Prayer Archives - King's Arms Church

Meet Joy Summers, the author of today’s eFocus! Joy currently works as an ESOL tutor at HopeWorks and has been a part of King’s Arms for 20 years. She’s passionate about travel, literature and wildlife.

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to muster the enthusiasm to keep praying for situations that are far from us or don’t impact our day-to-day. I don’t say this to make us feel bad about ourselves. We are in the company of the disciples in Gethsemane and Moses at the battle of the Amalekites. We need those who will keep us awake in Gethsemane and who will hold up our arms at Rephidim (Exodus 17:12). He knows we are dust but that is a reason for our weakness, not a justification for giving up.

Not surprisingly, I want to encourage you to pray for places beyond where you are likely to go or know. My ideas are not exclusive to praying cross-culturally but as you read on, please leave a space in your heart for the places most people aren’t spending much time for in prayer.

Here are a number of practical ways in which we can stay awake and prop up our arms in prayer:

1. PRAY FOR A WILLING HEART

Pray for a willing heart and to avoid compassion fatigue. He is our Father who loves to give good gifts and if we lack anything we can ask for it. There is no shame in telling God that you want to pray more but struggle because of disinterest. Think about that song, “break my heart for what breaks Yours” (Hosanna, Hillsong UNITED) and ask Him to lay someone or somewhere on your heart so that you can pray from love not duty.

His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Prayer is a discipline and takes hard work but if you are bashing out prayers about something without having a heart connection it may be that God wants to give you a yoke that will be a delight to carry. You can’t carry the whole world but you can find what God wants you to care about and be faithful to that while always leaving room for new things to spark in your spirit.

2. SET YOURSELF SHORT-TERM GOALS

Set yourself multiple short-term prayer commitments. There will always be life-long prayers for situations that touch our heart deeply but to avoid becoming overly focused on just the immediate and near, why not set yourself some short-term prayer goals? They can broaden your horizons for a season without you feeling that you are failing when you move on to other areas in your prayer life.

They can also be catalysts for discovering new passions that enrich your life. Why not spin a globe and pray for the country your finger lands on for the next month? Or, commit to pray once a week, for a month, for people in prison around the globe? You will have opened the door to God broadening your compassion and intercession.

3. CHANGE THINGS UP, TRY SOMETHING NEW

It’s the new year so why not resolve to pray when you meet up with your believing friends at the end of a catch up? Come to the prayer meetings. Be brave and pray out loud in your life groups. Ask someone at the end of a church service if you can pray with them briefly.

Small efforts can have big effects. You may discover some courage you didn’t think you had. New practices can remind your heart of its purpose.

If you have kids at home why not create three jars for prayer labelled ‘country’, ‘demographic’ and one containing scripture verses. It will take some prep but each dinner time you can pull out three slips of paper and find yourself praying psalms and scriptures over the women of Afghanistan, the children of Brazil, the police officers of Algeria or the elderly in Estonia.

4. IMAGINE YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES

When I was much younger, I remember asking my Dad why he wanted to listen to the news so regularly when none of it was good news. I’ll never forget his response: “So I know how to pray.”

You can use also use the news and conduct the following thought experiment: What on the news moves you? How can you turn it into prayer? Take a few moments to mentally sit in the place of those in the middle of that news item. What are their emotions? What action would you want to take in their situation? What would your anger / fear / sense of injustice in that situation make you ask God for? Can you do that on their behalf?

A two-minute reflection as you imagine yourself experiencing that headline can invite the Holy Spirit to stir something in your heart for those in conflicts that are not your own.

5. BECOME A DETECTIVE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Look around. Remember those eye-spy books you had as a kid? Next time you’re in town take notice of how many different languages you can see or hear and thank God that Bedford has become a home for so many. When you pass a shop with Arabic script, pray that they would meet believers who will share truth with them. When you see an Indian restaurant, ask God to send more workers into His harvest field in the Asian sub-continent.

What a privilege and responsibility we have since God has brought the world to our doorstep.

6. BE PROACTIVE, GET INFORMED

Find people in the church who are working in areas you don’t know much about and ask for their prayer points. Sign up for a newsletter of someone who works overseas. Send Paula in Mexico an email asking how you can pray for her this week. Learn what Catalyst is doing in the nations. Download the Joshua Project app to be given short daily prayer points for places in the world that may be new to you.

7. FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO PRAY

I love having something visible and tangible to prompt me to pray. Get creative and do what it takes to remind you to pray for people and places beyond your regular list. Fill a notebook with places, people and issues written in the centre of each page then circle it each time you pray. Link your prayers for a new topic with a daily activity as an aide-memoir such as remembering those involved in trafficking on your drive to work, praying for the unreached in the Muslim world when you brush your teeth and asking God to speed Bible translation when you do the dishes.

8. TRY TAXI EVANGELISM!

Become a ‘taxi anthropologist’ and ask God for opportunities to meet people outside of your normal routine – you may be surprised at the paths you cross! Notice the flag or prayer beads in the taxi you’re in and show an interest. If you hear another language being spoken, it’s natural to pass a comment, most people won’t be offended by you asking with a smile what language they are speaking and if they will teach you how to say ‘have a nice day’.

Ramadan starts in February and your Muslim taxi driver, neighbour or shop worker will not be offended if you ask how you can pray for them during their holy month.

We have just celebrated the greatest cross-cultural mission event in history: Christmas. When Immortal became mortal, Perfect became sin and the Worshipped became despised. To what end, but that we might become like Him: having a future glory and a present humility.

Go and use your prayer as service to the Lord and remember that you are sowing into a kingdom that will last for eternity.

Much love,
Joy Summers

I still remember, as a brand-new believer, discovering that God truly answers prayer. I was 18, longing to go on the church youth weekend away but needing £20 by that evening (now that really dates me!). I told no one. Instead, I knelt down and asked God to provide. At 5pm, an envelope with my name on it dropped through my door — inside was exactly £20. I was totally amazed, thrilled and completely convinced: God sees, God cares and God answers!

Since then, I’ve come to Him with many needs, big and small. I am more certain than ever that He is raising up His children to know how to pray, how to connect deeply with Him, and how to live in the confidence that our Father hears and miraculously responds.

BECOMING MORE AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE

I cannot wait for our upcoming Prayer Term as we respond together to what God is stirring across our nation. This is a moment to say a bold YES to Him — to press in for more of His presence and to fan into flame the hunger in our hearts.

We believe in the power of prayer. Just as the early church gathered in the original Upper Room and experienced the Holy Spirit moving powerfully among them, we believe God wants to meet us, transform us, equip us and release more of His Kingdom today.

I’m so thrilled about the opening of our own Upper Room, a creative prayer space designed to help you encounter God in a fresh, tangible way. Prayer rooms have a beautiful way of pulling us out of the noise of everyday life and into the quiet where His voice becomes clearer.

Each prayer station invites you to slow down, reflect, listen and engage with God through Scripture, creativity, intercession, silence and simple acts of surrender.

As we pray, His presence increases — not because He was ever far away, but because our hearts become more aware of Him.

Whether you come for 30-minutes or linger for hours, the Upper Room is a place to meet with God, to be shaped by Him, and to expect Him to move. You can book a prayer slot by emailing upperroom@kingsarms.org

PREPARATION IS KEY

This Term of Prayer is all about Jesus! Seeing Him glorified, enjoying His presence, hearing His voice, and saying ‘yes’ to His Kingdom breaking in, as we grow our prayer muscles together.

Are you ready? Here’s a little checklist to help you prepare for our Prayer Term:

✅ 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting
How will you engage with this? Prayerfully ask God what prayer and fasting will look like for you during these three weeks. Need some tips on fasting and praying? Check out our Devoted booklet here.

✅ Prayer Group
Our groups will become Prayer Groups for next term. You’re invited to journey together in community, spurring each other on and pressing into God. We need each other, so sign up for a Prayer Group from 3rd January here.

✅ Daily Bible Reading Plan
We began a three-year Bible reading plan at the start of 2025. You can now download next year’s readings, or catch up and begin this plan here.

✅ Upper Room
Be intentional about scheduling time in our prayer space. Our prayer stations will guide and inspire you as you connect with God. Book by emailing upperroom@kingsarms.org

✅ Get Dates in Your Diary!
Life is busy and if we aren’t intentional, our calendars get filled for us. Take a look at our events page to see what’s happening throughout the Prayer Term and choose what you feel led to join.

Let’s simply show up with open hearts, making space for God and believing that He is preparing to do something remarkable among us.

Much love,
Carole Wilthew

“So I say to you: ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

If you, even though you’re flawed, know how to give good gifts to your kids,
how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Luke 11:9-10 & 13

Ever wonder if your prayers are actually making a difference at all?
Thankfully, Jesus made it super clear: they do!

One of my favourite ways to pray is through intercession. When we come before our kind, generous and powerful Father on behalf of someone else, to stand in the gap and fight for them through prayer. We call on God to break in, to bless and to pour out His Spirit on them. We stand in agreement with Jesus to bring what He’s already paid for — salvation, healing, freedom — into the lives of people we love.

What a beautiful way to pray…I just LOVE IT!

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16b

I remember when I first moved to Bedford and made friends with a lovely lady at church. Her son had turned his back on God and was making destructive choices, living in a way that left his mum heartbroken. Together we began to stand in the gap and fight for him!

We would pray in tongues, declare promises over him and stand against the schemes of the enemy in his life. Together we prayed him right back into his heavenly Father’s arms! It was such a joy to see him come back to Jesus in a spectacular way. He loves the Lord and serves him well. Our prayers make a difference!

What a privilege we have to intercede for others! Sometimes we just need to find a friend to stand in the gap with us!

Ready to move from inspiration to action?

Intercession isn’t just for a few — it’s for all of us. When we say yes to standing in the gap for others, heaven responds. Here is a simple framework you can use to step into powerful, effective prayer today. Let’s go!

1. Write down three people or situations you’re going to pray for (e.g. salvation, healing, provision…whatever’s on your heart).

2. Picture yourself standing right there in God’s throne room, with His full attention on you.

3. Start with a moment of thanksgiving. Thank Him for who He is, for the power of His death and resurrection.

4. Then ask boldly! Pray for breakthroughs over each person or situation. If you want, use a bible verse and declare it over them too!

5. Consider keeping track of the prayers you pray and celebrate every answered prayer! You’ll be amazed at what God will do when you just ask.

So, let’s step in, stand in the gap, and pray!

You can also use these heartfelt prayers as templates when interceding for others:

For a Loved One’s Salvation
“Father, thank You for Your relentless love. I lift up [Name] to You. Soften their heart, open their eyes to Your truth, and draw them into a life-changing relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

For Healing
“Lord, You are our Healer. I pray for [Name]‘s health. Bring restoration to their body, peace to their mind, and strength to their spirit. Let Your healing touch be upon them. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

For Provision
“Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, I bring [Name]‘s needs before You. Open doors of opportunity, provide resources, and meet every need according to Your riches in glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

For Freedom from Bondage
“Jesus, You came to set the captives free. I intercede for [Name], asking You to break every chain of addiction, fear or oppression. Let them walk in the freedom You have secured for them. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Let’s keep partnering with God through intercession, standing in the gap for others with faith and expectancy. As we do so, let’s also remember that He is a Good Father who is far more generous, kind and willing to answer than we could ever imagine.

His heart is moved when we pray!

Much love,
Carole Wilthew and the eFocus team

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 59:9

In a world full of noise and distraction, prophetic prayer is a powerful way to quiet ourselves and listen — really listen — to what God is saying. It is not just about bringing our own concerns before God, but making space to hear His heart, His thoughts and His ways. At its core, prophetic prayer is an invitation for heaven to touch earth through our obedience and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

What is prophetic prayer?

Prophetic prayer can be described as a prompting or urging from the Holy Spirit to intercede for a person, situation or place — often with little or no prior knowledge in the natural. It’s not about praying from our own understanding, but tuning in to what’s on God’s heart. When we do this, we become vessels through which His will can be released on earth.

Simply put, God nudges us to pray so that He can intervene. It’s a beautiful divine partnership, where our prayers begin to align with His purposes, and heaven’s agenda is released in the here and now. It’s an active, responsive relationship with God. We wait on Him, we listen, and then we respond — whether through prayer, declarations, or specific actions. This can bring about powerful breakthroughs.

A few years back, my sister (who isn’t a Christian) asked me to pray that her boys would get into a particular school in the new town she was moving to. She was pretty stressed because none of the schools had places for both of them.

I asked her to tell me what the options were and, as she listed the schools, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me about one of them — it wasn’t the one she had in mind. I said, “I really feel like this is the school God wants your boys to go to. Shall I pray for that instead?”

Sure enough, within a week, something shifted. That school suddenly had space for both her sons. Through that experience, my sister came to see that our God is real: He speaks, He leads and He answers prayer.

Throughout Scripture, we see great examples of prophetic prayer in action:

Joshua received specific instructions from God and followed them in obedience, leading to the miraculous fall of Jericho’s walls. (Joshua 6:1–20)
Ezekiel was commanded to speak to dry bones, and as he obeyed, breath entered them and they became a living army. (Ezekiel 37:1–14)
Nehemiah was led by God with a detailed plan to rebuild the once-broken walls of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 2:11–20)
Daniel turned to God in prayer and fasting after reading Jeremiah’s prophecy and realising that Israel’s 70 years of captivity were complete. This resulted in the restoration of his people. (Daniel 9)

These stories demonstrate how listening to God and responding through prayer and action can lead to divine transformation.

Activation Idea

To step into prophetic prayer, start by choosing someone: maybe a friend, family member or colleague. Ask God what He wants to say about them. What’s on His heart for that person? It might be a word of encouragement, a vision, a promise or a strategy for prayer.

Write it down and pray it over them. Maybe ask again, “Lord, is there anything else?” Finally, ask God if there’s something He wants you to share with that person. Always remember: God’s words bring life, encouragement and hope.

Prophetic prayer isn’t reserved for the spiritually elite — it’s for every believer who is willing to pause, listen and respond. When we align our hearts with His, we become instruments of His love, His power and His purpose.

So, let’s create space to listen. Because when God speaks…everything changes.

Much love,
Carole Wilthew and the eFocus team

Did you know that YOUR words are power-full and effective?

The Bible tells us that God used His words to bring creation into existence…
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3

God spoke creation into being and it was. His words literally formed the world we live in. As we have been created in God’s image and have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within us, we have that same power within the words we speak to bring change and breakthrough — how wild is that!

To quote Phil Wilthew, “Our words create our worlds”. There are many scriptures referencing the words we speak and the power of the tongue for good and for bad, such as this verse in Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

What you SAY over others matters!

It blows my mind when I think about the power we wield as humans through the words we speak. We can probably all remember a time when something negative was spoken over us, even as children. It’s all the more important to remember something positive someone said over us, where we felt our chest inflate as their words gave us life. That is the power of encouraging words, they can inflate a person like a balloon! Now imagine doing this over your family, your workplace, your city, your nation. YOUR words have power.

We get the opportunity every moment of every day, whilst we have breath in our bodies, to speak life over the things that we have on our heart.

What you SAY over yourself matters!

I want to encourage you that speaking declarations over yourself, your family, your workplace and where you live changes things! Remember, our words create our worlds so let’s start speaking powerful scriptures and truths as we walk, work and go about our days. I also love to do this as I walk around Bedford, declaring what God thinks about this place, knowing my words are shifting the spiritual atmosphere over the town as I walk.

If you want a place to start, here are some declarations you can use to speak over yourself. I challenge you to start the day, as you brush your teeth in the morning, looking in the mirror and saying them over yourself!

I am the son/daughter of the one true King. (John 1:12)
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am a masterpiece,
more precious than jewels. I am beautiful. (Psalm 139:14)
I am loved. (John 3:16)
I am blessed. (Jeremiah 17:7)
I am never alone. (Matthew 28:20)
I am filled with joy, gladness, hope and peace. (Romans 15:13)
I have been rescued and restored. I am free. (John 8:36)
I am protected. (Psalm 121:7-8)
I am strong, I am courageous and I am brave! (Joshua 1:9)
I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)

What you PRAY matters!

Just imagine if we apply this revelation of the power of our words not only to give encouragement and speak life over people, but to energise and fuel our prayer life?

This is a season where God is stirring the waters in terms of prayer (and fasting) and He is drawing His people onto their knees in a posture of humility to cry out to Him. We have an opportunity to call on Him and see Him move in power as our prayers rise to Him. He is moved by our prayers and we get to pray this side of Heaven in a way that we won’t have an opportunity to again.

The Bible encourages us to ask and expect to receive in Matthew 7: 9-11,
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

Let’s remember that we pray from a position of humility but also recognise that we get to pray with authority as His sons and daughters. He has asked us to pray so why wouldn’t we? As a church, let’s learn from each other how to pray, and encourage each other in prayer, to be that joy-filled house of prayer we are called to be.

My prayer for us at King’s Arms Church:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

Let us be those who know that our prayers are powerful and effective. They shift environments and atmospheres. Let us be those that would devote ourselves to fervent (passionate intensity) praying. Let our prayers be a spiritual ‘workout’ that not only does us good but affects those around us as we, through our prayers, create a world we want to inhabit that reflects the glory of the King.

Where can you get involved in the prayer life of King’s Arms Church?
Find out more about our prayer events at kingsarms.org/prayer

How can you grow in your personal prayer life at home?
Check out our Devoted resource at kingsarms.org/devoted for ideas.

Much love,
Sarah Brown and the eFocus team

After sharing the incredible miracle God did in my family, someone recently asked how I kept believing and trusting God after praying for this breakthrough for 31 years. My answer? It all comes down to knowing and trusting the One you’re praying to. (In case you missed this story, you can watch it here)

If our eyes are fixed on the size of the mountains in front of us instead of our mighty, mountain-moving God, our perspective will always be off. When that happens, it’s easy to run out of faith, hope and perseverance in the waiting.

So, how do we keep our perspective right? How do we lift our gaze when we’re surrounded by impossible circumstances?

WORSHIP UNTIL YOU SEE HIM

There’s something about worship that shifts everything — first within us, and then around us. We often come to God feeling burdened, distracted, or unsure of where He is in the midst of our circumstances. But as we press into worship, something begins to break open. Worship isn’t just songs or melodies, it’s the gateway to seeing Jesus as He truly is.

When we remind ourselves of who He is and what He’s done — offering thanksgiving, praise and adoration — the eyes of our hearts begin to open and we see Him again. This is the invitation before us every single day: to see Him, enjoy Him and encounter His presence.

Worship lifts our eyes higher, beyond what is seen, until we begin to perceive what is unseen. In Revelation 1:10, John writes, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.” Even in exile, John worshipped and as he did, heaven opened, and he saw Jesus in His glory! Worship draws us out of the ordinary and into the eternal.

Too often, we wait to worship until we feel like it or until the breakthrough comes. However, worship IS the key to breakthrough. In 2 Chronicles 20, God’s people experienced victory not by fighting, but by lifting their voices in praise and God fought for them. He is still the God who fights for us! It’s in the very act of declaring His name above every fear, question and doubt that we begin to see who He really is.

When we choose to worship before the answer comes, God rewrites our perspective.
This is where worship and prayer intertwine. One flows into the other. As we worship, our prayers shift from lists of requests to declarations of His nature. We begin to pray from a place of trust rather than striving. The deeper we press into His presence, the clearer our vision becomes.

If you’re longing to see Jesus more clearly, start with worship. Start right where you are — with whispered thanks or broken hallelujahs. Don’t wait for your feelings to catch up. Press in. He promises to reward those who seek Him. Keep worshipping until the atmosphere shifts, the weight lifts. Until you see Him again.

Because when you see Jesus, everything changes.

Much love,
Carole Wilthew and the eFocus team

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Matthew 6:19-21

I don’t know about you but I love January. Let’s be honest though, the weather’s awful, next Christmas is a long way off, we’re all back to work or school after a lovely break — you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a pretty bleak month. So, what exactly is so good about January I hear you cry! Well, for me it’s one thing: 21 days of prayer and fasting.

I love seeing our church family come together as one and cry out to the Father in prayer and worship, setting the tone for the year. This year, the Father has been speaking to me out of Matthew 6 and especially about storing up treasures in heaven.

I’ve been really challenged about the values of my heart and the fact that, while prayer is a big priority in January, if I’m honest the other 11 months look very different. You see, the Father and the treasures of heaven, in the form of prayer, are very much my focus in January and He’s been challenging me to focus on those things throughout the year and not just for this 21-day period.

What might this look like for us to seek the Father all year round with the fervour we have for 21 days in January?

CONSISTENCY

A good friend of mine who is a personal trainer always says, ‘Consistency is key’ and he applies this to his spiritual life as much as to the physical. Look at your busiest week and ask what’s the minimum amount of time you could spend with the Father in prayer, reading the Word or just soaking in His presence? Then, make that your goal for every week. When we consistently hit our goals it’s encouraging and we are more likely to carry on. If we set unrealistic targets on the other hand it’s easy to get discouraged and, if you’re anything like me, the person you find it hardest to have grace for is yourself!

USE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU

There are lots of books on prayer which you may find useful. “How To Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People” by Pete Greig is a great place to start. My favourite resource though? Our very own Devoted booklet which can focus your heart on the treasures of heaven that are there waiting for us to seek them out.

DRAW NEAR TO PEOPLE WHO PRAY

If there’s a prayer meeting, make it a priority. Before the start of every Sunday meeting, there is a group of people who gather to pray. Join them, whichever location you call home! We also gather regularly as a whole church to pray with our weekly Wednesday Morning Prayer Zoom and our monthly Revival Prayer meeting. Join us as we cry out to the Father with the desires of our heart. Being around powerful intercessors as they pray stirs my heart and focuses my attention on the heavenly realms, I’m sure you’ll find the same. To see all of our Prayer opportunities available, go to kingsarms.org/prayer

So, finally where are you storing up treasure? Your health? Career? Relationships? Hobbies? None of these things are bad by themselves, but they shouldn’t distract us from where the real eternal treasure lies and I don’t want the Father to only be front and centre for January.

Brothers and sisters, let’s all check our hearts and ask ourselves: Where am I storing up my treasures? If it’s with earthly things, how can I refocus my gaze onto the things of heaven?

Much love,
Tim Brown and the eFocus team

We are about halfway through our 21 days of prayer and fasting and what a way to start the year! 100% focused on our amazing God, seeking more of His love, presence and power to be poured out amongst us.

Years ago, Pastor Jentezen Franklin led his church, Free Chapel, through a season of prayer and fasting, uncertain of what God had in store. Their prayers centred around seeking direction and spiritual growth. Unexpectedly, in the midst of their fasting, a series of breakthroughs followed: financial needs were miraculously met and countless individuals in the church testified to experiencing personal healing and freedom. Pastor Franklin recounts these events as a significant turning point, which brought about profound, life-changing results in his church. (You can read more about this story in Pastor Franklin’s book, “Fasting”)

This is my prayer for us! As we increasingly embrace a lifestyle of seeking God with prayer and fasting the more we will see His kingdom breaking through in amazing ways!

If you need a little bit of encouragement today to stay committed to the finish line, or you are thinking about joining us (it’s not too late!), let’s remind ourselves of the following examples of prayer and fasting in the Bible which brought about great spiritual and physical breakthroughs. Take a hold of these promises as they are true for you too!

Ezra 8:23 tells of how the Israelites, preparing to return from exile, sought God’s protection. “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer.” God’s people fasted, surrendered their fears to God and witnessed His divine intervention.

In Esther 4:16, Queen Esther fasted and prayed before approaching the King to save her people from destruction. Through Esther’s fast, God saved the lives of her people.

Isaiah 58:6 beautifully captures God’s purpose for fasting, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice…to set the oppressed free?” Prayer and fasting empowers us to stand in the gap for others, bringing about justice, healing and freedom.

James 5:16 reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Just as Pastor Franklin’s church witnessed transformation, so can we! Let’s allow our spirits to cry out to our God of hope, healing and miracles. Let’s open ourselves up to His blessing and see Him work in our lives and in the world around us.

Fasting is more than simply abstaining from food; it’s about tuning our hearts to God and trusting in Him. When we fast, we are reminded of our reliance on God, and our faith is strengthened as we connect more deeply with him.

I experienced this not long ago. I could feel my faith was low and I was feeling particularly discouraged about a number of situations plus my own health battles. I decided to spend five days with no TV or entertainment, seeking God with a Daniel fast. I set aside extra time to be with God, particularly focusing on praying in the spirit and worship. My body and mind never enjoys giving things up, but I literally felt my soul coming alive again, I felt a new closeness to Jesus, fresh faith in my heart and a feistiness in my spirit that I hadn’t felt for a while!

God is so kind! As we seek Him in this way, telling our bodies “you are not in charge!” He comes and meets with us and breathes life into us again. I am convinced that this needs to be a regular part of my weekly, monthly and yearly rhythm to keep my soul alive in God!

So, as we enter the second half of the 21 days, let’s hold onto great expectation: knowing that God hears and answers His people, and He is leading us into new levels of faith and breakthrough!

Bring it on! Let’s see what God will do!

Much love,
Carole and the eFocus team

My favourite Bible verse of the last two years is John 6:68, “Simon Peter answered [Jesus], Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

I suppose that I like this declaration of follow-ship both because it feels like my true sentiment of trust, and because these words also hold a level of uncertainty that I often relate to. When I think about prayer, a large part of this, for me personally, is how my heart is postured in the ‘gap’ moments of my ordinary days. It’s how my inner narrative is going as I wake in the morning, as I leave a social gathering or work meeting.

[I am a firm believer in set rhythms of focused prayer, where we’re intentionally talking to God about situations that matter to us (and Him) and listening to His guidance. I believe in laying out my plans before God and contending for breakthroughs; where I can see the need for God’s kingdom to come and His will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.]

It’s the ‘gap’ moments of life that Simon Peter’s words affect for me, those moments of worry, or meditation, or prayer: Jesus, I’m confused by some of the things that happen in life, and some of the things that you’ve said. I’ve seen others walking away, and I have internally walked away from You plenty of times too. But, I think that I will choose to stay. I choose to follow, because in You, Jesus, I find the words of eternal life.

I heard John Mark Comer end an interview recently with this advice, “Find the goodness of God in the life that you do have.” I love this because the temptation for me is to believe that God is good once a certain thing happens, in a life that I don’t yet have. I tell Him, I’ll stop compromising once certain issues line up. You can have all of my finances, once I feel I’ve got enough. I’ll trust You, once I’ve run out of things I can control.

Perhaps, like me, you started 2024 with an idea of how the year would map out. Some of this was based on intentionally postured prayers, but other aspects were simply where my trust was falling in life’s ‘gap’ moments. There were hopes and dreams, with many of these matters well outside of my control.

Mid-year is a good time to review where we are up to.

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As you reflect on your life and look at the things that you can and can’t control, how is your heart posture feeling towards following God? In the ‘gap’ moments, is your heart’s cry one of trust and follow-ship?

In the life that you do have, where good and evil seem to co-exist, will you join me today in posturing your heart in a declaration of trust? Watch your ‘gap’ moments becoming opportunities to partner in prayer — prayers of trust and follow-ship.

Much love,
Katy Rylan and the eFocus team

“Prayer is more than thoughts and feelings expressed in words.
It is the opening of mind and heart — our whole being to God our Abba Father.”
Richard J. Foster

As I reflect on my life of faith, I used to say that I was a professional Christian. I knew the truths of scripture, I was trying to apply them to my life and I was leading others in the same journey but, if I’m honest, it was all very exhausting. I was burnt out on religion. Don’t get me wrong, living in obedience to God and His word is good. However, for me it was more an intellectual exercise than a raw, authentic life lived from the overflow of a transformed heart. I’d had a complicated history of fathering and didn’t understand the potential fullness offered.

No matter your story, going deeper in relationship with the Father can only lead to greater intimacy in prayer, deeper security in self and fuller blessing of the world around.

There is a Sioux Indian saying that, The longest journey you will make in your life is from your head to your heart. This feels especially true when transferring our knowledge of God in our heads to a lived experience of God’s love in our hearts. This is not a one-off exercise but a lifelong pursuit. In a fast paced world, it can be difficult to go slow enough to sit and reflect; to pause over scripture, to avoid skim reading over our emotions and the responses we may have, to notice moments in our day pointing us deeper in God.

Jesus teaches us that God is our father when He calls us to pray in Matthew 6:9 to ‘our Father in heaven’. The apostles teach us that we are children of God in Galatians 3:26. 2 Corinthians 6:18 says, “And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” The Father has lovingly called us into His intimate embrace as His children and we will spend eternity expanding our understanding and experience of this reality.

Let’s pause today over six simple scriptures pointing to our Father God:

He is Compassionate and Merciful (not harsh and unforgiving)

Psalm 103:13 – Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion…

2 Corinthians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.

He is Generous (not stingy or lacking)

Matthew 7:11 – So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts…

Ephesians 1:3 – All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms …

He is Releasing (not controlling)

Galatians 4:5-7 – God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves … so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.

Romans 8:14-17 – For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.”

Create space in the rhythm of your life to meditate on these truths, and allow your view of the Father to expand and your heart to connect deeper.

Much love,
Sue and the eFocus team

For further resources on this journey

Songs to meditate to:
No Longer Slaves by Jonathan & Melissa Helser
Run to the Father by Cody Carnes

Books to read:
Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship by Jack Frost
Now I Become Myself by Ken Shigamatsu

Have you heard the old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child’?

We are keenly aware that a parent needs as much support as they can get to raise a child, despite the claims of our individualistic society. We might mostly live in nuclear families but we desperately need those who live beyond the four walls of our home.

Yet, how often I find myself limited in how I can be part of the village for the people around me. I so often lack the time, finance or wisdom to really support them and make a difference.

In comes the concept of prayer…

*Click to download a PDF version. The calendar can also be find in the Devoted booklets/journals.*

The reason I’ve loved using the prayer calendar is because it prompts me where so often my human efforts fall down. I love my Auntie, but sometimes she slips to the back of my mind. Now, on the 13th of every month, my prayers turn to her again, often accompanied by a message asking her how she’s doing.

I’ve found many times that on the day that I’m praying for a certain neighbour I see them in the street, or it happens to be a day of a hospital appointment when I text the person I’m praying for. I have had one university friend call me on the very day I’d first written down her name, to tell me that she had started Alpha. And two others I was praying for are now walking in relationship with God again after some time away. Our prayers are powerful!

Now I have a list of 30 people who I am in the habit of bringing before God in prayer each month and I’m loving those people in one of the best ways I know how: by praying for them.

If you, like me, need help to not get overwhelmed with a whole list of things to pray, can I invite you to join me in using the prayer calendar and set a daily reminder? I leave a physical copy by the chair where I sit to drink my coffee and read my Bible, it could be by the kettle or the toothbrush — whatever works for you!

Let’s partner with God in praying for those in our village.

Much love,
Katy Ryland and the eFocus team

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on His law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither —
whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

Today we begin our 365-Days Daily Bible Reading Plan, meditating on the New Testament and Psalms throughout the year. What an appropriate verse to begin with!

As we look forward to 2024, today is a good day to make some decisions about how we would like our year to look. Many of us have developed an aversion to setting ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ because we’re fed up with the feeling of failing by January 5th! Instead, what if you received this invitation to dive deeper into God’s word without ‘success’ and ‘failure’ as your measure, but rather a deeper desire to draw near to God this year.

What if success isn’t never missing a day’s reading but taking the time to ‘be still and know that He is God’ (Psalm 46:10) on the days that you read; taking deep breaths and recommitting your plans to Him. What if success looks like your family spending one meal a week studying that day’s New Testament reading and discussing what it means?

I’ve discovered that in the unseen realm there’s a battle going on for my attention. The enemy who comes to ‘steal, kill and destroy’ (John 10:10a) wants me to believe that I’m failing before I’ve even begun. He wants me to believe that, because I didn’t read yesterday, I’m less worthy of God’s love today.

Here are some truths that I have learnt about God over the years:

I am unable to earn His love, not matter how well I behave — it is freely given (Ephesians 2:8-9)
When I repent, my sins are removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)
His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)
There is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
Absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God! Romans 8:38-39)

So, with these truths in mind, will you join me in choosing ahead of time to meditate on God’s word? Let’s become those who are planted by streams of water! Let’s be a people of extraordinary devotion!

With love,
Katy Ryland and the eFocus Team