READ: MATTHEW 6:9-10; ROMANS 8:26-39; EPHESIANS 6:18-20

Have you ever prayed for a win? Maybe you asked God for a home run or a goal or for a certain player to make a three-point shot. If you play a sport, you’ve probably prayed for yourself to make that shot. Many of us ask God to intervene in sports, and then we’re often disappointed if He doesn’t seem to answer.

The truth is, Jesus cares about us and wants us to talk to Him about everything, including games we hope to win, and the disappointment we feel when we lose. But that doesn’t mean He’ll always answer our prayers the way we want Him to.

Sometimes our prayers can be selfish, can’t they? Sometimes when we pray, we put the focus on ourselves and what we want, instead of God’s plan to do what’s best and help more people come to Jesus.

When we focus only on what we want, our prayers can become small and self-centered. But when we think about what God wants, our prayers become bigger. We can pray for more people to know His love and be transformed by the gospel. We can pray for God’s justice, mercy, and goodness to flood the whole earth. We can pray for our spiritual growth, and for the spiritual growth of other Christians we know and love. These are things we know God wants to do.

Of course, we can still ask for a win. But as we pray, we can submit to God and trust Him to help us do whatever He wants us to—even if that includes being a good sport when we lose. We can pray for God’s will to be done and that we’ll remember to show His kindness and love to the people around us, no matter how the game turns out. • A. W. Smith

• Have you ever prayed for God’s will to be done while playing or watching sports? What was that like?

• God cares about more than just who scores and who wins. He wants us to invite Him into everything that matters to us, including sports, humbly offering ourselves for His glory and His purpose. What might it look like to share His goodness through our words and actions while we play or watch sports?

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 (NIV)

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11; 11:23-33

My favorite football team made it through one game in the NFL playoffs, and then they lost. It was a heartbreaking loss because I knew they easily could have won the game. The disappointment I felt was instant, and it hung over me as time moved on. I can only imagine the disappointment felt by the players and their families.

God is there in our disappointments, and He is working in everything that goes on in our lives. Some might say God doesn’t care about a sport or a specific game, but I believe He does care about people and their lives—and the way each game turns out definitely has an effect on people, especially those who are part of the team. A quarterback can experience real hurt when his team loses—and God cares about that. A linebacker might feel they have failed after their team doesn’t make it—God cares about that too.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Paul describes how God comforts us in our troubles. Then later in this same letter, Paul recounts the many ways he has suffered—how often he has been in grave danger and endured tremendous pain from flogging, hunger, and nakedness, and how he has been “exposed to death again and again” (2 Corinthians 11:23-33). Yet, in spite of all this, Paul says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). While Paul’s afflictions were certainly far greater than losing a football game, the truths he shares about God’s comfort can still apply to every disappointment we experience.

When we have something happen in our lives that leaves us feeling disappointed, no matter how big or small it is, we can turn to God and know that He is there. He notices our hurts, and He wants to comfort us. He wants to remind us of His love, even in the midst of the pain. Remember, Jesus died and rose again so we could be brought near to God. So, in every loss, we can know that He is there for us. We never have to go through anything alone. From a lost game to a lost relationship to a lost family member, God sees the unique situation you are going through. And He is there, ready to listen as you share your pain with Him. • Emily Acker

• It can be hard to believe that God cares about all the big and small things we go through, but He does! What is one of the disappointments you’ve faced in your life recently? Consider taking some time to talk to God about what happened and how you feel, and receive His comfort.

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 (NIV)

READ: JONAH 1:1-17; 2:1-10; 3:1-3; LUKE 15:11-32

Like Jonah I’ve been running away

even though I hear God’s call

above the crashing waves

Still I’m sinking in my sin

deeper than I’ve ever been

shackled by the weight

of my regrets and mistakes

Three days spent searching for relief

So many doubts as I cry out

“God, do you really love me?”

I hear Him above the noise

A still and silent voice

If you take My hand

I’ll lead you to dry land

Even when my flesh is weak

and I run toward all the wrong things

He is still holding on

My breath when all air is gone

Like Jonah I finally get it

Our God is the King of second chances • Kara Krulick

• In the book of Jonah, God called Jonah to go to the city of Ninevah and warn them of God’s coming judgment if they did not turn away from their wickedness and fall on God’s mercy. But instead of going to Ninevah, Jonah ran away from God. In what ways have you been like Jonah? Is there anything you think God might be calling you to that you have been running away from?

• Sometimes, it can be hard to believe that God’s love is unconditional, and He will forgive us no matter how far we’ve run from Him. But God sent a storm, then provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah so he didn’t drown, and after three days God commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land. Then God gave Jonah a second chance to go to Ninevah, and he did. In a similar way, God the Father sent Jesus, God the Son, to save us. Jesus tells us that Jonah’s story points to His story (Matthew 12:38-41). When we were stubbornly running away from God, Jesus went to the grave we were destined for, but after three days He was raised from the dead. So now everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is rescued from sin and death. As Christians, we are free to follow Jesus. And even though we will continue to mess up until Jesus returns and makes all things new, He keeps giving us forgiveness and second chances. Can you think of some ways God has given you second chances? (You can find more about the good news of Jesus on our "Know Jesus" page.)

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 119:9-16; ROMANS 12:1-2; PHILIPPIANS 4:8

As we go about our everyday lives, we will inevitably see and hear things that bother us—from things people talk about and jokes they make, to stuff we come across online. Sometimes we know these things are wrong, but they seem unavoidable. It all ends up filling our heads, and even when we don’t want to think about that junk, it can still give us bad thoughts.

When bad thoughts come to our minds, just ignoring them usually isn’t enough. What helps is replacing them with good ones. Think about it this way: If a car’s radiator hose splits open, green liquid splatters all over the surface of the engine and smokes. You can’t leave the bad hose the way it is, and you can’t just take it out either. If you want the car to keep running, you need to replace the broken part. It’s the same with bad thoughts—they have to be replaced.

But where do we get good thoughts to replace the bad thoughts with?

If we know Jesus, we already have them. He’s changing the way we think. Whenever bad thoughts come, we don’t have to let them take control of our minds. Instead, we can set our minds on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-3). He loves us so much that He died on the cross to free us from sin, and He rose from the dead so we could know Him and live with Him forever.

Because of Jesus, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to actually reject bad thoughts and grab onto good thoughts instead (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we’re tempted to think hateful thoughts about someone, we can take those thoughts out and instead choose to focus on Jesus’s love for that person. When we’re tempted to lust after someone, we can replace that thought by considering how Jesus sees that person. When we’re tempted to see ourselves as worthless, we can remember the infinite worth God places upon us, which He showed when Jesus gave up His life for us. And, as we notice recurring patterns of specific kinds of bad thoughts, we can start to memorize Bible verses that address the particular lies and sins we’re struggling with. No matter what bad thoughts we encounter, they’re no match for the truth of Jesus’s love. • A. W. Smith

• Do you notice specific bad thoughts that keep coming into your mind? Who is a trusted Christian you could talk to about these, such as a parent, pastor, youth leader, or counselor?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 13; REVELATION 6:9-11; 21:1-7

Working in a fast-paced environment can be stressful, especially when you’re new. I used to work at a very busy coffeeshop, and I was so nervous and stressed for my first several weeks. Then, suddenly, I wasn’t the new person anymore—I was helping the new people.

I remember one new barista who handled the pressure very well. She caught on quick, but she was still stressed. A few days into her training, in between steaming milk and pulling shots of espresso, she asked me under her breath, “How long does it feel like you’re dying?”

I considered her question for a moment, then answered, “About a month.”

She nodded decisively. “I can do that.”

Years later, that interaction has stuck with me. Many times in life, I have gone through a painful, difficult season, and I’ve just wanted to turn to someone who’s done it before and ask, “How long does it feel like you’re dying?” Because the truth is, there’s usually an endpoint to whatever difficulty I’m currently facing, either because the situation gets resolved or because I grow and adapt. And if I just knew when that endpoint would be, I could say, “I can do that.”

We see this same sentiment in the book of Psalms. Over and over, the psalmists ask God, “How long, O Lord?” When we’re suffering—whether we’re just adapting to a steep learning curve or enduring a painful season of loss—all we want to know is when the pain will go away.

But there is hope embedded in that question. Asking, “How long, O Lord?” means we believe that the endpoint will come. The suffering is temporary. And, as Christians, we know this is true! We know that, someday, Jesus will return to rid the world of all suffering, sin, and evil. Praise God for that glorious hope!

And, if we know Jesus, we also have hope for right now. We know that He is with us in our suffering, and He will walk with us through whatever trial we face. We can turn to Him and ask, “How long will it feel this way?” We may not get an answer immediately, but it helps to know that Jesus actually feels our pain with us. And He will carry us through to the endpoint of the trial in front of us. Remember, all the trials, pain, and suffering are temporary (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). But the Lord’s love and comfort are eternal. • Taylor Eising

• Can you think of any trials or suffering Jesus has brought you through? What was that like?

• Are you enduring a hard time right now? In addition to talking to Jesus about it in prayer, is there anyone you can talk to who has gone through a similar time in their life?

• Do you know anyone who is going through something you’ve gone through before? What are some ways you could come alongside that person to listen well, offer comfort and gentle encouragement, and pray for them?

• If you’re going through something really hard, and especially if you’re experiencing mental health concerns like anxiety or depression, talk to a trusted adult today. If you’re not sure who to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT)

READ: PROVERBS 10:20; LUKE 6:43-45; JAMES 3:1-12

Have you ever had trouble with saying the wrong thing at the wrong time? I have, more often than I’d like to admit. At times I have my tongue under control, then someone will irritate me and boom! Out comes something that shouldn’t have come out.

As much as we would like to ignore our troublesome mouths, we can’t. Jesus said, “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45). Our mouths can be used as a gauge for what’s in our hearts. Eventually what we think comes out, and that can be good or bad! When we speak words that are good, pure, or truthful, we can thank God and ask Him to help us cultivate a heart that continues to overflow with wholesome words (Ephesians 4:29). But when we say, or write, something that’s angry, hurtful, or sinful, we need to stop and ask where that came from.

On any given day, we may think we’re not struggling with anything or that we have no problems, but then our words will indicate otherwise. Rude words reveal unkindness. Lying ones show dishonesty. Complaining can display ungratefulness. The list goes on and on.

But the good news is, Jesus defeated sin on the cross and rose again, so we no longer have to let it rule over us. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He has cleansed us of sin and given us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26). So now, whenever we discover a wrong attitude or habit, we can take it to Jesus, and He will help us overcome it (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16). His Holy Spirit will replace things like resentment and pride with virtues like joy and peace, which will lead to good words (Romans 15:13). Jesus cares about what’s in our hearts, and when we say something we shouldn’t, He doesn’t leave us trying to figure out how to fix the problem. He’s right there to help us when we stumble, and with Him the evil things become good. • Morgan A. Mitchell

• Our words are good indicators of what’s in our hearts. So, whenever we notice bitterness, jealousy, resentment, pride, greed, or any number of ugly things spilling out of our mouths, we can confess these to Jesus and ask for His help. Ultimately, our sin comes from a place of not trusting God. But as we spend time in God’s Word, in prayer, and with His people, He will help us see how trustworthy He truly is, how deeply He loves us, and how He wants to heal the places we’ve been hurt. Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about things you’ve said recently. In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about this?

“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 29:2; MATTHEW 2:1-12; JOHN 4:23-24

Today, many Christians celebrate Epiphany by remembering how the magi followed a star and traveled to Bethlehem to see Jesus. In many ways, the magi are a unique part of the Christmas story. First, they were probably the richest people to visit Jesus. Second, they likely saw Jesus when He was around two years old instead of a newborn. Third, they weren’t Jews. They were from the east—some speculate the Persian area (where Iran and Iraq are now). And fourth, unlike the other visitors, they presented Jesus with gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But the magi didn’t just visit Jesus to give Him gifts. They came expressly to worship Him, referring to Him as the “king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). Somehow, they knew that the unusual star they saw announced the birth of a king, and their immediate reaction was to find Him so they could worship Him. The word worship means reverent love and devotion, ardent admiration, or adoration. All this for a king who was born in a land far from their own!

Notice the magi first worshipped Jesus, then presented their material gifts. They did things in the right order. Jesus desires our worship more than the money we give or how much time we spend caroling at nursing homes. These are all good things, but He’s more concerned with our love for Him than any of the good works we do (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

The hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” says again and again, “O come, let us adore Him.” Like this song proclaims, may the story of Jesus inspire reverent love and devotion in us. May we ponder the fact that God the Son willingly became human and was born as a baby, that He lived the life of a wandering preacher, that He let Himself be put to death when He had done nothing wrong, and that He came back from the dead as the Risen Savior, ascended into heaven, and promised to return one day and renew the heavens and the earth. May we celebrate and give thanks for God’s love. May we worship Him as the King of kings (Revelation 17:14). After all, no other god stepped down from His throne, gave up His life, and loved us with such abandon. As we remember all Jesus did for us, may we first respond in love, devotion, and adoration. And may our love then overflow in gifts of service to God and to His people. • Morgan A. Mitchell

• Consider taking some time to express your love, adoration, and thankfulness to Jesus in worship.

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (NLT)

READ: JOHN 3:16-17; 14:1-10; REVELATION 1:5-8; 21:1-5

Do you like having something to look forward to? I do! I think having something to look forward to keeps me in a positive mindset. Whether it’s a certain dessert or dinner that’s planned, a fun theme for Wednesday night church club, or just a nice day when I get to be outside a little more than normal.

Have you ever felt like there’s nothing to look forward to? I definitely have. Like right after something big ends, and you feel like all the fun is over and you’re back to doing the same things over and over again.

The good news is, we have one thing we can always look forward to—Jesus coming back! We can’t count down the months or mark off the days because no one knows exactly when He is coming (Matthew 24:36). But we do know He will return, and it will be amazing!

Jesus died on the cross two thousand years ago so that everyone who puts their trust in Him has a new life. He shed His blood to cover all our sins, and three days later He rose from the grave so we could spend forever with Him. So now, we can look forward to what is coming!

Jesus promises to renew our bodies. We will get to live in a new heaven and a new—perfect—earth! He is preparing a place for each of us (John 14:2-3). Best of all, we will get to see and talk to Jesus face to face. How amazing is that going to be? • Kimberly Brokish

• Is there something you’re looking forward to right now? What is it?

• When Jesus returns, He will right every wrong, restore the heavens and the earth, and raise us from our graves! Everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him, and with all our fellow believers, forever. We can’t even imagine how wonderful it will be, but we know we will finally be free from all suffering and sadness, and we will have good, purposeful, creative work to do. What do you look forward to most when you think about Jesus coming back someday? (If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 11:6-10; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 15:1-58; 1 John 3:1-3).

“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man [Jesus].” Matthew 24:27 (NIV)