Get Ready for Sunday: When Prayer Moves First. Read Nehemiah 1:1-11

Sometimes the most important step forward isn’t action, but attention. Before God moves powerfully through us, he often slows us down to remind us where real strength comes from. So here’s a searching question worth sitting with: when pressure rises, do you instinctively plan harder, or do you pray deeper? That question matters because what we depend on first usually reveals what we trust most.

This Sunday, we begin our FORWARD journey by looking at Nehemiah 1 and the kind of prayer that precedes lasting renewal. We’ll see how God uses ordinary people who are willing to feel his burden, seek his presence, and cry out with holy desperation. This message isn’t about hype, guilt, or religious effort. It’s about preparing our hearts as a church to move forward together by depending more fully on God, especially as we step into the upcoming season of prayer, fasting, and joyful obedience.

As you move through the week, reflect on this: what situation in your life have you been trying to manage without first surrendering it to God in prayer, and what might change if you truly sought him there?

Let’s come ready this Sunday with open hearts, expectant faith, and a willingness to seek God together before we try to do anything for him.

What’s Happening

FORWARD 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting

January 18–February 7

As we step into the new year, we want to seek the Lord, striving together to cultivate a heart of generosity. We know transformation happens when God’s people humble themselves and seek him. That’s why we’re setting aside the 21 days leading up to Commitment Sunday to pursue him through prayer and fasting.

You can follow along with the 21 Days reading plan in the Forward Journal you'll receive on Sunday, in the Rooted Journal, or online at northbrookbc.com/21days ›

This Sunday, we officially kick-off the FORWARD initiative. We will focus our hearts and minds on preparing to take our next steps forward by faith, on mission, together.

  • Jan 11 › 5-week sermon series FORWARD begins

  • Jan 18 › 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting (January 18-February 7)

    • Make plans to join us for a time of corporate prayer and worship February 2-6 (Monday-Friday) at 6:00 am each day.

  • Feb 8 › Forward Commitment Sunday

Family Stewardship Experience

Join our Family Stewardship Experience! We want kids to dream about the future God has for them in our church. With parent permission, your child will be given $10 as seed money to jumpstart a project to multiply their gift for the Forward campaign. Kids will have January 11–February 8 to grow the $10 through extra chores, selling things they've made, etc. and then give alongside our church family on commitment day on February 8. Register at the link below, and then come see me at the table outside the kids worship room on Sunday to get your packet. We can't wait to see how kids dream and experience what it means to give our best to the Lord!

Register at northbrookbc.com/familystewardship ›

2026 Rooted Journals Available

2026 Rooted Journals are available for purchase in the merch store or online. The cost is $20 per journal. Pick one up this Sunday or purchase online at northbrookbc.com/rooted ›

Midweek Summit on Spiritual Warfare

Join us on Wednesday nights in January as Pastor Keith leads a powerful study on Spiritual Warfare. Dinner starts at 5:00 pm, followed by activities for Adults, Kids, Preteens, and Students at 6:30 pm. Come ready to grow and get reconnected!

Kids Expedition › Winter 2026 Session 1

January 7–February 11

We can't wait to hit the trail running again for Kid Expedition! NEW Track Options this Session:  

  • Kids Worship Team

  • How to Study the Bible

  • Illustration Station

Learn more and let us know your kids are coming by registering today. 

Signup Now ›

Discover Northbrook in True North

February 8, 15, & 22

True North is the place to learn about the life, mission, and ministry of Northbrook. Sessions 1 and 2 meet at 9:00 am in the conference room on the second-floor.

Interested? Sign up at northbrookbc.com/truenorth ›

True North KIDS

February 22 & March 1 at 9:00 am

True North KIDS gives children the opportunity to walk through the gospel in a kid-friendly, hands-on environment. It will also help them understand the importance of baptism, Lord's Supper, church membership and more!

Register for True North KIDS at northbrookbc.com/truenorthkids ›
 

New Kids Buddy Ministry!

We are looking for kind hearted, patient and compassionate individuals to join our Buddy Ministry, team that makes a big difference in the lives of some very special kids. The Buddy Ministry will provide personalized, one-on-one support for children with special needs, enabling them to participate fully in our kids programing. Every child deserves to learn about Jesus in an accessible and impactful way - and our buddies will help make that possible. Contact katie@northbrookbc.com › for more information.

Enjoy RightNow Media

Northbrook now has free access to RightNow Media—20,000+ Bible studies and videos for you and your family. Check your email for the invite link to get started or click here to sign up today ›

On The Horizon

Ministry events and opportunities coming up over the next couple of months. Save these dates:

  • Student Ministry Winter Retreat | January 16-19 › Sign Up ›

  • FORWARD 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting | January 18 - February 7

  • FORWARD Commitment Sunday | February 8

Kingdom Investors

 

How We Live on Mission

At Northbrook, discipleship always moves outward. God grows us not just for our own maturity, but for the sake of others. As Kingdom Investors, we are sent people—living with gospel purpose in everyday places and ordinary relationships.

  • Who are you intentionally walking with to help you follow Jesus more faithfully right now?

Next Steps