READ: Luke 11:1-13, Mark 11:24

If you’ve ever been intimidated by prayer, you’re not alone. We want the peace, power, and confidence that comes from talking to God. But we often don’t know where to start or what to say. Jesus’ disciples experienced the same emotions, and in Luke 11, they ask Jesus to teach them to pray. In the verses that follow, Jesus gives us a helpful model for how to talk to God. Praise God for who He is and what He’s done. Repent of where we’ve fallen short. Ask for what we need. Yield to His will and hear what He has to say. Praise, repent, ask, yield. Or for an easy way to remember it: PRAY.  

Praise

• What do you love about God? 
• What are some ways God is good at being God? 
• What are you thankful for today? 

Repentance

• Is there any area of your life where you’re withholding forgiveness? 
• Is there any area of your life where you need forgiveness?
• Is there any area of your life where you’re lacking faith or wondering if God really is good? If so, take a few minutes to tell Him how you feel. It’s OK. He can take it. 

Ask

• What do you need as you walk into your day? 
• Is there any area where you lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, or self-control? This is the time to ask God for what you need.

Yield

• What do you need to hear from God today?
• Pause for a minute. What do you feel the Spirit saying to you as you sit in stillness?

READ: Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Corinthians 12:26, Romans 12:5

Thinking of the church as a family gets complicated. Baggage from biological relationships and past religious experiences can cloud our understanding of what God intends a church family to be. But the Bible paints an extraordinary picture of who we are together. The people of God are the church, a dwelling place for God. We’re like a body, connected by bones, joints, marrow, blood vessels, and more. Like a biological family, we don’t get to choose who’s in the church family with us. God is creating this structure; He’s designed this body. Over time, throughout history, in every language, nationality, and continent. Despite our differences, we are called to be unified. So when one person suffers, the others feel it. When one person rejoices, others are lifted up. Each member of the church is integral to the next.

Praise
•Is there anyone in the church you can’t imagine this journey without? Thank God for them and the joy they bring.
•Who in the church do you struggle to understand, but you know God has placed them alongside you for a reason? Thank God for that person and His purposes in both your lives.
Repentance
•Has anyone in the church offended or annoyed you? Maybe a leader you disagree with or a volunteer who’s too outspoken? Think of one way you can seek unity with this person.
•How could you ask forgiveness for the part you played in the conflict?
Ask
•Are there relational needs you long to see fulfilled in the church? If so, ask God to bring those relationships to fruition. Ask Him to give you courage as you step out in faith to connect with a church family.
•Is anyone in your church family in need? Pray for them, and ask God if there’s a way you can fulfill their need.
Yield
•Does the idea of church family confuse or bother you? Allow God to reveal where those feelings come from and to bring clarity and peace to your heart.
•Has a wound or relationship from your past made connecting with your church family difficult? Ask God to intervene and reveal your next step.

READ: Psalm 145:3-7, 1 Timothy 4:12, Jeremiah 1:4-8

You may have noticed that each generation likes to blame other generations for problems. Older people often look critically upon younger generations for doing things differently. Younger people often get frustrated with older generations for not being more progressive. But God is clear that every demographic is precious to him. We are as much His beloved children at 16 as we are at 60. And we have as much purpose in our 80s as we did in our 20s.
Psalm 145:4 instructs those who are older to tell of God’s awesome works and mighty acts to those who are younger. At every age and stage, let’s encourage and build the faith of those coming behind us by sharing how we have seen God at work through the years.

Praise

• How has God shown Himself to you in different seasons of life? Praise Him for His faithfulness.
• What were your hopes, dreams, fears, and insecurities 5, 10, or 15 years ago? Consider how God has protected you through the years.
• Who are the young people God has placed in your life? Thank God for their unique personalities and the way they reflect His character in the world.

Repentance

• Notice how you speak to and about students. Do you catch yourself complaining or holding negative or misguided toward another generation?
• What might you need to repent of in relation to the way you treat people younger or older than you?

Ask

• What do you hope to see God do in our Student Ministry in 2024? Put those dreams and desires before God and ask Him to bring them to fruition.
• Jeremiah and Timothy both felt like they were too young to make a difference or do what God had called them to. Do you feel (or have you ever felt) that way? Ask God to give students the boldness to live for Him.
• We all need spiritual mothers and fathers to show us how to love God and live the life He has for us. Ask God to call mature believers into student ministry. Ask Him how you can serve students or student ministry volunteers.

Yield

• Reread today’s verses paying special attention to the relationship between generations. Allow God to show you where you fit in the generational ministry of our church.

READ: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

God puts leaders over us for our benefit, and their decisions can significantly impact our circumstances. This is one reason the Bible tells us to pray for those in authority over us from our parents and pastors to our employers and government officials. Even if we don’t like or disagree with the leaders in our lives, we can still pray for them. We pray for them to have the wisdom and strength to obey God and lead us well. When those in authority are obeying God’s will, it’s much easier for us to live peaceful and quiet lives. When they are not obeying God, we pray for their salvation and God’s guidance in their choices, as well as for protection from spiritual warfare.

Praise

• Have you experienced the blessing of being under a good leader? What are some ways that person’s leadership reflected God’s character and leadership?
• Who are the wise people in authority over you now? How would your life be different without their leadership? Consider how their counsel has helped you, and thank God for putting them in those positions.

Repentance

• We can all take good leaders for granted. Do you forget to pray for your leaders if things are going well for you?
• How do you respond to your leaders when life is difficult? Is there anything you need to change in how you react to immature, chaotic, or new leadership?
• Do you ever refuse to pray for someone in charge because you dislike their personality or politics? How do you think God feels about that attitude?

Ask

• What kind of leader do you want to serve under? Ask God to give those characteristics to the people over you.
• Are there big decisions facing your church, your school, your work, or the country? Ask God to give wisdom and discernment to the leaders who will be making those calls.

Yield

• What, if anything, challenged you today as you prayed for your leaders? Allow God to speak to you about your heart toward your leaders, and to reveal anything else He wants you to pray for them.

READ: Psalm 103:19, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 28:30-31

The kingdom of God is everywhere. Psalm 103:19 says, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” In a more personal way, we buy into His kingdom by accepting Jesus’ payment for our sins. As we receive the Gospel personally and let it change us from the inside out, the Holy Spirit works through us to bring glimpses of heaven’s perfection to Earth. Like the disciples who healed the sick and proclaimed the Gospel, we get to be part of bringing the promises of heaven to Earth (Matthew 4:23, Matthew 28:16-20). Living in light of the kingdom — Jesus’ forever rule over creation — gives us an eternal hope. It allows us to stop being satisfied with what we see and start believing what can be.

Praise

• What’s one place where you see glimpses of God’s kingdom on earth?
• When you think about the future Jesus promises, what affections does it stir in you?
• Where do you see God righting the wrongs of a fallen world? Have you been the beneficiary of a miracle or seen Jesus change someone’s life?

Repentance

• Is there any area of your life where you’ve been settling for less than Jesus has for you?
• Are you content to go your own way rather than trust in His kingdom to come?
• Where do you need to start trusting God’s plan over your own? Where have you sought your own agenda instead of having a kingdom mentality?

Ask

• Where do long to see more of heaven on Earth? Ask the Lord to bring His kingdom in our city, state, nation, and the world.
• Where do you see brokenness in your family or community? Ask God to bring healing, intervention, and lasting change. Ask Him where you can partner with Him in bringing that change.

Yield

• Pause and allow the Lord to speak to you about your role in bringing good to the world around you. Try sitting with your hands open, signaling your willingness to say, “Here I am Lord, send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

READ: Philippians 1:3-11, John 17:6-26

The same way the early church was spread across countries and cultures, Jenks Church is one church in many ministries and teams, serving many communities. And while we are one church family, it’s not unusual to have a special affection for those we labor with and worship alongside every week. When you’ve prayed, believed, served, sweated, and celebrated together, you develop a love and trust for one another. That’s the bond Paul shared with the church in Philippi, and it’s the kinship we experience with the people on our teams every Sunday.

Praise

• What do you see God doing on your team that is unique or different from years’ past?
• Who makes coming to church special for you? Thank God for the names and faces that come to mind.
• Whose partnership in the Gospel are you thankful for today?

Repentance

• How do you feel about the people you serve with each week?
• Is there anyone on your team you need to forgive or extend grace to?
• Is there anyone on your team you need to ask forgiveness from?

Ask

• What do you want to see God do in your ministry this year?
• What does your ministry team need to further its dreams for our city?
• Not sure where to start? Reread Paul’s prayer for his friends in Philippians 1:9-11. How might you pray this in your own words?

Yield

• Is there anything you’re longing to hear from God on behalf of your group or serving team?
• Sit a moment longer. What do you feel the Spirit saying to you as you think about your serving team?
• Is the Spirit calling you to join a serving team if you are not part of one already?

READ: Psalm 127:3-5, Exodus 20:12, Colossians 3:18-21, 1 Timothy 3:5

No two families are identical, yet our heavenly Father had His hand in creating each and every one. Family was God’s design. Just as He created each of us, He created the people we were born to and the siblings and extended family that surround us. Some days, when everyone is getting along, family feels like a blessing. Other days, it feels like an immense challenge. For some, our families are our safe place. For others, our families are our mission field. No one ever said loving others would be easy, but the Bible does promise it will be worth it. As we stretch ourselves to love our families well, our lives start to look more like our Savior’s (Philippians 2:1-11).

Praise

• What are some reasons you can thank God for your family?
• How has being brought into this family, at this point in time, brought good into your life?
• What do you appreciate about God’s design for family? What has it taught you about His character and values?

Repentance

• No human is perfect, which means no family is perfect. Is there anyone in your family you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from?
• As you read today’s verses about family, was there any point where you felt challenged or convicted?
• How does your understanding of family align with God’s design for family? What, if anything, do you need to let go of to do what He’s called you to?

Ask

• What do you want to see God do in your immediate and extended family? Does anyone need healing, direction, or a relationship with Jesus?
• We can love and serve and advise our families, but only God can access their hearts. Where do you see an opportunity for your family members to grow spiritually or emotionally?

Yield

• What role does God want you to play in your family? Too often, we jump into who we think we should be without asking God, “Why do you have me in this family?

READ: Psalm 139, Matthew 10:29-31, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6

We don’t think twice when someone asks us to pray for them. Yet when it comes to praying for ourselves, we don’t always take that same stance. Instead, we buy this lie that praying for ourselves is rude or selfish. We worry God will see us as needy or laugh at our dreams. We treat Him like He’s one of us when nothing could be farther from the truth. It is not selfish to pray for yourself. Praying for yourself is part of being fully surrendered and obedient to God. How can we know God if we don’t talk with Him about what matters to us? God is a loving Father who wants to hear from His children. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” No thought is too small or insignificant to bring to Him.

Praise

• How does it feel to know that you can talk to God about anything?
• How have you seen God meet needs big and small? Thank God for how He’s demonstrated His care and concern for all aspects of your life.

Repentance

• Have any areas of your life been off-limits to God?
• Is there anything weighing you down that you don’t feel comfortable bringing to God? What is holding you back from praying about it?
• Are there any lies you’ve believed about what prayer should be that are stopping you from experience what prayer can be?

Ask

• What’s one practical, tangible way you need God’s help today? Consider what was on your mind when you opened this entry or what’s on your calendar for later.
• Are there burdens you’re carrying relationally, financially, or emotionally? What do you need in each of those areas?

Yield

• One of the gifts that can come from complete honesty with God is complete intimacy with God. Take a moment to pray Psalm 139:23-24 out loud. Embrace the stillness as you wait for God to respond.

READ: Exodus 6:6-8, 1 Corinthians 1:20

In Exodus 6, God promises to save Israel from slavery. He promises to free them and redeem them, to make them His people and bring them into a new land. So many years later, we read the rest of the Old Testament and see God was faithful to keep His promises. God is extending the same promises to us today. He wants us to save us from sin, free us from the past, fill our lives with purpose, and make us His family. These promises are on offer to anyone who will take Him up on them. As you pray today, think about what these promises mean to you as well as to your family, your school, your neighborhood, your workplace. What would it look like for the people closest to you to also be saved, freed, filled with purpose, and brought into His family?

Praise

• When’s the last time you thanked God for saving you? Think about what it cost Him and all the ways your life has changed since you started a relationship with Jesus.
• What has God set you free from?
• How has knowing God and understanding the unique way He’s gifted you given your life meaning and purpose?
• What are some benefits and rights you now hold as a member of His family?

Repentance

• 2 Corinthians 1:20 says that every promise of God is ours through Jesus. Are there any promises you’re leaving on the table?
• Are there areas of your life where you’ve given up on experiencing freedom?
• Are there any promises you’ve given up on believing?

Ask

• Ask God, “What is my next step? Which promises do I need to believe?”
• Who do you know who needs to step into these promises? Take a few minutes to ask God to show that person that He is trustworthy, and His promises are true.

Yield

• Try reading Exodus 6:6-8 again, but make it personal this time. Insert your name in place of “the Israelites.” Insert your bondage in place of “the Egyptians.” Replace “the land” with that promise you struggle to believe.
• How does hearing God’s words addressed to you change your understanding of who He is to you?

Read: Psalm 50:9-12, Matthew 9:36-38, Matthew 6:19-33

Did you know the God who created the universe cares deeply about your individual needs as well as the collective needs of our church?
Psalm 50:10 describes God as owning the cattle on a thousand hills. In other words, God owns everything. So if we need something, all we need to do is ask.
When we’re overwhelmed by the needs of people around us, we remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 9 and ask the Lord to send out workers into his harvest field. When we’re worried about money, we remember Jesus’ promise in Matthew 6 that if God clothes the grass, he will also take care of us. God will never run out or get run down. We can’t exhaust His generosity because generous is who He is.

Praise

• Where have you seen God increase your life this year? Have you experienced growth relationally, spiritually, financially, or emotionally?
• How have you seen God fulfill a specific need?
• Where have you seen God grow our church this year? What answered prayers can you celebrate and thank God for?

 Repentance

• Before asking for increase in any area of life, examine you’re stewarding what you’ve already been given. Where have you been a good steward? Where does your stewardship need to be stretched?
• Are you lacking contentment in any area of life? What’s driving it?
• Is there any area of your life where you’re making your own increase? What would it look like for you to commit to trusting Him instead of trying to do things on your own?

 Ask

• What ministry needs do you see at Jenks Church? Ask God to send more group leaders, Sunday volunteers, and student and kid volunteers, so more people can connect to Jesus and each other.
• What are the financial needs at Jenks Church? Ask God to provide for that need, no matter how big or small.

Yield

• Spend a few minutes listening to where God wants to increase you this year.
• Is He prompting you to serve?
• Is He prompting you to tithe regularly?
• Is He wanting to grow your group?