At Radiant Church, we believe prayer changes things. Let’s start the new year right—with 21 Days of Prayer from January 5-26.
At Radiant Church, we believe prayer changes things. Let’s start the new year right—with 21 Days of Prayer from January 5-26.
FROM OUR PASTOR…
For several years we have been reminding ourselves to Pray First! We are excited about what God is going to do in your life during the next 21 days. We believe that prayer brings heaven’s influence into our earthly circumstances.
More than ever, we are in desperate need of the move of God in our community and our families. Prayer is a key ingredient in navigating this journey with the hope and assurance of Jesus. We know the God who holds the future in His hands, and we have complete access to Him through prayer!
Many times, we act first and then want God to help our situation; however, prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.
During the month of January, we are calling Radiant Church to 21 Days of Prayer. We will be focusing on deepening our prayer times and encouraging you to introduce fasting into your weekly routine. You can join us every Tuesday on Facebook Live for a guided time of prayer at 6 AM and 9 PM. During the 21 days, we also invite you to worship in person every Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the Cedar Rapids sanctuary and on January 15 in Manchester.
When you discover the beauty of daily conversation with God, you’ll experience His life-changing presence! You’ll be reminded…
- Before the day begins
- Before you go to bed
- Before you go to work or school
- Before you send that text
- Before you eat, drive, or travel
- Before you worry….in every situation….
PRAY FIRST! Prayer changes everything!
We love you, church!
– Pastor Brian & Kristi
Daily Prayer Topics
Week 1
January 5: Revival in Eastern Iowa
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
January 6: Our Pastors
“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” Ephesians 1:16-17
January 7: Radiant Youth
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. “ 1 Timothy 4:12
January 8: Radiant Kids
“You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” Psalm 8:2
January 9: Local Churches
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18
January 10: Our Missions Partners
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
January 11: Marriages & Families at Radiant
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
WEEK 2
January 12: Unsaved Loved Ones
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
January 13: Our Nation
“What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12
January 14: Our Local School Teachers
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
January 15: Healing for many in our Radiant Family
“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. “1 Peter 2:24
January 16: Life Groups
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
January 17: Freedom for all who call Radiant home
“Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galatians 5:1
January 18: Finances for our Radiant families
“At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:18-19
WEEK 3
January 19: Spirit Empowered Living
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11
January 20: Personal Wisdom
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.” James 1:5-6
January 21: Iowa Leadership College/College Students
“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:4-5
January 22: Parents at Radiant
“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” 1 Peter 5:2-3
January 23: Serve Team Members
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
January 24: Our Relationships at Radiant
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
January 25: We would live Radiant Lives
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” Psalm 34:4-5
PRAYER
We don’t have to follow a specific formula to talk with God, but practicing consistently with a model can help us deepen our purpose and connection to Him through our prayer time. The heart of this month is to help you find a new level of purpose, effectiveness, and enjoyment in your prayer life. While prayer does take commitment and can require discipline to develop into a daily habit, we also want to remember that it’s a “get to” not a “got to.” It’s a privilege to be able to come to God in prayer.
Prayer is most effective when it isn’t something we do every now and then, but when it’s a lifestyle we cultivate. To understand how to have a lifestyle of prayer, we can look at the example Jesus gave during His life on earth.
HAVE A CERTAIN TIME
Jesus got up early in the morning to spend time with His Heavenly Father. Make a daily appointment with God — whether it’s first thing in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening — and faithfully keep it.
HAVE A CERTAIN PLACE
Jesus had a specific place He went to pray. Having a designated place to pray helps us remove distractions and frees us to worship and pray out loud.
HAVE A CERTAIN PLAN
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He gave them a prayer outline. We call it “The Lord’s Prayer.” This outline (listed below) can help you develop a rhythm for your prayer time. As we pray every day, our plans for our prayer time can vary, maybe including worship music, Bible reading, and quiet time to listen to God. It doesn’t always have to look the same, it doesn’t have to be a required amount of time; it just helps when we have a plan for connecting regularly with God.
THE LORD’S PRAYER – MATTHEW 6:9-13 (NKJV)
CONNECT WITH GOD RELATIONALLY
“Our Father in Heaven” –Take a moment and make sure your focus is on God alone. This could be as simple as saying, “Good Morning God.”
WORSHIP HIS NAME
“Hallowed be Your Name” – You could play a worship song, or recite the words of your favorite chorus or hymn. He is great, so let Him know you believe in Him.
PRAY HIS AGENDA FIRST
“Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” – Before you get into your needs ask God for help in seeing life through His perspective. Pray for the topic provided by the church on the weekly prayer guide or on Social Media (@RadiantChurch.Live).
DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING
“Give us this day our daily bread” – Take some time and pray for the needs (relational, financial, emotional, etc.) in your life and for those close to you. Believe that God will give you what you need to thrive today.
FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” – Clean up the relational baggage you carry. Ask God to forgive you for the ways you’ve tried to make life work without Him. Extend that same forgiveness to those who have cost you undue time in your emotional focus.
ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” – Pray in the Spirit. Pray for your kids, spouse, family members, neighbors, co-workers, etc. . Pray that God will protect others and that He will push back the darkness the enemy brings into our world.
EXPRESS FAITH IN GOD’S ABILITY
“For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” – Believe that God is who He says He is. Align your trust with His purposes and go for it!