Month: January 2024

Matthew 19:14-15 NIV

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for CtK Preschool & Children’s Ministry. Pray for school teachers & staff in our communities, as well as school safety.

John 4:13-18

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for those who struggle with self-control and addictions.  

Hebrews 13:2 NIV

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for our church hospitality team and Steele Creek Community Place volunteers.  

Luke 7:37-48 NIV

37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for the hurting and ‘invisible’ people in our communities that are often overlooked or ignored.  

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for those struggling to receive God’s forgiveness, or people who are struggling to forgive those who have wronged them. 

Romans 12:15-18 NIV

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for those who are entering a season of joy, but also pray for those who are grieving.  

Mark 1:40-42 NIV

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for those with medical afflictions and ailments that keep them isolated.  

James 2:1-4 NIV

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for people of all races, ethnicities, and economic statuses.  

Galatians 3:26-28 NIV

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.  

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for God’s leading in the lives of people struggling in their identity or searching for significance.

Matthew 14:16-21 NIV

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you. 

2. Read the above Scripture slowly.  Listen for God’s voice to you in the text.  Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention. 

3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?

4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage.  Pray in response to what God is saying to you.   What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage?  Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation? 

5. Share with your family or friends.  What is your key takeaway from this passage?  What will you put into practice?  Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?

6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.

PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for the people and families that are reached and connected through our Food Pantry Ministry.