A simple way to love our neighbors this August

Hi Grace Point Family,

As we head into August, we want to invite our entire church family to spend Saturdays this month praying and fasting for our neighbors.

When it comes to sharing our faith, it’s easy to feel intimidated—worrying we don’t know enough or won't say the right things. But loving the people around us starts with something very simple: asking God to move in their lives. 

In Colossians 4:5–6, Paul encourages believers to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." 

This August, we want to put these verses into action together—literally walking our streets, asking God to open hearts, create natural connections, and give us wisdom as we love the people right next door. 

How to Participate This August

1. Fast on Saturdays. Fast during daylight hours each Saturday in August. When you feel hungry, let it serve as a quick prompt to turn your focus toward your neighbors and ask God to move. 

1. Step Out at 4:56 p.m. for a Prayer Walk. At 4:56 p.m. each Saturday (inspired by Colossians 4:5-6), head outside for a walk through your neighborhood—solo, or with family or a friend. As you pass each home, pray for open doors for the Gospel, and ask God to prepare your heart to recognize and faithfully step into the opportunities He places before you. 
2. Break Your Fast. After your walk, head back inside and break your fast, and thank God for placing you where you are. 

Tools to Help You Pray 

To help guide your prayers and keep track of your neighborhood, we encourage you to use these simple resources: 

• Download the Bless App: A practical tool to help you pray for, care for, and track your neighborhood relationships. (Select “Grace Point” as your church so we can visualize the impact we can have as a whole.) 
• Fill out an Oikos Map: A visual way to map out the people and places God has placed in your everyday circle. If you want, you can fill out an extra one to put up on the wall in the Boiler Room. 
• Download a phone wallpaper: Put Colossians 4:2–6 on your lock screen as a daily reminder throughout August. 
• Sign up for text reminders: Get text reminders to fast and pray on Saturdays (or just let us know you're praying with us!).

(Note: Fasting looks different for everyone! If health considerations keep you from skipping meals, consider fasting from social media or screen time during daylight hours on Saturdays instead.) 

Whether you’ve been praying for your neighbors for years or aren't sure where to begin, this is a simple step we can all take together. We are excited to see how God moves across Bucks County this month! 

Pastor Jason, for the Here & Near Team