Scripture and Prayer focus for August 5, 2026

 August 5 -- John 1: 29 - 34 "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel. And John bore witness: 'I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.'"

Prayer focus for today: John told what he knew and was confident in every word being truth. Today, pray that God would give you and I bold confidence in what we know and believe - that we would speak the truth of Christ to all we meet. Pray that if any of us have any misunderstandings or twistings of God's word, that we would be humble and wise to let God reveal this to us and change. Pray that we would each keep our focus on proclaiming Christ - not ourselves - today. May He be recognized as the difference maker worldwide today - that all may be saved!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for August 4, 2026

 August 4 -- John 1: 22 - 28 "So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.' as the prophet Isaiah said."  (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing."

Prayer focus for today: John (traditionally known as John the Baptist) was under pressure from the priests and Levites from Jerusalem. They wanted to know exactly who he was....he answered giving an account of WHOSE he was. Today, may we all focus our prayers inwardly doing some deep soul searching. Pray today that you (we all) would be confident in Christ alone. Make sure you know the truth of Christ, not some watered down teaching that proclaims man, and not Christ. Pray that God would make clear the task(s) He has created you for that you may speak confidently in Christ alone. We're joining you in prayer!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for August 3, 2026

 August 3 -- John 1: 15 - 21 "(John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.' ") For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.  And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"  He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."

Prayer focus for today:  In a world of imposters, pray for each Christian to be authentic today.  Pray that you would stand firm in knowing the ONLY God -- and salvation through His one and only son, Jesus Christ. Pray that believers everywhere would know WHO they serve and be able to stand firm in their faith. Pray that when others see us, they know without a doubt that it is Christ whom we serve. Pray that those who are falling prey to an imposter will have their eyes opened to the truth of Jesus, and choose Him today.

Scripture and Prayer Focus for August 2, 2026

 August 2 -- John 1: 8-14 "He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Prayer focus for today: Jesus Christ, the true light of the world, came so that all who receive him and believe in His name will be able to be called His children. We will all spend eternity somewhere........pray that all will choose eternal life over eternal death and punishment before it's too late. Please join us today praying for those in Zambia who are choosing to follow a mixture of "cultural" religions and calling it Christianity. Pray that eyes, hearts, and minds will be opened to understanding of their need for Christ alone that they might live forever with Him.

Scripture and Prayer Focus for August 1, 2026

August 1 -- John 1: 1-7 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him."

Prayer focus for today:  As we begin a new month, we are shifting to a larger book of the Bible - the Gospel of John. The journey through the book of John will take us four months. Remember, the goal is not to read the Bible quickly and set it aside -- the goal is to read it, absorb it, learn it, and live it!

Pray today that Christ's light would shine fully in the dark places where false religions dwell; that people everywhere will see Christ's light and choose to follow Him forever. Pray that believers would be strengthened in their faith, especially when they are in hostile regions.  The truth of Jesus Christ, and eternal life through Him alone remains -- even when people choose not to believe. Just as many small candles coming together make a great light, pray that all followers of Jesus today will stand united around the world proclaiming the truth that all may be set free!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for July 31, 2026

 July 31 -- Colossians 4: 16 - 18 "And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, 'See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.' I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." (ESV)  

Prayer focus for today: Well, we finally made it to the last day of July, and the last verses of the book of Colossians. Thanks for journeying with us through this letter that challenges, uplifts, and equips us as Christians in so many ways. We are thankful for each of you who have encouraged us by telling us how these daily scriptures and prayers have helped you. We hope to continue as long as God allows. 

Today's focus is not just for those in "professional" or full-time ministry, but for each of us who are followers of Christ. 'See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.' This was the challenge from Paul's own hand while he was in chains in prison, yet it is still a challenge to each of us today. We have each been given a ministry from the Lord, whether it's in our own home with our family, within a small group from church, co-workers at our jobsite, or the myriad of other places we are called to "minister" to God's people. Pray today that you will recognize and fulfill the ministry YOU have received in the Lord. And if you don't know what it is... pray Christ will reveal it to you that you may know it and understand how to fulfill it as God intends. Never underestimate God's calling -- find it, live it, and fulfill it!

Scripture and Prayer focus for July 30, 2026

 July 30 -- Colossians 4: 14 - 15 "Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house." (ESV)

Prayer focus for today:  Unless we purposefully live a very secluded life, we often greet people numerous times each day. Whether it's our spouse, children, or others living in our house who are greeted with, "Good morning!", those we interact with at work, or just the people we cross paths with while shopping, we all have a variety of people we greet everyday, but often we never really think about those greetings.  In Zambia, we often close conversations with, "Greet your family for me," and we move on about our day. Today's prayer challenge is that we all go a little deeper.  Pray for the Lord to show you true ways to authentically greet someone and make them feel loved. Who knows.....God may be using your greeting to start a life-changing conversation about Him!