Prayer Concentration at church 9:00 – 9:30 am: PRAY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

Pray that God would reveal himself to our neighbors. Pray that we would have ears to hear the Spirit of God speak in the perfect moments. Pray that we would be generous towards them with our lives, finances, and homes.

Today’s Theme:Sacred Rest – begin the day by laying aside all the things that have to get done this week and enjoy resting in the goodness of God. God is enough everyday, but on the Sabbath we rest and relish in that reality.

Devotion: Revel in Rest

We are coming out of what sometimes feels like the busiest season of the year. It feels like there are a million things to do and check off the list. To be honest, I love all of it. I love hanging out with family. I love playing games and eating together. I love Christmas Eve service. And I love gifts. Sabbath is one of those gifts from God that we often forget to revel in.

Sabbath is an active decision. It can be hard to say, “I’m not working today.” Sometimes a positive thing like a good work ethic can make us feel like resting is lazy instead of active, but I want to encourage you with this–God rests! God the one whose very words created the universe takes time to rest. Do you think God was tired? Of course not, he is showing us that rest is productive. Rest reminds us that we aren’t just beings created to work, but people who were meant to enjoy creation and each other.

Enjoy creation today. Enjoy the people God has put around you. Enjoy watching a movie with your family. Enjoy a great dinner around the table. Enjoy that book you got for Christmas. Remember rest isn’t a thing you’ve earned, but a gift from God to fill you with his spirit and his strength.

Focus: Quiet reflection and mindfulness.

Practical Ideas:

• Put your phone on the charger and walk away for a few hours

• Sit and listen to your favorite album from start to finish

• Go on a walk at the Governor’s Mansion

Scripture Focus: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30 NLT)

Quote: “Sabbath is the time set aside to do nothing so that we can receive everything, to set aside our anxious attempts to make ourselves useful, to set aside our tense restlessness, to set aside our media-satiated boredom. Sabbath is the time to receive silence and let it deepen into gratitude, to receive quiet into which forgotten faces and voices unobtrusively make themselves present, to receive the days of the just completed week and absorb the wonder and miracle still reverberating from each one, to receive our Lord's amazing grace.”

— Eugene Peterson, Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers

Going Deeper

• Sabbath: Pick a day each week that is set aside, as Eugene Peterson says, “To Pray and to Play.”

• Rest: Get a full 8 hours of sleep. (Parents of newborns, I apologize for this recommendation.)

• Learn: Read the book, The Relentless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Prayer Concentration at church 6:00 – 7:00 pm: PRAY FOR OUR SCHOOLS

Pray for God’s Spirit to be poured out on students of every age. Ask God to protect all who study and work on school and college campuses.

Today’s Theme: Listening – begin the day with quiet reflection and mindfulness to center your heart and mind.

Devotion: Seasons of Life in Listening

I love living in the Midwest with what I consider “true” seasons of the year.  If you do not already know, summer in Kansas is not my favorite.  I try very hard not to complain about the heat and humidity, but as I reflect on that today, I realized that without the summer, fall (my favorite) with the cooler temperatures and trees ablaze would not be as appealing.

So, it is my friends with listening for God in each season we encounter. We should have the desire to place ourselves in His Presence and ask Him to speak to us.  Wherever you find yourself today, spring, summer, fall or winter find space to listen as you read His Word and quiet yourself to ask Him to speak through it to you.

As we know, there isn’t a season that lasts forever. Rest in His Presence and listen. Go to the park with your children and listen. Pray and listen. Allow Him to speak into your season knowing He is fully capable of all things and His greatest desire is You!

Focus: Quiet reflection and mindfulness.

Practical Ideas:

• Don’t be afraid to sit silently for a little bit.

• Journal one thought or feeling you want to release.

• Take a mindful walk, noticing nature around you.

Scripture Focus: Give me an understanding (šāmaʽ: hear, listen and obey), heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours? (1 Kings 3:9 NLT)

Quote: “Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them.  Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.”  Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart.  Let me get used to the sound of Thy Voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking Voice.  Amen.”

— A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Going Deeper - Transformative Disciplines:  Meditation & Study

• Meditation: Reflecting deeply on Scripture and God’s presence.

• Listening, and aligning with God’s will.

• Study: Engaging with Scripture and truth to transform the mind. (Both focus on internalizing God’s Word and truth.)

Prayer Concentration at church 6:00 – 7:00 pm: PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS & RECONCILIATION

Pray for those you have wronged. Pray for those who have wronged you. Pray that you can see others with the eyes of Jesus who wants all to be reconciled. 

Today’s Theme: Mercy – begin the day by praying, “Lord, don’t give me what I deserve. (Both good and bad) Teach me that your mercy triumphs over judgement.”

Devotion: Mercy is the Hard Way

Have you noticed that one of the main storylines in our action movies is revenge. Revenge on those who harmed the main character. It’s easy to put revenge in a movie. It makes for great action. It comes with explosions and explosive emotional confrontations. Mercy is a bit harder to make an action movie around. How do you make a story about mercy exciting and satisfying?  

Mercy is a complicated idea for most of us. We want God to be merciful to us and at the same time when someone wrongs us we want them to get what they deserve. Unfortunately, for most of us, Jesus says, “Mercy is better than sacrifice.” His brother James also tells us, “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” Mercy is God’s reconciling work. Mercy says, “there is nothing that I deserve.” In fact, God’s way of making us right with him (justice) is through mercy.

Practice mercy today. Be merciful to a coworker who disappoints you. Be merciful to that waiter who is having a bad day. Smile at someone who is frowning. Mercy forgets “an eye for an eye,” and instead lives how we wish the world was and how it will be in the fullness of God’s Kingdom.

Focus: Mercy and Forgiveness.

Practical Ideas:

• Flex your mercy muscle by being gracious to that person who cut you off in traffic.

• Write down on a sheet of paper a time you were hurt and are still holding on to and then crumple it up and throw it in the trash. Let it be a symbol of letting go of that hurt.

• When someone disappoints you look for a reasonable explanation before you jump the worst case scenario.

Scripture Focus: Then he [Jesus] added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Matthew 9:13 NLT)

Quote: “Your Majesty would have a perfect right to strike off his head," said Peridan. "Such an assault as he made puts him on a level with assassins."

"It is very true," said Edmund. "But even a traitor may mend. I have known one that did." And he looked very thoughtful.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Horse and His Boy

Going Deeper - Transformative Disciplines: Forgiveness

• Meditation: Reflect on Matthew 9:9-13.

• Listen: Ask God to reveal things you are holding onto that you need to let go of.

• Study: Read The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

Prayer Concentration at church 6:15 – 7:45 pm: PRAY OTHER LOCAL CHURCHES

Pray for other local churches to experience health and growth. Pray that they would be blessed with wisdom and provision. Pray that they would see people baptized this year. 

Today’s Theme: Mission - begin the day by praying for someone in your life who has not yet experienced the transformational power of Christ’s love in their life.

Devotion:

The world is full of recommendations. We eat somewhere because a friend told us it was amazing. We watch a show because someone told us to check it out. We offer recommendations of our own to those around us. Whenever we experience something truly special, we love nothing more than to tell people about our experience. “You’ve gotta try it!” “You have to go there!” “I couldn’t recommend it enough!”

The mission of the Church is to feel that same impulse about our experience with the love of Jesus. The love of Jesus is the most incredible, life-changing experience anyone will ever have. “You’ve gotta try it!” As Christians we become a part of the body of Christ. That’s what the Church is, not simply our community here at Mission Hill, but the Church around the world. Being a part of the Church is the only way we become whole. The only way we feel truly satisfied and fulfilled. “I couldn’t recommend it enough!”

I never have a problem recommending a movie I love. I’ve eagerly recommended Taco Bell breakfast on multiple occasions. My prayer is that we would become eager to share this wonderful experience of Christ’s love with the people around us. It can look like inviting someone to church, but it can also look like inviting someone to dinner. What does sharing the love of Jesus look like? Well it looks like what Jesus did every moment during His ministry. Jesus took time to stop and talk to people, He invited Himself over to their houses, He truly loved and cared for them, and lovingly told them the truth about their lives. And if we do the same, then we will get to share the most incredible experience a person could ever possibly experience. And as the love of Jesus spreads throughout our lives, homes, and community, the entire world becomes closer to heaven.

Focus: The Mission of the Church

Practical Ideas:

• Write down a list of 10 reasons someone should experience the love of Jesus

• Go somewhere you can intentionally share Jesus’ love

• Recommend Jesus to a friend. (For real, just do it)

Scripture Focus:

And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself. (Ephesians 1:23)

Quote:

“The church is the church only when it exists for others…The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others… It must not under-estimate the importance of human example (which has its origin in the humanity of Jesus and is so important in Paul’s teaching); it is not abstract argument, but example, that gives its word emphasis and power.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers From Prison

Going Deeper - Transformative Disciplines: Mission

• Meditation: Reflect on Psalm 67

• Celebration: Regularly thank God for the ways that He has changed your life. 

• Study: Regularly speak to other members of the Church about why they would recommend Jesus

Prayer Concentration at church 6:00 – 7:00 pm: PRAY FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Pray that hope and joy would be elevated in people’s lives. Pray that anxiety and fear would diminish. Pray that those who feel alone would find community.

Today’s Theme: Joy – cultivate gratitude and celebrate blessings with a joyful spirit. 

Devotion:

As we reach the midpoint of this week of prayer, many of us carry the weight of trials from the past year. For some, joy feels distant. There have been seasons of loss, health challenges, family struggles, broken relationships, and hardships that seem unending. Yet Scripture calls us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” How do we do that? By fixing our eyes on Jesus—the One who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. 

That joy was not found in the suffering itself, but in what lay beyond: the redemption of our souls, restored fellowship with the Father, and the promise of eternal life. Jesus endured because He saw the finish line. And now He invites us to share in that same joy. The sorrow may linger for a season, but He is with you every step of the way. 

Revelation 2:25 reminds us: “Only hold fast what you have until I come.” Hold fast to your faith. Hold fast to hope. Hold fast to the truth that Jesus is with you—always. When tests come, when challenges arise, and when failure brings sorrow, remember this: Jesus is right there. He is not angry, nor does He reject you. He wants the very best for you and will help you through every trial. For those still in the midst of hardship—Jesus is with you. He will carry you through.  

Focus: Gratitude and celebration. 

Practical Ideas:

• Gratitude List: Note three things you’re grateful for; it helps shift focus to the present. 

• Listen to Uplifting Music: Pick music that inspires hope and peace. 

• Enjoy Something Simple and Treat Yourself! Have tea or coffee, light a candle, or read a favorite book—small pleasures help restore calm. 

• Serve Someone: Do a kind act like sending a note, helping with chores, or offering a smile; joy increases when we give. 

Scriptural Focus:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
—Hebrews 12:1–2 

Quote:
“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”  C.S. Lewis 

Going Deeper - Transformative Disciplines:  Celebration & Worship

• Meditation: Adoration centers our focus on God’s presence and promises, bringing joy. 

• Listening: Just be still and know that He is there.  Psalm 46:10 

• Study: Read Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. Two of the disciplines, ‘Celebration’ and ‘Worship’ reflect the theme of Joy. 

Prayer Concentration at church 6:00 – 7:00 pm: PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Pray that our church would have a desire to grow spiritually. Pray that we embrace rhythms of discipleship. Pray we’d grow deep and not shallow.

Today’s Theme: Fasting – begin the day by setting one thing aside (lunch, social media, coffee, etc.) to open up space to see what God has for you today.

Devotion: 

Fasting is not about earning God’s favor or checking a spiritual box. It’s an open door—a gentle whisper from the Father saying, “Come closer.” It’s a way to quiet the noise, lay down what fills us, and make room for what truly satisfies: His presence. 

Isaiah 58:6–12 reminds us that fasting is never an empty ritual. It’s a life poured out—breaking chains, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked. It’s love in action. Jesus calls us to fast without fanfare, not to impress others, but to meet the Father in the secret place. In Isaiah, God unveils His refreshing wind: light breaking forth like the dawn, healing springing up, His presence surrounding you, and His voice saying, “Here I am.” 

The early church fasted to prepare hearts for baptism, to seek God’s guidance, and to share with those in need. Augustine spoke of fasting as a way to bridle our desires and lift our minds toward heaven. Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline, calls fasting a practice that reveals what controls us—and frees us to hunger for God above all else. 

Fasting is not about deprivation; it’s about desire. It says, “Lord, I want You more than anything else.” This is not a transaction—it’s transformation. It’s God meeting us in our hunger and turning it into hope. 

Will You Join Him? 

Maybe it’s a meal. Maybe it’s a day. Maybe it’s stepping away from distractions. Whatever it looks like, let it be an offering of love. Let your hunger become a prayer: “Lord, I long for You.”

Focus: See beyond your desires and needs.

Scripture Affirmation 

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” — Isaiah 58:6 

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites… But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret…” — Matthew 6:16–18 

Quotes 

“Fasting reminds us that we are sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Food does not sustain us; God sustains us. Fasting is feasting.” — Richard Foster

“Fasting is practiced for a threefold purpose: to bridle the lusts of the flesh, to raise the mind to the contemplation of heavenly things, and to satisfy for sins.” — Augustine of Hippo 

Practical Ideas 

• Skip one meal and use that time to pray and read Scripture. 

• Spend the fasting period listening quietly to God instead of filling the time with activity. 

• Give the money or food you save to someone in need as an act of generosity.

Disciplines That Complement Fasting 

• Prayer: Fasting without prayer is just dieting. Foster emphasizes that fasting should deepen our communion with God, making prayer the heartbeat of the fast. 

• Meditation: This discipline helps us reflect on Scripture and listen for God’s voice during the fast, turning physical hunger into spiritual attentiveness.

Prayer Concentration at church 8:00 – 9:00 am: PRAY FOR EVERYTHING ELSE

Pray for healing. Pray for hope. Pray for all the things that God knows that we forget to pray for. Let God know how thankful you are for the things he has done.

Today’s Theme: Scripture – begin reading a chapter of the bible.

Devotion: 

Every year I try to reread several of my favorite books. I typically read all the Narnia books, CS Lewis’s space trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillian each year. I love these books. They are all in the fantasy or sci-fi genre which are favorites of mine. They also have the depth it takes to reread something. I love these books and they are definitely worth reading over and over again. In fact, C.S. Lewis said, “I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.”

The great thing about reading and rereading the Bible is that you notice new things all the time. In Sunday School, a few weeks ago, I read a verse and noticed that I’d been reading it wrong my whole life. The Bible is one of those books that it takes somewhere around an infinite number of times reading it to catch everything that God is saying and teaching us. Let that be an encouragement to you. You don’t have to understand everything the first time you read it. 

It’s absolutely worth your time spending reading and studying the Bible. Plus there’s a lot of great resources to help you grow in your knowledge of the scripture. Come to one of the Sunday School classes or one of the other Bible studies throughout the week. Isaiah 55:11 remind us this about the world of God, “I send it out, and it always produces fruit.” God’s word always produces fruit!

Focus: Bible Study and reimagining our worldview.

Practical Ideas:

• Choose a book of the bible and read a little bit each day.

• The Bible has many genres in it. Starting with a gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) or another narrative book can make it a little easier to read at the beginning.

• Bible Project (bibleproject.com) has overview videos for every book of the bible that will give you the main themes/plot of the book.

Scripture Focus: For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12)

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 NLT)

Quote: “The Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus.” — Bible Project

Going Deeper - Transformative Disciplines: 

• Meditation: When a section of scriptures stands out to you, pray what it says/means.

• Read the bible with pen and paper. Take notes, write your questions, and/or write out your prayers.

• Study: Take one of Bible Projects free classes. (bibleproject.com/classroom)