Friday Fight 141: A Focus for 2024

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF141.

Over the past few months, we have dedicated many posts to our awareness of slowing our pace and seeking God's presence. As we wind down in the quietness of prayer, reading the Bible, or even journaling, each contributes to the wholeness of intentionally focusing on the goodness of God and the hope found in His Son. But what does this mean for those who do not know who Christ is?

A Focus for 2024:

All of us can remember a time when we doubted God or even walked away from Him. For some, it could have been something traumatic, a church hurt, or something else. As I drove to church on Christmas Eve, feeling the warmth of Christ's love, my heart was heavy for those who don’t know Him, and I began to weep. I was supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ, but I couldn't help but consider those who have never felt the light of Christ break through darkness. I continued crying for the fear they must feel and the freedom they haven’t found yet. I felt the Holy Spirit placing this on my heart in this way to invite others to join in this focus. 1 Timothy 2:1 says "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people." In this section of Scripture Timothy is being taught by Paul the correct way for Christians to gather together. This verse specifically teaches us about types of prayer. For this post I would like us to be mindful of intercession, praying on behalf of the needs of others. As we lift our needs in prayer, let’s include the souls of those who are not saved.

So, where can we begin? Pray about approaching 2024 by focusing on one person in prayer who has never experienced the love of Christ. Let's dedicate our focus to the person hurt by others who call themselves Christians. Pray for those who do not know the saving grace of having a relationship with Christ. Pray for someone who self-medicates to escape feeling defeated by the pounding waves of their life's continuous storm. A spiritual trust is established and nurtured when we pray; please lift in prayer the person who has never experienced the joy of praying. We lean on God's assurances in our pain because we know God will comfort us as He promises. Pray for someone who has only experienced brokenness because the world continually lets them down.

As the drive continued, my prayers shifted to families denied the generational blessing of Christ's love. As followers of Christ, we are part of a generation of faithfulness and a lineage of displayed trust in God. Most of us have an ancestor to thank for our faith and spiritual growth. But how can a parent share what they don't believe? Pray for those whose spiritual inheritance includes worldly remedies that bring a false sense of healing and comfort. Pray for the person who continually walks in chaos.

As my drive led me over the water and coming to an end, I began praising God for the opportunity to pray and write this post. I watched the sunlight shimmering through the empty trees. I began praying for the person who never gazed at a spectrum of color, knowing God's masterful design and mercy are what greet us each morning. As we welcome 2024 and give thanks for God's timing and grace, join me in uniting our prayers by lifting those who unknowingly walk in darkness. By changing our focus, maybe we can help change their focus. To God be the glory!

Pastor Shannon

New Life Calvert