Union Baptist Church: A Call to 30 Days of Prayer

As we step into a new season of faith and growth, I invite each of you to join me in a special 30-day prayer journey. Our dear brother, Rod Jetton, has prepared a 30 day prayer calendar (see below) filled with Scripture and focused prayers to help guide us as we seek God’s wisdom, strength, and direction. Prayer is not just a routine—it is the lifeline that connects us to the heart of God, shaping our thoughts, actions, and ultimately, our success in Him.  

I often find myself reflecting on the word “success.” What is true success? How does one achieve it? How long must we labor before we reach the goals we have set? These questions can weigh on our minds, especially when we see others seemingly moving ahead faster than we are. If we’re not careful, we may slip into a pattern of negative and counterproductive thinking.  

In his classic book “The Power of Positive Thinking”, Norman Vincent Peale shares a powerful formula for achieving personal success—one rooted in faith. He reminds us that true success begins with acknowledging God as the source of all good and perfect gifts. Without faith in Him, any success we attain is only temporary, and its rewards fleeting. Peale’s approach offers us three key principles to help align our hearts and minds with God’s will:  

PRAYERIZE – Strengthen Your Daily Prayer Life  

Many of us fall into the habit of repeating the same routine prayers, but God desires an ongoing conversation with us. Prayerizing means making prayer a natural and creative part of our daily lives. It’s about bringing our worries, struggles, and uncertainties to God in real time, trusting Him for guidance. Let us commit to prayerizing our thoughts so that our actions are rooted in His wisdom.

PICTURIZE – See Success Through the Eyes of Faith  

The way we see the world shapes our reality. Those who picture failure often find themselves paralyzed by fear, while those who visualize success—through faith—move forward with confidence. As we seek God’s will, we must also hold firmly to the vision He has placed in our hearts. Let us ask: What if God moves in ways we cannot yet see? What if this prayer leads to a breakthrough? When we picture success in alignment with God’s plan, we trust Him to lead us through every step.

ACTUALIZE – Walk in Faith and Take Action  

Prayer leads to right thinking. Right thinking leads to a godly perspective. A godly perspective allows us to see the doors of opportunity that God has already opened for us. When we align our actions with the vision He has given us, we step into His divine plan and experience the fulfillment of His promises. Actualization is the moment when our faith becomes sight, and we see God’s hand at work in our lives.

Beginning April 1st, let us embark on this 30-day journey together with expectant hearts. Each day, as we follow our prayer calendar, let us prayerize our concerns, picturize God’s promises, and actualize His will in our lives. May this be a season of spiritual renewal, breakthroughs, and divine success—not by our strength, but by God’s power working in and through us.

I encourage each of you to commit to this time of focused prayer. Let us trust that as we seek Him, He will guide our steps and transform our lives in ways beyond our imagination.

In faith and expectation,  

Pastor Raymond Abernathy