READ: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1; JAMES 5:13-18

You’re halfway through the story, and the heroes are stuck. Nothing is working, and the enemies are closing in. You don’t see any way of escape. But, somehow, things turn out okay. Maybe a sudden turn of events changes everything. Maybe they knew something you didn’t. Or maybe they had a secret weapon, more powerful than you or their enemies ever dreamt of.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a secret weapon, something we could pull out to help us when we just aren’t powerful enough? If we’re soldiers of God’s kingdom, shouldn’t He have equipped us with some really strong way to influence our world?

Good news: He did! It’s called prayer.

What? No bolt of lightning? No neon laser beam? Words we say to God…what sort of a weapon is that? But look deeper. Our actions are limited in ways that prayer isn’t. The fact that we don’t have to do anything is exactly what makes it so powerful. We can influence the other side of the world as we pray for God to change people’s hearts and even work miracles. And the reason we have access to the all-powerful, all-loving God is because of Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Ever heard of George Müller? He took care of 10,000 orphans in nineteenth century England, receiving tens of millions of British pounds in today’s money without ever asking anyone—except God—for money or help. George Müller knew the power of his secret weapon.

You might be thinking, “Well, he’s basically a missionary. But can I be a prayer warrior?” Absolutely. Who do you know who needs prayer? A friend who doesn’t know Jesus? Someone who’s going through a tough time? Consider making a commitment to pray for them every day for a week. Choose a specific time to help you remember—maybe right before bed or on the way to sports practice. Keep building up the habit of prayer. As you bring your requests to Jesus, the ultimate Healer, you can rest in His promise to restore what is broken—whether it be now, later, or when He returns to make all things new. • Christiana Albrecht

• Can you think of a time you experienced an answer to prayer? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this!

• What are some things in your life, or in other’s lives, that you could start praying about today?

• When can you set aside time to pray? What could help you remember?

• Why is it hard to motivate ourselves to pray? Why do you think Satan would tempt us not to?

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 28:16-20; ROMANS 10:14-15; 1 PETER 3:15-16

In the Bible, Jesus commissioned His disciples to tell people about Him. As Christians, that is our commission too. And, personally, it’s one area I’ve struggled with. You see, I’m not an extrovert. In fact, there have been times when I’ve wondered if my voice is actually being heard at all. I’ve never imagined myself as the outspoken Peter or the zealous Paul, who both spoke passionately about their devotion to Jesus and His teachings in front of large crowds.

When I was younger, there were many times I worried about not being able to share Jesus with others in the same wonderful ways I’d heard preachers do. It would have been easy for me to give up, thinking, “What use am I to God? Why can’t I be like the courageous witnesses I’ve seen openly professing their faith?”

Now I am older, and I’ve realized that God, the Creator, knows exactly who I am. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. So I write about faith, trials, and dilemmas in the hope that it helps a reader follow Jesus in this broken world we live in, or even trust in Him for the first time.

All of us are called to share Jesus, but all of us have different skills that enable us to reach out to a variety of personalities. Witnessing doesn’t have to look like speaking in front of large groups, and it doesn’t have to be on a platform. It can be in the songs we sing, the words we write, or the loyalty and patience we have. Most of all, it is the kind actions and the integrity we show in our everyday lives that are a testimony to God, who loves us dearly. • Cindy Lee

• How might God be inviting you to share Jesus with other people? There are many different ways we can reach out in a troubled world. Consider taking a moment to talk to God about this. Additionally, who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance and tell you what gifts and skills they see in you?

• How did you hear the good news of Jesus? Was it through your family, friends, a preacher, books, or some other way?

Then he [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 (CSB)

READ: JOHN 1:12; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17; GALATIANS 2:20; 1 PETER 2:9

What am I? I thought as I stared down at my hand, now covered in words written in permanent ink. Cruel words, words that had been carved into my heart for years, now written all over my hands—they stabbed me, again and again, like knives in my heart.

This can’t be who I am. I thought desperately. Lazy, slow, fat, short, stupid, weak… Every word stung with fresh pain when I looked at it. Insult after insult, crawling up my fingers and over my knuckles like ugly insects.

Oh, God, no. This can’t be who I am. Where had the prayer come from? How had God come into this? God didn’t belong here, with this hand, covered in my failures; with this heart, full of bitter self-hate. But I looked out the window, over the bare trees reaching for the open sky, flushed pink with the evening sun. I was kneeling on the floor, crushed beneath the weight of the letters on my hand. What am I, God?

This isn’t who you are, Becca. I blinked at the soft whisper in my heart. That writing isn’t you. That writing is what they think of you. It isn’t what defines you. I will tell you what you are. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are treasured… Above all, you are loved. Replace those words with My words, Becca. All that matters is what I think of you, what I say of you. Because I know you. And I love you.

“Okay, God,” I sobbed. “But it’s so hard. These words—they won’t just go away.”

By My power, they can. Slowly and painfully, they will leave as you replace them with My words. It won’t be easy. But I will help you. I will remind you. I will love you.

I looked up, back out the window at the setting sun. I lifted my hand and looked at the words, feeling their sting. No. I picked up a red marker from the floor. I opened my hand and, right over my palm, wrote the words, YOU SAY.

The red ink, like Christ’s blood, covered some of the letters of shame on my hand. A sense of calm that I hadn’t felt in a long time settled over me. And while I knew it wouldn’t be easy, little by little, the poison of the words of shame would give way to the peace of the red letters, of what God thought of me. I would let His words guard me from the sting of lies. God would define me. I am what You say of me. • Rebecca Roskamp

• What letters of shame have you been carrying? Consider taking a moment to bring these to Jesus.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. Psalm 139:1 (NIV)