In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commissions the disciples to go into the world and make disciples of all the nations. If discipleship was important to Jesus it should be a priority to the church. Discipleship equips individuals through the word of God to grow in their walk, serve others, and develop their spiritual gifts. Through personal mentorship and the study of God’s word disciples are equipped to overcome challenges, develop a deeper walk with Christ, and do the work of evangelism. The church is God’s greatest tool to point a lost world to the cross. If individuals are not equipped to do this work then the church is not able to do the work of the Kingdom. Great churches are built one person at a time through individual discipleship and growth in God’s word. Throughout His ministry, on earth, Jesus modeled discipleship through the teaching and training of His disciples. Discipleship follows the example of Christ and prepares the church to do the work of the Kingdom.

James 5:16 tells us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” We live in a world, filled with many avenues of communication, yet we forget to communicate with the Lord. Prayer is our primary means of communicating with God. When we do not place a priority on prayer we become distant from the source of our greatest strength, hope, and faith. Prayer increases our faith and helps us face difficult seasons knowing our God is sovereign over all things. It assists in strengthening and encouraging others. Prayer leads to a greater understanding of God’s word and His will for us. God desires to communicate with us through prayer. When we pray we invite the peace of God into our lives. Daily prayer throughout our lives deepens our relationship with the Lord and prepares us for the calling each of us has on our lives. We want to encourage you to spend time each day with the Lord. We look forward to hearing how daily prayer has changed your life!