Because of what happened in 2020, the church in 2021 will not be the same as the church of 2019.
Same with sports, shopping, travel, politics, the economy, and the entire world! Total complete change and while we can prognosticate, no one really knows exactly what it will be like.
I can, however, make a prayer list of how the church should change. What it should be like in 2021. My list below is a list of Biblical calling, my hopes, and what is needed.
- The Church in 2021 will walk in power. A Greek word used for power is the word from which we get the English word “dynamite”. When Paul prays for the Ephesian Church that they would know the “surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” Amazing that the Ephesian Church had so much power demonstrated, that when Paul lived there clothes that had touched him would be taken to bring healing. In Ephesians 1, Paul prays for even more power to be released in Ephesus. I’m praying for that power with the church in 2021.
- The Church in 2021 will walk in unity. Through 50 years as a pastor I have witnessed God’s church become more unified. Sectarian strife has relaxed. I’m hoping that political, economic, gender, and racial strife will be overwhelmed by a renewed love of Jesus. Paul prayed for the Ephesian Church that they would know the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of God. Father, create love in the church, based in forgiveness, and releasing unity. Allow our unity to release prayers of victory.
- The Church in 2021 will walk out the Great Commission. The church was distracted in 2019 from its purpose. It has been for years. God desires all to be saved. His purpose of the shaking in 2020 will enable evangelism in our church, our community, and then to the world!
I get up early in the morning and pray. I sense my prayers turning outward now. Many of my prayers in the past weeks have been for understanding, for strength, for rest, and for healing both in my life and for you as well.
Understanding God’s eternal purpose of uplifting Christ, I know that the great rest and realignment of the church in 2020 will change the complacency of 2019.
God, in 2021 bring on the Acts 2 and Acts 4 church – make it empowered, Jesus uplifted, many reached, unified, loving, justice serving, releasing, and sacrificing.
All of us will be challenged and shocked by what is approaching in 2021. Looking at Jesus – His church becoming His body – filled and empowered for the greatest revival in history.