Tending Your Eden: Mapping Your Ministry for the Year Ahead – The You Are My Witnesses Podcast
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Previous Episode Recap
In the previous episode I shared how my journey began in a season of suffering when God led me into unfamiliar territory. Initially hesitant, I was invited to share His message through a Bible study on the book of Job. Over time, daily prayer and reflection on scripture revealed that being a witness isn’t just an action—it’s our identity.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
Now, we are on a mission to step into the unknown, embrace our true identity in Christ, and shine His light in the world. The invitation for us is to pray earnestly, speak the truth in love, renew our mind, and seize every opportunity to share the hope of Jesus.
Protecting Our Connection
What empowers us as Christ’s witnesses is a robust prayer life. By maintaining our connection with God’s Spirit—the ultimate source of truth—we position ourselves for true empowerment, allowing us to see through the lies and distractions of the deceiver. In today’s world, staying afloat can feel increasingly challenging. We are bombarded with information and face relentless attacks on our souls from the kingdom of darkness.
We need genuine relief, and it won’t be found in mindlessly scrolling through reels on Instagram, indulging in a pint of ice cream, or overloading our schedules with endless activities. The kind of lasting relief we need cannot be achieved through a quick massage, a gym session, or a tropical vacation.
While these activities can provide temporary respite, they are insufficient to satisfy the deep longings of our hearts. We must safeguard our prayer life against lethargy, distractions, and apathy, recognizing that true relief and empowerment come only through a dedicated and purposeful connection with Jesus.
Our Responsibility to Pray
So, how is your prayer life?
Do you have daily practices that keep you connected to God? Prayer is crucial. When it isn’t a top priority, it can easily be drowned out by the distractions and concerns of our everyday life. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul reveals that God’s will for us is to pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.
In essence, what Paul is telling us is that neglecting prayer is stepping outside of the Lord’s will. Many of us face seasons when prayer feels impossible. I understand this struggle; I often have to push myself to prioritize prayer. It’s very much like exercising. I might not always feel like it, but I know how much I need it, and the benefits I gain afterward are undeniable.
Fighting for Union
Our lives were designed to run on Jesus. In the Book of John, Jesus tells us that we are the branches and He is the vine. If we remain connected to Him, we will automatically bear fruit. Prayer is how we connect to Jesus, and because there are so many things in this world that can pull us away from being with Jesus, we must fight to keep our connection.
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.
John 15:7-8 (AMP)
In a healthy relationship, it’s important to share your needs. However, if all you do is express what you want, the connection can become extremely shallow and unhealthy. We often do this with God, making our prayers solely about our own desires. While God encourages us to bring our requests to Him, it’s essential to learn how to lay those needs down at the feet of Jesus to deepen our prayer life.
Instead of merely telling Him what we need, we should hand over our cares and ask Him what is on His mind and heart. If our goal in prayer is to achieve union with Him, we must lay down our own desires and seek to understand His. Jesus reveals His desires in His Word, but prayer helps transform that knowledge from our heads to our hearts.
Addressing Distractions
Distractions can often hinder our connection with God. It’s essential to take a close look at how we spend our time and make a firm commitment to pray morning, noon, and night. For context, Muslims dedicate themselves to prayer five times a day, and as believers, we have no excuse. God has blessed us with the gift of time, and we are not guaranteed another moment. We must learn to steward our time wisely and prioritize our relationship with Him.
Here’s my challenge to you: build your schedule around your prayer life.
What do you do when you wake up?
Are you reaching for your phone? It’s a common temptation, but I’ve made a strong commitment to change that. I’ve established a new habit of leaving my phone in the kitchen at night. Instead, I rely on my Fitbit watch as my alarm. This way, I’m deliberately choosing to connect with Jesus before getting drawn into the distractions of the world. Spending time with Jesus doesn’t always need to be a lengthy session; sometimes it can be as simple as saying, “Jesus, come and be with me today. I love you, Lord,” before starting my day. If you’re uncertain about how to connect, ask Him how He wants to meet with you. Trust that He’ll guide you!
Do you pause throughout the day?
Amid the busyness of our lives, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed at times. That’s why taking intentional pauses to pray can be such a meaningful gift. These moments provide us with the opportunity to calm our racing thoughts and remind us that we are not alone—God is with us, offering guidance and support. By setting aside time to listen to Him, we can transform our chaos into peace, allowing His love and wisdom to help us realign our priorities with what truly matters.
What does your evening routine look like?
Evenings can be particularly difficult for many of us when it comes to connecting with Jesus. It’s all too easy to reach for a snack or get lost in the distraction of the TV. I often find myself going to bed with a restless mind, unable to quiet my thoughts and find true rest. I understand the struggle to carve out time for what’s truly important. That’s why I’m trying to set aside a few moments to read a Psalm and pray. I also need support from others to help keep this a priority, as it’s so easy to slip back into old habits.
Over the years I’ve learned that in the Hebrew calendar, a new day begins when the sun sets. This insight is rooted in the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, which describes “evening and morning” as marking a new day. This is why Jewish holidays, like Shabbat, start at sundown the evening before. If you’re finding it hard to sleep, perhaps this perspective will resonate with you and help you consider a different way to usher in a new day, beginning with the evening.
Oil for Your Lamps
In the Book of Matthew, Jesus tells us another story about prayer. He says ten virgins are waiting for the bridegroom, but five of them are wise, having extra oil for their lamps. Unfortunately, we hear Him say the other five virgins were foolish, and the reason is that they did not have extra oil for their lamps.
Jesus warns that the foolish virgins became drowsy while waiting for the bridegroom. When he finally arrived, they were not ready. I’ve often pondered what the oil represents in this story, and I believe I have come to understand it: the oil symbolizes prayer and our connection to Jesus, our bridegroom. As we await His return, we must heed the warning in this parable and protect our relationship with Jesus.
Praying Heart-to-Heart
Journey to the Depths
My adventure began on a sunny day as I walked my dog to the park. With a hopeful heart, I whispered a simple prayer: “Holy Spirit, help me tune into the presence of God within me. Let me see your face, Jesus.” Moments later, I was gifted with an incredible vision! I found myself on a stunning beach, waves crashing around me, with Jesus standing waist-deep in the water, beckoning me to come closer. My heart raced as I stepped into the cool waves. Just as I reached Him, He vanished beneath the surface, only to reemerge, radiant and powerful, expecting me to follow Him under the water.
As I dove beneath the shimmering waves, I caught sight of Jesus turning towards me with a warm smile that lit up the depths around us. To my amazement, I could see everything clearly underwater—it was a breathtaking world of colors and life. The allure of this serene landscape was hard to leave behind. Jesus guided me into a hidden underwater cavern, nestled beneath the vibrant coral reef. With a gentle voice, He explained that this cavern symbolized my heart, and He offered to take me on a tour. Eagerly, I nodded, filled with a sense of curiosity and wonder.
I plan to share more of my experience in future episodes, but for now, I invite you to leave the shallows and midlands of your inner life and dive deep into the depths of your heart. God has healing waiting for you there, at the core of your being. As He guides you into wholeness, great strength will flow from your heart, and from that depth, the beautiful overflow of your ministry to others will emerge. It’s vital for us, as we witness to others, to live from a place of intimacy, keeping our hearts open to God’s power and strength.
The Altar of Our Heart
God’s command to the children of Israel through Moses was clear: they were to construct altars for sacrifices and offerings (Exodus 20:24). This directive was more than just a ritual; it was the foundation for a deep and meaningful relationship with Him. Jesus, by becoming the sacrificial lamb on the cross, fulfilled and ended the old sacrificial system, yet this doesn’t eliminate the need for altars in our lives.
We must establish our own meeting places with God. Without a dedicated altar—a daily space where we can fan the flames of our faith—we risk becoming complacent and overly influenced by the world around us. Today, our hearts serve as the altar, creating a pure and wholehearted space for an authentic relationship with our Holy God. This is where He meets us, and where His fire can powerfully ignite our lives.
Challenge: Take a moment to pray about how you can build your life around prayer. It’s not about adding another task—it’s about finding true relief in God’s presence. Where can you set aside distractions and spend intentional time with Jesus?
Jesus is inviting you closer. To go deeper with Him, He needs your eyes and your heart. Will you fix your gaze on Him and open your heart to His presence today? 💛 #StayConnected #DeepenYourFaith
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Resources
If you want to grow in this area of prayer, below are some resources that will help you build your connection with Jesus.
Available on Google Play/App Store:
- Practicing connection with God
- Releasing everything to Jesus
- Restoring your union with Christ
- Inviting God to fill you
Available on Google Play/App Store:
With the Lectio 365 app you pray the Bible by meditating on the scriptures and asking God to speak through them. This is a sustainable and life-giving model of spiritual formation and prayer for ordinary people.
The National Day of Prayer (05/01/25)
The National Day of Prayer stands as a call to us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. This non-profit organization seeks to:
- Foster unity within the Christian Church
- Protect American’s Constitutional Freedoms to gather, worship, pray and speak freely
- Publicize and preserve America’s Christian heritage
- Encourage and emphasize prayer, regardless of current issues and positions
- Respect and show the love of Jesus to all people
- Glorify the Lord in word and deed
Join a prayer community, and go to the NDP website find out more information.
Dutch Sheets is a messenger of hope for America, boldly proclaiming that she will experience a Third Great Awakening and turn back to her God-given destiny. He labors to equip the church in governmental intercession, challenging believers to passionate prayer for worldwide revival. You can download the app on your phone or watch his daily broadcast on YouTube.
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*Music by LiteSaturation
Janell Kremer 
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