JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at prayer and the peace of God.

Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” In our lives, trouble may come in the form of financial uncertainty or sickness or grief. We might experience stress from strained relationships or a heavy workload. These are situations that can fill our minds with anxious thoughts.

Philippians 4:6 points out an alternative to worry. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus invites us to come to Him with the burdens of our heart. He offers to come alongside us with His grace and wisdom, and provide rest for our souls.

Prayer that invites the peace of God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First Corinthians 6:19 and 20.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

In comparing our bodies to a temple, the Bible is revealing that our bodies are made to worship God. This is possible with lifted hands in praise to God and with generous hands that help people in need. This is possible with ready feet to go and take the Gospel with us wherever we go. This is possible with our eyes as we look for the goodness of God in our day. This is possible with our mouth as we proclaim that God is love and Jesus is Lord. These are just some ways that we can use our bodies as instruments of praise.

Our body as a temple is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Lamentations 3:20 to 23.

“My soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

In our journey through life, we are bound to go through various seasons. Some seasons will be more joyful than others. We just came through a harsh winter season with frigid cold temperatures. Sometimes, the world feels like a cold and dark place. Sometimes, we go through lonely seasons of life, or we grieve the loss of a meaningful relationship. That does not mean that God is far away. On the contrary, He is quite close to the brokenhearted. The writer of Lamentations was in a season of sadness, but the morning sunlight drew his attention to the constant faithfulness of God through the changing seasons of life. His compassion is a light to keep hope alive in our hearts.

The unfailing compassion of God is a reason to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the intercession of Jesus for Simon Peter and His followers today.

Just before His death on the cross, Jesus told Peter that he would deny knowing Jesus three times. That is exactly what happened. But even before it happened, Jesus was praying for Peter.

In Luke 22:32, Jesus said, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

There is a big difference between Satan and Jesus in their view of us. Satan preys on our weaknesses to destroy us. Jesus prays for us in our weaknesses to protect us and build our faith. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

These words of Jesus also remind us to pray for those among us who are vulnerable to spiritual dangers. Pray that their faith may not fail.

The Intercession of Jesus for Simon Peter and His followers today is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

I’m so excited for this week’s lineup. I’ve got the 7AM hour themed for St. Patrick’s Day with Celtic hymns and Irish artists. Plus, we’ve got some brand new worship songs from local churches including Life Center Worship from Harrisburg and Clay Collective out of Ephrata Community Church.

Kristi Leigh

Kristi@WJTL.com

Song Title	Artist	Year
6AM
THANK GOD IM FREE (ft. Lizzie Morgan)	ELEVATION RHYTHM	2026
Jesus Be The Name (ft. Tiffany Hudson) [Live]	Elevation Worship	2026
The Name of the Lord (ft. May Angeles)	REVERE, Leeland & Mitch Wong	2023
My Hallelujah (Live)	Aodhan King & Hannah McClure	2025
Give Me Jesus (ft. Abbie Gamboa)	UPPERROOM	2022
Lords Prayer	Life Center Worship	2026
King of Glory	Clay Collective	2026
What A God	SEU Worship	2026
Who Else (ft. Claire Smith)	Gateway Worship	2026
7AM Celtic Hymns & Irish Artists Theme
The Celtic Blessing	Celtic Worship	2020
In Christ Alone (Live From Sydney)	Keith & Kristyn Getty & CityAlight	2024
All Things Bright and Beautiful (ft. Joseph O Brien)	Michael O’Brien	2015
Lord Have Mercy	Eoghan Heaslip	2007
My Victory	We Are Messengers	2017
Abandoned	Benjamin William Hastings	2024
How Deep The Fathers Love For Us	Bethany Dillon and Matt Hammitt	2008
God of This City	Bluetree	2009
Made To Worship	Aodhan King	2024
Hungry (Falling On My Knees)	Kathryn Scott	1999
Be Unto Your Name	Robin Mark	1999
You Are My Vision	Rend Collective	2012
8AM
Seasons	Jordan Merritt	2025
If The Lord (Live)	Zahriya Zachary	2024
Yes We Believe	Paul Baloche	2026
The Christ And Cornerstone (Live)	Josh Baldwin	2025
Greatness (Live From Passion 2026)	Passion & Brooke Ligertwood	2026
I Know That I Know (Live)	The Belonging Co & David Dennis	2025
Count It All Joy	Remnant House	2026
Hallelujah In The Hard Things	Bryan & Katie Torwalt	2026
Break Open (Live)	Pat Barrett	2026
He Who Is To Come	Passion, Kristian Stanfill & Cody Carnes	2023
Worthy Of It All (Worthy)	CeCe Winans	2026
Marvelous	Mitch Wong	2025
9AM
Holy Hands (Live)	Paul McClure, Hannah McClure	2025
Alleluia	Elevation Worship	2026
So So Good (Live) (ft. Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake)	Elevation Worship	2025
Just That Good (Live From Passion 2026)	Passion & Kristian Stanfill	2026
God Im Just Grateful (ft. Chandler Moore)	Elevation Worship	2025
No One Like The Lord (Live)	Jenn Johnson	2024
FEAR OF THE LORD	Mitch Wong	2025
Plead The Blood (ft. Brandon Lake & Cody Carnes)	Chris Davenport	2023
The Blood (ft. Jenn Johnson)	David Funk	2025
It Really Is Amazing Grace	Phil Wickham & Crowder	2026
WASHED	Elevation Rhythm	2026
It Is Well	Patrick Mayberry	2026

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Isaiah 12:4 and 5.

“In that day you will say, ‘Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.’”

The combination of praise and music is the destiny of God’s people. The body of Christ has the common theme of lifting up the name of Jesus in our songs. He has done glorious things that are worthy of our praise. His death and resurrection 2,000 years ago brings good news for the world today. That is the foundation of the Gospel which reveals the way every person can be set free from sin, find forgiveness in God’s grace, and live forever in His presence.

The glorious deeds of God are reasons to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the invitation of Jesus to know Him as the Good Shepherd.

It’s been said that if you have trouble sleeping, don’t count sheep; talk to the Shepherd. The truth is that we can call on the name of Jesus any time of the day. He lives in relationship with His followers. He said in John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” He also said that He lays down His life for the sheep. That is what He did for us at the cross. As the good shepherd, Jesus overflows with love in the way He died for us, rose for us, intercedes for us, teaches us, disciplines us, and comforts us with His grace.

His invitation goes out today just as it went out to His disciples when He said, “Follow me.” This is how we can find forgiveness, peace with God, and hope for a bright future in the Presence of God.

Knowing Jesus as our Good Shepherd is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the prayer of Isaiah, accepting God’s call.

The call went out in Isaiah 6:8. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

That is when Isaiah responded, saying “Here am I. Send me!”

In the Presence of God, Isaiah saw the holiness of God and was overwhelmed with humility. As we draw close to Jesus, we will be aware that we are in the Presence of someone greater than ourselves, who greatly loves us. He has a plan for our lives to follow Jesus and to make Him known by the witness of our testimony.

The prayer of Isaiah, accepting God’s call is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Nahum 1:15.

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows.”

We live in a world tainted by sin, which delivers the bad news of corruption, pain, and tragedy. But that is not the only reality of a given day.

There is good news that triumphs over bad news. There is the reality of God’s saving grace. There is the reality of forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus. There is the reality of peace with God and the hope of eternal life by faith in His name. This is a reality that we can celebrate together in our churches, in our homes, and in our connections with other believers wherever we meet.

The good news of the Gospel is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the wisdom of trusting in Jesus to lead us.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once prayed to God, “In me there is darkness, but with You there is light….Your ways are past understanding, but You know the way for me.”

Jesus identified Himself as the light of the world, who leads His followers in the light of life. He said in John 12:35, “Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

As we walk this journey of faith, we will find trustworthy guidance in the wisdom of God’s grace and truth. Our prayer time is an opportunity to yield our plans to God’s plans, and follow Jesus with a willing heart.

The wisdom of trusting Jesus to lead us is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com