Questions to think about:

• Do I just read the word, or am I convicted of the truth of what it says?
• What do I know the word says that I haven’t been obeying? Am I ready to repent?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, I want to obey your word, not just hear it. Right now, I’m struggling with _____ . I know what your word says, but I’m having a hard time putting it into practice. Help me with this temptation. Change my desires. I want to obey you.

Questions to think about:

• Do I love the truth?
• What does loving the truth look like in everyday life?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, I want to love you and love everything from you. Sometimes, lies are so much more appealing or even more comfortable than the truth. I’m sorry for the times I have compromised truth. Help me to read your word faithfully, to learn the truth, and to love truth so much that I just can’t settle for lies or half-truth.

Questions to think about:

• In what ways is our culture subtly persuading us to trade the truth about God for lies?
• Am I resisting faithfully? What can I do better?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, show me any ways I am confusing or trading truth for a lie. Help me to be firmly set on following your truth, no matter what. Give me clear, spiritual vision to see the truth, and any ways I’m being tempted to compromise. Give me your convictions, and make them strong and firm in my heart. May I believe and worship you alone.

Questions to think about:

• In what ways is my culture “training” me for an earthly mindset and service to the enemy?
• What “opportunities” or “blessings” does the enemy offer to trick Christians into joining his purpose?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, help me and my family to be wise and discerning. Help us not to allow ourselves to be “educated” by ideas that disagree with your truth. Help us to see clearly. Help us not to be influenced by the world, but to stay strong and faithful and to win the lost to you.

Questions to think about:

• Why do I need Jesus’ power to serve him and serve others?
• Have I accepted his power to serve?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for including me in your work, and empowering me to do what I could never do on my own. Make me a witness for you. Guide my every step. Show me where you want me to walk, who you want me to love, how you want me to help, and what you want me to say. Help me to realize when those opportunities are already a part of my weekly routine. Fill me with your Spirit so that I will be an effective servant for you.

If you would like to talk to one of our pastors about Jesus, please click here to fill out a connection card.

Questions to think about:

• How do I feel when I realize that Jesus has given me the power to forgive those who do wrong to me?
• Have I accepted his power to forgive? Is there any situation where I need that power right now?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for your heart that forgave even when you were hurt. Please make me like that. Sometimes I struggle to forgive _____ . Please give me your power to forgive this person. I want you not only to take over the situation, but to take over my heart and attitude.

If you would like to talk to one of our pastors about Jesus, please click here to fill out a connection card.

Questions to think about:

• How did Jesus demonstrate the power to trust God in all circumstances?
• Do I accept Jesus’ power to trust him, even when I’m hurting or feel like God is not close?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for Jesus’ example. Please strengthen me and give me that kind of trust that stays faithful no matter what’s happening around me, the kind of trust that believes that you are faithful even when I can’t see or feel you. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

If you would like to talk to one of our pastors about Jesus, please click here to fill out a connection card.

Questions to think about:

• Have I accepted Jesus’ power to live a life free of sin?
• What things am I currently obeying as a slave?
• What would I like to be free from?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for freedom. Please give me complete freedom from sin and temptation. May I not ever act as a slave to sin or to any of Satan’s desires for my life. Help me to desire you more than anything Satan has to offer. Right now, I’m struggling with _____ . Please set me free.

If you would like to talk to one of our pastors about Jesus, please click here to fill out a connection card. 

Questions to think about:

• Have I accepted Jesus’ power to believe in him, and his power to live?
• Do I believe this?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, your power is so great! Thank you for empowering me. Please help me where I fail to believe you. Strengthen my faith to be alive and childlike. Please give me your eternal life.

If you would like to talk to one of our pastors about Jesus, please click here to fill out a connection card.

Questions to think about:

• What does the message of the cross mean to me?
• What is my response?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for all you have given for me. I believe you. I know I’m a sinner, but I know that Jesus’ death paid for my sin and his resurrection means that he is the way to heaven. Please forgive my sins and change me. I accept everything you offer!

Note: If you would like to talk with someone about Jesus, please click here to reach out to one of our pastors.

Questions to think about:

• What is the cost of my sin?
• What was Jesus’ goal when he went to the cross?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for paying the cost for my sin. You chose to identify with me—a transgressor—so that you could intercede with me and pay for my sin, though you had none. Help me to take my sin as seriously as you do. Even now, I need your grace every day. Help me never to think I’m better than anyone, but instead to help you intercede for other transgressors that they would be saved.

Note: If you would like to talk with someone about Jesus, please click here to reach out to one of our pastors.

Questions to think about:

• Do I understand the severity of my sin?
• Why does God take sin so seriously?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, I’m so sorry for every sin I’ve ever committed, everything I’ve ever thought or done that hurt you. Please forgive me. It blows my mind that you would take my punishment for hurting you, just so you could forgive me! I praise you and thank you!

Note: If you would like to talk with someone about Jesus, please click here to reach out to one of our pastors.

Questions to think about:

• How much of my pain and suffering is Jesus willing to take on himself?
• Have I accepted his offer and invited him to carry the weight I still carry from my sin?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, sometimes I forget that your payment for sin extends to every pain and suffering I face. But you care about every detail and you walk in it with me, just like you carried my pain and guilt to the cross when I couldn’t. Please help me with ______ and give me your healing.

Note: If you would like to talk with someone about Jesus, please click here to reach out to one of our pastors.

Questions to think about:

• Why was this kind of suffering necessary?
• What feelings do I have toward Jesus and his suffering?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for giving everything for me. Jesus humbled himself to become human, and then even humbled himself to allow his human form to be marred beyond recognition. I can't really wrap my mind around this, but help me to respond in the way you hope I will. I need you. I want to receive everything you have for me, and I surrender myself to be changed in whatever way you desire.

Note: If you would like to talk with someone about Jesus, please click here to reach out to one of our pastors.

Questions to think about:

• What has God called me to that I’m tempted to walk away from?
• Am I willing today to purposefully set my focus and my determination towards obeying God’s will?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, help me to be resolutely determined to follow you, no matter what the cost is. Sometimes I feel reservations about _____ , but I want to lay down my fears and doubts. Set my heart, my vision, and my focus on you. Help me to get closer to you every day, and to bring others closer to you as I pursue you. Anoint me for your purposes.

Questions to think about:

• Does God have a purpose for everyone before we are born?
• What is my one, overarching purpose while I am here on this earth?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, I know you made me, and you made me for a purpose. Show me your priorities for my life. Show me how to serve you and fill me with your Spirit to empower me to be faithful. I am yours, for whatever purpose you choose to use me for.

Questions to think about:

• Do I have the same focus on my purpose as Jesus had on his earthly task?
• What is God’s business in my family, my workplace, and my social circles? Am I choosing to be involved in his work in these settings?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, help me to set my focus on heavenly work while I’m here on earth. Open my eyes to the ways you are working around me, and show me how you want me to participate in your work. I want to be active about your business. Help me to see clearly what I need to lay aside so that I am not distracted or worn too thin to serve you.

Questions to think about:

• What does it mean that Jesus was obedient to death?
• What would this level of obedience look like in my life?
• How do I respond when I’m tempted to act like I deserve more self-determination than the Son of God?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, sometimes I can’t wrap my mind around how Jesus could be so humble. Please help me to also humble myself and surrender to your purpose in my life, and all the things that come with that purpose. Help me to trust that you really do know best. Help me to be obedient to you, no matter what.

Questions to think about:

• What does this verse reveal about God?
• Am I willing for God to work in me, trusting in his power, even when it seems like foolishness to those around me?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, I believe in your message and your wisdom. Help me to believe even when it goes against my understanding, my intuition, or the approval of others. One thing I sometimes struggle to believe is _______ . Please give me greater understanding, and help me to trust you.

Questions to think about:

• What does it mean for the message of Christ to richly fill my life?
• Do I consider his wisdom and his worship before I influence others?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill my life. May I be full of gratitude and thankfulness. Teach me your wisdom. Whenever I open my mouth, let my words be full of that wisdom and full of songs of praise to you.

Questions to think about:

• Am I giving thanks in all my circumstances?
• Who can I thank today?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you. Help me to be faithful to thank you, no matter what I’m going through. I believe your promise that you will use all of it for good. Thank you for salvation. Thank you for your provision and your blessings. Thank you for healing, and thank you for pain. Thank you for struggle, and thank you for victory. Thank you for the growth that comes through all these things.

Questions to think about:

• Do I make a habit of incorporating encouragement into my daily conversations?
• Who can I encourage today?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for today. This is your day. Show me the work that you have prepared for me to do today. Bring me someone that I can encourage today. Help me to hear your voice and feel your nudging and to be your mouthpiece to speak life into someone. Help me to be part of your team of encouragement so that no one will be hardened by sin.

Questions to think about:

• What kind of work does God have me to do today?
• What opportunities have I been overlooking?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for letting me work alongside you in your grand plan. Show me what tasks you have for me today. Prepare my heart and open my eyes. Help me not to miss an opportunity. Help me to walk and speak with wisdom and obedience.

Questions to think about:

• Why did Jesus use light as a metaphor to describe himself?
• What are the works of the one who sent Jesus?

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, Thank you for lighting my way. Show me where to walk. Thank you for the privilege of participating in your work. Show me the works that you have prepared for me to do, and help me always to be faithful.

Questions to think about:

• What part of this verse is most difficult for me to understand?
• What does it teach me about the connection between sin, grace, and righteousness?

Note: If you’re not sure about what this means or if you would like to talk to someone about it, click here to contact one of our pastors.

Sample Prayer:
Dear Father, all I can say is thank you.