In the face of continual challenges and an uncertain future, we remain steadfastly confident that God is at work. Why? Jesus promised all of us that He would build His church, which makes it inevitable. But He also said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it, making it indestructible. We may have opposition and hardships, but we have hope regarding our future.
Remaining faithful in prayer
Since that is true, we have to ask ourselves, “How do we work with the Lord as faithful shepherds and disciples of Jesus while He miraculously builds His church during this strange and taxing time?” The answer to that question is always, “Begin with prayer.” How do we know that? Because it was, and is, the way of Jesus. Consider His response to a simple request about prayer:
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” ’ ” (Luke 11:1-4, NIV).
Jesus so often replied to His questioners with a question of His own. He did not do that in Luke 11 but answered His disciples directly and clearly. He gave them a model that they must have seen, up close and personal, in His own life. Nobody had a front-row seat to Jesus’ ministry like they did. So, they didn’t have to connect the dots between persistent prayer and powerful ministry. Jesus did that for them through the consistency of His preaching and practice.
Throughout the 21 days, we’ll be offering particular prayer points and daily activities just for kids because we believe you’re never too young to learn about the power of prayer.
Praying like Jesus together
Jesus’ example motivates our Foursquare family to prioritize 21 days in January to pray and fast, as we have during the past few years. For more than 35 years in ministry, I’ve seen God move to the degree that we pray.
That’s why I’m all-in on this, and I invite you and the people you shepherd to join with our Foursquare family all over the world in 21 Days of Prayer + Fasting for 2022. I know of no better way to begin a year of hope-filled, fruitful ministry.
When we do this together, we also offer a lens through which a deeply divided world can see the unifying love of God powerfully on display. Praying together affords us several more opportunities.
First, we collectively focus on Jesus, in whom all of God’s promises are yes and amen. Second, we intercede for our needs and those of the communities we serve. Finally, we faithfully seek God to hear what He wants us to do. Prayer is an inexhaustible resource, and these are just a few examples of its power to shape and direct us.
Let’s lean in 21 for days
We’ll start a few days later this year, on Jan. 10, continuing through Jan. 30. We made this change at your request, our local leaders. We trust this will give you and your congregation time to navigate a busy Christmas season first before devoting intentional time to this dedicated season of prayer.
Throughout the 21 days, we’ll be offering particular prayer points and daily activities just for kids because we believe you’re never too young to learn about the power of prayer.
Additionally, we’ll host a Global Prayer Network event, joining the Foursquare global family from around the world in 24 hours of continuous prayer. Visit FoursquarePrayer.org, where you’ll find resources and helpful tools that will equip you to lead your congregation. We’d love to see all our Foursquare family participate. You’re one of the biggest reasons I’m so encouraged about the future because we get to pray and fast together in one accord.
May we let the words of E.M Bounds inspire us to pray with bold faith and expectancy: “What the church needs today is not more machinery, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men and women whom the Holy Ghost can use—men and women of prayer, mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods but through men and women. He does not anoint plans, but people, men, and women of prayer.”
