This month, we are praying for freedom in our city. There are many forms of addiction that vie for our affection and attention. From small behaviors, such as being glued to social media, to powerful bondages, such as the opioid epidemic, these idols have kept many in our city from stepping into the wonderful promises God has in store.

Paul understood that our leaders need our prayers. From our President to our Pastors and “all those in authority,” Paul connects these prayers to pursuing a peaceful life “in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:2, NIV)

When Paul mentions creating one new humanity of the two, he is speaking about Jews and non-Jews coming to Christ. Their ethnic identity as Jews or Gentiles was now informed by their identity in Christ.

In John 17, Jesus gave us the blueprint for the ultimate gospel marketing campaign: oneness amongst His people. Just as He and the Father are one, Jesus prayed that His followers would all be one “… so that the world may believe.”

As we enter into the season celebrating the gift of God’s Son, let’s spend some time meditating on the great love of our Father God. Our Father in heaven so loves us that He gave His most precious possession. This indescribable gift far eclipses the most generous earthly offering ever given. Higher than the heavens, the Psalmist exclaims, is God’s steadfast, never-stopping, unfailing love for us (Psalm 108:4).

During this season of gratitude and giving, let’s lift our gaze to the generosity of our heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul framed God’s generosity to us this way: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NIV)

Anxiety, depression and all forms of mental oppression and illness are increasing at an alarming rate. These complex issues can stem from chemical imbalance to spiritual opposition. Let's lift up this issue in our city and world this month by praying for God to bring His light and His healing to all those bound in this way.

Every purchase we make produces an exchange that reveals an item’s true value. What the buyer pays is the item’s worth. In our world, this looks like a cell phone purchased for $899 or a pair of sunglasses exchanged for $19. The price tag reveals the value in the currency of the economy at hand.

As we embark on another school year, let’s be encouraged as intercessors, to pray for revival among the next generation! Let’s see our children as “spiritual champions,” their minds renewed by the Word of God and their leading us into the next and largest revival ever experienced in the world.

From Genesis 1:28 to Acts 8:1, migration has always played a part in God’s plan. We live in a time of unprecedented numbers of displaced people, and God continues to work through the migration of people. All of these displaced people have unique stories, and these stories usually tell of immense suffering. The nations are coming to our city, and God’s plan is unfolding through these immigrant neighbors.

It is amazing to pause for a moment and consider the sacredness of being made in God's image! Whether male or female, married or single, we have all been created to reflect God and give Him glory. Unfortunately, the gift of being male or female, the gift of marriage, and the gift of raising children is not properly celebrated in our culture.

Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28 stands out as a blueprint for every believer. We are to go into the world and make disciples, not just converts. While Jesus ministered to thousands, His life’s focus was life on life discipleship with the twelve.