Strengthening the Church Part II
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from January 18th, 2026
Let’s Break it Down
The early church didn't ask for new instructions when facing opposition; they prayed for boldness to do what they already knew God called them to do. What would happen if we stopped asking for more direction and started asking for more courage to obey what we already know?
Key Takeaways
God's house is designed to be a house of prayer, and prayer is the non-negotiable engine of the church
God's kingdom is marked by righteousness, joy, and peace, which come through prayer and the Holy Spirit
Unity in the church is essential for experiencing God's commanded blessing and great grace
We must be willing to stand boldly for biblical truth even in the face of opposition or persecution
The Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations, with no one excluded from God's love
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5 Day Devotional
Day 1:The Foundation of Everything
Devotional: Have you ever wondered what makes a church truly powerful? It's not the size of the building, the quality of the music, or even the eloquence of the preaching. At the heart of every thriving church is something much simpler yet infinitely more powerful: prayer. When Jesus cleansed the temple, He wasn't just making a statement about commerce—He was declaring what His house should be known for. Prayer isn't just one activity among many; it's the very foundation that supports everything else. Think of it like the electrical system in your home. You might not see it, but without it, nothing else works. Many churches today offer various programs and experiences, which can be wonderful. But without prayer as the constant, sustaining force, we're just running on empty. Prayer connects us to the source of all power and wisdom. It's through prayer that we align our hearts with God's heart and our will with His will. Consider your own life for a moment. When you're struggling, discouraged, or facing challenges, what's the first thing you turn to? Often, we exhaust our own resources before we remember to pray. But what if prayer became our first response rather than our last resort? God's house—and that includes each of us as living stones—is meant to be characterized by constant communication with Him. This isn't about lengthy, formal prayers (though those have their place), but about maintaining an ongoing conversation with our heavenly Father throughout each day.
Bible Verse
'For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.' - Isaiah 56:7
Reflection Question
What would change in your daily routine if you truly believed that prayer is the non-negotiable foundation for everything else in your spiritual life?
Quote Prayer is the sustaining force and the basis of the church prayer is we can have all the flavors that we want of church in America, but prayer has got to be a constant. It's a non negotiable to the kingdom of God, to God's house.
Prayer
Father, help me to understand that prayer isn't just something I do, but the very foundation of who I am as Your child. Make my heart a house of prayer, constantly connected to You throughout each day. Amen.
Day 2:The Joy Connection
Devotional: There's a direct connection between our prayer life and our joy level that many of us miss. Have you ever noticed that when you're feeling discouraged, frustrated, or overwhelmed, prayer often feels like the last thing you want to do? Yet it's precisely in those moments that prayer becomes most crucial. When we pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done," we're not just reciting words—we're inviting God's righteousness, peace, and joy into our current situation. The kingdom of God isn't characterized by anxiety, depression, or hopelessness. Instead, it brings righteousness, peace, and joy through the Holy Spirit. Joyless people are often prayerless people, not because God withholds joy from them, but because they've disconnected from the source of true joy. It's like trying to charge your phone without plugging it in—you can't expect it to work when it's not connected to power. Think about the times when you've felt most alive, most hopeful, most filled with purpose. Chances are, those were times when you were closely connected to God through prayer. Prayer doesn't just change our circumstances (though it can); it changes our perspective on our circumstances. When we regularly invite God's kingdom into our daily lives through prayer, we begin to see situations through His eyes. Problems that seemed insurmountable become opportunities for God to work. Relationships that felt broken become places where His love can flow. Challenges that brought fear become chances to experience His faithfulness.
Bible Verse
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.' - Matthew 6:9-10
Reflection Question
How might your current challenges look different if you consistently invited God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy into those situations through prayer?
Quote The connection between prayer, joy, and the kingdom of God reveals a profound truth: joyless people are often prayerless people.
Prayer
Lord, I confess that I sometimes try to find joy in everything except You. Help me to understand that true joy comes from staying connected to You through prayer. Let Your kingdom come into every area of my life today. Amen.
Day 3:Praying for What We Already Know
Devotional: When the early church faced threats and persecution, they didn't ask God for a new plan or different instructions. They already knew what they were supposed to do—share the gospel and make disciples. Instead, they prayed for something much more practical: boldness to do what they already knew God had called them to do. This reveals something profound about prayer and obedience. Often, we know exactly what God wants us to do. We know we should forgive that person, serve in that ministry, share our faith with that neighbor, or take that step of obedience. The issue isn't knowledge—it's courage. The early believers' prayer was immediately answered. The place where they were meeting was shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke God's word with boldness. Notice the progression: they prayed specifically for boldness, God filled them with His Spirit, and they immediately acted on what they already knew to do. How often do we complicate our relationship with God by asking for more information when what we really need is more courage? We say we're waiting for clarity, but deep down, we know we're waiting for confidence. We say we need more direction, but what we really need is more boldness to follow the direction we've already received. God has already given us His Word, His Spirit, and His commission. The Great Commission isn't unclear—make disciples of all nations. The question isn't what to do; it's whether we'll have the boldness to do it.
Bible Verse
'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.' - Acts 4:29
Reflection Question
What is one thing you already know God wants you to do, but you've been asking for more clarity instead of praying for the boldness to obey?
Quote They knew what they were supposed to do. They asked for boldness to do what they already knew they were supposed to do.
Prayer
God, I confess that sometimes I ask for more direction when what I really need is more courage. Give me boldness to obey what You've already shown me. Fill me with Your Spirit so I can act on Your truth with confidence. Amen.
Day 4:Living Faith Publicly
Devotional: Christianity was never meant to be a private affair. Jesus didn't die in secret—He died publicly, on a cross, for all to see. If we're going to follow Him, we can't do it from the safety of our closets or the comfort of our private thoughts. There's something powerful about taking our faith public. When we openly identify with Christ, we're not just making a statement about our beliefs—we're aligning ourselves with His mission and His methods. Jesus made Himself of no reputation, yet we often spend enormous energy trying to protect ours. Living faith publicly doesn't mean being obnoxious or judgmental. It means being authentic about who we are and whose we are. It means letting our light shine in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and relationships. It means being willing to have conversations about faith, to serve others openly, and to stand for truth even when it's unpopular. The early church understood this. They didn't hide their faith or try to blend in with the culture around them. They spoke boldly, served sacrificially, and lived differently. As a result, people were drawn to them, and the church grew rapidly. We leak spiritually—that's why we need constant refilling by the Holy Spirit. We can't coast on yesterday's encounter with God. We need fresh filling, fresh boldness, and fresh commitment to live out our faith where people can see it. The world needs to see authentic Christianity in action, not just hear about it in theory.
Bible Verse
'Therefore be filled with the Spirit.' - Ephesians 5:18
Reflection Question
In what specific area of your life have you been keeping your faith private when God might be calling you to let it shine more publicly?
Quote Christianity is something that was never meant to be lived out in a closet.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I've hidden my faith out of fear or convenience. Give me fresh boldness to live authentically as Your follower in every area of my life. Fill me with Your Spirit so others can see You in me. Amen.
Day 5:The Power of Unity
Devotional: There's something supernatural that happens when believers come together in genuine unity. The early church experienced this firsthand—they were of one heart and one soul, and great grace was upon them all. This wasn't just a nice feeling; it was a commanded blessing from God. Unity doesn't mean uniformity. We don't all have to think exactly alike or have identical personalities. Families have been disagreeing without hating for generations—we can disagree on secondary matters while remaining united on the essentials. The key is maintaining love while speaking truth. When the church operates in true unity, something powerful is released. God commands His blessing where there is unity among His people. This isn't just about getting along for the sake of peace; it's about creating the environment where God's power can flow freely. In our current culture of division and polarization, the church has an opportunity to model something different. We can show the world that it's possible to love people we disagree with, to speak truth without hatred, and to maintain relationships even when we see things differently. The church that will rise up in these last days will be characterized by unity around God's Word and boldness to live it out. We won't be perfect, but we'll be united in our commitment to Christ and His mission. We'll speak the truth in love, serve sacrificially, and demonstrate that God's way really does work. Unity isn't optional if we want to live in the place of God's commanded blessing. It's the environment where great grace flourishes and where the world sees a true reflection of Christ's love.
Bible Verse
'All the believers were one in heart and mind.' - Acts 4:32
Reflection Question
What relationships in your life need the healing power of unity, and what practical step can you take this week to pursue peace without compromising truth?
Quote The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul.
Prayer
Father, help me to be a person who builds unity rather than division. Show me how to love those I disagree with and how to speak truth in love. Let Your commanded blessing flow through the unity You create in Your church. Amen.