Join us in 21 days of prayer!
Connect Family: We need space to disconnect from worldly stresses and problems. Prayer gives us that space, valuing God’s presence, His wisdom and His timing. Instead of acting first before turning to God, prayer should be our first response, not a last resort. Prayer is not about a religious formula; it’s about a relationship with God through faith in Jesus. So, let’s grow our prayer lives in 2025! Let’s tap into His power! Let’s PRAY FIRST!
-James Kuhl, Lead Pastor
DAY 17
Date: January 22, 2025
Prayer Prompt: Reaching the Lost and Disconnected
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:15
Description: If you feel inadequate to reach people who don’t have faith in Jesus, those feelings are totally understandable. Moses, Gideon, Daniel, Nehemiah, and Peter all felt inadequate to fulfill God’s assignment! But they were able to overcome their fear through God’s power. The truth is, if you are alive in Christ, you have a reason to speak of the hope that you have in Jesus! Your story collided with God’s story to form a testimony that is worth sharing! Pray that God gives you names of people who are lost, meaning the person doesn’t trust or follow Jesus. Pray also for the disconnected, those who love God but struggle with wanting to connect with a local church. The good news is, there is plenty of room in God’s Kingdom for lost and disconnected people. Do you believe that to be true? Do you believe that lost people need to be rescued from the dominion of darkness? Do you believe that God puts you in certain places to have conversations with people who don’t know Jesus? Let’s get uncomfortable and start looking for opportunities to share the hope that you have in Christ Jesus. And if you are feeling “weak” in this area, then remember the words of Jesus to Paul: ““My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9)
Sample Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that I have You in my life. I love You and I know that You love me. God, this world needs Your love - this world needs rescuing that can only come from You. I believe every word You have revealed. I believe every promise. Help me to share YOU, my rock and my salvation! Help me to see opportunities in my conversations to speak of You – to share my story – to extend an invitation - to share Your hope and Your love. I am here, God. Show me what to do! I want everyone to know You, Lord! I love You and praise You and pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.
DAY 18
Date: January 23, 2025
Prayer Prompt: Living on Mission (my purpose)
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:10; 5:1-2
Description: People are searching for something to tell them who they are, where they belong and how they relate to the world around them. Yet God is calling us to seek Him through faith in Jesus, to be spiritually born again, and to understand that our identity is in Christ, not who the world wants us to be or think or become. If you belong to Jesus and you trust and follow Him, start seeking the Scriptures to see what “living on mission” looks like. Acts 2:42 gives insight to biblical community. Ephesians 2:10 reveals that each Christ-follower has at least one divine assignment from God. Ephesians 5:1-2 urges us to imitate God and live a life of love. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to not giving up meeting together. Pray that God shows you how to live on mission for Him – beginning TODAY!
Sample Prayer: Father God, I want to live for You and be defined by You and Your love. God, I pray that You will reveal to me any lies I have believed about myself. And I pray that You will replace each lie with Your truth – the truth that You made me – That You love me – That You have a purpose for me, God – Truth that I have eternity with You and that I am forgiven! I am made new because Your Holy Spirit dwells within me. I believe every single word from You, my God. Your truth is what I want to fill my heart, mind and soul. You are welcome here, Lord. I am Yours. I pray these things in your beautiful name, Jesus. Amen.
DAY 19
Date: January 24, 2025
Prayer Prompt: Connect Community Partners
Scripture Reading: Luke 10:2
Description: If you read Luke 10:2, it’s clear that Jesus wants us to pray that God sends out workers into the “harvest field,” the places where God’s people can share the gospel and do ministry with people who don’t know God. The Connect family is blessed to partner with a number of Christian community organizations who have made Cabarrus County their harvest field. In turn these organizations help us accomplish our mission better and visa versa. Check out Connect’s community partner page so that you can pray for them by name: https://www.connectchristianchurch.org/outreach/. Pray for God’s power to work through their leadership, strategies, funding and volunteers.
Sample Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so refreshing to know that Connect Christian Church is not alone in bringing glory to Your name. God, I lift up the leaders of these ministries and their board of directors, to make wise decisions that will affect our communities for eternity. I pray for their strategies and fundraising, that You would exceed their expectations and amply supply their needs. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DAY 20
Date: January 25, 2025
Prayer Prompt: Conflict and Offense – personal and relational
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:31-32
Description: If you have any relationship at all with anyone, conflict is going to arise. Although we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we are not perfect in our words, attitudes and actions. We regularly need to confess sin (1 John 1:8-9). Jesus is super clear on how to handle conflict where sin is involved (Matthew 18:15-17). But what about being offended? Are you hurt by a statement, opinion or tone in someone’s voice? More times than not, offense is a choice. And offense has become the devil’s go-to weapon to divide groups, friendships, churches, families and work relationships. Proverbs 19:11 says “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Pray that God shows you your next step. Is it confession of sin? Is it confronting in love? Is it letting go of offense? Whatever it is, remember that God wants us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
Sample Prayer: Abba Father - this part is hard. I need You to help me see, God. I pray that You help me see any place in my heart or mind where I’m harboring anything that is not in line with Your truth and Your will. God, I turn it over to You and ask You to forgive me. I’ve been easily offended and allowed those offenses to create division in my life. I don’t want that anymore, Lord. Help me to love and forgive like You, Lord. I know this is Your will. I want to honor Your will and extend Your grace to others. Thank You for loving me!!! I pray this in Your powerful name Jesus, Amen.
DAY 21
Date: January 26, 2025
Prayer Prompt: My Specific Needs
Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:6-8, 19; Ephesians 3:20-21
Description: Please, my friend, take your requests to God. There are things you were not meant to carry emotionally, mentally and spiritually on your own. Philippians 4:6 (NLT) says, “6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Bring your concerns to God. Trust that He will respond and pour out His peace into your life!
Sample Prayer: To the God of all grace and peace, thank You for giving me room in my prayer life to lift up my own needs as well as the needs of others. Thank You for caring deeply about me, my family, my mental health, my struggles and my journey as Your disciple. Give me strength when I am weak. Give me grace when I have failed. Give me peace when I make tough decisions. Grant me divine wisdom and discernment as I trust and follow You daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.