As we begin the new year, Converge churches and missionaries from around the globe will embark on 21 Days of Prayer. Join us on this prayer journey by reading the daily entries on Converge’s blog, or by downloading your free 21 Days of Impactful Prayer: Moving Forward guide. In addition, you can share daily posts from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Thank you for joining us as we open 2021 in prayer together.
Day 7: Prayer for Your Community
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should (Colossians 4:2-4).
Reflections
You probably have heard a thousand times, or have even said, “The church is not a building. It is the people.” We like our buildings — nothing wrong with that. But we know Christianity is not just a religion. Rather, it is the people of God.
You probably also have spent hours talking about how you and your church can reach your community. Never have we had a better time to have a missional mindset. Our buildings are either closed or limited, at best. Now is not a time of “come and see” evangelism. Instead, it’s a time to GO. Your neighbors are hurting, lost, confused and lonely.
While everyone is experiencing this to an extent, can you imagine going through this year without Christ? Now more than ever is a time your surrounding community is open to the life-changing truth of the gospel. Ask the Lord how you can show the love of Christ to your neighbor.
Challenge
Colossians 4 asks us to pray “that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.” Look for doors opened by the Lord and ask him how you might respond.
Prayer
Holy God, I pray for my neighbors. I cannot imagine what they are going through without having you in their lives. Show me the open doors. Give me the boldness to love on my neighbors. Give me the wisdom to show them your love and salvation.
