21 Days of Prayer & Meditation (with Anthony Skinner)
Start your year with a renewed and energized focus. Join Anthony Skinner in an immersive 21-day prayer and meditation experience, and connect deeply with God and yourself as he guides you through deep breathing, ignites your imagination, shares poignant stories, asks curious questions, and leads you in listening prayer.
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Day 11 Selah (Pause) [S01-E11]
01/11/2025
Day 11 Selah (Pause) [S01-E11]
SCRIPTURE [Selah] Pause in his presence. Psalm 3:2 (TPT) DEVOTIONAL It can be easy to rush in and out of each other’s presence. How often are we guilty of listening but not understanding? How often do we offer a glance but fail to truly see? Thelonious Monk, the legendary Jazz musician, said, “What you don’t play can be more important than what you do play.” You could say this another way: as a musician, what you hear may be as crucial as any note you play.” This is good advice for how we relate to God, ourselves, and each other. In David’s psalm, he purposefully added the instruction to Selah before God. (See this verse in the King James Version.) Selah means “pause” or “listen.” The Selah carries weight just as the other written words do. We are to intentionally linger and make time to experience God’s loving presence. QUESTION Where do you need to slow down? Speak less? Listen more? PRAYER Pray the following slowly: “God, help me to pause in your presence.”
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Day 10 God Names Us [S01-E10]
01/10/2025
Day 10 God Names Us [S01-E10]
SCRIPTURE I’ve called your name. You’re mine. Isaiah 43:1 DEVOTIONAL Just as God calls himself by many names… so He has many beautiful, powerful, and wonderful names for us. Our many names are rooted in God’s name. And thus, our identity is rooted in God’s identity. Just as God’s Word and Name are unchanging… so are the names and identities that He has for us, even if we do not understand, acknowledge, or believe them. So, what are some names the King of the Universe calls us? He calls us His children, sons, and Daughters of the King. He calls us Beloved. He also calls us Co-Heirs with Christ. He calls us Christ’s inheritance. He calls us priests and kings. Because He calls us these things… we are these things. Let me say that again. Because He calls us these things, we are these things. He exalts His Name and Word above all things; because of this, His word and titles for us do not change either. What a fantastic truth. I am a son. I am a daughter. I am a Co-heir with Christ. I am beloved. I am God’s royal child and Christ’s royal partner. As His children, He tells us to come to His throne and cry Abba, Father. But He also tells us to approach the throne confidently as a Co-heir with Christ. QUESTION Are your inner thoughts and actions in agreement with who God says you are? Can you embrace your identity as a royal child of The King? Do you know how to come to God as a Co-heir with Christ? Talk and listen to God about these things. PRAYER God, I want to see myself the way you see me. I want to know myself as a royal child and a Co-heir with Christ. God, teach me who I am in you, and give me the grace to walk in the truth.
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Day 9 God as King [S01-E09]
01/09/2025
Day 9 God as King [S01-E09]
SCRIPTURE Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Tim 1:17 DEVOTIONAL Today, we will begin to focus on God as King. He is our Creator. He is our Father. He is good. He is kind…And He is King! God is King over heaven and earth. Jesus is called The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is Lord over all, yet his Lordship is one of kindness surpassing human understanding. He rules forever and ever - from the Beginning to the End and from the End to the Beginning. Nothing and no time has ever been outside of His reign and His dominion. This thought can be overwhelming. But what seems to be the most challenging part is to grasp that although He is the King of Kings...He is inexhaustibly interested in us. The Lord of All is interested in all of you...not just a part of you! The same God who paints a new sunset each morning and keeps the planets spinning is also the One who calls us his most precious creation and joyfully cares for our needs! It is not below him to help us find the perfect house, the needed job, the needed friend, to heal a painful wound from our past or present, or even remind us to make a phone call. Our Father is the King of the Universe, overflowing with outrageous, extravagant kindness. What a mystery that He remains constant in his interest in the moments of our daily life! Truly, The King of Love always wants to come into our hearts and establish His Kind Lordship and Dominion of Peace, where we will surrender to Him! QUESTION Can you grasp that your Father is the King of the Universe and that He loves you, He likes you, and He longs to be with you? Can you come before The King as a confident child, or do you feel like a beggar, a servant, or a frightened child? Remember: God is strong enough, confident enough, patient enough, and kind enough for you and your honesty today. He wants to instruct your heart with His love. PRAYER Dear precious Jesus. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and Your love for me is without end. I call you King. Establish Your Lordship and Dominion of Peace and Good Order in me today.
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Day 8 What’s In a Name? [S01-E08]
01/08/2025
Day 8 What’s In a Name? [S01-E08]
SCRIPTURE I will protect him, because he knows my name. PS. 91:14 DEVOTIONAL Yesterday, we began to meditate on becoming familiar with the names of God. In Psalm 138:2, God states, "He exalts His Name and His Word above all things.” His Word is unchanging and eternal. His Name is unchanging and eternal as well. We all have many names that carry parts of our identity. I am a father, a son, a husband, a friend, a producer. These are just a few titles. In each identity, I display a different part of myself, create a different history, and perform in different ways specific to the title. All of these names are “stored” inside of my given name. But unless someone experiences me in each of these roles, they cannot know who I am in that specific expression of my identity. The more roles they see me in, the greater confidence they get in knowing me and in evaluating who I am. God’s names carry the authority and the reputation of God. They help us access the many different parts of him. They have substance. They are strong. They are constant. They are trustworthy. And they are not at war with each other. We grow closer to God by knowing them. His names are attached to the essence of who He is. Each time we understand a name of God in our hearts, we grow in our confidence and authority to call on God from a place of relationship. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) QUESTION Is there a name of God that you feel you should get to know? Is there a name of God that creates negative emotions that you avoid, confuses you, or leaves you disinterested? Begin to talk and listen to God about any part of these above questions that feels significant. Remember: God is strong enough, confident enough, patient enough, and humble enough for you and your honesty today. PRAYER My God and Father, my strong King, my true Friend and only Savior -- I want to know you. I need to know you. Who are you? Who are you as my Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Protector? Who are you as Lion? As Lamb? Lord, awaken my hunger to know you, to know you by name in my innermost parts. Amen.
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Day 7 - Knowing the Names of God [S01-E07]
01/07/2025
Day 7 - Knowing the Names of God [S01-E07]
SCRIPTURE “David said ... I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts”. 1 Samuel 17:45 DEVOTIONAL Have you ever noticed the difference you feel when someone talks about someone you have met versus someone you have not met? The difference is dramatic. A name means nothing unless we can attach meaning, significance, and understanding to the name. God has many beautiful names. He wants you to know Him and His powerful names! God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit all have names and attributes that meet our deepest needs. He wants you to be familiar with and even intimate with His names so that you can call upon Him by name. QUESTION: What name of God do you need today? Do you feel orphaned? He is your Father! Do you need safety? He is our Refuge and Strength! Are you lonely? He is Emmanuel God with Us! Do you need a friend? He is A Friend of sinners! Do you need light? He is The Light! Do you need a way through? He is The Way! Are you hungry? He is The Bread of Life! Do you feel cursed? He became The Curse, for your sake! Do you need comfort? He is The Comforter! Find a name of God and turn it into your prayer. He is I AM. PRAYER (example) God, my heart and soul are hungry. You are the Bread of Life. Fill me with your bread. Lord, let me abide in your name. Help me see where I can invite you by name into my heart and life today.
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Day 6 - Abiding in God’s Presence [S01-E06]
01/06/2025
Day 6 - Abiding in God’s Presence [S01-E06]
SCRIPTURE Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. John 15:9 DEVOTIONAL If we love God because he first loves us, then it stands to reason that one of the most beneficial and effective disciplines we may practice is to be good receivers of God’s love. We must prioritize positioning ourselves where we can readily experience God’s boundless love for us, for God’s love penetrates and ultimately transforms the human heart. As we practice being good receivers of God’s love, we move from anxiety to peace, guilt to freedom, hurt to healing, and isolation to intimacy. This practice is called “abiding” QUESTION Name one significant way you have experienced God’s loving presence. How did it affect you? Name one barrier you currently have to position yourself before God to receive his love. Can you ask God how you may partner with him to remove that barrier? PRAYER Jesus, I want to experience and know your love for me more profound than ever before. Please show me ways I may practice abiding in your love
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Day 5 - God is a Good Father [S01-E05]
01/05/2025
Day 5 - God is a Good Father [S01-E05]
SCRIPTURE So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (NIV) DEVOTIONAL God is love. God is a loving father. God is a good father. And God is in a good mood. “Love is not easily angered…. Love is not proud and doesn’t demand its own way….Love always perseveres...love is kind.” As humans, we all hit our limit. Regardless of how well we love, there are situations in which we are too tired, anxious, distracted, or overwhelmed to show love's attributes. We all know what it is like to have to assess the mood of a parent, spouse, teacher, or authority figure to decide if it is a good moment to bring our request or need to them because they are human too - and can hit a limit and not be able to respond in love. But God is not like a man. God is always full of grace. God is strong enough for us. God is in a good mood. He is ALWAYS waiting and watching to be with us. He keeps no records of wrongs. Circumstances never sway him. He loves us. He likes us. He wants us. There is never a wrong time to come to God. We will always be shocked and surprised by the overwhelming goodness of God. There will always be a part of us that has a hard time believing that God wants to run towards us, throw his arms around us, and kiss us. It is simply too great a news. QUESTION Are there any reasons why you think you can’t go to God? Are there any reasons why you tell yourself you shouldn’t go to God? How do your reasons line up with the truth of the Father in Jesus’ parable? PRAYER God, thank you for never withholding your love from me. Thank you that while I was still a sinner, you saw me as worth the sacrifice of your only son. Just like the Father in Jesus’ parable, you run to me, you throw your arms around me, you want to be with me, you celebrate me! Thank you that there is no wrong time to come to you, for you are not like a man. You ALWAYS love me.
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Day 4 - God is Love [S1-EO4]
01/04/2025
Day 4 - God is Love [S1-EO4]
SCRIPTURE Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, and it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) DEVOTIONAL God longs for you to know His love -- for God is love. To know God is to know the source of Love. But what does God’s love look like? As beautiful as human love can be, it falls short in comparison to the perfection of God’s love. As humans, we often think we know God and how He loves us by what we have experienced from the people in our lives. Sometimes, this helps us understand the depth of God’s love - if we have been loved well. But, if we have been hurt by those we love, we often consciously or unconsciously project onto God's attributes of our flawed experiences with human love. So, what does God’s love look like? Slowly read aloud 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 again. Now read the passage below, but substitute God for love -- because God is love. (God) is patient, (God) is kind. (God) does not envy, (God) does not boast, it is not proud. (God) does not dishonor others, (God) is not self-seeking, (God) is not easily angered, (God) keeps no record of wrongs. (God) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (God) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (God) never fails. 1 Corinthans 13:4-8 (NIV) QUESTION Which of the above 1 or 2 statements resonates with you the most? Write them down on a card, in your journal, or in your phone. Let them feed your soul. PRAYER Pick out 1 or 2 of the above phrases and pray like the example below. Take your time. Move through this practice of taking the scripture and making it your prayer. God, I thank you for being a good father. You love me. You are not easily angered with me. You always hope for me. Would you catch my attention when I slip into conscious or unconscious thoughts opposite to these truths? Thank you for being my loving Father. PRAYER Pick out 1 or 2 phrases above and pray like the example below. Take your time. Move through this practice of taking the scripture and making it your prayer. God, I thank you for being a good father. You love me. You are not easily angered with me. You always hope for me. Would you catch my attention when I slip into conscious or unconscious thoughts opposite to these truths? Thank you for being my loving Father.
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Day 3 - Jesus is Knocking [S01-E3]
01/03/2025
Day 3 - Jesus is Knocking [S01-E3]
SCRIPTURE Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. DEVOTIONAL One of the most important things we need to remember as we engage in these 21 days is how the Lord desires to commune with us! He wants to come in. He wants to be with you. He is talking. He is present. He is waiting. And He can come closer. He doesn’t put conditions on what’s behind the door. He simply wants to come in and be with you. God already loves you, likes you, delights in you, and guess what? He’s seen behind the door, and it hasn’t spoiled his appetite. He still wants to come in. So, let’s reread the passage. Use your imagination. Jesus is at the door of your heart. He says, “Here I am! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If you hear my voice and open your door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me.” QUESTION Jesus is at your door: What are you feeling? Are you excited? Are you panicked? Do you want to open the door for him, or do you have reservations? Do you believe he is excited to see you? If not, what do you think he is feeling? PRAYER Jesus, You have said you are waiting and wanting to be with me. Please show me when and where I don’t believe this. I want you to come in! I want to have an open-door policy with you! I want you to have the keys! Like the Psalmist said, “The closer I am to You, my God, the better because life with You is good”! Psalm 73:28 (VOICE)
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Day 2 - Prayer is A Conversation [S01-E2]
01/02/2025
Day 2 - Prayer is A Conversation [S01-E2]
SCRIPTURE “My sheep hear my voice...” John 10:27-28 ESV DEVOTIONAL When I realized that prayer didn’t have to be laborious but was merely a conversation, I began praying in a new way. I started to discover that talking to God was essential, but listening to the voice of my Creator was even more grounding and transformative. He often had much to tell me, bringing a new perspective, a clearer identity, practical solutions, and peace. I began to experience prayer as more of an exhale and refill than a form of discipline with a timer and gritted teeth. My main job was to quiet myself and listen. We are bombarded with emails, texts, Instagrams, push notifications, etc. There is so much noise. There is so much talking “AT” us. But the noise often hides our real desire as human beings - to know and be known. Sometimes, we don’t even remember this is our core need. But this is our design - to be known and to know others in return. The first fruit of the curse was hiding and God having to come after us asking, “Where are you?” God invites us today to both talk to him AND listen to him. It’s not like our technology. We aren’t posting and giving thumbs up. He isn’t sending push notifications and going back to his life. We are invited into a relationship. He wants to listen to our needs and concerns and joys and fears. He wants to tell us his heart and secrets. He wants to whisper words of encouragement and an overcoming perspective. He wants to remind us that He loves us and will never leave us. He doesn’t want to talk AT us, he wants to be WITH us. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV. QUESTION How does it make you feel knowing God wants to talk with you? How does it change your perspective on prayer knowing that your loving Father always has time for you and always has loving and encouraging things to say to you? PRAYER Jesus, thank you for your promise that I hear your voice. I ask you to awaken and arrest my heart to hear you when you speak to me.
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Day 1 - With God, Not for God [S01-E01]
12/19/2024
Day 1 - With God, Not for God [S01-E01]
SCRIPTURE We love him because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 KJV DEVOTIONAL One night, when my son was about four months old, I stayed up all night staring at him. I was so amazed by this beautiful gift God had given me, and I just wanted to gaze upon him and feel the joy and pleasure he brought to me. I was so fulfilled just knowing he was mine. And in reality, there was nothing my son could give me. All he could do was receive my love. Here is where we must start with God. God loved us first; this love compels and empowers us to love Him back. We do not start the journey by loving God. We must begin by simply receiving God’s love. These 21 days are about creating space in our lives to experience God’s love and respond to God’s love- not earning or attaining God’s love, for that is already settled. The scriptures teach us that God saw us at our worst and thought we were worth the price of His Son. Imagine that! QUESTION What do you feel, knowing that God loves you in that way? What are your barriers to receiving it? PRAYER Father, You love me so much that even when I was lost and had nothing to offer You, You sacrificed Your only Son so that You could be with me, and I could be with You. Thank you for the blessing of not having to do anything to earn your love, but that I can simply receive it…what a gift! Father, show me a specific way to surrender and accept Your great love for me today.
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