Love, Serve, Lead Prayer Campaign
January 25-February 15
Pray the Vision. Practice the Vision
This winter, Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church is entering a focused season of prayer and devotion as we seek God’s guidance for the season ahead.
Rooted in the new vision of The United Methodist Church: “to form disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously,” this campaign is our invitation to do more than recite a statement. Together, we are praying the vision into our bones and practicing the vision in public.
Through worship, scripture, daily prayer, and simple acts of obedience, we are listening for where the Spirit is already at work among us and how God is calling us forward.
How to Participate
This campaign is designed to meet you where you are. Whether you engage every day or take one small step, you are invited.
Join us in worship each Sunday as our sermon series follows the weekly themes
Prayer Service on Sunday, February 15, at 6:30 PM in the Historic Chapel. This will be a warm, participatory prayer service with scripture, music, and guided prayer stations. If you’re unable to be there in-person and still want to participate, feel free to utilize the prayer station prompts below.
Pray daily using the scripture readings and prayer prompts (available here and in print)
Watch the short midweek video devotions on social media that reinforce the theme and offer a simple practice
Take one small, faithful step each week as you listen for God’s leading
Small daily prayer and small daily obedience create big spiritual change.
Weekly Themes
Each week of the campaign focuses on one movement of the vision.
Week 1 — Empowered by the Holy Spirit
We begin where the vision begins: abiding in Christ and making room for the Spirit’s power. We cannot live into this calling through effort alone. We need the Holy Spirit to shape our lives and our common life together.
Week 2 — Love Boldly
Bold love is not sentimental love. It is Christ-shaped love that welcomes, heals, and forms disciples. This week invites us to move toward others with compassion and grace.
Week 3 — Serve Joyfully
Christian service is not a burden to prove ourselves. It is joyful participation in the love of Jesus. We serve from gratitude, not guilt, and discover Christ at work in the places where love becomes action.
Week 4 — Lead Courageously
Courageous leadership is not bravado or control. It is listening to Jesus, being changed by him, and taking the next faithful step—especially when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Daily Scripture & Prayer Prompts
Throughout the campaign, we invite you to pray daily using the readings and prompts below.
Each day includes:
A scripture reading
A short prayer
One simple challenge to practice that day
You can begin at any point and return as often as you like.
-
Mon, Jan 26 — John 15:1–8
Lord Jesus, teach us to abide. Root Lewis Memorial in you so we don’t confuse busyness with fruitfulness. Form us into disciples who stay connected to the vine, because apart from you we can do nothing that truly lasts.
Challenge: Choose a daily prayer time for the next three weeks and protect it like an appointment with God.
Tue, Jan 27 — Acts 1:6–11
Holy Spirit, lift our eyes beyond what we can control and help us trust what you are doing. Keep us from anxious planning and teach us patient faith. Make us ready for what comes next—not with fear, but with expectancy.
Challenge: Write down one thing you’re trying to control, and pray, “Lord, I release this to you.”
Wed, Jan 28 — Romans 8:26–27
God, when we don’t know what to pray, thank you that your Spirit intercedes for us. Meet us in weakness and teach us to pray honestly. Empower our church with a deeper life of prayer—steady, humble, real.
Challenge: Spend five minutes in silence today and simply pray, “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Thu, Jan 29 — Galatians 5:16–25
Holy Spirit, produce your fruit in us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Form our character so our vision becomes more than words.
Challenge: Choose one fruit of the Spirit to practice intentionally today, and name it in your prayer.
Fri, Jan 30 — Ephesians 3:14–21
Lord, strengthen us with power through your Spirit in our inner being. Root us in love, fill us with your fullness, and do more in our church than we could ask or imagine.
Challenge: Encourage one person today with a Spirit-filled word of gratitude or hope.
Sat, Jan 31 — Psalm 51:10–12
God, create in us clean hearts and renew a right spirit within us. Where we are tired, renew us. Where we are distracted, refocus us. Where we are discouraged, restore joy.
Challenge: Take one small step that “makes room” for God today (a screen-free walk, quiet moment, or prayer before sleep).
Sun, Feb 1 — Acts 2:42–47
Lord, make us a church devoted to prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and generosity. Form us into a community where people are known and loved—and where your grace is visible.
Challenge: Learn one new person’s name today and use it (and if you can, ask their story).
-
Mon, Feb 2 — 1 John 4:7–12
Jesus, teach us bold love that looks like you. Not love that stays comfortable, but love that moves toward people—especially the overlooked, the lonely, and the hurting.
Challenge: Pray for one person who needs encouragement and send them a message today.
Tue, Feb 3 — Romans 15:1–7
Lord, make us a welcoming church. Teach us to receive one another as Christ has received us—patiently, graciously, generously. Shape our hospitality so it becomes discipleship, not just friendliness.
Challenge: Take one step in welcome this week—invite someone to worship, a group, or a meal.
Wed, Feb 4 — Luke 10:25–37
God, widen our definition of neighbor. Give us compassion that crosses barriers and mercy that costs us something.
Challenge: Do one “Good Samaritan” act today…small but real (help, listen, give, show up).
Thu, Feb 5 — Colossians 3:12–17
Holy Spirit, clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Make our church a place where forgiveness is practiced and peace is protected.
Challenge: If there’s someone you’re avoiding, pray for them today and ask God for a next step toward peace.
Fri, Feb 6 — James 5:13–16
Lord, strengthen pastoral care at Lewis Memorial. Teach us to pray for one another with faith, and to show up with steady presence in times of need.
Challenge: Check in on one person this week who could use care—especially someone homebound, grieving, or isolated.
Sat, Feb 7 — Deuteronomy 6:4–9
God, bless our children, students, and families. Form faith not just in church programming, but in everyday life—around tables, in car rides, at bedtime, and through ordinary moments.
Challenge: Pray with (or for) a child/student/family by name today and thank a next-gen volunteer.
Sun, Feb 8 — John 13:1–17
Jesus, teach us love that kneels. Make our love practical and humble, rooted in your example. Let our church become a place where love is visible—through welcome, care, discipleship, and faith milestones.
Challenge: Choose one act of love you will do today that costs you time, attention, or comfort.
-
Mon, Feb 9 — Micah 6:6–8
God, shape our service so it’s rooted in justice, mercy, and humility. Keep us from performative good deeds and form us into faithful neighbors.
Challenge: Ask God today, “Who is my neighbor?” and take one small step toward them.
Tue, Feb 10 — Isaiah 58:6–12
Lord, let our service be the kind that loosens bonds, feeds the hungry, and repairs what is broken. Make Lewis Memorial a church that brings light in practical ways.
Challenge: Choose one tangible act of service you will do this week and put it on your calendar.
Wed, Feb 11 — Mark 10:42–45
Jesus, form in us servant hearts. Keep us from chasing status and teach us to lead by serving. Make our joy deep, not dependent on recognition.
Challenge: Do one act of service today “in Jesus’ name,” then encourage one volunteer or leader with a specific thank-you.
Thu, Feb 12 — Matthew 25:31–40
Lord, help us see you in the hungry, the lonely, the sick, and the stranger. Let our compassion be consistent, not occasional. Bless our community partners and deepen our relationships.
Challenge: Invite one person into a “bridge” connection point this month (worship, event, group, serving).
Fri, Feb 13 — Nehemiah 2:17–18
God, give us courage to rebuild and renew. Put your vision in our hearts, and give us unity to say, “Let us start.” Strengthen leadership and volunteer culture so the load is shared with joy.
Challenge: Ask God where you can help rebuild—then take one step (serve, lead, organize, encourage).
Sat, Feb 14 — Joshua 1:6–9
Lord, we need courage that comes from your presence. Where we are tempted to “build tents” and cling to comfort, help us follow you forward.
Challenge: Identify one place fear has been driving you and pray, “Jesus, help me take the next faithful step.”
Sun, Feb 15 (Transfiguration Sunday) — Luke 9:28–36
Jesus, reveal your glory to us—not so we chase a spiritual high, but so we listen and obey. Your Father’s voice says, “This is my Son… listen to him.” Empower us to lead courageously with power, love, and self-discipline for the sake of your mission.
Challenge: Choose one next faithful step you will take this week—serving, inviting, giving, joining, or leading—and do it prayerfully and promptly.