Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.
WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Antioch International Prayer & Fast (Genesis 12:1-3)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, The Antioch movement of churches around the world are joining up for an international prayer and fast from February 26-28. During this prayer & fast, we will be asking God to bless us to be a blessing to people of all nations. (Genesis 12:1-3). Here are two lists you can use for how we’ll be praying together:
Have questions about fasting?
See this resource: Encounter God Through Fasting
Want to pray for our international church planting teams year-round?
Go to Nationsprayer.org
DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning.
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”
SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 8
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
S = Say. What is the main point? What does it teach about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Sometimes I joke with my kids that part of my job as a parent is to mess up so that they’ll know their need for a their Heavenly Father. While I’m mostly joking, there’s some truth to this. Throughout the wilderness, God provided food, water, shelter - the Israelites’ shoes didn’t even wear out! He sustained them and fulfilled their every need. The wilderness and wandering was far from a wasted season - it was intended to show them their need for God - a reality they (and we) forgot time and time again. When we forget God’s love, faithfulness, and provision in the past, our faith fades in the present and for the future. God’s faithfulness to the Israelites (and us) in the wilderness years are a reminder that God doesn't just bail on us when things get tough; He's right there, looking out for us, teaching us lessons along the journey. Sure, the wilderness can be humbling - but it’s only when God allows us to be hungry that we learn we don't live on bread alone but on every word that comes from God's mouth. The struggles of life will never be too far away. Remembering the ways God has taken care of us before is the best way to get through today’s difficulties. How has the Lord provided for you in the past? What did you learn in those moments of desperation? Remembering those lessons will strengthen your faith and keep you reliant on the Lord. The next time you’re tempted to focus on your struggle, remember that God is your Provider and Protector - yesterday, today and always. - Dave Kubiak
REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy or joyful? What made you anxious or burdened?
Rejoice = Give thanks to God for the small and the significant things from the day.
Repent = Ask God for forgiveness where you need. Receive His forgiveness afresh.
Reboot = Commit to walk with Jesus tomorrow. Ask for grace to see His presence more clearly.
*For help or an audio prayer version, use the Lectio 365 app.
SHARE THE FOCUS | 1-5 Minutes
1. Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
2. Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.
That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!
