Scripture and Prayer Focus for July 25, 2026

 July 25 -- Colossians 4: 1-4 "Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison -- that I may make it clear which is how I ought to speak."  (ESV)

Prayer focus for today:  Today brings us to a section of scripture which we pray on an almost daily basis for our work in Zambia and for our lives as individuals. "...that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ... that I may make it clear which is how I ought to speak."  But this isn't just a prayer for those God has called to full-time ministry service, it should be the heart's cry of every Christian. Pray today that God would open a door for each of us to share Christ with someone and make it clear what we need to say. When this becomes a habit, it's not so scary.  Here's praying for all of us....may doors be opened today!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for July 24, 2026

 July 24 -- Colossians 3: 23 - 25 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality." (ESV)

Prayer focus for the day: Pray today that we will all focus on the "WHY". Why do we get up in the morning? To serve Christ. Why do we give our best to our job (whether others see us or not)? To glorify Christ as we serve Him. Why do we show kindness to others? To show Christ to each person God brings across our path as we serve Him, that they might be drawn to Him.  Please pray also that the children we serve in Zambia will be drawn to a more full understanding of exactly what this means and choose to serve the Lord.....in whatever (all) they do. 

Scripture and Prayer Focus for July 23, 2026

 July 23 -- Colossians 3: 20 - 22 "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord." (ESV)

Prayer focus for the day:  Pray today that no matter what our roles are in life -- child, parent, husband, wife, employee, employer, etc., we would each be faithful to living as examples of Christ in everything we say and do. Pray not to be people-pleasers only.....but God- pleasers. 

Scripture and Prayer Focus for July 22, 2026

 July 22 -- Colossians 3: 17 - 19 "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." (ESV)

Prayer focus for the day: Today is a day to reflect inward in our prayers. As we each read the scriptures for today, take time to read them multiple times..... letting each word soak in.  As we each ask God to help us better understand Him and His ways, may He be the guide of everything we do ... and say. Prayer is life changing, not just because we see God answer, but because it changes our mind, heart, body, and soul. He already has a perfect plan for each one of us... He's just waiting on us to live and respond like Him. Here's praying each of us see the world through His eyes today. 

Scripture and Prayer Focus for July 21, 2026

 July 21 -- Colossians 3: 14 - 16 "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (ESV)

Prayer focus for today:  If you've been with us the past three weeks as we've settled into the book of Colossians and prayed, you know that the past few days have had us focused on self-examination and truly asking God to reveal the sin in each of us that we get comfortable with and often ignore. Today, please join us in praying that we will each have come through those days of true soul-reflection and demonstrate love, peace, thankfulness, and the glory that is Christ's alone ... that can (and should) be evident in each of us who are known as His!  We love you all and are so thankful for you!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for July 19, 2026

 July 19 -- Colossians 3: 7-9 "In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices." (ESV)

Prayer focus for the day -- Today is a follow-up to the challenges of yesterday's prayer focus. Whether you are a follower of Jesus Christ or not, today we challenge each one of us to pray honestly -- fully honestly  -- that God would open our eyes to the sin which we allow in our lives because we are so comfortable with it. Today's scriptures specifically address items that we often do with our mouth, but they can also be "thought sins", which Jesus says are the same as committing the acts. Pray today that those who already have committed their lives to Christ will become more aware of their "comfortable sins" and those who have never given their lives to Christ would understand their need for Jesus and turn from their sins and live!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for July 18, 2026

 July 18 -- Colossians 3: 4-6 "When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming." (ESV)

Prayer Focus for the Day:   Today is a challenging day for prayer. It's easy to see "other people's" sins, but so easy to overlook our own. Pray today that each of us will be willing and able to see the sin in our own lives, truly repent (which means not just saying, 'I'm sorry', but turning your back on that sin), and put to death what is earthly in each of us, pressing on toward the righteousness of God!