Introduction:
From the beginning of NewLife, we have made it a priority to seek God first in prayer.
We do this collectively as a gathering in January and August through 21 Days of Prayer.
These two months are intentional, as they begin new seasons of the year. Together, we
faithfully seek God first, trusting in His power alone to create lasting impact in our lives,
our gathering, and our world. Let’s pray for God to show us His glory!
Day One
This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any
human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus
from the dead. All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the
churches of Galatia. Galatians 1:1-2 NLT
The apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church in Galatia, a church plant that he had
been serving. Galatia was a region in central Asia Minor, located in the highlands of
Anatolia, now known as central Turkey. Paul and Barnabas passed through this area on
the first missionary journey, establishing several churches there. Timothy was from the
area of Derbe and Lystra in Galatia. Paul was writing as an apostle of Jesus Christ. This
was important because many in the early church were questioning Paul’s legitimacy as
an apostle. In other words, Paul was distinguishing himself from self-appointed
religious teachers who were dividing the early church into factions. They were teaching
heresy which was leading many in the Galatian church astray. Paul distinguishes himself
as an apostle of Jesus Christ, “and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.”
Paul’s legitimacy is not in his own accomplishments but in the merits of the Son of God
who was raised from the dead. Paul makes a statement to the Galatians, I’m writing not
of my own accord, but in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Someone has said, “The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a
prison, but a passage into God’s presence. Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it
won’t stay there.” Prayer makes a statement. Prayer is our lifeline into the presence of
God.
As we begin our 21 days of prayer, what needs to be resurrected in your life to see
the risen Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25). Do you believe this?