Strengthen the habits that move you forward

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Hebrews 12:12 - 13 NLT

Take A New Grip with us this new year and allow God to do a new thing. Together we’re looking ahead and taking steps to grow stronger, healthier and closer to God and one another. As we embark on a new year at Dream City Church, we want to seek God first. We do this collectively by gathering weekly and by starting the new year with a church-wide 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.

All are welcome. Hang out with us this weekend! Take a look below to learn more about 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.

 

  • Message Series
  • In this 5-week message series, our pastor will be speaking on Taking A New Grip on our faith, finances, fitness, friendships and future.

     

    Times & Locations

    WHITTIER

    Sundays | 8:30, 10 & 11:45am

    Click For Directions

     

    SIGNAL HILL

    Sundays | 10 & 11:30am

    Click For Directions

  • Prayer & Fasting
  • At the beginning of the year, we make it a priority to seek God first in prayer. We do this collectively as a church in January through 21 Days of Prayer, January 8 – 28. Together, we faithfully seek God first, trusting in His power alone to create lasting impact in our lives, our church, and our world.

     

    Learn More About Fasting

  • Prayer Nights
  • KIDS PRAYER NIGHT

    January 18, 7pm

    Whittier Campus

     

    ALL CHURCH WORSHIP & PRAYER NIGHT

    January 23, 7pm

    All Campuses

    21 Day Devotional

    A Desire to Know Jesus
    Verses to read:
    • John 6:44
    • Philippians 2:13
    • Ephesians 1
    • Psalm 139
    Point to Ponder

    If you have a real, authentic relationship with Jesus, you know itʻs not because you chose Him. Not only did He choose you, He gave you the desire to choose Him.

    Some people call that idea “God’s irresistible grace.” It may be the most powerful force in the Universe. And without it, the five people you’re praying for are lost and without hope.

    Scripture tells us in Philippians 2:13 NLT that it is God Himself who gives us “the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Jesus, Himself, said, “No man can come to Me unless the Father gives him the desire to come to Me.” (John 6:44 NLV)

    Let that be your Day One prayer—“God, give them the desire to know You!”

    Prayer to Pray
    Heavenly Father, Jesus said that no one comes to You unless You first give them the desire and power to do it. I pray right now for <name the five people on your list>. Draw them to closer to Jesus. May they encounter His love. Give them the desire and power to choose You! Begin to transform their hearts today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    An Open Door Faith
    Verses to read:
    • Ecclesiastes 3
    • Acts 14:27
    • Mark 1:15
    • Matthew 4:17
    Point to Ponder

    The writer of Ecclesiastes said, “There is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven.” This includes a personʻs salvation. Before Jesus began His ministry, John the Baptist preached, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15 ESV)

    Itʻs no coincidence that God has led you to pray for the five people on your list. It means He has already been at work preparing this season for them to meet Jesus. Acts 14:27 ESV says “And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”

    Our Day Two prayer is that God would open a door of faith for the five people on your prayer list. Pray that they walk through that door and not miss this appointed season to meet Jesus.

    Prayer to Pray
    Father God, I trust that the Holy Spirit is already at work on behalf of <name your five people>. Open a door of faith for each of them. Give them the power to turn to You and begin to follow Jesus today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Let Them See
    Verses to read:
    • Hosea 4:6
    • 1 Corinthians 2:4
    • Matthew 15:14
    • 2 Corinthians 4:4
    • 1 Corinthians 1:18–19
    Point to Ponder

    Spiritual blindness is a real thing for people who don’t know Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLV says, “The eyes of those who do not believe are made blind by Satan who is the god of this world. He does not want the light of the Good News to shine in their hearts.”

    Understand that the people you’re praying for in this season have an enemy who is working to keep them from seeing who Jesus really is. They may reject the Bible or the Gospel because they simply canʻt see it. They may be suspicious of your faith, but it’s because of spiritual blindness.

    Pray, then, that the light of Jesus would shine in the darkness. Pray that blinders would be removed and that they see the real

    Jesus. No more spiritual blindness. This is our prayer for your five people today.

    Prayer to Pray
    God, I pray that You give <name your five people> the power to see Jesus. May their spiritual blinders be removed. Let them see the majesty, beauty, and glory of Your grace, today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Better Relationships
    Verses to read:
    • 1 Corinthians 15:33
    • Proverbs 27:17
    • Acts 9
    • James 5:16
    Point to Ponder

    Few things can impact a person’s heart more than their relationships. Scripture says, “Don’t be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV)

    When Saul met Jesus, God had prepared a community of people for him to connect with. The first of those people was Ananias. Ananias was a follower of Jesus who had good reason to be afraid of Saul, since it was well known that Saul was a murderer of Christians. But God gave Ananias boldness, and Saul found a friend that would accept him into the community of Christ followers.

    When you think of the five people on your list today, pray for their relationships. Specifically, pray that as they leave their old life behind, that God prepares a community of better relationships on the other side.

    Prayer to Pray
    Lord Jesus, today as I lift up <name your five people> I ask that You prepare divine appointments for them—send people across their path to show Your love to them. Send better relationships into their lives. Give them the power to move out of the wrong ones and draw closer to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Hearts Turned to Truth
    Verses to read:
    • Proverbs 14:12
    • Jeremiah 17:9
    • Proverbs 16:25
    • Proverbs 21:2
    • 2 Timothy 2:25
    Point to Ponder

    “Follow your heart” sounds like a nice idea, right? The problem is, our hearts lead us down the wrong path. Jeremiah 17:9 KJV says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?”. Proverbs 16:25 NIV says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

    “Follow your heart” leads only to heartache and chances are, the people you’re praying for have experienced this firsthand. As you pray for them today, pray that they begin to disbelieve the “follow your heart” narrative.

    Pray that God begins to turn their hearts to Jesus and His Truth. Only Jesus knows their deepest desires and their biggest disappointments. Only Jesus can truly help them discover their God-given purpose.

    Prayer to Pray
    Heavenly Father, I pray that You would turn the hearts of <name your five people> to the Truth. May they see the emptiness of other worldviews and begin to put their trust in Jesus. In His name I pray, amen. 

    Circumstances for His Purpose
    Verses to read:
    • Acts 8–9
    • Daniel 4:35
    • Romans 8:28
    • Luke 1:37
    • Psalm 135:6
    Point to Ponder

    Just before some people meet Jesus, their circumstances improve. Others find themselves in a season where things get worse before they get better. In any case, God uses their circumstances for His purposes. Romans 8:28 NLV says, “We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.”

    In Acts 9, Saul had an encounter with Jesus that left him blind. Yet, God was at work in Saulʻs heart. While he didn’t stay blind for long, his temporary discomfort helped him transition out of his old life and move toward his new life in Christ.

    Ask God to work in the lives of the people youʻre praying for. Pray that He does what only He can do—use their circumstances for His purposes.

    Prayer to Pray
    Almighty God, nothing is impossible with You! You work all things together for Your purposes. Today I pray for <name your five people>—orchestrate their circumstances so that their hearts are prepared to hear the Gospel. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Influence By Good Works
    Verses to read:
    • John 13:35
    • John 12:13–14
    • Ephesians 2:10
    • Hebrews 12:2
    • John 20:21–23
    Point to Ponder

    Jesus made an astonishing promise in John 14:12 ESV when He said, “Whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” What makes this astonishing is He made this promise to “whoever believes.”

    You and I were created for good works. Our words of encouragement, generous gifts, and acts of service carry on and extend the ministry of Jesus on planet Earth. But Jesus also taught our good works draw people to Him.

    Matthew 5:16 ESV says ”Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” Pray this today for your five people— that they might be influenced by your good works and those of other Christians.

    Prayer to Pray
    Dear Jesus, we know that You are the Author and Finisher of a person’s faith. Orchestrate great works in the lives of <name your five people>. Use those good works to influence them for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Lord Have Mercy
    Verses to read:
    • Matthew 18:11–14
    • Romans 2:4
    • Matthew 18:23–27
    • Romans 10:12–13
    Point to Ponder

    Jesus is going to return for His people just as He promised in Revelation 22:12. We can hardly wait to see Him! But we also want more people to come to faith in Christ before His return. Scripture tells us that God Himself knows this tension.

    2 Peter 3:9 ESV says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” The fact that Jesus has not returned means there is hope for the people on your prayer list. God has been patient with them.

    Pray that God continues to be patient. Pray that He shows mercy to your friends and family that have not yet chosen to follow Jesus.

    Prayer to Pray
    Father God, in Your wrath, remember mercy. <Name the people on your list> have not yet chosen to follow Jesus. They have not yet repented of their sin. I petition You on their behalf. Continue to be patient with them until they turn their hearts to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Grant Them Repentance
    Verses to read:
    • Matthew 3:8
    • Acts 20:21
    • 2 Timothy 2:25–26
    • Romans 2:4
    Point to Ponder
    Over these 21 days, as you pray for the five people on your list, ask God to do a work in their hearts. Know that this can happen all in a moments time, but for most people it happens here a little, there a little. In other words, its a process!

    Repentance is part of that process. And only God can give a person the power to repent. In 2 Timothy 2:25–26 ESV Paul told Timothy, “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the Truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”

    Pray that God does this for the people on your list, today. Pray that He leads them through the process to know Him through repentance.

    Prayer to Pray
    God, I know that even now You are leading <name your five people> through a process. Would You grant them repentance that leads them to know Jesus? Give them clarity and understanding today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Freedom From Sin
    Verses to read:
    • 1 John 3:6–7
    • 2 Corinthians 2:14
    • 1 Peter 4:2
    • Galatians 4:4–5
    Point to Ponder

    One of the recurring themes you see in the Old Testament is the Israelites repeating their mistakes. Their terrible choices would get them in a mess, God would rescue them, and they would go right back to the same behavior. They knew right from wrong better than anyone. They even had a way to be forgiven. They were just overpowered and outmatched by sin.

    Jesus changed all of that. Romans 6:14 ESV says, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Then Romans 6:17 NLT says, “Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.”

    Some of the people on your list may suffer from addiction. Some may stumble through other repetitive, habitual sins. Jesus not only wants to rescue them, He wants to transform their lives and give them freedom from sin. Let this be the focus of your prayer today.

    Prayer to Pray
    Lord Jesus, You make all things new. Today, I pray that You transform the lives of <name the people on your list>. Give them freedom from sin. Free them from the chains of addiction. Rescue them from the grip of sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Make Them New
    Verses to read:
    • Proverbs 28:14
    • Romans 2:5
    • Zechariah 7:12
    • 1 John 3:17
    Point to Ponder

    One of the consequences of a person choosing not to repent of sin is that their heart becomes hardened toward God. Ephesians 4:18 ESV says, “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.”

    Jesus doesnt just modify a persons hardened heart, He totally transforms it. “And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh…” (Ezekiel 11:19 ESV)

    Make this your prayer for the people on your list today— God, give them a new heart!

    Prayer to Pray
    Lord Jesus, today I pray for <name your five people>. I ask You to forgive them of their sin, remove their hard hearts, and give them soft hearts toward You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Faith To Believe
    Verses to read:
    • Ephesians 2:8
    • John 4:10
    • Hebrews 11:6
    • Romans 10:9–10
    Point to Ponder

    Salvation does not cost anything, but it does require something. It requires faith. Hebrews 11:6 KJV says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

    A persons relationship with Jesus is a free gift on the basis of faith. But faith is not something we can conjure up on our own. Faith to believe is, itself, a gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV)

    Salvation and the faith to receive it have both been purchased for us by Jesus. Ask God to give your five people believing faith that leads to salvation today.

    Prayer to Pray
    Father God, I thank you that every good gift comes from You. Give <name the people on your list> the very faith You ask them to have in order to follow You. May they begin to experience that believing faith by Your grace today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Power to do what’s right
    Verses to read:
    • Galatians 6:10
    • Philippians 2:13
    • Proverbs 3:27
    • Acts 10:37–38
    Point to Ponder

    Sin is what separates us from God. But sin is not just doing bad things, its also not doing good things. James 4:17 NKJV says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

    Jesus not only makes a way for us to be forgiven of both active and passive sins, He gives us the power to do whats right. Ezekiel 36:27 MSG says, “I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands.”

    Todays prayer is that God would equip the people on your list with the power to do whats right by giving them His Spirit!

    Prayer to Pray
    Heavenly Father, today I pray that you make it possible for <name your five people> to do the things You created them to do by giving them Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Turn Their Heart To You
    Verses to read:
    • Philippians 2:3
    • Judges 17:6
    • 2 Timothy 3:2
    • Matthew 23:25
    • Ephesians 2:3
    Point to Ponder

    Selfishness is the default setting of every human heart. We have to train ourselves to put other peoples needs above our own.

    The problem with our selfishness is that it pulls us away from God and hurts the people around us.

    James 3:16 HCSB tells us that where selfish ambition exists “there is disorder and every evil thing.” Only a heart that has been radically transformed by the Gospel can uproot selfishness and its destructive power.

    The young Psalmist prayed, “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!” (Psalm 119:36 ESV). Pray this for the people on your list today—God, turn their hearts to You!

    Prayer to Pray
    Dear God, I ask that You forgive me of my own selfishness. Create in me a clean heart. Let me regard other people as more important than me. And as I lift up <name your five people>, I pray that You incline their hearts to You as well, and not toward selfish gain. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Send Laborers
    Verses to read:
    • Matthew 20:1–16
    • Romans 10:14
    • Luke 10:2
    • Mark 16:15
    Point to Ponder

    Jesus came to seek and save people who are lost. But He partners with us in the finding process. Matthew 9 NKJV shares the story of how Jesus “was moved with compassion” for multitudes of people who were “weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” Then Jesus tells His disciples to pray a specific prayer for the lost, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

    God has a plan to bring the good news of Jesus to the world. And His plan is us. Pray that God would send His laborers to the people on your prayer list. Pray that their words of encouragement and acts of service will impact your five people in this season!

    Prayer to Pray
    Lord Jesus, I pray that You send people across the path of <name your five people>. Send people who can influence them. Send people who will point them to You! In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Experience God’s Kindness
    Verses to read:
    • John 8
    • Titus 2:11–14
    • 1 Peter 2:3
    • Acts 3:19
    • Romans 12:2
    Point to Ponder

    The woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees (religious leaders) to be publically executed by stoning. To everyones surprise, Jesus looked at the womans accusers and said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7 NKJV)

    This act of kindness set the woman free and put the self-righteous leaders in their place. But Jesus didnt leave the woman in her sin. “Go and sin no more,” He said. Romans 2:4 ESV says that “Gods kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.”

    We all deserve judgment. Thank God for His kindness. And pray that your five people experience that kindness today. Pray that His kindness leads them to repentance.

    Prayer to Pray
    Heavenly Father, Your kindness has changed me. Thank You for rescuing me from the judgment I deserved. Today I pray that You do the same for <name your ve people>. Show them the riches of Your kindness and draw them to repentance. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Spirit of Adoption
    Verses to read:
    • 1 John 3:1
    • John 1:12–13
    • Romans 8:14–15
    • 1 Corinthians 3:21
    • Galatians 4:4–5
    Point to Ponder

    Adoption into Gods family is a pretty big deal. Theologian J.I. Packer says, “We are not fit for a place in Gods family; the idea of His loving and exalting us sinners as He loves and has exalted the Lord Jesus sounds ludicrous and wild—yet that, and nothing less than that, is what our adoption means.”

    So the Gospel is not only freedom from sin, it is also adoption into Gods family. Romans 8:15 ESV says, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ʻAbba! Father!‘” John, the disciple Jesus loved, said it this way, “Behold what manner of love the Father hath given unto us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NKJV)

    Pray this for the people on your list today—that they behold Gods love and receive that spirit of adoption into the family of God!

    Prayer to Pray
    Father God, I thank You for making a way for me to be adopted into Your family! Give <name your five people> that same spirit of adoption today. Make them Your sons and daughters as they behold Your amazing love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    An Encounter With God
    Verses to read:
    • Psalm 34:8
    • 1 Corinthians 2:9–10
    • Job 42:5
    • Isaiah 6
    Point to Ponder

    We have a saying around Church on the Move: “Face-to-face moments with God can change everything.” Throughout scripture there are a number of stories of people who encountered God. Some heard His voice, others saw His finger, some experienced fire, others earthquakes, and still others heard Him in a still, small voice.

    No matter how they encountered God, one thing was the same—each God encounter radically changed the trajectory of their lives. Peter was so transformed by seeing Jesus in His glory, he never wanted to leave. But when God reveals Himself to us its always for His glory and His purposes.

    Habakkuk said, “Lord, I have heard the report about You; Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds.” (Habakkuk 3:2 HCSB) This is our prayer for the people on your list today—may they experience the awe of a real encounter with God.

    Prayer to Pray
    Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth. Today I pray that <name the people on your list> will have an undeniable encounter with You. May they experience Your presence and may they never be the same. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

    A Church To Belong
    Verses to read:
    • Ephesians 1:5A
    • Isaiah 60:1
    • 1 Corinthians 12:27
    • Ephesians 4:15–16
    Point to Ponder

    We are not just called to believe in Jesus. Romans 1:6 NIV tells us we are “called to belong to Jesus Christ.” What does that mean? It means we are to be part of something bigger than our individual faith. God created us to belong to His family.

    Ephesians 1:5 NLT says, “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.” Belonging means being part of a local church. There, God uses relationships to help sharpen us, train us, and equip us for Gods purposes in our lives. But belonging is not about membership, its about ownership—we each have a part to play in Gods family.

    Pray for the people on your list today—that God prepares a local Church, a family of faith to which they can belong.

    Prayer to Pray
    Lord Jesus, You are the head of the Church. I pray that You not only call <name your five people> to believe in You, but call them belong to the family of God. Prepare them to find their place in a life-giving local church. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    That Someone Tell Them
    Verses to read:
    • Acts 8:26–40
    • Romans 3:3
    • Romans 10:14
    • Romans 10:9–10
    • 1 Corinthians 6:9
    Point to Ponder

    When a person chooses to follow Jesus, we know that God has been at work in their life for some time. Many people will have played a part in that decision. The Apostle Paul says, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 6:9 NIV)

    Over the last three weeks, youve played a significant role in leading the five people on your list to Christ. It may be time for someone to clearly present the Gospel to them. Romans 10:14 NLV says, “But how can they call on Him if they have not put their trust in Him? And how can they put their trust in Him if they have not heard of Him? And how can they hear of Him unless someone tells them?”

    Whether its you or someone else, pray that God makes a way for someone to tell your five people the Good News of what Jesus has done for them.

    Prayer to Pray

    Lord God, today I pray that You prepare the way for someone to introduce <name your five people> to the real Jesus. Open their hearts to receive You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Get Their Attention
    Verses to read:
    • 1 John 5:14–15
    • Acts 4
    • Acts 16:15
    • 2 Corinthians 1:20
    Point to Ponder

    Here we are at Day Twenty-One! Trust that God has already done a work in the hearts of the people on your list, just as Hes done in your own heart these last three weeks. Trust that God wants your five people to know Jesus even more than we want them to. Weve done our part, now watch God do His!

    Acts 16:14 ESV says, “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Make this your Day Twenty-One prayer.

    As the Gospel is presented to your five people, by you or someone else, pray that God gets their attention. Pray that He opens their hearts to the Gospel and they meet the real Jesus. All the promises of God find their yes in Him.

    Prayer to Pray
    Lord Jesus, I trust You to do what only You can do—open the hearts of <name your five people>. Cause them to pay full attention to whatever presentation You send their way. May their hearts be like fertile soil to the seeds of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Ask God to show you your next step with each of the people you’ve been praying for. For some it may be an invitation to coffee or a series of conversations. For some it may be a text message or a card to let them know youve been praying for them. Or God may open a door for you to invite them to church or even share the gospel with them yourself.

    Connecting with someone after youve prayed for them for 21 days should be one of the most enjoyable experiences you will ever have. God has gone before you and He will be with you. So take your next step in strength!

    Remember that it is not your responsibility to “accomplish” anything. Whatever happens next is in Gods hands. 1 Corinthians 3:6 NLT says, “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.”

    Thank you for praying with us these 21 days. We cant wait to hear all God does in and through you!