John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the prayer of Peter in Matthew 14:28.

Jesus was walking on the lake and called out to the disciples who were in a boat:

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.”

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

This is a good view of faith and prayer resulting in action-Calling on Jesus, and expressing a heart- felt desire to draw closer to Him. Then, responding to the invitation of Jesus to walk toward Him.

The prayer of Peter, seeking to walk toward Jesus, is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Judges 5:2.

“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves-praise the LORD! Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will praise the LORD, the God of Israel, in song.”

Whenever we see a bowed knee to the Lord, a raised hand in worship, or a heart that is fully devoted to the Gospel, that is a reason to rejoice in the Lord. God is moving in people’s hearts to this day, calling us to follow Jesus with a heart of faith and find salvation in His name. Colossians 1:6 tells us that the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world.

Changed Lives by the grace of God 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 Psalm 113, verses 1 to 3.

“Praise the LORD, you his servants: praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”

Wherever we are in this world, wherever we are in human history, the LORD is worthy of our praise.  He is enthroned as the Holy One. As we focus on His glory and grace, we are drawn to a place of worship that fills our heart with gratitude and joy.

The worthiness of God 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 prayer of David in Psalm 86:11.

“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

In response to the faithfulness of God, David prayed for a heart that was faithful and loyal to Him. David did not want other priorities to interfere with his relationship with God. So, he spoke this prayer of dedication to honor God with his heart.

In the New Testament, God remembered David and spoke about him this way: “I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

The prayer of David, seeking God’s way, is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 66:16.

“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”

What has God done for you? In whatever way He has moved in your life, that becomes your testimony of praise. It could be deliverance from an addiction or the restoration of a strained relationship. Sometimes, God works in very personal ways to reveal His goodness and the power of His love.

The death and resurrection of Jesus was a display of God’s love for the whole world. It was a demonstration of how we can be saved from our sins and enjoy a bright future in the presence of God. This is good news for God’s people to share with others, so that they too may taste and see the Lord is good.

The goodness and graciousness of God are reasons 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 prayer of Paul in Ephesians 1:17.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

This is a good prayer to set the tone for spiritual growth in the coming year. It is also a good prayer to be praying for our friends, family members, and loved ones. This reflects an open heart that is willing to seek God’s favor, listen to God’s Word, and follow God’s will. The purpose of hearing from God is to know Him better, and be a light for the Gospel.

The prayer of Paul, asking for wisdom and revelation, is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Colossians 1:18.

Speaking of Jesus, “He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

Our sin separated us from God, but in His love for the human race, God pursued us by sending Jesus into the world. His death on the cross paved the way for us to be restored to a peaceful relationship with God. This happens when we receive the precious gift of grace that Jesus offers us through that sacrifice. Jesus did not stay in the tomb. He rose from the dead, and is the head of the body that unites His church.

The supremacy of Jesus 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 a prayer of thanks from Psalm 118:21.

“I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.”

Prayer involves more than simply offering our requests to God. In prayer, we have the opportunity to give Him thanks for answered prayer, His abundant blessings, and His unfailing love. Psalm 118 ends exactly as it begins with these words, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

This prayer of thanks is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2026 is the Year of Focus at WJTL. Be listening for devotionals focused on Jesus, along with insights for growing in our relationship with Him in prayer and praise.

Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 40, verse 3.

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”

When God changes our heart, He also changes our tune. We start to identify with songs that stir our soul to praise. The lyrics that move us are different.

David was the man who wrote this Psalm. He was a man after God’s own heart. As he used music as an instrument of praise, it would become a form of ministry to encourage others to trust in God.

The new song that God places in our mouth is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2026 is the Year of Focus at WJTL. Be listening for devotionals focused on Jesus, along with insights for growing in our relationship with Him in prayer and praise.

In our Prayer Focus today, we take a look at the prayer taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:12.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

There is freedom in confession as there is freedom in forgiveness. The power of God’s forgiveness is available to us when we sin against Him. He invites us to come into the light, to acknowledge what we have done, and ask for His grace to forgive and restore a right heart.

Knowing God’s forgiveness also gives us the power to forgive others who have done something wrong against us. It is the path forward to keep bitterness and hatred from taking root in our hearts.

The Prayer taught by Jesus, seeking forgiveness, is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com