The beginning of each new year is an exciting time for everyone. It's a time for renewal, a time to start anew, and a time to reflect on the past while planning for the future, as officials with ARC (Association of Related Churches) say.
To kick off 2023, ARC church leaders and pastors worldwide will join together to participate in the 21 Days of Prayer. While prayer is always an important part of life, the 21 Days of Prayer is an intentional time where participants seek God in prayer and believe for Him to move in powerful ways.
Below is a further description of 21 Days of Prayer and how ARC churches offer ways to participate.
What is 21 Days of Prayer?
The idea of 21 Days of Prayer, which is held twice a year in January and August, is to set aside three weeks at the start of the year and in late summer as we begin to enter the busy "stretch run" of the year and intentionally seek God in prayer.
During 21 Days of Prayer, participants may gather for a prayer experience that lasts one hour. It includes time for worship, personal prayer, and corporate prayer.
In 2023, the 21 Days of Prayer will be held from January 8 through January 28.
How You Can Participate with ARC Churches
The 21 Days of Prayer is an opportunity to cultivate prayer into one's lifestyle. According to ARC, church leaders and attendees can develop their prayer habits during this time by picking a certain time, a certain place, and a certain plan for how to pray.
In addition to the Lord's Prayer, there are many types of prayers, such as the Tabernacle Prayer and the Prayer of Jabez. Alternating between different prayers can create variations in prayer habits.
Church of the Highlands has made it easy for any ARC church to participate in the 21 Days of Prayer, regardless of where they are located. The church provides resources such as graphic design and electronic files such as Pray First Prayer Journal, a Kids Prayer Journal, Connection Cards, and Targets for God's Blessing.
The files allow ARC churches to edit the resources so they can personalize them with their own name and logo. This makes the process more familiar to church members, which incentivizes them to participate.
This is all made possible by the lead pastor of the Church of the Highlands, Chris Hodges, who serves on the ARC lead team. In fact, he was one of the founders of ARC (Association of Related Churches) and is one of the organization's first two church plants from back in 2001.
Where an ARC Church Can Find Resources
Any ARC church can find resources for 21 Days of Prayer at the Church of the Highlands' website. There, the church provides a link to download the Pray First App, inside which you can access guided prayer plans, create a personal prayer list and even listen to exclusive Highlands Worship albums.
On the website, you can also download all resources related to 21 Days of Prayer, including Prayer Guides and information about Fasting and Prayer.
ARC (Association of Related Churches) is excited to once again participate in 21 Days of Prayer and urges all ARC churches to participate as well.
About ARC (Association of Related Churches)
ARC (Association of Related Churches) is a cooperative of independent churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds who strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus. ARC exists to see a thriving church in every community, reaching people with the message of Jesus. Since its beginning in 2001, ARC has grown into a global organization and has helped plant more than 1,000 churches.
