From Rubble to Renewal: A 21-Day Journey Through Jeremiah 1:10

How do you start a new year? For our family of churches, 2026 began not only with celebration, but also with a collective cry for transformation.

From January 1st through the 21st, we stepped into a focused season of prayer led by Krista Bennet, our National Coach of Women in Leadership. Together, we wrestled with the raw, disruptive, and ultimately beautiful themes found in Jeremiah 1:10.

As leaders and members of EMCC churches gathered weekly over Zoom, we leaned into the dual rhythm of Jeremiah’s appointment: the difficult work of uprooting and tearing down what hinders us, and the hopeful work of building and planting in obedience to God. It was a sacred time of surrender, seeing a screen full of faces from across the country all lifting heavy burdens and high hopes to Jesus. 

What follows is a summary, from those Zoom gatherings and beyond, of our deep desire for the Lord to work in our individual hearts, our local congregations, and our denomination as a whole.

We offer these songs to you as you meditate on these desires, and welcome you to pray with us:

The Gardener by Sarah Kroger 

Tend by Bethel Music 

“See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” — Jeremiah 1:10

Today 

Now is the time for the Church of Jesus Christ to pray and take action. 

There is a growing wave of momentum from the Spirit–we must go with His flow–move together.  

The church is at an important crossroads. 

Lord, show us the way. 

Direct our steps.  

We choose Your will, not conformity to the world. 

We choose the narrow road.  

We choose Your future, while celebrating our heritage.  

We pray for discernment and courage. 

Rooting Out 

Lord, root out pride, fears, and lethargy.  

Lord, root out unforgiveness. 

Lord, root out our independence and self-righteousness. 

Lord, tear down the enemy’s strongholds in our denomination, local congregations and our hearts. 

Planting

Lord, plant oneness in our hearts, churches and denominations. (John 17) 

Lord, plant kindness, honour, faith, hope. 

May EMCC churches be hubs of ministry and mission in our communities. 

Lord, plant Your vision. 

Amen