2024 World Day of Prayer Reflection Questions
As you prepare to observe World Day of Prayer in September 2024, we invite you to use these reflection questions as journal prompts or to contemplate in your quiet time.
1. How has faith empowered and emboldened your thinking? When has it moved you from uncertainty to audacity in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges? Are you willing to apply faith to a daunting situation and be open to wondrous results?
Jesus said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” He knew about the great spiritual machinery that the word of faith sets into action.
—Charles Fillmore, The Twelve Powers
Faith leads to action; it unlocks the “great spiritual machinery”—spiritual power—that moves mountains. This spiritual power resides within us, spurring us to think, speak, and act in ways that propel us toward the blessing we seek.
2. How has your faith grown and matured? What have your disappointments taught you about faith? When your faith is waning, how do you encourage yourself?
Faith in things spiritual is not born full-orbed and perfect. It has its stages of growth in man. The parable of the mustard seed is applicable in this as in many other instances … The earliest growths of faith are not deeply rooted.
—Charles Fillmore, Mysteries of Genesis
When our prayerful intentions do not unfold as we hoped, it is easy to conclude that lack of faith is the cause. Fillmore reminds us that faith is a process, a journey of growth toward mastery. Like most journeys, the path is seldom direct and linear.
3. What are ways in which you can join your faith with others in response to communal crises or collective needs? Is there a particular issue that lies heavy on your heart, but you feel powerless to address alone? How can you connect with others and activate your combined faith to move the mountain?
Once Unity was in serious financial straits. Bills that had to be paid were piling up, and there did not seem to be money enough to meet the payroll. The Fillmores called their staff together to pray about the matter. One of the staff said, “Let us pray that the money holds out.” “Oh, no,” whispered Myrtle Fillmore, “let us pray that our faith holds out.”
—James Dillet Freeman, The Story of Unity
The Fillmores, facing a serious crisis with consequences for themselves and their entire staff, gathered to respond with faith and prayer. Myrtle recognized that “our faith”—individually and together—was powerful and effective.