Sermon Recap | Jan. 18, 2026

January 21st, 2026

A Powerful Prayer Life

Dr. Bill Shuler

As we step into 2026, God is calling His people to rise up and embrace a new season of spiritual growth and purpose. This isn't a time to stumble into the new year without direction, but rather to move forward with intentionality, knowing that God has something specific He wants to accomplish in and through us.

What Does It Mean That God Is Faithful?

Before we can understand our call to faithfulness, we must first grasp the unchanging truth that God is faithful. This isn't just a nice sentiment—it's the bedrock of our faith. God's faithfulness means He remains loyal and steadfast, never changing in His nature or His love for us.

God's Faithfulness in Scripture

The Bible declares in Hebrews 13:5 that God will never leave us or forsake us. He is the same God who was faithful to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The same God who performed miracles in the Old Testament and New Testament is the same God working in your life today.

God's faithfulness isn't limited to someday in the future—He is faithful in the now. Even when you feel like you're on hold, God is always at work within you, preparing to work through you.

Setting Your Sail by God's Faithfulness

We don't set the direction of our lives based on news cycles or circumstances. Instead, we anchor ourselves in the truth that God is faithful. Whatever keeps you up at night, whatever situation seems impossible, God is faithful to you right now.

How Can I Walk in Faithfulness?

Faithfulness isn't just an attribute of God—it's also a characteristic that believers can develop. According to Galatians 5:22, faithfulness is part of the fruit of the Spirit, which means it's not something we have to muster up in our own strength.

Faithfulness as Christian Maturity

Walking in faithfulness before God is a key component of Christian maturity. It's the foundation upon which all other spiritual growth rests. When we choose to be faithful in small things, God entrusts us with greater things.

What Does It Mean to Be a People of Prayer?

The first pillar of our calling is to be people of prayer. Jesus himself modeled this for us in Mark 1:35-37, where we see Him rising early to pray in a solitary place before the demands of the day began.

Learning from Jesus' Prayer Life

Jesus prioritized prayer by praying in the morning, setting the trajectory for His entire day. There's something powerful about committing your first thoughts and steps to God—it creates a foundation for walking with Him throughout the day.

Jesus also prayed without distraction. When Peter came with urgent demands, saying "everyone is looking for you," Jesus had already established His priorities through communion with the Father.

Practical Prayer Principles

Ephesians 6:18 gives us a comprehensive guide for prayer: "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

This verse reveals several key elements:

Pray in the Spirit, connecting with God's heart
Pray on all occasions, not just in crisis moments
Use all kinds of prayers (praise, worship, faith, intercession, confession, petition)
Stay alert to what God is doing
Pray for fellow believers

Why Is Faith Essential for 2026?

The second pillar of our calling is to be people of genuine faith—acting and reacting out of faith rather than fear or circumstances.

Trusting God's Perspective

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths."

God has a vantage point we don't have. Psalm 103:19 declares that "The Lord has established his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all." This knowledge should change how we live, knowing that God is in control and interactive with us.

Avoiding the Comparison Trap

Psalm 37:1 warns us not to fret because of evildoers or be envious of those who do wrong. This speaks to the danger of comparisons. You are not meant to be compared with anyone else—not family members, colleagues, or anyone you see on social media.

What God is doing in your life is unique to the fingerprint He's placed on you. God looks for obedience and faithfulness, not worldly success or recognition.

How Does God's Word Shape Our Lives?

The third pillar is being people of the Word. Psalm 1:1-2 describes the blessed person as one "whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his law day and night."

Seeing Life Through Scripture

God's Word contains His full counsel, promises, and commands. We are called to see all of life through the lens of Scripture, allowing it to shape our thoughts, decisions, and responses to every situation.

When we delight in God's Word and meditate on it consistently, we position ourselves to receive His wisdom and guidance for every area of life.

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Life Application

This week, commit to building faithfulness as the foundation of your spiritual life. Choose one specific area where you can demonstrate faithfulness to God—whether it's establishing a consistent prayer time, studying His Word daily, or being faithful in a relationship or responsibility He's given you.

Start each morning by acknowledging God's faithfulness to you, then ask Him how you can walk faithfully before Him that day. Remember, faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater things God wants to do through us.

Questions for Reflection:

In what specific area of your life is God calling you to greater faithfulness?
How can you restructure your morning routine to prioritize prayer and set a godly trajectory for your day?
What circumstances or comparisons are you allowing to shake your faith instead of anchoring yourself in God's faithfulness?
How can you practically demonstrate that you're living as a person of prayer, faith, and God's Word this week?

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Posted in Prayer + Devotion, Sermon Blog