Yesterday I introduced “Preparing for 2021” by Larry Warner, in which he challenged us to formulate specific prayers for the World, the Country, the world-wide Church, our community, our local church, our family, and our life.

Then he asks:

• What themes do you see emerging in these prayers?
• How do these prayers/themes align with the greater themes of God’s Kingdom coming, God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven?
• What alignment is there with your prayers/themes with God’s heart for justice and concern for the poor, prisoners, the blind, the oppressed, widows and orphans?
• What is one area of injustice that you sense God inviting you to focus your attention on in 2021? 

 Finally, he calls us to action:

• In what ways will you seek to partner with God in answering these prayers?
• What might that look like in terms of the use of your time, your material resources, your level of influence, your social media presence?
• Who is already involved in some of those issues/themes that emerged in your prayers that you can support, learn from, partner with? 

I love his closing sentence – one that encourages us to pursue God first, and from that relationship will come the power for carrying out these prayers and actions: 

May your knowledge of God’s love for you and presence with you/within you continue to deepen and expand in 2021 and be the fuel that powers your life—your love for God and others. – Larry Warner

It reminds me of Paul’s word to the Thessalonians:

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. (2 Thessalonians 1.11, NLT)