JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 6:18.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Prayer is part of the armor of light that enables us to fight the good fight of faith.

There is power in prayer. As we seek God, we draw closer to Him. Prayer opens our eyes to the needs around us. Prayer gives us opportunity to intercede for others, which means that we go to God on their behalf.  When someone comes to our mind, that is a good time to pray for them and lift their needs to God’s throne of grace.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be committed to praying for others in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 5:3.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Meeting with God in the morning is effective for setting the tone for a brighter day.

One of the ways we can have a meaningful encounter with the living God is through prayer. This will train us to invite God into our activities the rest of the day. David was a man after God’s own heart who sought the Lord in the morning. He poured out his requests before God daily. God invites us also to meet Him at the throne of grace in our time of need.

First Peter 5:7 says, “cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to lay down our requests before God as we rise to start each new day in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:6.

Jesus said, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Jesus was contrasting the kind of prayer that God desires with the kinds of prayers that were on display from the hypocrites, who loved to pray in public to be seen by others. It is interesting to note that the word “hypocrite” comes from a Greek word that means “actor” or “stage player.”  The hypocrite plays the right part, but only for the purpose of good appearances.

Prayer is not intended to be a stage production. It is a personal encounter with the living God. In the quiet moments of our day, we have the opportunity to meet with God with words of confession, words of gratitude, words of petition, and words of praise.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to get alone with God and pray in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is turning burdens into blessings.

One example of this is Nehemiah, who heard the report from Jerusalem, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Nehemiah responded to this news with weeping. Then he prayed and fasted before God. After that, he took action by building a wall in Jerusalem. It was finished in just 52 days. His story is found in the book of Nehemiah in the Bible.

Sometimes, God puts burdens in our heart, which stir us to action when we see someone in trouble. An orphan or widow in distress, a marriage that is falling apart, the homeless, the sick, or a family who suffered loss from a storm. We can take those burdens to God and ask for opportunities to reach out with the love of Jesus.

Turning our burdens into blessings is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Supporting Vibrant Ministry.

Jesus had a support system during His earthly ministry. It’s found in Luke chapter 8 as Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

The Twelve were with him, and also some women, who were helping to support them out of their own means. Mark 15:41 adds that these women followed Jesus and cared for the needs of Jesus.

There are various ways to support churches and ministries who spread the Gospel with integrity and enthusiasm: Prayer, Words of Encouragement, Financial Assistance, Volunteering and Hospitality.

In Philippians 4:16, the Apostle Paul told the church, “You sent me aid more than once when I was in need….I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied.” This is how ministries can be refreshed by the support of God’s people.

Supporting Vibrant Ministry is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Intentional Communication.

Relationships have opportunity to flourish when communication between two parties is open, honest, and frequent.

Good communication is vital to healthy relationships as nutritious food is vital to a healthy body.

This is true in our relationship with God. First Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to “pray continually.” This is an important part of staying connected with God.

This is also true of our relationships with others. Acts 2 reveals the early church as a thriving church. Verse 46 says that one of the dynamics of this growing church was that they continued to meet together in the temple courts every day. The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

Intentional Communication is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Daniel 6:10.

A decree was issued by King Darius forbidding prayer to anyone besides him. Anyone who disobeyed this decree would be thrown to the lions’ den.

When Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.”

Daniel’s faith spoke through his consistent prayer life. He was grateful to God for His many blessings from above. Not even the threat of death would prevent Daniel from spending time with God in prayer.

Daniel did go to the lions’ den, but did not die there. God rescued him, by shutting the mouths of the lions. Afterward, God was honored throughout the world because of Daniel’s faithful prayer.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to make time with God a daily priority in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Devotion to Prayer.

The early church was made of imperfect people who were committed to the Gospel. As the Holy Spirit moved among them, their witness for Jesus had a great impact on the world.

One of the dynamics of the first-generation church was their intentional commitment to prayer.

Acts 2:42 records that they devoted themselves to prayer.

God moved in response to their prayers. Acts 4:24 says that they raised their voices together in prayer to God. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

In this way, we see how prayer invites God’s presence into our gatherings and moves God’s people toward unity and courage.

Devotion to Prayer is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 4:14 to 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.”

Worship is a way of life that includes prayer. Jesus is our Mediator. He lives to intercede for us. A relationship with God is possible because of Jesus who died for us and rose again. Prayer is an opportunity to have a conversation with God-to tell Him what is on our mind and heart, and to seek the perspective of God’s mind and heart. We have access to His throne of grace anytime of the day, anywhere we happen to be.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to draw near to God in prayer in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Chronicles 7:14.

The LORD says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This verse was specifically focusing on the nation of Israel. God would respond to the earnest prayers of His people to bring an end to droughts and plagues in their land. This verse also has relevance for believers today.

Just as humility, prayer, and repentance were the pathways to healing for the Israelites, so we can experience God’s forgiveness today by trusting in the One gift that God has provided for our redemption. That gift is Jesus. He came to offer us forgiveness and a place of belonging in His family through faith in His name.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to humility, prayer, and repentance to follow Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Join us for a night of inspiration with Rafael Cruz (father of Senator Ted Cruz) & more.

Be inspired to pray, vote, and engage as we get our marching orders together as the Body of Christ in America to make a difference in this moment of history.

Register here to attend (free):
https://christiansengaged.org/events/awakening-night-pa