The Love That Changed Everything: The Christmas Story is the Definition of Agapaō

The story of the first Christmas is often celebrated with gifts, carols, and decorations, but at the center of this story is the definition of love. The birth of Christ is widely considered the supreme example of divine love, specifically the type of love known in Greek as agapē or agapaō. Jesus’s birth didn’t just show the world what agapaō looked like; it fundamentally changed the meaning of the word itself, transforming it from a vague concept into a powerful, permanent standard of sacrificial, unconditional action.

The Original Idea of Love
1 John 4:7-8 NIV - Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Before the Christmas story, the Greek language had many words for love. Philia described the warm bond between friends or family members, like the loyalty you feel for your best friend or sibling. Erōs described romantic love like what a man and woman would feel toward each other when dating or getting married. The word agapaō  however, was different. It was used occasionally in ancient Greek writings, but it was often vague. It suggested a basic goodwill or a general affection, but it wasn’t defined by any grand, active proof or deep commitment. It was more of an idea than an action.

Then, Jesus entered the world. When he got older he incorporated into his message a different kind of agapaō.  In chapter three of the Gospel of John , Jesus’s words are captured,  “ God so Loved the world” and at that moment the  word “agapaō “ takes on a whole new meaning. When John wrote one of His letters to the Church, he associated the word  agapē with God himself by saying “God is Love”, (theos eimi agapē.)

The Supreme Act of Sacrifice
Philippians 2:5-8 NIV - In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!

The Christmas story provided the physical, undeniable definition that agapaō had always lacked. It tells the story of God—the Creator of the entire universe—choosing to “take on flesh,” leaving the glory and perfection of heaven to become a helpless, vulnerable human baby. This event, known as the Incarnation, is the supreme example of love because it involves radical self-sacrifice and humility. God didn't come as a powerful, conquering king who demanded loyalty; He arrived quietly in the humblest way possible, born in an animal stable and laid in a feeding trough. This lowering of status and power—this total self-giving—for the benefit of humanity is the pure definition of unconditional love. It was a choice to give everything, without expecting anything in return. It was not just love in word but it was love in action.

Changing the Definition of Agapaō
John 3:16 NIV - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Because of the events in Bethlehem, love was redefined. When writers of the New Testament captured Jesus’s words, he used agapaō to describe his love for his creation. Jesus wasn’t talking about a gentle feeling; he pointed his words  to the concrete, undeniable act of God giving his Son for the world. The definition became: pure, willful, intentional, and unconditional. It is love that is based on the giver's choice and not on the recipient's worthiness.

Jesus’s birth showed agapaō or true love was intentionally choosing the ultimate well-being of his creation, even if his creation was his enemy and did not want anything to do with him, and even if it requires the ultimate sacrifice, his death.  The Christmas story proved that this ultimate form of love was real and possible, giving everyone a new, impossible high standard for love that focused on action—the choice to give—rather than just emotion. It made God's love tangible, setting the standard for all relationships.

Changing How We Love
1 John 4:9-10, 12 NIV - This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

The challenge for us this Christmas season is to live out the love taught and shown to us by God himself when He gave us his Son on that glorious night the virgin gave birth in a manger. In the same way that God loved us we should love one another. It seems easy but it is impossible for us to accomplish such a challenge unless God lives in us. The gift of God is not just in the birth of Jesus we celebrate this time of year, but it also includes the death he died for us on the cross, the resurrection, and the promise that He lives and if we believe in him,he will come to us,live in us, and change our understanding of how we should love.

What is your definition of love this Christmas season? Jesus did not enter this world so we could celebrate his birth once a year. Jesus came into this world to change his creation and bring the human race back to a relationship with him where we can have God living in us. If we are willing to turn to God, repent, and believe, He has promised to come and live in us.  We will have His love pouring out of us. Let agapaō love complete you this Christmas, throughout the New Year, and for the rest of your life.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12

Lately, I’m pondering how my definition of “Christmas joy” has changed during my lifetime.  As a little girl, “joy” was lying under the tree watching colored lights sparkle on tinsel.  The thrill and mystery of presents with my name on them made me feel special, thought of, and loved.  Yes, there was baby Jesus in the manger, who died for my sins, but childhood joy is largely circumstantial; it depended upon the tree, the lights, family, and a gift with my name on it.  

As a young mom, “Christmas joy” was seeing our kids experience Christmas: watching them play angels, shepherds, or sheep in the Christmas Eve program at church, looking at lights, caroling, and observing the excitement on their faces as they opened presents- gifts with their names on them, meant to show our love and thoughts for them.  Christmas joy was telling them about Jesus: God who came to this earth as a baby (at Christmas) to die for our sins as the Passover Lamb and come out of the tomb alive (at Easter). This “joy” was more focused on my blessings and Christ, but it was still primarily vicarious in nature.

I’ve gotten older, and Christmas is an odd dichotomy of spiritual vs material: At times, true Christmas joy gasps for breath beneath the nagging, heavy, nearly overwhelming weight of “get’er done:” get the art commissions finished, the lights up, the tree cut and decorated, the Christmas letter written, cards sent, gifts bought or made, food made and delivered… I feel a bit like Ebenezer Scrooge complaining about the commercialism -the business and the busyness that celebrating our Savior has become- “Bah, humbug!”  Note: I find it no accident that “Ebenezer” means “stone of help,” a rock that reminds you of WHAT GOD DID FOR YOU.   If obligations and the blatant consumerism of December can diminish my Christmas joy, then my joy is contingent on circumstances, LIKE WHEN I WAS SIX!   The real joy of this and every season, a Christian’s simple, yet profound JOY of Christ in every single day, is this:

God sent His only Son, Jesus, Second Person of the Trinity, as a baby, to live sinlessly on this earth, to eat with sinners and to touch the “untouchable,” cleansing, healing, teaching His truth, His ways and God’s loving thoughts toward us; then Jesus willingly died as the Only Perfect Sacrifice to pay our sin debt in full.  He defeated death by exiting the tomb and ascending to the Father, so that by faith we can live with His JOY and God’s Holy Spirit in our hearts every day, transforming us from the inside out to be more like Him.  And one day we can be with Him in His Kingdom for eternity.
 
God the Father did this for us because He loves us that much!  The Old Testament points toward this joy- the gift of Jesus Messiah, only vaguely symbolized by our giving of presents.  If we seek Him, repent, and accept His grace and presence, we’ll possess the gift that Jesus’s perfect blood bought: God’s forgiveness and His Holy Spirit in us -resulting in unconditional, unexplainable, unassailable JOY, no matter the season or the current state of this temporary world.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and His name shall be called… Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6

We picture the first Christmas with soft edges—candlelight, a still night, a quiet stable—but the truth was far more jagged, far more alive. His first bed was a manger, simple and humble, yet holding the peace the world had longed for.

The first Christmas didn’t arrive under twinkling lights or wrapped in ease. It broke into a world that felt as unsteady and overwhelming as ours does now. At the very center of it all was a young, unmarried Jewish girl carrying a child she couldn’t explain, and a man who could have walked away, but stayed—both of them unsure, but steady, faithful, and brave. No one would have chosen this night. Nothing about their circumstances seemed peaceful. Born in the shadows of judgment and fear, Jesus entered a world groaning under injustice, heavy with sorrow, aching with unmet longing.

And yet, this imperfect, trembling, unsteady world was the world Peace chose to enter.

Advent is a sacred stretch of waiting, where wonder and ache walk side by side. At its center, peace rises—not the delicate peace of tidy moments, but a peace strong enough to dwell in the places that shake. Advent invites us into a holy paradox: in the midst of unrest and uncertainty peace holds steady when nothing else does. As each day passes, we’re invited to bring every longing and every hurt to the One who entered our fractured world—not to make the hard places disappear, but to fill them with His steady, lasting peace.

When the angels pierced the night sky with their song, they proclaimed, “Peace on Earth.” It was no lullaby for quiet fields but a declaration for restless hearts. A promise that peace was coming not to the serene and settled, but to the overwhelmed, the unraveling, the ordinary. Yet centuries later, as headlines hum with unrest, we still whisper: Is peace even possible? The angels proclaimed it, but our eyes struggle to see it.

Jesus did not hover above human pain; He walked straight into it. He knows the rough edges of your story because He lived among rough edges Himself. He knows grief. He knows waiting. He knows the ache of longing for what has not yet come. He entered a world full of unfinished stories so He could meet us in ours.

If the air in your home feels thick with weariness, if your heart stretches thin under the weight of your burdens, if your days look nothing like the glossy December of a Hallmark movie, know this: Jesus did not come for those who have it all together. He came for the ones holding it together by a thread. Christmas is for the weary, the lonely, the tender-hearted, the ones unsure how they will make it through another week.

Maybe the very mess you’re standing in is where peace will find you. Maybe the longing you carry is the doorway through which the King will enter. The peace Jesus brings is not fragile. It does not crack under pressure or disappear when shadows fall. His peace is strong enough to sit with you in unanswered places.

The miracle of His birth is this: God refused to wait for our wholeness before coming close. He came because we are broken. He came to offer peace where peace feels impossible. Perhaps the place that feels most fragile is the place where His peace is already drawing near. Perhaps the longing that aches within you is preparing room for Him. Perhaps peace does not begin where life is tidy, but where you finally whisper your need.

The peace He brings is not seasonal. It moves through hospital corridors, strained conversations, quiet disappointments, and hidden fears. It settles into the questions that steal your sleep and the prayers you breathe into your pillow.

So, this Advent, do not hide your need. Do not silence your longing. Do not chase perfection. Bring your honest, unvarnished story to the manger—the place that reminds us God meets us where we truly are, not where we pretend to be. Sit with Him in the quiet. Wait with Him in the ache. Let His presence become the peace your heart has been reaching for.

This Advent season, may His peace find you, fill you, and settle deep within your heart.

…and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:2-5

Have you ever heard of the term “Hopeless Romantic?” Well, that’s not really me; instead, what I am is a “Hopeless Hoper.”

A “hopeless hoper” is someone who refuses to stop hoping - no matter the odds. They tenaciously hold on to hope, not because they are naive, or even because they are stubborn (although I am incredibly stubborn!), but because their hope is rooted in something solid, steadfast, and unshakable.

They’re “hopeless” in the best way:
They can’t help but hope.

A hopeless hoper isn’t clinging to wishful thinking; they’re anchored to truth. Their hope is less about circumstances and more about the character of God. They believe God keeps His promises—even when the world gives them every reason not to.

Advent is a season built for hopeless hopers. It’s the time when the Church stands in the tension between promise and fulfillment, longing and arrival, ache and joy. Advent invites us to wait—not passively, but expectantly—like people who cling to hope even when everything around them feels uncertain. A hopeless hoper is someone who refuses to let darkness define the story because they know a Light has come—and will come again.

The Israelites who lived before the first Advent were hopeless hopers. Their world was marked by political oppression, spiritual decline, and centuries of silence from God. Yet woven through their longing was a stubborn, resilient hope in God’s promises—a hope Micah spoke into when he prophesied that a Shepherd-King would come from a small, forgotten town to bring peace, justice, and salvation. Nothing they saw suggested that help was coming.

But they believed anyway.
They waited anyway.
They hoped anyway.

And then, in the quiet of a Bethlehem night, Hope took on flesh.

But Advent does not merely invite us to look backward; it calls us to look forward. We are now the people living between Advents—those who celebrate Christ’s first coming while longing for His second.

As Christians, we are hopeless hopers. We read the news, feel the weight of suffering, see the fractures in our world, and confront the struggles within our own hearts. Yet still, we dare to hope. Not because circumstances look promising, but because the God who kept His first promise will keep His final one.

Advent is our reminder that biblical hope isn’t wishful thinking—it’s a confident expectation rooted in God's faithfulness. Romans 5:2–5 paints this hope beautifully: through Christ, we “rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,” and even in suffering, our hope is not shaken because “God’s love has been poured into our hearts.”

Advent hope grows in the waiting. It deepens in the longing. It matures through the ache.
The first Advent teaches us that God often works quietly, slowly, and in ways that defy our expectations. He comes in small towns and humble mangers. He moves in people like Mary—a teenage girl who said yes before she fully understood—and Joseph, whose obedience outweighed his confusion. The shepherds, startled from the night shift by angels, became heralds of a hope they could barely comprehend.

Every figure in the nativity story is a hopeless hoper: ordinary people who trusted God in extraordinary ways.

This is who we are invited to be today.

Being a hopeless hoper in Advent doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It means acknowledging the darkness while refusing to despair. It means holding onto the promises of God even when the night feels long. It means living with a heart tuned to Bethlehem and eyes lifted toward the skies, waiting for the One who said He will come again.
So today, let the candles of Advent speak: Hope rises in the dark. Light breaks through the night. The Savior who came is the Savior who is coming. And because of Him, we dare to hope—boldly, stubbornly, joyfully—as true hopeless hopers.

Prayer Prompt: Pray for the “Big C” Church

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)

We’re at the end of our 21-Day Prayer challenge. Today, we pray for the universal or the “Big C Church.”

God deeply loves the Church. His purpose and intention for prayer is that our hearts will always be drawn to Him. Prayer functions to release His power, will, and purposes. God has chosen to work in partnership with His people through prayer. He could accomplish whatever He needs to in and through His Church without us, but He chooses to use the prayers of His people to achieve His purposes. It’s a beautiful truth that the Father has created prayer so that our hearts will always be drawn toward Him. Let’s pray for how God will use His Church to accomplish His will and make a difference in the world.

Heavenly Father, we lift up the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ. We pray against the attacks of the enemy. Some days, the spiritual battle feels so intense and endless, and we get weary and weak. It can feel as if we are defeated, so help us remember, You will never leave or forsake us. You, Lord, are our Refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). If we would just be still and know that You are God, there will come a day when You will be honored among all the nations, and exalted over all the earth (Psalm 46:10). Lord as Your representatives help us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling that we’ve been given, with humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of Your Spirit by binding ourselves together with peace (Ephesians 4:1-3). Forgive us for being too busy and distracted by what isn’t important. Help us to be faithful to go into the world - our homes, communities, this nation, and the whole world - to share the light and hope of the gospel. In Jesus’ Name, Amen


#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for our Nation.

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord. All the families of the nations will bow down before You, for kingship belongs to the Lord; He rules over the nations.”
Psalm 22:27-28 (HCSB)

“The beginning point of every prayer of faith is the prayer of relinquishment.” (from Live a Praying Life!)
Before we can expect to hear from God about the how, the when, or the what of our prayers, we have to let Him bring us to the point that when we say, “Not my will, but Yours be done” it is a true, heartfelt prayer. This isn’t a prayer of resignation; it’s a prayer of relinquishing that can only come from a heart that knows and trusts the heart of the Father. It’s hard to trust someone we don’t know, so maybe the key to confidence in prayer is making sure we know the One we’re praying to! Growing closer to God and being intentional about strengthening our relationship with Him will deeper our faith and understanding of how He works. It aligns our prayer with His will and allows us to accept and receive His answers with confidence and trust. When we know God intimately it deepens our prayer life and allows us to take part in the power of prayer. But it require relinquishing our own will and submitting to His will first.

Lord God, Your Word says that You are exalted over all nations and that Your glory is above the heavens (Psalm 113:4). We live in a nation of many different creeds, convictions, ethnicities, and backgrounds, but we know that You love and reign over all of us. Allow the ways we exercise our freedoms to reflect Your holiness, compassion, and goodness. Be gracious and bless us and make Your face shine on us so Your ways would be known on earth and Your salvation among all the nations (Psalm 67:1-2). Make us strong but peaceful, just, and also merciful. When You bless us with prosperity, make us generous and charitable. May those who love You be secure. Your Word says, “How good and pleasant it is” when people live together in unity (Psalm 133:1). We know the sadness and suffering that result from a nation and a people divided. We pray for Your truth, faithfulness, and mercy to cover this land. Give us understanding to see how You are working all things for our good and Your glory, discernment in recognizing evil and deception, and wisdom in knowing our role in this moment in history.
It’s in Your precious Name we pray, Amen.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for Sheridan Valor Academy

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Next week, Sheridan Valor Academy will be moving into the Ignite Building. The mission of Valor is to provide a personalized Christian education that supports each student’s unique needs and abilities and fosters creativity, mastery, and excellence. Their goal is to shape their students to grow “in every way unto Christ.”

Valor and Ignite share the common goal of building the Kingdom for Christ, so please join us in praying for the students, staff, and administration of the school as they move into the building and then as they begin school in the fall.

Dearest Lord, we pray that You would command Your angels to guard the students, staff, and administration of Valor Academy as they move into our building and going on into their school year next year. Send angels ahead of them to guard them in all their ways. Be a strong tower and refuge in their lives that they can always run to and find safety. Protect their minds, protect their hearts, and protect their bodies. Sharpen their knowledge of all subjects, but especially their understanding of Your character and what their identity is in You. May they know they were created uniquely by You and give them a desire to discover Your purpose and calling in their lives.
Give wisdom, discernment, patience, and grace to the teachers, administrators, and other staff members. May their instruction be based on and grounded in Your truth, and give them boldness and clarity to speak Truth to the students. Make every conversation gracious and seasoned with salt. May they strive to work in a way that honors You. Clothe them with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience that they an bear all things and forgive when forgiveness is needed.
May each student, staff, and administrator know that they are Christ’s ambassadors, working together for the building of His Kingdom. Let Valor be a light to this community.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for the local churches in the Sheridan area.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 (NIV)

Ignite Wesleyan church is a kingdom-minded church, which means we don’t insulate ourselves from other evangelical churches in town. We are blessed to partner with other congregations in Sheridan and Johnson counties as we work in partnership to build God’s kingdom. There is mutual edification and support within many of the various church bodies in the Sheridan area.

Reasons God wants us to cover other churches in prayer:
It encourages our humility and puts God’s kingdom into a right, biblical perspective.
It stimulates relationships between churches.
It increases our effectiveness in spiritual battles in our community.
It strengthens our witness to the people in our towns of God’s idea and love of the Universal church when we show our love for other local churches.

Lord God, we pray for all of the local churches in Sheridan and the surrounding areas. We pray for the protection of all pastors and staff as they lead with godly discernment and wisdom as they nurture and shepherd Your congregations. We lift up those who are called and committed to serving Your people. They represent the hands and feet of Jesus, and while it is a blessing, we also recognize that it can be wearying to the mind, body, and spirit of those in ministry. We pray that they will not succumb to the temptation to compromise on truth because of what is easy and convenient, but that those leading these churches will be bold in declaring Your Truth. We pray that You would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You (Eph 1:16-17). That they would be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of You (Col 1:9-10).
In Jesus’ Name, Amen

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for the communities of Sheridan County.

“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  
Matthew 22:36-39

We’re blessed to live where we do; we live in relatively small communities where we know a lot of the people we’re praying for. But God’s Word tells us that “neighbor” includes a wider distinction than we might think. (Read God’s command to love our neighbors in Leviticus 19:18 and the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 and who He says a neighbor is.) It’s not just the people we know, it’s not just the people in our communities that we like. God’s Word commands us to love all the people He considers to be our neighbors - and this means all.

We can love all the people in the communities of Sheridan and surrounding areas by genuinely seeking what is best for them and praying for them. This doesn’t have to mean that we will always be in agreement with everyone all the time, but it does mean that we look out for what their needs are and try to the best of our ability to meet those needs. We love them the best when we can share God’s love and truth with them. Jesus alone can meet every person’s need perfectly. But we can work on building His Kingdom here on earth by loving well the people He puts in our paths.

Lord, You have placed us in this specific community, at this specific time, for a reason and a purpose. Our church is called to ignite the world for Jesus; may that igniting begin here in Sheridan. Place a burden on our hearts for this county, the town, its leaders, and its citizens. We pray for the protection, well-being, and blessing of everyone here. Give us leaders who will honor You and serve our city well, with integrity and courage as they make decisions that affect Sheridan County and its communities. Give us eyes to see what needs there are, and hearts that desire to fill those needs. Make our church body the hands and feet of Jesus. We pray for the schools in Sheridan County, for the teachers, principals, and students. Give them protection and guidance as they teach our children. You are our Prince of Peace, and we pray for Your presence in the streets and homes of our communities. We lift up the local law enforcement, praying for their safety, wisdom, compassion, and courage as they protect the people of this county. We praise You that we get to live in such an amazing place. Help us to make an impact on the lives of the people here.
In Your Son’s Name, Amen

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for the new Lead  Pastor search.

“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”  Jeremiah 3:15 (ESV)

Prayer is easy to talk about, but a lot harder to understand. It’s a natural instinct for Christians to say, “I will pray about that”, but a lot harder to understand how it works. I love this quote by Andrew Murray: “We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.” Prayer is a force that can move the heavenly world!! It’s through prayer that heaven comes to earth and the impossible becomes possible. Do you have a request that seems outrageous? Nothing is outrageous to God. His presence and power are ours for the asking because it’s how we engage with Him.

But we have to remember that prayer is not a tool or a method we use to get God to do what we want Him to do, how we want Him to do it, and in the time we want it accomplished. Prayer is about yielding to and trusting in what He is accomplishing. It’s about getting to know the God who created us and has a plan and a purpose for our lives. We can trust Him because we know Him.

So, let’s continue to trust Him through the process of searching for a new Lead Pastor.

Jesus, we put the search for a new Lead Pastor of Ignite in Your hands. We pray for patience, humility, and trust as we wait for You to bring him here. We pray You will continue to use him where he is right now, that he will honor You where You have placed him, and that You will prepare his heart and his family for where You are calling him to be. We pray he will be a man who seeks after Your heart and desires to bring the truth of Your gospel to the people of Ignite. May this be a Pastor who leads by humility, wisdom, and his love of You. We pray there will be wisdom and guidance as the LBA works on the process of hiring a new Lead Pastor. Give patience and trust to the Ignite Staff as they continue to lead and minister to the church body. And cover the congregation of Ignite with the peace of knowing that You are sovereign and loving and leading just the right man to this position. Prepare our church body to welcome him and his family. Lord, we have no timetable for when this is accomplished; we trust in Your perfect will and Your perfect time.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for Ignite family members who are ill or grieving.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)

Chances are that any given Sunday, the seats in our church hold those who are silently grieving a loss or struggling because of an unknown illness. Sometimes we are made aware of those who are grieving or sick, but many times we have no idea. Suffering is part of the human experience that we each will face no matter how mature we are in our faith, and whether known or unknown, it can be difficult to know how to love those members of our congregation adequately and well.

Oftentimes, it can be easier to deal with our own pain and loss, and more daunting to comfort others. It’s awkward, and we don’t know what to say, and we’re afraid of causing more pain than they are already experiencing. But the Bible is clear that not only do we have hope in Christ, but He has enabled and equipped us to comfort one another.

We can come alongside those who are suffering loss or facing a serious illness by obeying God when He prompts us to reach out and give comfort. Worry less about saying the wrong thing by listening more than speaking. Comfort by serving in practical ways. And most importantly, pray. Prayer is the most powerful and significant source of comfort and strength for those who are suffering loss and illness.

Dear Heavenly Father, give us a wellspring of compassion and concern for those in our Church Body. We ask for Your healing hand to be upon those who are hurting, ill, and grieving. Grant them comfort, strength, and wisdom. Soothe their pain, calm their fears, and pour peace over them. If it’s in Your will, restore their health. If it isn’t Your will that they heal this side of heaven, give them peace and Your strength to endure. Be with their loved ones as they seek Your guidance on loving and caring for loved ones who are seriously ill or injured. You sent Jesus to walk the earth in human form so He understands this broken world and all of the suffering that is part of it. Lord, we trust You with the health of our church members’ bodies, minds, and emotions. We place our worries about them in Your capable hands and acknowledge that You are Sovereign over the lives of all of us. Teach them what You would want them to learn during seasons of health crisis, mourning, or ongoing physical struggles. As our Good Shepherd, lead them beside quiet places, give them rest, renew their strength, and refresh their souls.
In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.


#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for the elderly at Ignite.

“Even while I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, while I proclaim your power to another generation, your strength to all who are to come.”  Psalm 71:18 (CSB)

Oftentimes, the older generations at church feel overlooked and dismissed, as if their work is done. But that is just not the case! The Lord is not done with them yet! Those who are older are vital to our churches because they offer us wisdom, life experience, and a unique perspective that has been shaped by their own life and faith journeys. The elderly can serve as mentors, role models, and teachers who pass on valuable insights and traditions to the younger generations. Their prayers, spiritual guidance, and unwavering faith over the years contribute to the health and well-being of our church. Take time to get to know the older members of Ignite and benefit from their years of life experience and wisdom. Pray that the older generations see how they can intentionally invest themselves in the lives of the younger members of Ignite.

Most Gracious Father, we praise You for the wealth and depth of wisdom our church has in its older generation. Give us hearts that never take them for granted. Give us eyes to see those who are lonely and struggling with advanced years. We know You are good, and we praise You for how You have carried and blessed them with a fortitude that has built an abiding faith in their lives. May they understand the responsibility You have given them to teach younger generations about trust in and obedience to You. May we always remember to pause and listen to their years of wisdom. Give us empathy to see those who are lonely and infirm, and give us a better understanding of how to love them well in every and all circumstances. Turn to them and be gracious to them when they are alone and afflicted.  Bring them peace and comfort as You help them know how loved they are by You and by us. You still have important work to accomplish through them. May we be a church that loves and honors the older generation. We praise You for what they bring to our congregation.
In Your Son’s Name, Amen.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for the kids in the Shine Nursery and Children’s Program

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 (ESV)

Praying for the children of our church is vital for their spiritual well-being as well as the overall health of our church. Just like praying for the teenagers & young adults, children are our future. It’s an act of love & care to be invested & intentional about covering the youngest of our congregation in prayer. It should be the desire of every one of us to watch the children of Ignite develop a strong faith, help guide them toward godly friendships, & equip them to share their faith with others.

Jesus did not diminish the importance of valuing & welcoming children into what He was doing in ministry. He demonstrated through His actions & teaching that He fully embraced the presence of children, protected them, & taught that the very kingdom of God belongs to those who are like little children. We can follow Jesus’ example by having Jesus’ heart for children -  hearts full of love, respect, & spiritual affirmation.

God has invited us as a church to accept a very important role in the lives of these children. Would you join me as we cover the precious youngest generation of Ignite in loving prayer?

Dearest Lord, we love our children at Ignite. They’re each precious and valued members of the church body. We entrust them into Your care, help us remember that their future is in Your capable hands. We ask for Your wisdom and direction in knowing how to help in their spiritual development. Give them an understanding of how much You love them, we pray they find their security and confidence fully in You, knowing that You are trustworthy and true. May Your peace cover their lives, and joy and laughter fill their days. We pray You will give them boldness and courage to face whatever challenges are set before them with the calm confidence that can only come from Your Holy Spirit. We ask you to raise up greatness in the children of this church, greatness in this generation, that they would be willing to stand strong and true and passionately for you. May they believe You have designed them for a purpose, that You have good works planned that You have prepared for them in advance. We thank you, Father, that You walk ahead of, beside, and behind our children. We can trust You to always lead them and constantly be at their side.
In Jesus’ Sweet Name, Amen


#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for Catalyst Youth and Fuse Young Adults at Ignite.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”
Psalm 51:10-12 (NKJV)

It’s not a far stretch to say that our teenagers and young adults are the future of the church. They are our future leaders, missionaries, and culture shapers. I cannot emphasize enough how vital it is for us to pray for and foster relationships with the young people at Ignite. Take some time to get to know them, what their names are, what their interests, hobbies, and passions are, what their hopes and dreams for the future are, as well as their fears and uncertainties.

Investing in today's youth is necessary for the growth of a healthy body of Christ. Coming alongside them, discipling, mentoring, and teaching them to grow in their faith and relationship with the Lord will prepare them for a lifetime commitment of serving and honoring Christ in all they do. This only helps the church to flourish.

Some ways you can pray for our kids in Catalyst and Fuse:

• Pray for their hearts as they hear & receive the gospel
• Pray for godly friendships & mentors in their lives
• Pray their appetite will grow for God’s Word
• Pray their faith would be more than just a head knowledge, but would move to their hearts
• Pray they would be a godly influence in the culture around them
• Pray for boldness to stand firm for their faith & share the hope of the gospel with the lost.

Jesus, we pray for the teens & young adults of our church. Create clean & pure hearts as they experience renewed & steadfast spirits. Help them keep their eyes fixed on You; fill them with courage & strength as they navigate life’s challenges. May they know they aren’t alone on this journey. Bring godly mentors & role models into their lives. Lord, strengthen their faith & reliance on You & help them to live according to Your will, not the way of the world. May they be lights amidst the darkness & boldly speak the truth of hope in the face of brokenness. Thank You for the gifts they possess; we praise You for being faithful in developing those gifts in their lives. We pray for their protection. Guard their hearts & minds. Give them wisdom & discernment as they form meaningful relationships, knowing who to trust & allow into their lives. Grant them courage to stand firm in their faith & not be swayed by the things of this world. We praise You for the hope found in the youth of Ignite. In Your Name, we pray, Amen.


#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for those who serve at Ignite.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you are working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

The volunteers at Ignite Wesleyan are essential to how our church functions. Without them, we could not do what we do. Much of the work needed to sustain healthy ministries and outreach programs requires the service of volunteers. God has equipped us all with gifts and talents that He desires to use for the mutual benefit of the church body as we live as an example of how Christ served.

Volunteers are vital for the following reasons:
Fulfilling the church’s mission to serve.
For our own spiritual growth, as we put our faith into action.
To build and foster a sense of connection, community, and belonging.
Take part in impacting the lives of the church body.
Live out the gospel; serving makes us selfless as we become more generous with our time and efforts.

Today, pray for the many volunteers we currently have serving at Ignite, and also pray about how God may be leading you to find somewhere to serve in our church.


Righteous Father, we are so grateful for the men and women You have called to selflessly volunteer at Ignite. Preserve and strengthen them as they commit to serving others in the name of Your Son. Guide them as they graciously give of their time and energy. Help them to see the needs of those around them with a willing and patient heart. Provide them with a listening ear, a helping hand, a kind word, or a compassionate act. Lord, You have shown us through Your life and teachings that true greatness comes from counting others above ourselves and giving ourselves to the service of others. Please help us model our lives after that example and put the needs of others above ourselves. Remind us that every act of service, no matter how small, has the potential to make a big difference in someone else’s life. It isn’t always easy because it requires sacrifice and humility. Still, when we serve, we become more like You and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life of purpose and participation in the kingdom-building work You are doing on earth. We pray You will continue to call men and women to serve at Ignite, offering to You their gifts and talents. Give each of us the heart of a servant.
In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for the staff at Ignite.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

The past year has been challenging for the pastoral team as they have navigated a lot of change and transition at Ignite. The greatest thing you can do for the church staff and leadership is to pray for them. Your staff has a deep desire to grow in their faith and maturity, seeking how God would lead them in their ministries, while walking alongside you to help encourage and support you as you walk your spiritual journey. Some days, their load is heavy, and the responsibility to shepherd is great.

The staff here at Ignite who would greatly appreciate your encouragement and prayers:
Pastor Mark Butcher, Interim Lead Pastor
Pastor Austin Barker, Worship and Youth Pastor
Pastor Gretchen Danforth, Children’s Pastor
Jana Fraley, Director of Spiritual Development
Susan Conrad, Financial Administrator
Ken Bowen, Facilities Manager
Christyl Healy, Volunteer Front Desk

Here is how you can pray for the staff of Ignite:
Pray for their walk with Jesus
Pray for their protection
Pray for their family
Pray for their stamina and endurance
Pray for their clarity in vision and mission
Pray for their emotional stability
Pray they would be courageous leaders speaking truth and hope to the congregation.

Dearest Lord Jesus, Today we lift up the staff at Ignite. Fill them with Your joy, wisdom, and reminders that Your Presence goes with them. Give them opportunities for rest and refreshment. Bless their families with Your love, grace, and protection as they do the work You have called them to do. There is always the threat of attack from the enemy when Your people do work that brings You glory. Bless the work of the church staff, and use their different areas of giftedness to help Your people grow in faith, hope, truth, and love. Keep their eyes focused on the church’s primary goal: to lead people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Continue to bless the ministry team at Ignite with harmony and love for one another. Lord, inspire them as they create, uphold them as they serve, and give them discernment as they lead. Enable them to minister with genuine care and empathy, reflecting Your love to every person who enters the doors at Ignite.
In Your holy and mighty Name, we pray, Amen.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for Pray for the Local Board of Administrators.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV)

We’re so grateful for the faithful dedication of Ignite’s Local Board of Administrators. Our Church Board serves as the chief governing and coordinating body of our local church. One of the primary responsibilities for our LBA right now is searching for a new Lead Pastor. We are asking that you commit yourselves to covering our board members with prayer during this process. Our LBA includes: Jon Tengesdal, Dave Wills, Janet Masters, Brandon Ray, and Nancy Stephens

Here are four specific ways you can pray for them:
1. Unity. That each member of our board would be united even as they bring different strengths, ideas, and perspectives to the table, as they work together through the process of finding a new lead pastor.
2. Spiritual Strength. Spiritual attacks are expected as the LBA prayerfully seeks God’s will for the church. Pray these five men and women will stand strong and fully equipped to fight the enemy in spiritual battles.
3. Wisdom. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the LBA godly wisdom and discernment in the selection process as they seek God’s guidance and not man’s wisdom.
4. Endurance. This has been a long process that we all had hoped would be concluded by now. Pray they will not become weary or discouraged, but that their trust in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness will only deepen with this experience.

Good and Precious Father, we lift up the men and women who make up our Local Board of Administrators. We pray You will pour wisdom, discernment, and courage into them as they lead. Give them patience and discretion as they navigate the process of choosing a new Lead Pastor. Keep them from growing weary. We pray their hearts would be directed first to You and they would recognize where the true source of their help and strength comes from. Guard their coming and going; be their refuge and peace. Surround each of them with wise, godly counsel and a biblical understanding of their vital role in the church. Inspire the leaders of Ignite and strengthen their resolve to fulfill Your calling. Give them unwavering faith and enthusiasm to prepare our congregation to go out and share the transformative message of the gospel. We pray for their families - give them strength, protection, and grace for the days ahead. Continue paving the way for bold and faithful men and women to serve Your people. Lord, we are so grateful for those whom You have called to this purpose at this time. We ask You for an outpouring of Your Spirit in their lives.  
In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for our church family at Ignite.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 (NIV)

As we pray for the unity and strength of our church body here at Ignite, let’s look at why this is a prayer close to Jesus’ heart.

We were one of the last things Jesus prayed for before He went to the cross. As He was preparing to return to the Father, He prayed that we would be protected by the power of His name, and that we would be one, just as the Father and Son were one. Unity matters to Christ, and it should be the standard among believers.

Later in the same prayer, Jesus asked again that all believers, going from that day and into the future, “may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us…I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity. (John 17:21-23).

He desires unity so that his glory may be seen and so that others may see the harmony between our church members, the perfect unity that differentiates us from the world, and that it will be evident that we belong to Christ, that He loves us, and died for us.

We don’t always do church unity well, but one way we can strive for it is by seeing our fellow brothers and sisters at Ignite as just that…family. One of the most loving and powerful things we can do for our family is to pray for one another.

Dearest Father, we pray for our church family at Ignite Wesleyan. Help us as we navigate this season of transition and uncertainty. Increase our hope, put action to our faith, and keep our eyes focused on Your truth. Help our church body walk in a manner worthy of the calling You’ve given us. Help us as we interact with each other, giving us humble and gentle hearts, and granting us patience to bear with one another in love. Grant us unity and help us to glorify You in our love for one another. May we walk humbly with You, allowing conviction and correcting of any wrongdoing. Help us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow You. You know our hearts, Father, that our flesh is weak even when our spirits are willing. Examine our hearts and make us more like You: less selfish, more selfless, less proud, more humble and gentle in spirit, willing to deny ourselves, and bold enough to share the truth of the Gospel. Deepen our trust in what You are doing in and through this church..
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 
#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for the salvation of unbelieving family, friends, and co-workers.

I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Acts 26:17b-18 (NIV)

We might never know the full effect of some prayers for our loved ones this side of heaven. God doesn’t want this to discourage us, but to make us even more determined to keep praying because we know that one day He’ll reveal every answer to every prayer we’ve ever spoken. As we pray for unbelievers in our lives, we can be assured that God hears and is working on hearts, even if we can’t see it.

Commitment to praying for those who don’t know or have not yielded to Jesus as Lord stems from our love for them and a desire for their greatest well-being in all areas of their lives. Not just spiritually, but also physically, emotionally, and mentally. Our dedication to praying for them is not about convincing them of our beliefs, but is rooted in the confidence that God longs for all people to come to repentance, be saved, and know Him personally. Prayer is our greatest weapon to fight the spiritual battle with Satan for their souls. So we intervene and pray out of love, concern, and compassion.

Dearest God, we lift up our unbelieving friends and family members, praying that their hearts will be changed and they will choose to fully submit to You. Take away their cold and unyielding hearts of stone and do a work that softens and makes their hearts alive and responsive. Bring them an awareness of the truth of Who You are and what You’ve accomplished here on earth. I pray they will come to Christ and Christ alone for salvation. Prepare their hearts to receive the gospel and believe it is the only thing that will bring hope to their broken sinfulness. Free them from the bondage of sin that has enslaved them. Remove Satan’s influence that has blinded them to the truth. Lord, give us opportunities and boldness to share our hope in You with gentleness and love.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
 
#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for difficult relationships and situations in your life or the lives of loved ones.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 4:12-14

To make praying a consistent habit and priority, set a specific time (and maybe even a timer at the beginning to remind you) for focused and intentional prayer. This doesn’t mean that this is the only time you will pray. Prayer needs to be a built-in habit throughout the day. But because of the way our brains are wired, if we set aside as little as 10 minutes each day to pray, we will develop a praying life that is more consistent than if we pray sporadically throughout the week. Remember: Don’t make it legalistic. Praying isn’t about duty; it’s about delight! He sees your heart and is moved by your desire to spend time with Him in prayer.
 
Lord, You’ve called us Your own, chosen to be holy and dearly loved. You’ve asked us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience so that when we deal with difficult people or painful situations, we can do so in a way that shows honor to You and love to them. Help us make allowances for each other’s faults, forgiving anyone who has offended us. Jesus, You are the perfect example of how we are to love. You are gentle and lowly in heart, and we pray that You will give us the same humility, meekness, and strength of character when dealing with difficult people and situations. By Your Spirit’s power, give us self-control in our words, thoughts, and actions. Bring restoration and healing where needed.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer Prompt: Pray for your families and homes.

Choose this day whom you will serve. . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:4-5 (ESV)

Sometimes we face discouragement in prayer. We might have prayed for something or someone specific, and it seems God is silent. So we give up. Or maybe we don’t even go to God in prayer because the situation is just too big and complicated, and we feel completely inadequate and unable to pray effectively. Or perhaps it’s the opposite, the prayer seems little and insignificant, and we doubt that God has time to listen to something so trivial.

But the TRUTH is that God wants ALL of our prayers…
Prayers that are persistent, and we’ve prayed over and over again.
Prayers that are big and messy and complicated.
Prayers that seem silly and minor.
Prayers cried out in deep grief and anger.
Prayers that are full of emotion, requesting God just do something.
Prayers that heartfelt.
Prayers that are distracted and scattered.
Prayers that are long and said in the quiet and stillness of the early morning.
Prayers that are shot up like arrows in the chaos of our day.

God wants them all. God answers them all. Some prayers He answers with a definite “Yes!” Some are answered with a “No, but trust that I’m working.” And some answers are “Not yet.” He might answer in a way we don’t want or expect, but He always answers. In His sovereignty, He knows best. When we become discouraged by the prayers that seem to go unanswered, remember that when we pray with a right heart, we never pray in vain.

Dearest Father, we place our family in Your capable and sovereign hands. Bless our lives, not with worldly abundance, ease, and comfort, but bless us with greater faith, more profound wisdom, and deeper confidence in how You are working in our lives. Guide us and protect us from the enemy. Cultivate kindness, patience, and gratitude in our family. Lead us to be quick to show love and forgiveness, and slow to anger and harsh words. Let the gospel motivate the way we lead our families. Let the peace of Christ rule in our home and help us to make it a place of hospitality and retreat. We ask that anyone who walks through our doors be covered with compassion, kindness, humility, and strength. We pray that You would use our family and home to glorify You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

We aren’t often asked, "How’s your steadfastness?” or “How’s your spiritual maturity? Yet being spiritually mature and steadfast is extremely important in the life of a Christian. When we’re mature in our faith, we become steadfast, are better able to hear from and understand God’s leading in our lives, we can discern good from evil, and we’re given a resilience and purpose to our faith.

Spiritual growth and steadiness are vital in how we interact with and respond to other people, as well as how we care for our family, friends, and strangers. When we mature and stand resolute in obedience to God’s Word, we find a deeper connection to God, resilience in trials, a better understanding and acceptance of true vs false beliefs and teachings, and perseverance in using our gifts to serve God. His steadfastness is an unshakable, reliable, and firm guarantee - an anchor for our soul - which makes us more steadfast over time. The steadfastness of Christ makes us want to be more faithful and mature, not be flighty, fickle, impulsive, and conditional in how we love. We want a faith that is settled and stable, fixed and firm.

Prayer: Father, we confess that we don’t always have maturity and steadfastness when trials and tribulations come. We don’t always handle difficulties or uncertainties as well as You desire us to. You don’t want hard things to knock our faith off kilter; You desire that we consider our problems with joy! Help us understand that You have equipped us so that when hard things come, they will strengthen, grow, and refine our faith, not destroy it. You allow us to be tested so our faith will become steadfast, enduring, mature, and wise. Help us remember that You can use any affliction and trouble to perfect and complete our faith. We praise You for that.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 (ESV)

Prayer Prompt: Pray for your faith to grow mature and steadfast.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Prayer isn’t just our best defense against the schemes of the enemy; it’s also an expression of our dependence on God. Unfortunately, relegating prayer to a rote and unemotional duty or a transitional piece of our worship service becomes too easy. When we don’t prioritize prayer in our individual lives and in our churches, this demonstrates a lack of belief in the power of prayer. The more committed we are to the discipline of prayer, the more aware we become of our dependence on the Lord.

We might feel that things in our lives, or situations in the church, are out of our control. But God always has everything in His perfect control, and He invites us to actively participate in our sanctification and in the Kingdom work He’s doing. We do this by engaging with Him in prayer. Getting to know God through prayer increases our trust in His sovereignty, and it is much sweeter than anything this life offers. Our communion with God in prayer is vital to having that intimate relationship with our Creator.

“Prayer . . . is a voice which goes into God’s ear, and it lives as long as God’s ear is open to holy pleas, as long as God’s heart is alive to holy things. God shapes the world by prayer . . . The mightiest successes that come to God’s cause are created and carried on by prayer.” - E.M. Bounds

Prayer: Lord, Your Word tells us that we can approach Your throne of grace with complete confidence. In Your presence, we receive mercy and find grace that only comes from You in our times of greatest need. You are not far-off and unapproachable, but You are a God who invites and draws us to You. May we be bold in coming to You with our needs. May we be consistent in approaching You daily. May we be a people who intentionally place our faith in You and what You are accomplishing in our lives and in this church.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Prayer Prompt: Pray that you will develop a vibrant prayer life and that we would be a people of prayer.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Fasting has been part of the Judeo-Christian tradition since Old Testament times. Old Testament Saints fasted during times of mourning and national repentance, when they needed strength, direction, and mercy to persevere, and when they sought a word from God. Some Old Testament examples of fasting are 1 Samuel 7:6, Nehemiah 1:4, and Esther 4:16.

Fasting was a normal practice for the Jews of Jesus' day as well. Jesus began His earthly ministry with a 40-day fast (Matthew 4:1-11). The New Testament Church sometimes fasted when it sought God's will and needed the grace and strength to remain faithful to God's work (Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23).

Perhaps you recently practiced the spiritual discipline of fasting during Lent, giving up something specific to remind you of how Jesus gave everything up for us.

While fasting is often associated with abstaining from food, it can also include fasting from an activity, a hobby, or a habit that might keep us from being receptive to hearing from God.

Fasting serves multiple purposes, including helping us seek God’s guidance and will for our lives, expressing sadness and grief, showing humility, overcoming temptation, and dedicating ourselves to focusing more clearly on abiding with the Lord.

Fasting will not be effective if you are fasting for the wrong reasons or with the wrong attitude. Fasting is not:
For appearances. It doesn’t make us more righteous or holy (Matthew 6:16).
Magical or a way to manipulate God into doing what we want. David fasted after his sin with Bathsheba, asking God to spare their child, but the child died anyway (2 Samuel 12:16-20).

Fasting is an opportunity for us to lay down our desires and appetites (whether for food, social media, news, Netflix, or shopping) and replace them with a hunger for all that God has for us. Fasting reminds us of what our souls should be concerned with and to look to God for comfort and sustenance.

“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18

Prayer Prompt: Pray for a heart that is sincere in seeking God and His will and purpose for your life and that of Ignite church.

#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting

Do you ever wonder about the power of prayer? Have you ever questioned if God hears you when you call out to Him? The mystery of it, disappointment when prayers are left unanswered, busyness, distraction, fear, worry, pride, control, doubt, and uncertainty about whether we’re “doing it right " are all what might keep us from having a consistent and rich prayer life.

But the truth is that God desires us to grow close to Him in relationship, to seek Him, draw near, and abide in Him. He wants us to trust Him.

He longs for us to pursue Him by pursuing prayer, pursuing His Presence, and pursuing His Will.

Like any other relationships we have in this life, things will not come easily if we don’t talk to Him. That’s simply what prayer is: a conversation with God. Too often, we either complicate the matter of prayer or minimize its importance. The same can be said of the spiritual practice of fasting. God simply wants us to trust Him by completely surrendering to Him.

Prayer and our redemption are closely woven together. When we read in the Bible about prayer, we see that the basis for it rests in the finished work of what He’s rescued us from. Because of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross, we have total and complete access to the Father. He desires for us to know Him better by speaking to Him daily.

Oswald Chambers wrote in his book My Utmost for His Highest,” We look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself.” Chambers also taught that “prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”

Our goal and hope is that you will join us in pursuing God through prayer and fasting in these next 21 days. We believe we each have a heart’s desire for God’s will and purpose in our individual lives and in the church body of Ignite Wesleyan. By going to Him in prayer and surrendering to Him in fasting, we trust that God will do a mighty work in and through our church.

“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” Ezra 8:23

Prayer Prompt: Pray that God will guide you over the next 21 days, both in your prayers and in how you should practice the discipline of fasting.