An Invitation to Pray
In August of 2025, we launched a new season of ministry as Fellowship Community Church with a specific direction set by our verse for 2025-2026, Philippians 1:4-5:
"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your PARTNERSHIP in the gospel from the first day until now…"
For the past several months, we have oriented around the word "partnership", a word translated from the Greek word, koinonia. It's a word communicating deep sharing, intimacy, and participation; a close association between persons; each one having part in the other. It's our modern notion of "partnership," but taken to a whole new, deep and close, level. We looked at just who, in the New Testament, the Christian has koinonia with: God the Father (I John 1:3, 2 Peter 1:4), God the Son (Romans 11:17, 1 Corinthians 1:9), and God the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 13:14)! We also have koinonia with one another as the church (! John 1:7, Acts 2:42), and we have koinonia in gospel work (Philippians 1:5).
In the past few months, we were challenged to partner with Jesus - a deep, active commitment to share and participate in Jesus' work of transforming us. As we begin this new year, our focus is going to shift to a call to partner with one another in Jesus' transforming of those around us in the church. Then, around April, our focus will continue to turn outward to a challenge for us to partner in gospel work, participating with Jesus as he impacts the lives of our family, friends, coworkers, fellow students, and neighbors.
We have our plans, but it is God who does the work. Unless the Lord builds the house, the workers labor in vain. So we, the people of Fellowship, are going to pray from January 5 through January 25. For the next 21 days, together with our Elders and staff, let us pray and fast together for the Lord to work mightily among us as we partner with Him, with one another, and in gospel work. May the Lord do a mighty work of transformation in us and through us. So, please, join us in prayer for yourself, our families, our church, and the people around us for the next 21 days.
Week 1 - Our Dependence on the Holy Spirit
Before Jesus died, rose again, and ascended to the right hand of the Father, He promised He wouldn’t leave us alone, but would provide a Helper, an Advocate (John 14:15-19). The Holy Spirit will be the subject of our sermon series here at the beginning of the year. As a church, we confess the following about the Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
Much of what we hope for one another, for our communities, and for the world as regards partnership is dependent on the work of the Holy Spirit. This week, we will focus our prayers on growing in dependence on the work of the Spirit and inviting Him to move in the lives of those around us.
Day 1 (January 5)
There's a lot written about God the Father; both Testaments teach us about Him. And there's a lot we learn about God the Son, Jesus - the Old Testament points forward to Him, the Gospels reveal Him, the rest of the New Testament points us back to Him. But God the Spirit…we have a lot less in the Scriptures about Him, but when we realize just what the Spirit does, it begins to make sense.
The first phrase from our Statement of Faith about the Holy Spirit says, "We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ." Jesus told the disciples that the Helper would remind them of all that He had said (John 14:26; 15:26). Since the role of the Spirit is to glorify Jesus and remind us of Him, it's only natural that He would draw attention away from Himself and direct it to Jesus!
Let's start our 21 days of prayer and fasting by asking the Spirit to make Jesus bigger and bigger in our lives. Pray that the Spirit would help us to glorify Jesus in all that we do as well. Ask the Spirit to show us where in our lives Jesus is not being glorified and led us to repent where needed.
Day 2 (January 6)
The Spirit glorifies Jesus, and He convicts the world of its guilt (John 15:8-11). This is, unfortunately, a subject many want to avoid and yet unless we clearly understand our problem, how can we receive the solution?
Today, let's pray and ask the Holy Spirit to move in us, first, to convict us of our sin and lead us to repentance. Ask Him to remind us of the beautiful, powerful forgiveness Jesus has secured for us with his life, death, and resurrection. Then, let us ask the Spirit to work in the lives of our church, our friends, our neighbors, and our co-workers, to bring them to convict them of their rebellion against their maker. Ask the Spirit to make it clear that we (and they) need a Savior.
Day 3 (January 7)
The Spirit doesn't only convict of us of sin, but He also applies the work of salvation to the children of God. "He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ…" One of the most encouraging facts, for me, is that salvation truly is a work of God. Whether Arminian or Calvinist, both sides agree that God has to do a work, and He does so as the Holy Spirit regenerates (makes new) the believer. At that moment, the believer is united with Jesus, identified with Him. We are now found in Jesus. The outcome belongs to the Lord; praise be to Him!
Today, ask the Spirit to refresh the joy of your salvation in Jesus! Give thanks for the work the Holy Spirit has done in uniting you with Jesus. Ask the Spirit to remind the partners of our local church that they are united with Christ, and as a result also united with one another (John 17:20-23). Pray that the Spirit would bind us together in peace and love so that Fellowship would be a shining beacon of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ! And as we share life together, ask the Spirit to move in us to partner well together, to be willing to come alongside and encourage one another in the faith, spur one another on to love and good deeds, hold one another accountable to pursue a life of holiness.
Day 4 (January 8)
When the Spirit unites a person to Jesus, they are adopted into the family of God. We're not simply members of a household (which often included servants as well), but we are sons and daughters. More than that, we are heirs of our Father's kingdom, co-heirs with Jesus! Again, this is a work of the Holy Spirit. I am grateful for Paul's words regarding this, found in Ephesians 1:13-14, " In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Today, let's ask the Lord, through the Spirit, to make real to our hearts we are adopted sons and daughters of the living God! Ask the Spirit to reveal the depths of the inheritance awaiting us with our Heavenly Father. Pray that joy would characterize us because of this amazing reality - a joy so infectious and contagious, those around us cannot help but see it. Ask the Spirit to use that joy to draw others to Jesus.
Day 5 (January 9)
Jesus told his disciples, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." He said this, knowing that He was going to have leave them soon. So, how can Jesus "come to us"? It is through the Spirit who indwells those who belong to Christ (John 14:16-17). We have the Spirit of God, the Third Person of the Trinity in us constantly, day by day, moment by moment. The follower of Jesus is never alone. We may not always feel the presence of the Spirit, but He is there - Jesus promised as much.
Let's rejoice in the presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit today. Let us give thanks and praise God for being with us in a real way in our prayers today. Ask the Spirit to make His presence known to you. Ask for the same for the partners of Fellowship, may they be encouraged to know the Triune God is with them regardless of where they are or what they are going through.
Day 6 (January 10)
What if we could know the mind of Jesus? Understand the inner thoughts of God? Because of the Holy Spirit, we can (1 Corinthians 2:8-12)! How amazing is it to know that the Spirit of God Himself opens the Scriptures, imparts wisdom, and guides us to live holy lives? This is what we mean when we confess that the Holy Spirit illuminates and guides us as believers.
As we pray today, let's ask the Spirit to shine a light on the Word of God in our devotions today and as we gather together for worship tomorrow. Pray for Pastor as he prepares to teach us from God's Word; may the Spirit take the Word and root it in our hearts, showing us how to live rightly. Ask the Spirit to give understanding to those who are confused or struggling with the Truth. Pray that the Spirit would guide each of us to walk in love and truth as we follow Christ and obey His commands.
Day 7 (January 11)
How many times have you known something is good and right, but simply could not make yourself do it? The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Paul, in Romans 7, accurately sums up the condition of many of us, "For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." Who can deliver us from this impossible dilemma? Jesus can! Through the Spirit who not only convicts us of sin and teaches us about Jesus but also equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. The Spirit gives us the power to obey our Lord and to live differently! We aren’t doing this on our own strength, but through His.
Pray that the Spirit would empower you to Christ-like living this week as we head into Monday and another week of activity. Ask the Spirit as He illuminates and guides you in the Word, to then give you - and the rest of the Church - the strength and ability to say, "No" to sin and "Yes" to holiness. Pray that the Lord would be glorified and magnified as His people live and serve in the Spirit!
Week 2 - Partners with One Another as His Church
As we've seen, part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to equip and empower believers for Christ-like living and service. One of the instruments the Spirit uses to do this in the life of a believer is the church! Other believers! Our partnership isn't only with the Triune God, but also with others as we participate with them and the Spirit in the work God is doing to conform them into the image of Jesus. This week, as we pray, we will focus on Paul's instructions to the church in Colossae.
NIV Colossians 3:14-17
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Day 8 (January 12)
Paul begins with a call to "put on love." Love is like the overcoat to keep us united in Christ. We are instantly reminded of the new commandment of Jesus in John 13:34-35. Jesus calls us to love others as He is loving us! This is the prime characteristic of His disciples!
Paul says that love “binds all virtues together.” This verb was used to describe a belt which kept clothing in its rightful place. Love does wrap us together. We are embraced by God’s love so we can be loving toward others.
This love is revealed in “perfect unity.” Perfect suggests this is ultimate goal of love. Unity of God’s chosen people continues to promote maturity in each individual. We are forever partners who are called to enjoy fellowship in the miraculous love of God!
Let’s pray that this overcoat of love will be seen in all our relationships! Pray today that the Lord will awaken love in our church for the other partners - and not mere sentiment but a deep desire for the good of the other. Pray that we would be willing to overlook past hurts, seek forgiveness, be willing to put ourselves out there to know others and be known by others. Pray that those who are a part of Fellowship would connect with others - even if only socially to start. Pray for the upcoming Church Family Dinners, that new relationships would be formed and people might find community!
Day 9 (January 13)
Today we spend a few moments meditating on Colossians 3:15:
Peace is a gift from the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. He generously gives His peace to all who trust in Him (John 14:27). This peace indwells us and it connects us! Since we have peace, we follow its lead. We calculate each decision by relying on the peace of Jesus. Each step we take is intended to unite us! We are called let peace guide and control us!
Paul adds that this reign of peace in us and among us inspires thanksgiving! The church, the Body of Christ, is unique for many reasons. Peace should one of the primary virtues revealed in us.
Be thankful today for the peace of Christ. Give thanks to God that peace guides and protects our partnership! Pray for those who have been hurt by the church in the past or are harboring bitterness or resentment against others in the church; may they be able to forgive and find peace! Pray for peace in families and marriages and friendships. We have been called to peace!
Day 10 (January 14)
Colossians 3:16 is our focus for meditation today.
The Word of Christ envelopes the entire message of the gospel. He revealed truth in his lifestyle and in His teaching. The first century Jews immediately saw a uniqueness in the content of Jesus teaching.
NIV Matthew 7:28-29
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Since Jesus had such authority, we must respect and obey His teaching. We desire as a Body to let the Word of Jesus indwell us richly! Our goal is not a meager intake but a generous one! This intake sometimes confronts and admonishes us. We are grateful for such experiences.
Give thanks today for the richness of the Word of God! And pray for our Life Group leaders, ABF Leaders and Teachers, Men's and Women's Ministry leaders and teachers who seek to enable and empower the body to let the Word of Christ dwell richly among us. Pray that God would raise up more Life Group leaders so that more people can find a smaller community to partner with together. Pray the partners of Fellowship would want to know others and be known by others in a Life Group.
Day 11 (January 15)
We continue a brief look into Colossians 3:16 to prepare us for prayers as partners.
We can grow in wisdom through the teaching of songs! What an eye-opening truth this is! Music teaches us. We must be diligent to sing what is true. We see there is a variety of music in the church. May God enable us to embrace solid songs which teach us sound doctrine! Once again Paul closes this verse with a call to be thankful.
Give thanks to God for music that strengthens our partnership. Pray for Pastor Ed and our worship arts team that seek to teach us good songs to live by. It's not only our Worship Arts team that depends on people using their gifts - throughout the church, there are needs and opportunities for the church to flex and use their God-given gifts and talents for the glory of God and the good of others. Ask the Lord to raise up teammates for the many ministry areas in the church. Pray for our Ministry Fair on January 25 - that people would find a place to serve and bless others.
Day 12 (January 16)
Let's take one more day to look at Colossians 3:16. Do you notice who the active agent is in the passage? It's "you." "You" teach. "You" admonish. And who is the object? "One another." One of our blessed joys as partners together in the church is that we come alongside one another to encourage, edify, and equip one another to love and follow Jesus. Yes, we even admonish one another when it's necessary. The Spirit is forming us into the likeness of Jesus; we get to partner with Jesus in this work he is doing in our own lives AND we have a role to play in the work He is doing in the lives of those around us.
Today, let's ask the Lord to prepare our hearts to step into one another's' lives as mentors and guides. May we choose - in formal and informal ways - to seek out disciple-making relationships with those who are older than us in the faith, and those who are younger than us. May the Word of Christ dwell richly among us as we speak about Jesus to one another. Encouraging, spurring on, and mentoring isn't only for pastors, but for all of us. Ask the Spirit to point out people to you this Sunday that you might invest in or ask for help from.
Day 13 (January 17)
Paul concludes this paragraph with an exhortation to obey the Lord in everything!
The scope of this command is universal. We follow Jesus in our thoughts, words and actions! This is possible because of the indwelling Spirit of God in us. The fragrance is always in the love we experience in Christ. Therefore, we want to do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
Once again, Paul concludes his thoughts with a call to give thanks! As you pray tonight ask God to give us a holy desire to do all things in the Name of Jesus! Ask the Spirit to prepare the church's heart for rest and worship on the Sabbath day. May our time together be rich and filled with believers engaging one another with gospel conversations and exhortations. May our time as the church gathered bear fruit that lasts into the week ahead.
Day 14 (January 18)
We've been praying and fasting for 14 days, now. Hopefully, on this Sabbath day, you've been able to make time to rest and worship. Today, as we pray, let us pray for peace and contentment deep in our souls and those of the partners of Fellowship Community Church. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new work week; ask the Lord that His people would find their identity in Jesus, and as they go about the work He has given them, may they radiate peace and joy to all those they come in contact with. May they work out of a place of deep rest in Jesus.
Week 3 - Partners in Gospel-Work
This week, we head into our final week of fasting and prayer! Great job making it this far! Philippians 1:3-6 would be a great passage to guide our meditations and prayer, but we did that in August. So, this week, let's turn our attention to Matthew 28:16-20, or as it is commonly known, the Great Commission.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Consider just what Jesus has done here - He has invited us to partner with Him in His gospel work to the nations! Sometimes our partnership is material (resources), sometimes immaterial (time or prayer). Sometimes our partnership in gospel work is personal and intimate; we are the ones directly doing the gospel work. Sometimes we are partnering from a distance. Regardless of the means, all who belong to Jesus are invited into this gospel work, as stated in Jesus' Commission to his disciples.
Day 15 (January 19)
It's interesting that when the disciples gather on the mountain, as Jesus had directed them, there were some who doubted. What, exactly, did they doubt? Jesus? The fact of the resurrection? I think Jesus' words give us some indication. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…" Personally, I think there's a chance they doubted whether they could accomplish what was to come next. Jesus had given them a mission; one He would make clear in just a moment. But before giving the commission, He empowers them - they are representatives of the King of Kings. ALL authority in heaven and on earth - meaning, there is NO authority greater than His.
Today, let us intercede on behalf of our 5 fav's - those 5 people we are regularly asking God to move in to save. Pray that God would bring people into their lives who will proclaim the gospel to them. Pray that the Spirit would open your heart to be willing to be the one He makes His appeal through. Pray for your brothers and sisters at Fellowship - that they would care about the spiritual conditions of those around them and be willing to at least lift them up in prayer. We do this under the authority of the Most High! Who can stand against Him?! Pray with confidence and in power!
Day 16 (January 20)
What's the primary action in Jesus' Commission? It is "make disciples." All the other actions in the passage support making disciples. Before we get too distracted with the location and method, let's simply embrace the mission - we make disciples of Jesus. Period. Are we willing to do that?
Ask the Lord to move in us to be willing to be trained (which includes learning AND doing) in how to make disciples - to proclaim Christ, to form gospel friendships, and to have spiritual conversations whenever those opportunities arise over the next year together. Please pray for the seminars that will be offered in March and April, that the Lord would use those to equip Fellowship to make disciples - through mentoring believers and going to the lost in our lives. Ask God to make us a disciple-making church where every partner embraces their call to make disciples of Jesus.
Day 17 (January 21)
The first verb that shows up in most of our English translations of the Great Commission is "Go." But as was shared yesterday, "make disciples" is the main verb with all the other verbs supporting that one. So we "make disciples" "while going" or "on our way." In other words, the people we make disciples among is wherever we happen to be. When the church was scattered out of Jerusalem, while they travelled to new cities, they made disciples. The same is true for us. While we go about our day - in neighborhoods, schools, places of commerce or business, wherever - those are the people we get to make disciples of Jesus among.
Where you live, the places you go to, those are fertile fields for gospel work. Start with your home. They are the people you know most and with whom you most share your life with. Today, let's pray that the Lord would open our hearts to open our homes and our lives to our family members who do not know Jesus. Pray for those families where children or parents are estranged or wandering. Pray for strength for believers in families that are hostile to the gospel of Jesus. Ask the Spirit to breakthrough the obstacles; may the believers live Christ-like lives and may that prove to be beautiful to the rest of the family.
Day 18 (January 22)
The scope of Jesus' commission is huge; did you notice it? He wants "all nations" to be our goal. How many nations are there, after all? Actually, the Greek word there is "ethnos," from which we get our word, "ethnicity." So, the scope isn't simply geo-political nations, but peoples. That's an even GREATER task! How are we to do that? It starts next door. What's amazing is that, in many cases, the myriad peoples of the Earth have come here to us. In our neighborhoods are all different kinds of ethnicities. The nations are right here; will we go and meet them?
Our homes are in neighborhoods, and the nations are there. Today, let us ask God to make us a people who choose to meet our neighbors and invite them into our homes and lives. Ask the Lord to be on display in the natural comings and goings of our lives, lived out in front of our neighbors. Pray that we would be willing to get to know even those neighbors who are live differently than us. May we be on the lookout for the "nations" among us.
Day 19 (January 23)
Making disciples happens everywhere we go, everywhere we are. Regularly it involves living a Christ-like life - our love for others, our humility, our willingness to forgive and serve. There are a lot of ways of Jesus that are attractive to a watching world. So, yes, the way we live matters, but making disciples ALWAYS involves words at some point. In Jesus' Commission, he tells us to teach them to observe all that He has commanded.
Welcoming others into our homes and into our lives is a great first step to partnering in gospel work, but at some point, we must talk about spiritual matters. Today, ask the Lord to make us bold to have spiritual conversations with those around us and start gospel relationships. Pray for the opportunities to learn how to start and continue these gospel friendships over the next year. Ask the Lord to save people!
Day 20 (January 24)
The final verb in the Great Commission that we will meditate on is the verb "baptize." We make disciples while going, teaching the disciple, and baptizing them. Baptism was a fairly common practice in the ancient world, and there were lots of "types" of baptism. Even in the New Testament, we see John the Baptist performing a "baptism of repentance." What kind of baptism is Jesus commanding here? It's a baptism of allegiance. The new disciple is baptized "in (or into) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." In baptism, we are telling the world that we now belong to a new King, a new kingdom, a new order, a new Master, a new way of life. This is a significant proclamation!
In July, it is our hope, as a church, to hold a special baptism service at Cherry Creek State Park. We are asking God to save many souls this year, and we are asking that God might use us, the people of Fellowship, to be a part of making those disciples. Today, let's ask God to have mercy on us and our efforts over the next year. May the Lord transform our neighborhoods, communities, and city through our partnership in Gospel. Ask the Lord to save people, to use us as catalysts and proclaimers in those people, and that we would be able to celebrate dozens of people who have trusted Jesus next summer at the baptism service.
Day 21 (January 25)
Jesus started his Commission by reminding his disciples who was in charge. He ends with another word of encouragement, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Friends, we've already seen that we are not alone in this. We are indwelt with the Spirit of God! We've already seen that salvation is a work of God through His Spirit. Friends, we make disciples of Jesus with the authority and the presence of our King Himself! And this promise goes on forever - all the way to the end of the age, when the Commission will be fulfilled and Christ will return at last. What an encouragement for you and me to join in partnering with Jesus in this gospel work!
As we conclude our 21 days of prayer and fasting today, please pray that Fellowship would catch the vision to see our neighborhoods, communities, and city transformed by Jesus through our partnership in gospel work. Pray that we would continue steadfastly in praying all year for Jesus to save people, to use us as catalysts and proclaimers in those people, and that we would be able to celebrate dozens of people who have trusted Jesus this summer at the baptism service!