21 Day Prayer Focus
The ministry of the ARC reaches over 10,000 people every year with the love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. For three weeks we are asking our ministry partners to spend a few minutes each day reflecting on God’s Word and in prayer for this ministry.
Our prayer journey is based on our ARC theme verse for 2012, “Come and follow me,” said Jesus, “and I will make you fishers for men.” Mark 1:17. Scripture passages will address the topic of how we can best follow Jesus Christ.
Some may feel led to spend some of this time in fasting as some of our staff will be doing. We invite you to consider fasting on an individual basis.
Following posts are some suggested scripture passages and insights designed to lead you in a time of worship, prayer and personal reflection. See the ‘questions for thought page’ for questions that may help lead you in worship and prayer for the ARC.
Also note the ‘Prayer Requests” page for ideas on how you can best pray for our ministry.
Please feel free to offer your own comments on your prayer journey.
Day 21: Following Jesus by Following His Example
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
As we conclude our 21-day prayer focus we look to the admonition of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians. Everything we do as believers in Christ either builds on another up or tears them down. Our actions may not win our salvation but they do affect how others see Jesus. What things in your life keep you from being a strong example for Jesus? Continue to keep the ARC in your prayers as we endeavor to be an example of Christ’s love to those who visit.
Day 20: Following Jesus in Unity
1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:5-9
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Following Jesus has become much more complicated with the development of denominations. Do you agree with that statement? Why or why not? How have denominations made it harder to follow Christ? How have they helped with following Christ? The ARC hosts groups from virtually every denomination in the United States. How can you pray for us (and yourself) in regards to this passage in Scripture?
Day 19: Following Jesus in an Uncertain Future
Acts 12:8-10
Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
From Peter’s perspective, his ministry and time on earth was complete. James had already been killed. Now he sat in prison awaiting his own execution. One wonders if even in his groggy state he heard the words ‘Follow Me’ and thought back to that day on the shore when Jesus commissioned him for Kingdom work.
How does this story relate to our own sense of urgency to follow Christ in uncertain times? Metitate on how you would have felt in Peter’s place before the angel showed up and after he left.
Day 18: Following Christ is a Personal Thing
John 21:19-22
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
It’s easy to fall into the ‘comparison trap’ in life. We compare our home to the nieghbors, our job to the person in the next cubicle, or toys to the toys others have (true for all ages). When we follow Jesus our focus is on him, not on others. What was Jesus trying to say to Peter in response to his question concerning John? What comparisons does the enemy want you to focus on. How can we pray for one another in the face of ‘the comparison trap?’
Day 16: Following Jesus-Safety in the Face of Danger
John 10:27-30
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Whenever the Holy Scriptures mention something twice it’s done for emphasis. What is repeated in this passage? ‘No one shall snatch them from my hand.” Notice we aren’t told there would be no attacks. We are warned in other places in the gospels that attacks indeed will come. It’s not the attack that’s important. It’s the outcome. What is the outcome for the believer who comes under attack if they choose to follow Jesus? What implications does that hold for your life? How can you pray for the ARC ministry as we go under attack?
Day 15: Following Jesus- The Shepherd Knows Your Name
John 10:1-5
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
The sheep of the fold know their shepherd, and he knows them. Everyone of them. By name! Others may try to decieve. Others may try to tell us there is another way, a better way to follow. But true followers of Jesus Christ only listen to the one who calls them by name because they know him well enough to recognize his voice. How can we pray for one another’s protection from those who come to rob, steal and destroy? The ARC is a stronghold for those who seek his protection.
