Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
WORSHIP. Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
THANK. Write down 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
READ. Our Scripture Focus is Matthew 7:7-11. Try memorizing it during this study!
Today’s reading is from Acts 9:31-43 & 1 Kings 17:17-22 (Going Deeper: James 5:13-16 & 1 Corinthians 15:12-26, 50-57)
THINK. Thoughts & Prayers from Holly MacDonald…
We often think of prayer as a last resort or a ‘when all else fails’ approach. When we find ourselves in a desperate place, needing help, guidance, or direction it’s easy to exhaust all other steps we know to take first. But what if we flipped our approach? In today’s reading, Elijah, led by the Lord to a widow in Zarephath, was confronted by the widow’s grief when her son died. Elijah took the son out of her arms, laid him on the bed, and cried out to the Lord. God heard Elijah’s prayers and the boy was revived! Hallelujah! In Acts, we read about Peter healing a paralyzed man named Aeneas and everyone who witnessed it turned to the Lord! Then a disciple named Tabitha became sick and died. Peter was called and urged to help. After Peter sent everyone out of the room, he prayed. Peter tells her to get up and she does! Word spread all over Joppa and people believed in the Lord!These miraculous moments are not limited to the Bible. The Holy Spirit is still active today! Elijah and Peter modeled a ‘pray first’ approach. They knew the circumstances before them were in God’s hand. The problems were WAY too big for them to solve on their own. James 5:16 reminds us that through prayers of faithful people, they will see the Lord work! Is there an area in your life where you are desperate for breakthrough? Don’t hold on to it any longer. There is no situation or circumstance out of God’s league. Pray today, in faith, that the Lord will hear your prayers and He will answer you!
LIVE. Use these questions to help you reflect on today’s reading. It’s ok if you don’t answer every question every day! Then, try praying in the posture of prayer you read about each day.
1 | Where is prayer present in today’s main passage?
2 | What is happening before, during, or after the prayer?
3 | Is one person praying, or are people praying together? Who?
4 | Which postures of prayer did you notice?
Praying Facedown, Praying while Fasting, Praying while Kneeling, Praying while Mourning, Praying w/ Outstretched Arms, Praying while Sitting, Praying while Standing, Praying w/ Uplifted Eyes, Something Else?
5 | What was the answer to the prayer?
6 | How is God addressed and/or described?
7 | What did you learn about how you can pray today?
PRAY. Pray for yourself, a family member, a lifegroup/church friend, someone who doesn’t know Jesus, and the nations. Pick one each day or pray through them all every day.
TALK. That was our take on today’s reading - what’s yours? Share thoughts and ask questions in the forum.
SHARE. Stay focused with a friend! Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

Stay focused on Jesus today, and make it a great one!