Strong foundations matter. Whether you are building a house, raising a child, or starting a new chapter in life, what we build on sets the tone for everything that follows. That is true in our faith as well. Prayer is not just something we do before a meal or when we are in trouble. Prayer is the foundation.
Acts 1:12-14 gives us a clear picture of what this looks like. Right after Jesus ascended, His followers did not run off to start big projects. They did not panic. They gathered quietly and prayed together. That is how they began their new season, with time together and time with God.
Here in Hilton Head, January can feel like a reset button. The holidays are behind us, and the air is brisk and calm. It is a natural time to catch our breath and refocus. As we step into the new year, prayer gives us a way to ground ourselves, not just in goals but in God’s presence. It helps us strengthen our homes, our church family, and our day-to-day lives.
In Acts 1:12-14, we see a group of Jesus’ followers gathering in what is known as the Upper Room. They had just seen their Savior lifted into the sky. His last words were still fresh on their hearts. But instead of rushing ahead on their own, they waited. And while they waited, they prayed.
What stands out is the unity. Men and women, friends, family, those grieving and hopeful all at once. They stayed together in that space for days.
That image still speaks to us today. When we come together in prayer, whether in our living rooms, around kitchen tables, or in church prayer groups, we practice the same kind of unity. It is not about saying the perfect words. It is about giving God our time, together.
They did not have a program or a schedule. They just stayed close to one another and close to God. That kind of unity still matters today. We do not have to be in Jerusalem to live it out. We can gather across Hilton Head, across neighborhoods, or just across the dinner table with our spouse or kids.
Prayer has a way of cleaning the lens we look through. When we talk with God, our focus shifts. Worries shrink a bit, and we remember who is really in control.
At the start of a new year, when life feels full of unknowns and expectations, this kind of connection can make all the difference. We do not pray just to solve problems but to stay close to the One who walks through them with us.
Through prayer, trust grows. Peace shows up in places where stress used to live. And connection builds between us and God, and between us and the people we care most about.
Here are a few simple ways prayer can show up in everyday routines:
• Pray out loud during morning drop-offs or commutes
• Say a quick prayer before dinner that is more than a routine, but personal and real
• Pause together before bedtime, grateful for small wins or strength just to make it through the day
These practices are about letting prayer become a natural part of how we relate as families.
Waiting can be hard. Sitting still can feel like doing nothing. But the people in the Upper Room did not think of their waiting that way. They used it. They prayed. They prepared.
Sometimes, God calls us to wait, not to hold us back but to grow something in us that cannot be rushed. In January, after the rush of the holidays ends, the rhythm slows down. It is quieter. In Hilton Head, the pace shifts. People spend more time inside. Days feel a little more reflective.
These moments of calm create space for something important. If we use them for prayer, those quieter days can deepen our faith. We might think nothing is happening, but God is working in us during those waiting seasons. He is shaping who we are before we step into what comes next.
Waiting in prayer is never wasted time. It is how we build strength for what God has ahead.
There is something powerful about praying alone, but something even stronger happens when we pray with others. Real connection forms when we carry burdens together, share hope together, and meet with God together.
We were not built to do faith alone. Shared prayer steadies us. Whether we are part of small groups, church prayer nights, or just standing in our kitchen holding hands with a spouse, we are reminded we are not standing alone.
Gathering like this does not have to be formal. It just has to be honest. When we open our hearts with others before God, trust deepens. Walls come down. Grace arrives.
• Praying with one another brings comfort when words are hard to find
• We learn to trust God again when we hear others believing with us
• Vulnerability grows strong roots when it is covered by prayer
In fact, we offer weekly prayer opportunities, including Family First Wednesdays and intercessory prayer gatherings, open to anyone seeking a deeper connection with God. When we choose to pray as a church family, we live the truth that we are built together on something more lasting than feelings or plans. We are built on prayer.
The people in Acts did not stay in the Upper Room forever. They prayed. They waited. When God moved, they stepped forward. All that early time in prayer was never just about that one moment. It was about preparation.
We do not know all that will happen this year. There will be ups and downs, quiet days and full ones. Yet, when we take time to pray, especially with others, we strengthen what matters most, our families, our marriages, and our faith. As part of our community, you can find loving support and encouragement through our core values of sacrificial love and transformation.
Prayer builds futures. It readies hearts. It opens doors of trust, making room for God to work in ways we cannot see yet. We never go into those new seasons alone. God is near, always listening, always responding in His own perfect way.
As the new year unfolds, may we remain steady together and even closer to God. Prayer is not busywork; it is the groundwork for what comes next. Let us be ready. Let us be built on prayer.
At Christian Renewal Church, we believe prayer connects us, shapes us, and gives us strength for what lies ahead. Whether you are starting a new season or rebuilding in a quieter one, it makes a difference to have others praying with you. If you are looking for opportunities to grow in faith while standing alongside others in Hilton Head, our Church Prayer Groups offer a simple, powerful way to stay grounded. We would love to walk with you through whatever this year brings. Reach out to us today.
We’re committed to being a praying church. Let us know how our team will partner with you and your situation in prayer.
