Day 1: Prioritize Prayer Mark 1:32-37

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Reflection

As we embark on this 21-day journey, it is helpful to remind ourselves that Jesus prayed! Right at the beginning of His ministry here on earth, we see our Lord experiencing breakthrough. He heals Peter’s mother-in-law and then we see that “The whole town gathered at the door.” This is our dream - that the whole town would gather at the doors of our communities and encounter Jesus, but even in the middle of this success and breakthrough we see that Jesus took time to pray. As we seek breakthrough we must take the time to pray. Jesus comes back from his time of prayer and says, Mark 1:38 “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Fresh vision and new direction come as He prays.

Prayer

Lord forgive me for those times when I have been so caught up in all that is good and in the breakthrough of the moment, that I forgot to pray. Lord may I never forget to spend time with you.

Day 2: Retreat with Jesus

Mark 6:31-34

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Reflection

Today, we are reflecting that Jesus went to the solitary place on His own in Mark 1 to take His disciples with Him in Mark 6. It was E.M. Bounds who said ‘None but praying leaders can have praying followers.’ Jesus is inviting us to retreat into prayer with Him. But we also read that the crowd followed them into the solitary place. How do we deal with the crowds that distract us as we enter the quiet place of prayer? Sometimes our solitary place gets crowded, crowded by life, by all the demands we have on our time and energy, we lose sight of Jesus and his mission when we allow our lives to become crowded.

Prayer

Lord as we seek to pray for our world and cry out to you for change and transformation of the people we love and the communities we find ourselves in. Help us not to be distracted.

Day 3: Pray before all things

Mark 14:32-36

And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Reflection

What a moment of grace and intimacy we witness here in the garden of Gethsemane, the beautiful language of “Abba Father.” We are aware of the deep anguish the Lord felt and the weight of what He was about to do, and yet He was obedient and committed Himself to the Father’s will. We are struck that even before Jesus moved, He prayed. Even before the greatest redemptive moment – Jesus’ journey to the cross that won our salvation – there was prayer. Before action comes Prayer!

Prayer

Lord, as we look at the task ahead, one that could seem daunting and almost impossible, we say “not our will but your will be done.” We commit ourselves to be obedient to you, to follow you, to go where you send us and to carry your light into the darkness.

Day 4: Find your secret place

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Reflection

As we have seen Jesus’ life was marked with intimacy, the flow of His life and ministry was prayerful. He withdrew regularly to pray, and He teaches us to do the same. The word ‘room’ used in this text originates from the Greek word ‘tameion’ which translates as ‘storeroom.’ According to R.T. France “This was an inner room, secluded, probably windowless and possibly with the only lockable door in the house; it is thus proverbial for a secret place.” Where is your secret place of prayer?

Prayer

Lord lead me to a secret place in you, a place of prayer and connection where I could fully meet with you. As we seek to engage with you for the build-up to Gather25 may all we do be prayerful.

Day 5: Pray and go

Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection

We at Gather25 are so energized by these verses, the great commission is in our hearts and minds every time we think of this gathering. We have read that our Lord was prayerful, His life was marked by prayer, He taught the disciples to pray, but He also sent them out. We the church are called to do both: “Pray and go.” Think of it like breathing in and breathing out, we are called to breathe in Jesus in prayer and breathe out Jesus in mission. When something breathes in and out, it is alive! We believe the church is fully alive when it does both. Prayer and mission should be inseparable.

Prayer

Lord help us to be the people of the great commission today, a prayerful people who Go! Lord, we cry out to you as we step out for you and ask that you would empower us to take your name farther and wider than ever before.

Day 6: Proclaim in every language

Acts 2:1-6

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

Reflection

The disciples had received the great commission, and now they gathered in one place to pray and to wait and we see an extraordinary thing take place. Amid their waiting, God sends His Spirit and the Church is born. One of the many things that excites us about this passage is that those gathered nearby heard the message in their own language. It’s our prayer that the gospel is proclaimed in the heart language of all throughout the globe and that we communicate in a way that speaks with honor to every culture. We are believing that hearts will be won for Jesus!

Prayer

Lord send your Spirit on me today, inspire and help me as I seek to communicate Jesus in my context. Please send your Holy Spirit in power today upon your Church so that we can proclaim your gospel fully to every tribe and every tongue.

Day 7: Experience grace in action

Acts 2:36-41

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Reflection

Peter the disciple, who not too long before this moment had denied Jesus and would undoubtedly sin in the future, stood up and proclaimed the gospel. He went from denying Christ to proclaiming Christ in a matter of weeks–and he did so with such power that 3,000 people gave their lives to Jesus. This was the beginning of the Church, the first day, and it was an immediate picture of God’s grace.

Sometimes, we will get it wrong, and we will feel like we aren’t living up to our faith, but Christ forgives, redeems, repurposes, renews, and never discards us. We are all valuable to Him and because of this, we can proclaim the same good news that Peter did, to many around us.

Prayer

Lord strengthen us today as we seek to proclaim your gospel to many. We thank you for your grace today and your restorative forgiveness that enables us to keep coming back to you and gives us the strength to rise once more and proclaim your name to many.

Day 8: Embrace holy interruptions

Acts 3:1-10

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Reflection

How interruptible are you? Peter and John were going somewhere they had been before, perhaps even twice already that day, when God broke in and interrupted their lives. The God who met them at Pentecost is still meeting them afresh each day, leading, prompting, and interrupting their lives.

The Aramaic word for prayer is Slotha. It literally means “to set a trap.” “To set your mind like a trap and wait patiently to catch the thoughts of God.” It could almost mean “tuning in.” Prayer tunes us into God’s voice and enables us to remain tuned in as we go about our day. We need a prayer life that is open to INTERRUPTIONS, we need a life that is open to the spontaneous promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Lord, we want to be tuned in to you, attentive to your promptings and leadings as you commission us to share your gospel. May we hear you clearly as we seek to proclaim your kingdom to the world around us.

Day 9: Be unstoppable in love

Acts 4:1-4

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. Reflection

The gospel continues to be proclaimed and people continue to be saved! They didn’t let fear run the show, there is an extraordinary boldness exhibited by Peter and John not just once but throughout the book of Acts. These ordinary men and women who went regularly to the place of prayer were never frightened to take an opportunity to proclaim the gospel. These Jesus followers who had seen our Lord pray often and then step out in power, followed His way, and lived like Him, and through regular prayer and regular proclamation found victory under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It was almost as if nothing could stop them!

Prayer

Lord help us today. May fear not run the show, may we truly be unstoppable disciples of Jesus. Empower us today to boldly proclaim your gospel.

Day 10: Reflect Jesus

Acts 4:13-14

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.

Reflection

This is one of the most beautiful lines in Acts: “they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” We are drawn to think of Moses coming down from the mountain or exiting the tabernacle of meeting; in these moments he had to cover his face because he reflected God’s glory. Here we see everyday men reflecting God’s glory, people could see that they had been with Jesus. It wasn’t their words or even their education, they were unqualified on so many levels to be standing before the leaders of the temple, but in the end all that really mattered was they had been with Jesus.

Prayer

Lord help me today, to not try and impress people with my intellect, my achievements, or my bank balance. Lord, I don’t want to be seen as a success in the eyes of the world. Help me to find my identity in reflecting Jesus. May people take note today that I have been with you.

Day 11: Depend on the Spirit

Acts 4:23-31

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

“‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Reflection

Peter and John are released, and they go back to the church who have been praying. Together they all resolve to persevere and to keep going. At that moment, the room they are in is shaken and they are once again filled with the Holy Spirit to proclaim God’s word boldly. Commentator Adam Clarke said this when writing about this incident: “Neither apostle nor private Christian can subsist in the Divine life without frequent influences from on high... God gives grace for the time being, but no stock for futurity, because he will keep all his followers continually dependent on himself.”

The one outpouring on the day of Pentecost was not enough nor was it meant to be a one-time event, God wants us to continually ask for a fresh pouring of His Spirit to proclaim the word so that we would be continually dependent on Him.

Prayer

Lord, once again we say, “Come Holy Spirit,” fill us today. Lord, may we be continually dependent on you.

Day 12: Pray strength for the persecuted

Acts 8:1-4

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

Reflection

We read that the church came under intense persecution and then scattered. We are distinctly aware today of our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted for having faith in Jesus. We pray that they would be strengthened and know that God is with them as they seek to preach the word wherever they find themselves. Let us remember that in the Western world, having faith in Jesus can sometimes be easy but in other areas around the globe it is a challenge. We see here that when Stephen was stoned, the church was persecuted but those who were scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Prayer

Lord, we pray for our brothers and sisters around the globe who are persecuted. May they find strength and peace. We ask that you come and walk closely with those around the world who are being persecuted for the faith. Father, we pray that freedom of religion would increase and that the ability to talk about you would not be diminished. Father, we pray that your word would be preached throughout the globe today.

Day 13: Find the unexpected in the ordinary

Acts 9:1-6

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

Reflection

It’s interesting that Paul had this experience on the road to Damascus, a rather inconsequential and insignificant road, it is on this road that Jesus revealed Himself to Paul. This didn’t happen through a preacher or someone else sharing their faith; this was a miraculous revelation of Jesus. We all know people who don’t yet know Jesus. We are encouraged today in reading about Paul that Jesus can break into any situation, at any time, in any place and transform any person. We take faith from this story and believe that God will and can reveal Himself to those we know who are currently walking in darkness.

Prayer

Father, today we pray that you would reveal yourself to the people we know who have not yet met you. God come and break into the lives of my friends and family who find it hard to understand you or even acknowledge your existence. We pray today for a revelation of Jesus in the life of our friends and family - may they have their own Damascus Road experience.

Day 14: Let faith win

Acts 10:9-20

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

Reflection

Today we read that Peter propelled the growth of the church into a new audience, through receiving a vision while praying. Up until this point in the book of Acts, the gospel had been predominantly proclaimed among the Jews. Here, we see a radical change that was essential for the proclamation of the gospel to all nations. God broke in and revealed fresh vision to Peter to enable him to carry the gospel into a gentile house. Our prayer is that as we gather God would speak and give us fresh vision and ideas to take His gospel into new spaces, hearts, and homes.

Prayer

Lord thank you for Peter’s bravery and willingness to respond to your word, we thank you that he stepped out of his comfort zone and stepped into the unknown. We pray today that you would help us be willing to go wherever you send us. May we go wherever you commission us to proclaim your gospel so that we would see your Kingdom grow.

Day 15: Keep going

Acts 11:19-24

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Reflection

We are once again encouraged that despite persecution, the early church persevered and didn’t give up. They remained true to the Lord with all their hearts. This meant that they did not give up in spreading the word and they saw great fruit.

There are times in our own lives where we can feel like giving up, where we feel like what we are saying it’s not really working, that our prayers aren’t really getting through. There are going to be days we want to give up, but today we draw strength from the early church - that despite persecution they never stopped sharing Christ with others.

Prayer

Lord, let your global Church grow and raise up many Antiochs. Raise up churches filled with people who will not give up, who will knock and keep knocking, ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, until we see your gospel proclaimed in every nation.

Day 16: Turn to Jesus

Acts 12:5-10

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.

Reflection

We see today that a praying church saw a miraculous breakthrough. Peter was in prison, but the church was “earnestly praying to God for him” and as the church prayed earnestly to God for him, he was set free. We learn from this that when the church gathers and prays that we will see miracles. Our prayer at Gather25 is that prisoners will be set free, that people will have divine visitations and lives will be transformed through an earnestly praying church.

Prayer

Lord, today we pray for those we know who need your freedom. Come and set the captives free. For those who are bound by illness, by oppression, by sin, by addiction; we pray earnestly for their freedom today.

Day 17: Be unshaken in praise

Acts 16:25-31

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice,

“Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Reflection

We find it amazing that as the church grew and continued to experience opposition that Paul and Silas sang hymns to God even while they were in chains. It would seem to us that the growth and mission of the church was marked by joy, that the men and women of the early church regularly praised God and sang hymns and worshiped Him.

We see that as people worshiped, things changed.

Our heart is that as we Gather not only to pray, not only to repent, not only to be commissioned, but also to worship God that things WILL change.

Prayer

We worship you today God, we give you thanks. Although our circumstances may be difficult, we lift our eyes and look to you. You deserve all our praise and worship today. We praise you for all you have done and for all you are.

Day 18: Worship truly

Acts 17:22-23

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

Reflection

Paul speaks to the people of Athens about their altar dedicated to “the unknown God.” He saw a world filled with idols and false gods but used that moment to introduce them to the one true God. Like Athens, our world today is full of people worshiping “unknown gods” and following things that cannot satisfy. Paul boldly proclaimed Jesus to a culture searching for meaning, and we’re called to do the same—sharing the truth of who God is with those who don’t yet know Him.

Prayer

Today we pray for those who don’t know you, yet who have some form of spiritual awareness. Lord, we pray that they would see you through Jesus. Help people to realize that the many altars and idols they are bowing down to are false. May people come to worship you today, the one true God.

Day 19: Serve Relentlessly

Acts 20:17-24

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Reflection

We are struck by the relentlessness of Paul, how this great apostle kept going. The word we associate with Paul is servant, he served the Church, and he served his Savior. He was a beautiful servant of the gospel. His life’s mission was to testify to the good news of God’s grace.

As we think about gathering together as His Church, we want to testify to the good news of God’s grace and to proclaim his mercy, love and kindness to this broken world. We know that this message will only truly be proclaimed by servants.

Prayer

We commit to serve you today, Lord, to testify to the good news of your grace today. Father, we thank you that you have been gracious towards us. We want to serve you by inviting others to hear your message of grace this year, as we gather.

Day 20: Make Jesus the vision

Acts 28:30-31

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Reflection

Luke’s final observation of Paul was that he “taught about the Lord Jesus Christ – with all boldness and without hindrance.” Paul never lost sight of Jesus; his Christ-centered message was proclaimed wherever he went. He spoke the name of Jesus, believing in the power of the name and being a man who was not ashamed of the gospel. Paul was undoubtedly a prayerful man who had a real and living encounter with Jesus. Jesus prayed and sacrificed His life, the early church prayed and lived sacrificially, and Paul prayed and sacrificed himself for the sake of the gospel. Our journey with Gather is that we have encountered a living and real relationship with Jesus Christ, this has been the driver behind this plan, but it is also our motivation for the future. The vision is Jesus

Prayer

We think of another saint as we pray, Saint Patrick, whose prayer we make our own today as we think of Jesus:

I pray today that I would experience; Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

Day 21: Finish strong

2 Timothy 4:1-7

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Reflection

As we draw to the end of this reading plan and think ahead to Gather25, it is our prayer that we, the body of Christ, respond to the charge of Paul, who had been on an incredible journey throughout the book of Acts, but now as he draws near to the end of his time here on earth he writes to the younger Timothy.

This is truly a beautiful piece of writing. is charge to his disciple is 'keep your head, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of your ministry.’ Our heart at Gather 25 is that what we do to gather the global Church, and how we serve, helps you discharge all the duties of your personal ministry.

Prayer

Lord, would you help us to pour ourselves out for the sake of your gospel. Our world needs you like never before, please come, and heal our lands, have your way in us and may your kingdom come.