Providing Christian resources from the YMCA past and present to nourish inclusive, equitable work in our diverse and global neighborhoods that build up healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
IGNITE! Praying the Impact with the World YMCA!
Join us in November for a Week of Prayer!
‘IGNITE: Praying the Impact’ is a theme aligned with the long-term strategies of #YMCAVision2030 and #Goal2035 and the World YWCA. It is a call to act prayerfully, informed by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. To focus our prayers, we have selected the values of:
1️⃣ Wholeness
2️⃣ Hope
3️⃣ Responsibility
4️⃣ Dignity
You’re invited to pray with all of the Y’s around the world starting November 13-19!
We encourage you to join us each day in a solidarity of spirit, a kind of unity that builds bridges; to learn more click here or using the QR code below! There you can access all the Scripture Readings, Devotions, Discussion Questions, and Prayers.
Some ideas on how to use this resource in your Y:
Start with You: commit to personally set aside 15-20 minutes each day to enjoy the prayerful silence and solitude of being with God and lifting up your friends and colleagues up in gratitude and concern.
Find a friend you feel might be open to spending time with you in this week of prayer.
If you’re already part of a prayer group see if they’d be open to adopting this series for a week.
Share each day on social media and invite your followers and friends to join you through what you post.
I’m sure there are more ideas!
Below you can find the Key Verse for each day, Reflection Points, and a Prayer of Blessing. You can use these on your own or with friends. Feel free to share!
DAY ONE REFLECTION POINTS
• Where are you called to serve in the community you are placed?
• What are the needs in your community?
• Is something hindering you from being rooted deeply in the life of your community?
• Where is the one person you can bring light to this day?
• Where are you longing that the light of Jesus will shine into your life?
DAY ONE PRAYER OF BLESSING
DAY TWO REFLECTION POINTS
• If you could change one thing in your life to take a step toward whole-person wellness, what would it be?
• What barriers have gotten in the way of you making this change?
• How would you respond if Christ personally asked you, “Do you want to be made well?”
• If your YWCA/YMCA could take one step toward impacting wholeness in your community, what would it be?
• What barriers need to be removed in your community so this can happen?
DAY TWO PRAYER OF BLESSING
DAY THREE REFLECTION POINTS
• Do we choose to see our world through the lens of cynicism or through the lens of hope?
• How are we allowing hope to move us in a way that produces integrity in the way we work?
• What do we need to do to ensure that we remain sources of hope?
• What may be hindering us from impacting hope today?
DAY THREE PRAYER OF BLESSING
DAY FOUR REFLECTION POINTS
• Examine your daily habit and lifestyle and reflect upon your complicity with stewardship models based on ideas of dominion (kabash) or subduing(radah)?
• Does the stewardship framework of oikonomos-oikodomos make sense to you? Why? Why not?
• What can you, as an individual, and as an institution (YMCA / YWCA), do to become a responsible and proactive steward?
DAY FOUR PRAYER OF BLESSING
DAY FIVE REFLECTION POINTS
• Do we still regard prayer as a critical component in the work that we do as the YMCA and the YWCA?
• Are we still Christ-centered and God-fearing, or have we succumbed to the powers that be in the world?
• Where do we place advocacy for human dignity in the work that we do in the 21st century?
• What is our ecumenical and interfaith profile today? Are we content working in silos as the YMCA and the YWCA?
• When called to task, how do we, as the YMCA and the YWCA prioritize equity and equality issues in the globe, our vision, and work?
DAY FIVE PRAYER OF BLESSING
DAY SIX REFLECTION POINTS
• Is there anything in today’s topic that I have found challenging to read? How does this affect my view of others?
• Do I look for ‘Good’ in my co-workers, or do I look for ‘Bad’?
• What aspect of my character can I pray for the Holy Spirit to transform and impact those I serve in a better manner?
• What practical steps can I take to nurture the unifying presence of God within my YWCA / YMCA?
• Are there any relationships I need to repair? To say sorry? To ask for forgiveness for how I have spoken or acted?
Serving the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne as their Director of Christian Emphasis since 2016 to inspire, empower, and mobilize members and staff to live out our mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Contact me for speaking engagements, consulting, resources, and collaboration regarding ways the Christian faith can be an inspiring and inclusive dimension of diversity in your YMCA.
View all posts by Tim Hallman