Sports

If you’re like me, you really miss the Olympics! There were so many incredible moments at the recent summer games in Tokyo, Japan. (As impressive as it was seeing world-class athletes compete and shatter records,) what blessed me most were the many Christian athletes giving praise to God. 21-year-old Sydney McLaughlin of the USA—who set a world record in the women’s 400 meter hurdles—humbly said, “Jesus has given me everything. Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal.” The men’s rugby sevens team from Fiji loudly sang “we have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of the Lord” after winning gold. Let’s be sure to regularly lift up Christian athletes—from every country—as they shine for team Jesus and use their platform to proclaim gospel truth on the world stage. Now that’s something to pray about!

Marriage

My wife Mandy and I recently celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary this month and so I thought we’d do this Prayer Point together! Men, Scripture exhorts us as husbands to love our wife sacrificially (Ephesians 5:25) and to honor her so that our “prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). Ladies, the Bible exhorts us to be respectful toward our husband as a way of honoring God (Ephesians 5:33) and to be an example other women can follow (Titus 2:4). To all the husbands and wives listening today—whether you’ve been married a few years, or many decades—let’s make it our aim to love and cherish our spouse just as Jesus loves His church (Ephesians 5:25), and sincerely apologize when we fall short. As the years unfold, this is how we will continue to show Christ to one another. Now that’s something to pray about!

School

Although it’s hard to believe, summer break has come to a close and a new school year is upon us once again. Teachers, administrators and volunteers have been working harder than ever, in a more difficult social environment than ever, to ensure our children have a safe and effective learning experience each and every day. Let’s be sure to keep our local schools and their hard-working leadership in our regular prayers. Let’s also ask that God would move mightily among students in central Illinois this year. And students, remember, whether you are in grade school, high school or college, God wants to use you this year to help fellow students find and know Jesus. Keep shining brightly for Him. Your fellow classmates need to see your light more than you know. Now that’s something to pray about!

Children

Some of the most moving and memorable times I have experienced in ministry have been when young children have prayed for me or said something they felt God saying. The faith kiddos have when they pray, and the innocence with which they do so, is a precious and refreshing gift from God to us adults. I often think of the times when the disciples tried to turn away the little ones when Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me” (Matthew 19:14). He also said, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me” (Luke 9:48). What if we made the effort to get the youngsters involved in the times of prayer at home and at church? Sure, it’s a bit messier, but I’m convinced we would see much more of Jesus if we did. Now that’s something to pray about!

Persecuted

According to the Open Doors USA 2021 World Watch List, “more than 340 million of our Christian brothers and sisters live in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination. That’s 1 in 8 Christians, worldwide.” For the 20th straight year, Christians in North Korea (who represent an estimated 1.5 percent of their total population) are the most heavily persecuted in the world. Afghanistan and Somalia come in at second and third on the list. Let’s pause today and remember to pray for our fellow family members in Christ who live under the grave threat of persecution, confinement and death each and every day simply because they love Jesus. As the author of Hebrews tells us: “remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated” (Hebrews 13:3). Now that’s something to pray about!