To: Members of the United Apostolic Church

From: Rev. Natassia Ferguson – Assistant Pastor

Date: November 8, 2026

OUR THEME: GRATEFUL

On Wednesday, November 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2026, we will be engaging in three Wednesdays of prayer and fasting. Our goal is to fast each day from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

As we quickly approach the season known as Thanksgiving, it is imperative that we reflect on the goodness of God throughout the past ten months. Regardless of our current circumstances or past trials, we must give thanks. It is the Lord's steadfast love that has brought us this far. Therefore, we must live in a posture of gratitude.

In Jeremiah 29:11, God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish people who had been taken captive and exiled to Babylon. These words continue to remind us of God's grace, mercy, and love toward His people. God's thoughts of peace and an expected end assure us that He still holds a deliberate and hopeful future for us beyond our present suffering.

Although this verse was originally written to a specific group of people in the sixth century BC, it reflects God's unchanging character. He remains in control and has purposeful intentions for His people—even in the middle of difficult, confusing, or painful seasons.

Whether you are in a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to enter into a storm, let us trust the God who never fails. He promises to be with us in every season of our lives. Hebrews 13:5 provides the assurance of His abiding presence.

Remembering His Faithfulness

Psalm 136 should always remain in our hearts as we live out our Christian lives. It begins by acknowledging God as the Creator of the heavens, the earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars. It continues by showing God as a Deliverer, recounting how He delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and led them through the wilderness.

The Psalm also reminds us of how God defeated powerful kings and gave Israel an inheritance. Finally, it acknowledges God's continued faithfulness: He remembered His people in their low estate, delivered them from their enemies, and continues to provide for all living things.

As the body of Christ, we too can reflect on the goodness of the Lord and His faithfulness toward us.

When Israel crossed the Jordan River, the Lord instructed Joshua to select twelve men, one from each tribe, to take twelve stones from the place where the priests stood carrying the Ark of the Covenant. These stones were to serve as a memorial of God's mighty works and faithfulness for future generations.

When future generations asked, “What mean these stones?”, the Israelites would have an opportunity to tell the story of God's mighty power, faithfulness, and deliverance.

Let us maintain a posture of gratitude in every season of our lives. Sometimes we need to pause, lift our eyes to God, and simply say, “Thank You.” Not because life is perfect, but because even in chaos, He remains faithful.

As we begin these days of fasting and prayer, let us resolve in our hearts to live each day with gratitude toward our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May we never become so consumed with what we are asking God to do that we forget to thank Him for what He has already done.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2026

Prayer Focus: Maintaining a Posture of Gratefulness

Let us pray that we maintain a heart of gratitude in every season of our lives, recognizing God's goodness and continually giving Him thanks.

Prayer Points

1. Pray that we will enter into God's presence with thanksgiving. (Psalm 100:1)
2. Pray that we will maintain a posture of gratefulness in every season of our lives. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
3. Pray that we will trust God's unfailing promises and never allow our circumstances to diminish our appreciation for who He is. (Hebrews 13:15)
4. Pray that our homes, relationships, and churches will become places where thanksgiving is continually expressed. (Psalm 34:1)
5. Pray that our mouths become instruments of thanksgiving rather than channels of negativity. (1 Corinthians 10:10)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2026

Prayer Focus: Leaders Maintaining a Posture of Thanksgiving

Let us pray that our leaders maintain a posture of thanksgiving so that others may see their example and emulate it.

Prayer Points

1. Pray that our church leaders will serve the Lord from a heart of thanksgiving continually, regardless of the seasons they are walking through. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
2. Pray that our leaders will never allow the demands of ministry to rob them of their personal worship and appreciation for God. (Habakkuk 3:17–18)
3. Pray that our leaders will remain anchored in God when they experience disappointment, opposition, misunderstanding, or spiritual battles. (Romans 8:28)
4. Pray that our leaders' lifestyles will inspire the congregation to develop a culture of praise, gratitude, and genuine appreciation for God's goodness. (1 Timothy 4:12)
5. Pray that there will be an atmosphere of thanksgiving, love, and mutual appreciation among our church leadership. (Ephesians 4:3)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2026

Prayer Focus: Our Community Developing a Posture of Thanksgiving

Let us pray that our community develops a posture of thanksgiving because of God's unfailing love toward them.

Prayer Points

1. Pray that our unsaved community members will embrace God's grace with an attitude of gratitude. (Psalm 34:1)
2. Pray that our community members will respond to God's goodness by opening their hearts and receiving His free gift of salvation. (John 3:16)
3. Pray that the Lord will deliver our community members from the deception of believing that their accomplishments and possessions are solely the result of their own strength. (Proverbs 3:6–7)
4. Pray that the Lord will remove every hardened heart, spiritual resistance, and indifference toward Him from our unsaved community members. (Ezekiel 36:26)
5. Pray that our unsaved community members will recognize God's provisions, protection, mercy, and kindness. (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)

PERSONAL REFLECTION & PRAYER

As we enter these three Wednesdays of prayer and fasting, take time to reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness in your own life.

1. What are three things you are especially thankful to God for?
2. How has God sustained you through difficult seasons?
3. How can you demonstrate gratitude more consistently in your home and relationships?
4. Who can you encourage this month by sharing a testimony of God's goodness?

My personal prayer and reflections: