I have a special request to make of you today. But before I do, let me share this thought…
The new year is here—and along with it usually come resolutions for better health, stronger relationships, or new opportunities in the months ahead.
But there’s one resolution that matters more than all the rest: to grow deeper in your relationship with God through prayer and His Word.
Take a look with me at what Jesus said about prayer in John 15:7…
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
If you want to know the foundation for a more fruitful prayer life, it’s right there—abiding in Jesus and letting His Word abide in you.
How do you do that? Much like a pilot goes through a checklist before he takes off, we too should make sure our hearts are aligned with God’s Word so our prayers don’t fall short of their destination.
I remember flying once with a friend who was a trained pilot. Before we took off, he carefully went through his preflight checklist—checking the gauges, the flaps, the fuel. He didn’t skip a single step.
Why? Because one small oversight could have put us in danger.
In the same way, there are a few things we should check before we pray—because if something is off, our prayers will be ineffective.
The things we should check (or make sure of) before we pray are simple and can be done quickly, but they are vitally important when it comes to having a fruitful prayer life. Things like making sure we have a promise from Scripture that covers our need before we go to God in prayer. It is the only way that we can make our requests with confidence.
That’s why I tell people all the time—make sure you’re spending time in Scripture. Have a love affair with your Bible. Let His promises get rooted within you. And when you pray from that place, you’re releasing faith.
Friend, that’s the kind of truth and encouragement you’re helping send around the world through your faithful support. Every message, every broadcast, and every online teaching you help produce is helping people discover how to pray effectively and walk confidently with God.
I recently heard from a viewer in the United Kingdom who shared…
“I just happened to find your broadcast while switching channels, and I could not turn you off! I’ve seen so many TV people speak and changed channels, but I just so related to your words.
“My life has been changed from a homeless, broken person on the street to having my own home, my precious doggie, and all that I prayed for every day. I cried out to the Lord, and He heard me—little old me. I now let God take the reins; I trust Him with my heart and my life. I love your show—so down to life… I love it!”
Every week, people in over 120 countries are being equipped to stand on God’s promises—to anchor their faith in His Word and see His hand move in their lives.
You’re helping send the message of our living Jesus into homes, hospitals, prisons—places where people are desperate for hope and longing to hear from God.
That’s why, as we begin this new year together, I am asking you to join me in praying that this same transformation will happen in even more lives.
Your ongoing support is helping share God’s life-giving Word with more people than ever before—men and women who need to know that their prayers are not in vain and that God truly hears them.
Because the truth is, there’s a world full of people trying to navigate life’s storms without the anchor of God’s Word. They’re searching for answers, for peace, for something solid to hold onto.
Thank you for your faithful partnership that’s making all this possible.
Together, we’re bringing our living Jesus to a world that needs Him so desperately.
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