21 Days of Prayer & Fasting – Day 1

Day 1: God So Loved the World

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. –John 3:16

Many of us know John 3:16 as one of the most familiar verses in the Bible. But sometimes, in its familiarity, we overlook the depth of its truth—that God so loved the world.

I first memorized John 3:16 as a little girl and it’s been familiar to me for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a Christian home, and my parents raised me in a Bible-believing church. I went off to college, graduated, started a career. My life was fairly average and I imagine that I often overlooked the depth of who the world was that God so loved.
India and its daughters weren’t on my radar.

And yet, God took my ordinary path and began to align my heart with His. Graciously, He opened my eyes to realize that “the world” was far beyond my small view, and the need was greater than I knew, showing me that little girls in India were part of “the world” He loves. And He was calling me to love them too.

Serving in India now for more than 15 years has made John 3:16 come alive in ways I never expected. I’ve looked into the eyes of girls who were told their lives had no value. I’ve held baby girls who were nearly killed simply because they’re female. Yet, God’s Word declares they are seen by Him and precious to Him—so much so that He gave His only Son for them. Through Invisible Girl Project, I now have the privilege of showing His love to them.
But that’s just my story. God’s heart is not only for invisible girls in India. His heart is also for the poor, the overlooked, the forgotten…the lost and the unreached.

His heart is for the world.

Reflection Questions

How does God’s love for the world challenge you today? Where is God inviting you to align your heart with His? Could He be calling you to open your eyes to something you’ve never expected in the way you pray, or give, or serve, so that His love might be shown through you?

Prayer

Pray for the lost, the unreached, and the hurting. Ask the Lord to open hearts to the gospel, to bring hope where there is despair. Ask Him to give you His compassion for those who do not yet know Him.

Jill McElya is a licensed attorney, founder and President of Invisible Girl Project. She and her husband Brad have two daughters and a son, and are based in Raleigh, NC. IGP has partnered with Pathway since 2011.

Follow along with 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting by listening to the daily audio devotionals on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.