Many times throughout history The Church has been known strictly by the things it's against. We want to be known by the things we are for. We Are For Our Neighbors. One of the best ways we can show this is by loving our neighbors through acts of service.
Summer Serve Week is a large-scale community service initiative. Our hope is that we create a lasting impact on our community by the way we love them through service.
Sometimes life feels too hard. Like we can't make it another minute. Those are the times we have to lean into others and rely on our tribe, the community around us.
Twenty-one is the age many students spend tearing up the club, bar hopping, and engaging in general shenanigans. But Jonathan is one-of-a-kind.
Jack made a decision that greatly effected those he cared about the most... his family. But when he finally sat down to pray about it, God revealed a different plan for his life.
'Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ' Philippians 2:3-4
Welcome to the final week of 21 days of fasting and prayer! At this point, no matter what type of fast you’ve chosen, you’re likely to have realized how much you’ve had to rely on prayer to get you through this far [and that is the point, right?]
New to the 21 day challenge? No problem, just hop on over here to get the full introduction and our weekly guides.
So friends, here’s to hoping that God uses the last few days to bring you inspiration, encouragement and the opportunity to celebrate how you’ve drawn closer to him during this time!
Below is the WEEK 3 GUIDE:
MONDAY: FORTRESS
READ: Psalm18:1-2 "I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
REFLECT: How has be the Lord proven to be your rock, shield, and refuge?
PRAY: Father, you are my strength, my rock, and my fortress. When trial or trouble comes my way, when it seems the world is up against me, I can trust that you will deliver me. Thank you for shielding me from the enemy. Help me to rest and find refuge in you and you alone. Amen.
TUESDAY: COMFORTER
READ: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “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. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."
REFLECT: Has their been a time when you were able to comfort someone because of your own experience with grief or hardship? If so, what was that experience like and how did God use it to encourage you and the person you were comforting?
PRAY: Father you are the Great Comforter! Even though you had the power to overcome every affliction, you chose to endure it all so that you could comfort me through every difficulty in my life. Give me the courage and the opportunity to share with others the comfort you abundantly shared with me so that you are made known through it all. Amen.
WEDNESDAY: SERVANT LEADER
READ: Philippians 2:5-8 "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!"
REFLECT: Why is it so important that Jesus came as a servant leader? What does this tell us about God’s character?
PRAY: God, how grateful I am for your steadfast love and pursuit for me. You have extended the greatest example of humility and love through your son Jesus. Help me to do just as Christ did, by displaying my devotion to you in always putting others first. Amen.
THURSDAY: CREATOR
READ: Isaiah 40:28 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."
REFLECT: What would you like to PRAISE the Creator for today?
PRAY: Lord, thank you for being the ultimate creator, full of majesty and wonder. You have created the earth and everything in it and yet nothing can make your grow weary or tired. Help me to see your hand at work in all things and to take time to praise you for your sovereignty and everlasting love daily. Amen.
FRIDAY: HEALER
READ: Exodus 15:26 “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
REFLECT: In what areas has the Lord recently healed you physically, mentally, and spiritually?
PRAY: Father God, you are the Great Physician, and I ask for healing, whether mind, body, spirit, or in all of these. I believe You will give what is best. Thank you for your goodness, kindness, and love in all things. Thank you for healing the deepest parts of my soul so that I might find hope in you. Amen.
SATURDAY: RECONCILER
READ: Colossians 1: 21-22 "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation."
REFLECT: What behaviors alienated you from God before you knew him?
PRAY: God, once I was far from You but in your infinite grace and mercy you didn’t leave me without a way to be reconciled. You have stopped at nothing, even giving your son, so that I can come to you without blemish and free from accusation. Thank you for your endless love! Help me, today, to never look back at what I once was but only to look forward at who you’ve called me to be. Amen.
SUNDAY: SAVIOR
READ: John 4:42 “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
REFLECT: When did you believe that Jesus was the Savior of the world? Who is Jesus to you today?
PRAY: Jesus, thank you for being the savior of the world. I no longer have to be a slave to sin and darkness but instead can experience the hope and joy in your salvation. Thank you for loving me enough to be the payment for my debt of sin. Today, I want to declare that you are Lord and that I am yours! Amen.
It's already week 2 of the 21 days of fasting & prayer. Whether you've selected to simply pray and follow along with the weekly guides or you're going all out (fasting, praying AND following along weekly) - God is at work.
You may not see it yet but He's already bringing together all the details on something he desires to teach you through this time. So hang in there - because he's just getting started!
Below is the WEEK 2 GUIDE and if you're just jumping in, you can still catch up on week 1 here.
MONDAY: SHEPHERD
READ: Psalm 23:1-3 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul."
REFLECT: How does your soul need refreshing and reminded that you lack nothing with the Lord as your shepherd?
PRAY: Father, you are my guide, my shepherd. When life feels overwhelming or like it is too much to handle, remind me of your gentle presence and desire to refresh my soul. Thank you for quieting my heart and mind so that I may fully focus on your protection and guidance. Amen.
TUESDAY: HIGH PRIEST
READ: Hebrews 4:14-16 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
REFLECT: How is Jesus empathizing with you in your weakness right now?
PRAY: Lord, thank you that because of your empathy in our weakness, we can approach your throne for the mercy and grace we so desperately need. Help me in my temptations and let me hold firm in my faith. Amen.
WEDNESDAY: REDEEMER
READ: Psalms 19:14 "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
REFLECT: Are your words and heart pleasing God right now?
PRAY: Father, you are my redeemer, constantly lifting me out of my sin and brokenness. Help me to speak and have a heart postured towards pleasing you in all I say and do. Give me words to speak to those around me who need to know of your redemption. Amen.
THURSDAY: RESCUER
READ: Psalm 18:19 "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."
REFLECT: How has God rescued you lately?
PRAY: Lord, your delight in me brings so much joy. As we all sometimes falter in our identity, what a gift it is to know that you, our Creator, take such pleasure in us. Thank you for rescuing me and taking me into a spacious place. Amen.
FRIDAY: WARRIOR
READ: Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
REFLECT: In what situation do you need God to fight for you? How can you be still in it?
PRAY: God, so often life can feel like a battle with others, with the demands, or with all the pressures. My first response is many times to try and fight on my own. Help me to step away from the war and allow you to fight on behalf. Teach me to have a stillness in times when I feel as if I have to move. Amen.
SATURDAY: HELPER
READ: Hebrews 13:6 "So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
REFLECT: How are other’s opinions making you afraid right now?
PRAY: Father, you’ve called us to a life lived with others and in community. Sometimes, our hearts can try to please those around us instead of you. Show me how my fear of people is keeping me from obeying you. Help me to walk in step with your desires for my life instead of the opinions of others. Amen.
SUNDAY: COUNSELOR
READ: Psalm 16:7 "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me."
REFLECT: What do you need instruction from the Lord on in your life?
PRAY: Lord, thank you for speaking truth into my heart, even as I sleep. Show me the way I should go in my life on _________________. Instruct me through your word. Place people in my path that can offer wise guidance and teach me to be eager to hear all your counsel. Amen.
It’s day 1 of the 21 days of fasting and prayer and believe us: God is ready to move! He wants to do something in and through you during this collective time of prayer as you seek clarity and grow to know his character more deeply.
So maybe you’ve never been a part of fasting or prayer. If not, the terms “prayer and fasting” can be a little intimidating. Questions like, "Where do I start? What do I read? What should I pray for?” are all common. But don’t let that stop you from jumping in!
In fact, we’ve made it easier to be a part of the 21 days of fasting and prayer. Simply follow the outline below for week #1 as a scripture, reflection, and prayer guide for each day. We are excited and anticipate God to do an incredible work among us as we, as a church, seek Him in a fresh way!
MONDAY: PEACEMAKER
READ: Ephesians 2:14 ”For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”
REFLECT: How is Jesus your peacemaker today?
PRAY: Jesus YOU are the ultimate gift of peace. You came to break down walls and make us whole. Help me to rest in your life-giving peace today. Amen.
TUESDAY: BURDEN BEARER
READ: Psalm 55: 22 "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
REFLECT: What is your burden in life today?
PRAY: God you know every concern and every heavy load. Yet you have pledged to carry it all for me. Thank you for helping me to lay down these burdens so that YOU sustain me.
WEDNESDAY: AUTHOR
READ: Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
REFLECT: What does your story look like?
PRAY: Father, it is you who created me and it is you actively writing my story. Every day, every circumstance [good and bad], every part of who I am was formed for you and for your purpose. Thank you for reminding me that my story is linked to your story. Amen.
THURSDAY: PROVIDER
READ: 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 "So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God."
REFLECT: How is God providing for you today?
PRAY: Everything I am and everything that I have belongs to you, God. Thank you for faithfully providing every need and graciously giving me more than I ever need. Help me to boast only in YOU. Amen.
FRIDAY: MIGHTY ONE
READ: Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
REFLECT: What is God saving you from today?
PRAY: You are the mighty One. No matter how my foot may fail, you save me. Even when I have fallen, you rejoice over me, you quiet my fears and worries, and you sing over me! Mighty Savior, I promise to trust in you! Amen.
SATURDAY: CONQUEROR
READ: John 16:33 "“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:31 "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
REFLECT: What do these verses say about what our response should be to trials and setbacks?
PRAY: Lord, YOU are the great conqueror who has overcome sin and death! You triumph over all and in you I can have full confidence. Thank you for reminding me of your power and the safety I can only find in you. Amen.
SUNDAY: INTERCESSOR
READ: Romans 8:26: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
REFLECT: How is the Holy Spirit helping you in your weakness today?
PRAY: Holy Spirit, thank you for shielding me and for guiding me. No matter what my prayer needs, thank you for knowing what I need even when I don't and interceeding on my behalf. Today, may I rest in knowing that I can always rely on you as the great Helper. Amen.
