care, prodigals, loss of children/adults): By Brittany Robinson

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:23b; Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 128:3; Luke 15:11-32

2 Samuel 12:23b (NLT)

“...I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.”
(Spoken by David after the death of his infant son)

Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)

Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Psalm 128:3 (NLT)

Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
as they sit around your table.

Luke 15:11–32 (NLT)

Parable of the Lost Son

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story:
“A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’
So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land,
and there he wasted all his money in wild living.

About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him.
But no one gave him anything.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself,
‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,
and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off,
his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion,
he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,
and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him.
Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.
And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,
for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life.
He was lost, but now he is found.’
So the party began.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working.
When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house,
and he asked one of the servants what was going on.
‘Your brother is back,’ he was told,
‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,
but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to.
And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.
Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes,
you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.
We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life!
He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Devotion: Our families are precious gifts from God, and prayer is our most powerful tool to nurture and protect them. Whether we are raising children, caring for foster children, praying for prodigals, or mourning the loss of loved ones, prayer connects us to God's wisdom, comfort, and guidance. Just as David’s words reflect his trust in God's sovereignty even in grief, we too can find peace in knowing that God’s love and power are at work in our families. Proverbs remind us to intentionally guide our children in the ways of the Lord, trusting that His promises will sustain them. Psalm 128 depicts the blessing and fruitfulness that come from a family rooted in God's presence. Prayer is the anchor that sustains us through every season, lifting our families into God's care and trusting in His perfect plan.

Prayer: We pray for wisdom and patience as you raise and nurture your children or those in your care. Intercede for prodigals, asking God to draw their hearts back to Him. Lift up families experiencing loss, asking for His comfort and peace to surround them. Pray for unity, love, and protection over your family, trusting in God's power to restore, heal, and sustain.

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Day 16: Prayers for Unity – by Donna LaChance

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NLT)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

Devotion: I think it is fair to say that our U.S. culture is experiencing increased levels of division. Political polarization, partisan loyalties, socio-economic disparities, racial and ethnic tensions, cultural clashes and the influence of the media and social media all contribute to fractures within our society. Yet, division among people is not new; it’s just the factors that contribute to it which may change over time. Even in the early church, there was division and that is why the Apostle Paul penned his words in Ephesians 4:1-6. Here he emphasizes the importance of unity within the church. Why is unity important? It directly impacts on our effectiveness in witnessing and ministering to others. To be church that changes our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the outermost parts, we must be rooted in unity, and we must value unity. We create and maintain unity by cultivating humility, gentleness, patience, and love within ourselves. Paul is calling each of us to live in a way that reflects the high calling we have received, and that begins with working on our humility, gentleness, patience and love. How are you doing in these areas? I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal opportunities for spiritual growth in your life and to reveal to us as a church how we can better reflect the unity God requires.

Prayer: Father God, search my heart. Show me the people and the situations in my life where I need to demonstrate more humility, gentleness, patience and love. Help me rise to

the high calling of being more like Jesus. As a church, draw us nearer to one another in unity so that we may effectively witness to and serve others in a way that brings glory to You. Amen.

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Day 17 – Prayers for increase in faith – by Kim Brubaker

Scripture: Romans 1:17; Hebrews 11

Romans 1:17 (NLT)

For in the Good News, the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as the Scripture says,
“The person who is right with God because of faith will live.”

Hebrews 11 (NLT)

Faith in Action

This chapter is often called the “Hall of Faith.” It describes many examples of faith from the Old Testament, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and others, who trusted God’s promises even when they couldn’t see the full picture. It emphasizes that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Key Verses:
Hebrews 11:1 — Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6 — And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

The chapter goes on to list many people who acted by faith, persevered through trials, and trusted God’s promises. It ends by explaining that all these people died without receiving the full promises but lived by faith, looking forward to a heavenly city prepared by God.

Devotion: By faith.... Able. Enoch. Noah. Abraham. Sarah. Isaac. Jacob. Joseph. Moses. Israelites and the Red Sea. Joshua and the army in Jericho. Rahab and the spies. Gideon. Barak. Samson. Jephthah. David. Samuel and the prophets.

In Hebrews 11 we are given a list of names of individuals that exuded immense faith in God through their trials and circumstances. Many of us can't say that we come from that kind of lineage of faith.

What really is faith? What did these people do and believe that we can model for our own lives?

Merriam- Webster says faith is 1.) an allegiance to duty or a person 2.) belief and trust in and loyalty to God. 3.) something that is believed, especially with strong conviction

All the individuals in Hebrews-what they had in common with each other is their faith was based upon who they knew God to be, not on what their perception of God was. Their actions in their unique circumstances were based on who they knew God was, not on their current feelings about the situation they were in.

Abel knew that God cared more about what Abel believed about God than the sacrifice he brought. Noah, instead of allowing the ridicule and shame cast upon him in the unbelieving world he lived in, chose to believe what God warned him about and he acted on what he was told. Abraham, instead of staying and living in comfort- chose to follow God's command and call and to travel to an unknown land. He didn't succumb to the fear, he chose to believe who God said he was and to not rely on his present circumstances and how he felt about them.

By faith, each one of these people believed in the one who made a promise- that He would do what He said (v. 12 The Message).

What can be said of me? Do I base what I believe in God on how I currently feel about my present circumstance? Does the uncertainty of my surroundings make me uncertain of what God can do? Does the fear of the next steps make me afraid that God is not present? Is the fear of my unclear future, muddle my perception of who God is? As verse 7 says in The Message, "His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world." What will be said of me? "By faith____(your name)__."

Prayer: Dear Jesus, our situations are so big in our own eyes. They produce all kinds of feelings that at times can change our actions. Help us to know deep in our spirits that the only way to not be led by our emotions is to get to know you more intimately. How we get to know you means we need to spend time with you and to be in your Word. Create a

desire, an unquenchable desire, to want to be in your presence. It will change the course of our lives. In Jesus, Amen.

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Day 18 – Prayers to Love One Another – By Adriana Davis

Scripture: Jude 20-21

Jude 20–21 (NLT)
But you, dear friends,
build each other up in your most holy faith,
pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,
and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
to bring you to eternal life.

Devotion: But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of your Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

This verse encourages us to pray in the Holy Spirit and keep ourselves in the love of God. It is possible that the list of people that we pray for contains believers that we have not even met. However, you will be glad to know that when we pray for those that we have not met, there is one thing that we do, and, possibly, you do not even notice it. We become open to doing something nice for strangers (people that you have not even met). Isn’t that true? It is just too hard to know everyone in any one place. Becoming open is the best we can do because to pray to Love One Another we become more accepting of One Another, no matter where we are from. When we pray to Love One Another, we pray in the Holy Spirit so that we can see others as Jesus sees them or so that we can see the hope that Jesus has in them. Then notice how our words become a language of love. That reminds me of a Spanish word derived from the Nahuatl, Apapachar, which means to caress with the soul. Try to visualize your prayer as carrying love to the situation or to the stranger in your list. In Mexico, everyone wants to be apapachado (the person that receives the action of apapachar). It is like wanting many hugs. Try it and pray to Love One Another as if your words were carrying hugs to their situation and act on your prayer by giving them a hug if they are okay with it. And ask them about their walk with Jesus.

Prayer: Today, my prayer for you is that you remain in the body of Christ, the love of God, no matter what season in life you are going through now. You are not alone. We wait together for God’s mercy.

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Day 19 – Being Kind to One Another – By Christy Phillips

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-12; 1 John 3:11-20; Ephesians 4:32

1 Peter 3:8–12 (NLT)

Finally, all of you should be of one mind.
Sympathize with each other.
Love each other as brothers and sisters.
Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

Don’t repay evil for evil.
Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.
Instead, pay them back with a blessing.
That is what God has called you to do,
and he will bless you for it.

If you enjoy life and want to experience good days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.

1 John 3:11–20 (NLT)

This is the message you have heard from the beginning:
We should love one another.

We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother.
And why did he murder him?
Because his own actions were evil,
but his brother’s were righteous.

Dear children,
we must stop just saying we love people;
we really must love them.
If someone doesn’t love a Christian brother or sister whom he has seen,
how can he love God, whom he has never seen?

And he has given us this command:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother and sister.

If someone claims, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister,
that person is a liar.
For if we don’t love people we can see,
how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

And he has given us this command:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother and sister.

The person who loves God is known by God.

Dear friends,
if our hearts don’t condemn us, we can have confidence before God.
And we receive from him whatever we ask because we obey his commands
and do what pleases him.

But if our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts,
and he knows everything.

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Devotion: When I worked outside the home, there was a woman who I worked with who was negative most of the time, seemed upset about everything, was constantly inconvenienced, and was generally disliked by everyone. One day, I was listening to her complain about her teenage daughter, and the Holy Spirit prompted me to give her some of the homemade pancake mix that I had just made over the weekend. Honestly, I didn’t want to. And for several weeks, I operated in disobedience until I finally gave her the pancake mix and told her maybe she and her daughter could make pancakes together, and it might be a way for them to connect. Several weeks later, she stormed into my office, demanding to know why I had given her pancake mix. But the core of her question was “Why were you kind to me, when no one else is?”

In today’s passages of scripture, we are told to love one another and not to repay evil with evil, to be like-minded and compassionate (I Peter 3:8-12) and to love not with words and speech but with actions and truth (I John 3:11-20). You see, it’s through our love that the world will notice a difference. Not love just in words or speech. But words that have actions attached to them. Love that is unmerited and seeks nothing in return. Love is what our enemy is trying to destroy. By dividing us into racial categories, political categories, denominational categories, socioeconomic categories, etc., he keeps us divided so that it’s harder to love. We are supposed to be like-minded in our mission to love one another. Love needs to consider others better than ourselves. Sometimes this love can be uncomfortable, but it’s what Jesus did for us. Jesus walked away from the comfort and grandeur of heaven to our broken, dirty, and fallen planet to love us into a relationship with Him. Jesus is calling us to the same love. We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, because the potency of our faith is in the humility with which we love others, not based on our feelings, but on our actions and the motivation of our heart. Ultimately, our pride is the poison that keeps us from loving like Jesus.

I finally got over being uncomfortable with my coworker and showed kindness to her like Jesus, and it all began with a practical gift of pancake mix. God took that pancake mix and turned it into an opportunity to share my faith. And my co-worker? She was so shocked by that pancake mix that it opened a door for more opportunities to love her (through practical means), and then it led her to Jesus. Because it’s the kindness we show, when it’s not deserved, earned, or easy, that people will notice. Who do you need to show kindness to today? Perhaps it’s someone in your own home, maybe it’s a neighbor, coworker, or a random stranger in the grocery aisle, but do your actions reflect the selfless, servant love of Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, please help me this day to open my eyes to the way I have been living. Forgive me of my pride and help me to cultivate humility in my heart. Help me prioritize doing uncomfortable things for you that are not based on my convenience so that I can love like you do. Use me Father, to show your kindness, that others might notice for your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Day 20 – Prayers for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit - By Dr. Terry Correll

Scripture: Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2; 10

Joel 2:28–29 (NLT)

Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.

In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike.

Acts 2 (NLT)

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus’ followers.
They began to speak in different languages as the Spirit enabled them.
This drew a crowd of people from many nations, amazed to hear their own languages spoken.
Peter stood up and preached a powerful sermon about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, calling people to repentance and baptism.
About three thousand people accepted his message and were baptized that day.
The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer,
sharing everything they had and living in unity.

Acts 10 (NLT)

Cornelius, a Roman centurion who feared God, received a vision instructing him to send for Peter.
Peter had a vision that prepared him to accept Gentiles as fellow believers.
When Peter arrived, he preached the gospel to Cornelius and his household.
As Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard the message, including Gentiles, demonstrating that God’s salvation is for everyone.
Peter then baptized them, fully embracing the inclusion of Gentiles in the church.

Devotion: The prophecy of Joel, quoted by Peter in Acts 2, declares God’s desire to pour out His Spirit on all people. This truth is powerfully confirmed in Acts 10, when Cornelius and his household—non-Jews—receive the Holy Spirit. Their experience reveals the Holy Spirit transcends human expectations and traditional boundaries. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s grace and empowerment is for everyone. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is more than a moment—He equips for service, bold witness, speaking through us, and living out God’s purposes. When we continually invite the Spirit to fill us, overflow from us, and pour out through us, we begin to walk in the abundant life God has promised.

Prayer: Father, we surrender our hearts and lives fully to You. Stir within us a deep hunger and thirst for the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Fill us afresh. Activate the gifts You’ve placed within us, so we may serve, build up the body of Christ, and boldly represent You in every aspect of life. May we overflow with Your Spirit and impact the world around us for Your glory. Amen.

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Day 21 – There is an enemy – by Peter Montgomery

Scripture: Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11-13; Psalm 110:1; Romans 16:20; Ephesians 1:18-23

Colossians 1:13 (NLT)

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Stay alert!
Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.
He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:11–13 (NLT)

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,
against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Psalm 110:1 (NLT)

The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”

Romans 16:20 (NLT)

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Ephesians 1:18–23 (NLT)

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.
This is the same mighty power
that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over everything for the benefit of the church.
And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with his presence.

Devotion: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” ESV 13:1 Colossians

When I was in middle school I was invited to go on a vacation with my best friend’s family. One of the spots we visited was Mammoth cave in Kentucky. A memory that has stuck with me for years is part of tour where we experienced “total darkness”. As they turned the lights out, the sense of direction was gone. You immediately felt lost, alone, not knowing where you should go or what you should do. The sense of confusion and fear quickly set in. After the lights were turned back on, comfort and relief returned. When the tour ended and we exited the cave I remember the presence of the sun, the sky, the trees, the grass. There was not only light, but there was also life all around!

Our enemy Satan desires that we are kept in spiritual darkness. Where death, fear and confusion reign. But as children of God, we have been transferred into Jesus’ kingdom where there is life, joy, peace and light!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord for complete deliverance from the enemy. When you were on the cross, you said, “It is finished”! Help me to understand the completed work of the cross. Yes, the enemy seeks to sift us like wheat, yes, he is prowling like a lion, yes, he desires to tempt us in our mind. But we claim deliverance, victory, and power over the enemy in the name of Jesus. You said, at the name of Jesus every knee must bow. You told us according to Ephesians 2 that the enemy is under my feet. I believe it! I claim it! It is done! By Mary Thomas

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Day 22 – Prayers for U.S. Government System – By Brittney Robinson

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-6; Romans 13:1-6; James 3:1

1 Timothy 2:1–6 (NLT)

First of all, then, I urge you to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
This is good and pleases God our Savior,
who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—
the man Christ Jesus.
He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

Romans 13:1–6 (NLT)

Everyone must submit to governing authorities.
For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,
and they will be punished.
For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong.
Would you like to live without fear of the authorities?
Do what is right, and they will honor you.

The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good.
But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid,
for they have the power to punish you.
They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment,
but also to keep a clear conscience.

James 3:1 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church,
for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Devotion: Our role as believers includes praying for those in positions of authority and governance. The Scriptures remind us that all authority is established by God, and therefore, our prayers for leaders, whether we agree with them or not, are vital. Praying for wisdom, integrity, and justice in our government is an act of faith and obedience. It is also a recognition that human institutions are imperfect, and only God's guidance can lead them into righteousness and truth. As we pray for our leaders, we participate in God's sovereign plan, trusting that He can work through imperfect systems to bring about His purposes. Our prayers can bring wisdom, accountability, and righteousness into the heart of our nation’s leadership.

Prayer: This week, let us pray earnestly for our government system, asking God to bring wisdom, integrity, and righteousness into leadership. Pray for leaders to be guided by truth and justice, for unity in our nation, and for God's peace to prevail. May God's light shine brightly in the halls of government, transforming policies and hearts for His glory.

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Day 23 – Prayers for the World Government System - By Helen Mumaw

Scripture: Psalm 2; Proverbs 21:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord and against his Anointed One.

3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his fury, saying,

6 “I have installed my King
on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7 The Lord declared to me,
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.

8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.

9 You will break them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.”

10 So, you kings, be wise!
Listen, you rulers of the earth!

11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.

12 Submit to God’s royal Son,
or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Proverbs 21:1 (NLT)

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
he guides it wherever he pleases.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NLT)

First of all, then, I urge you to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

In the world today, we can get caught up in the chaos that surrounds us. We watch the news, listen to various podcasters, and have access to SO many newspapers and thought leaders that, frankly, we find our heads spinning and our hearts anxious. But the Lord says in Phil 4:6 ”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” We can be comforted knowing God is in control and has a plan and a purpose for everything.

We are also to be diligent and aware. And we are to PRAY! 1 Timothy 2:1-2 instructs us to “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” So, as we go about our day, and we hear news about international happenings, stop and pray for the leader of those countries or the leaders of the organizations and ask the Lord to draw them to Himself.

Prayer: Father God. We believe you know all things and are in control. We lift all the world leaders to You and ask You to draw them to Yourself. Reveal Yourself to them so that their “hearts will become a stream of water for You to channel toward all Your people” (Proverbs 21:1). Help them to be wise, to serve You with fear and to celebrate Your rule with trembling. (Psalm 2) Help me to trust You with all my heart and to lean not to my own understanding, but in ALL my ways acknowledge You and allow You to direct my path. (Proverbs 3: 5-6). Amen.

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Day 24 – Reaching our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and The Uttermost Parts

Scripture: Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 13:7; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
And you will be my witnesses,
telling people about me everywhere—
in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.

Matthew 28:18–20 (NLT)

Jesus came and told his disciples,
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
And be sure of this: I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”

Acts 13:7 (NLT)

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them,
trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NLT)

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,
but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom,
but on God’s power.

Devotion: Witnesses to the World — By Marluta Correll

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” — Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He didn’t give His followers a blueprint for building a church or a checklist of to-dos. Instead, He gave them a mission: “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). This verse outlines both the empowerment and the expansion of the gospel.

First, the empowerment: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

Jesus knew that the mission He was giving them couldn’t be accomplished by human effort. The Holy Spirit would provide the boldness, wisdom, and compassion needed to share the gospel faithfully. And that same Holy Spirit lives in us today as we desire and seek Him.

It is the filling of the Holy Spirit within our hearts that Christ is inviting us to receive. It is His love for us that tells the story and gives us the witness of His love and work in and through us to our world.

We are not witnesses of our own agendas. We are to take every opportunity to love God and others that He puts in our path. We witness the love of God working in and through us!

So be mindful of being a witness of His divine setups—i.e., when you meet a new person, see a neighbor at the store, or hear about someone in need of encouragement. Let your faith and creativity reach out.

We are witnessing with Jesus! We go with His presence and listen for His whispers as we take steps and interact with others. Our interactions and influence are to be an expression of the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. It is ultimately about the love of God for us and others.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Second, the expansion: “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This isn’t just geography—it’s strategy and symbolism.

· Jerusalem was home—the place where their journey began. For each of us today, we can be a vessel of the love of Jesus to influence those closest to us: our immediate family and friends.

· Judea was nearby—people similar to them, but outside their immediate circle. This often refers to coworkers, classmates, church members, and neighbors.

· Samaria represented those they might have avoided—culturally different, perhaps even socially rejected.

· The ends of the earth—that’s everyone else.

This verse calls us to live on mission, starting with where we are, but never staying there. We’re not just witnesses to our friends or church members—we’re witnesses to our city, to people unlike us, and to nations we’ve never seen.

Reflection Questions:

· Where is your Jerusalem—the people right around you who need to see Jesus through your life?

· Who represents Judea and Samaria specifically for you?

· What is one way you can pray, give, or go to reach the ends of the earth?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving me the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to be Your witness—not just in comfort zones but in every place You send me. Open my eyes to the people around me and stir my heart for the ones beyond my reach. May my life speak of Your love, truth, and grace—here and everywhere. Amen