Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
Stay Hungry
"And I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." --Matthew 15:32
I bet they couldn't get enough. In fact, the sun had set three times and I wonder if they even noticed. Who was this man? The words, the wisdom, the...grace! Indeed, I bet they couldn't get enough, which is probably why they didn't leave to eat.
The bible says that the crowd remained with the Lord for three days. Now granted, you and I have heard some amazing sermons. We've been in the presence of wonderful teachers. But a three-day, non-stop lesson? Even Max Lucado would lose me and Charles Stanley would excuse me. But this wasn't just any teacher referring to Jesus. This was Jesus on the subject of Jesus. This was Love teaching how. The face of grace was offering it. And I think that explains a lot about the crowd. Each morsel of forgiveness was a feast, and they were famished. They were starving for salvation. Oh yes, they were too hungry to eat.
Friends, we all have our agendas. School, work, ministry, health. Our plates are full. But from everything we can take away from the sermon Jesus gave over those three days, let's also learn from the crowd. Let's follow their lead and stay hungry. Before we conquer the gym, the road or even the world, let's pause to devour the words they heard. Remember, there was plenty of time to eat after they were full.
So don't go too soon. Jesus is talking. Let's not leave because we're starving for the things this life can offer. Let's stay because we're too hungry for the things it can't.
--Jimmy Peña
Questions: How important is it to you to eat right today? To feed and build your body? Is it just as important to you to feed your spirit? If you compared the time you spend in the gym with the time you spend in the word, would you have to change your answer? Reading and praying is a discipline issue; one we all need to work on. Won't you start today? Remember, Jesus knew the crowd first needed their spirits fed, but He also had compassion on their physical hunger. What does that teach us about the balance He allows for in our lives?
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Convenience of exercise is one of the greatest determining factors in program adherence. For a great many people, home workouts are best. Team PrayFit's two workout DVDs provide challenging, results-driven, at-home workouts that are guaranteed to help you build a stronger, healthier body -- without having to venture out to a franchise gym. So far, the reviews on our latest DVD -- the PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System -- are outstanding! Click here to read what others are saying! For a sneak peek at what you can expect in our newest offering, click the video player below. To order now, click here.
A Holy Climb
"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea', and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." --Mark 11:23
Read: Mark 11
Hey everyone. After a week off, PrayFit is back online. Honestly, I probably need to write more than you need to read, but nonetheless, here we are in Jesus' name. If you happen to be new to PrayFit, we have a couple of common mountains we climb -- two objectives as we make our way up some pretty steep hills. For some, PrayFit is a place of encouragement to begin or continue an exercise program or sensible eating plan. Others don't need such nudging on the health side but have come to enjoy the fact that we're nestled in God's word and steeped in grace.
It's a holy climb, really. That's what we chat about each day as we scale. As one hand digs for its stronghold, we remind each other of our need of greater health in order to live abundant lives, serving and doing. And as we secure our grip with the other, we echo the truth that no amount of health or fitness, muscle or endurance is worth anything if God isn't behind each motive.
So, maybe you're like me. Maybe it's easy to imagine yourself clinging to the side of this cliff. For whatever reason, either by neglect or something that blindsided you, you're stalled physically. Or perhaps your fitness is just fine, but you're so focused on reaching the summit of health or even body image that you're missing the purpose of it all. Well, wherever you are on this hillside, I hope and pray you spend some time with us each day. It's my experience that the more we focus on Christ, the stronger we are to get over hurdles or to get over ourselves.
Make it a holy climb -- one you make only by reaching for His hand.
--Jimmy Peña
>> WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: PrayFit has partnered with Lionsgate Entertainment to bring you two home-based workout DVDs -- the second more challenging than the first. Train along with founder Jimmy Peña as you work to become stronger, leaner and healthier, all from the comfort of your living room. Below is a sample of what you can expect with our newest video offering, the PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System.
The PrayFit Prayer
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." --1 Timothy 4:8
Read: 1 Timothy 4
This week, before that first rep or mile, regardless of what workout you are taking to the gym with you, take a few moments and whisper this prayer, quietly taking stock of the ultimate goal: to honor the One who created you.
Lord, please bless my workout. As I train my arms, let it remind me that I'm held tightly in Yours. As I work my legs, let it be only to follow you more closely. When I work my chest, may it be safely under a breastplate of righteousness. And when I hit my back, I'll recall that I'll never be attacked by surprise. And finally Lord, allow my beating heart to grow stronger, knowing that's exactly where You live. Yes Lord, please bless my workout. I'm a temple, here to worship. Amen.
--Jimmy Peña
WORKOUT OF THE WEEK
This one's on you! No matter what you enjoy doing for exercise -- walking, running, lifting -- we want you to give us the scoop. Give other PrayFit faithfuls some ideas to try in their world.
If you're looking for something to train along to at home, something that incorporates a little more resistance, try our new DVD! Exclusively released by Thomas Nelson Publishers and produced by Lionsgate Entertainment comes The Prayfit 33-Day Body Toning System.
Priceless
"You are not your own." --1 Corinthians 6:19
Read: 1 Corinthians 6
Sitting in my Dad's garage is his workmanship. Car buffs will be pleased to know that my Dad piddles on a 1934 Ford Coupe every weekend. As a matter of fact, he's been tinkering with it for as long as I can remember. There's not a corner of that car Dad doesn't know. He's taken it apart and put it back together his entire life. How is that? Well, that coupe was his very first car; given to him by Granddaddy when Dad was only 12 years old. Yep, he still has it. Well, about 42 years ago, Dad sold it for a few hundred dollars to help pay the doctor bills when my brother was born. But years later, Dad traveled half-way across the country, spending much more than what he sold it for, and bought it back.
Sitting in front of your computer is God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), completely unique (Galatians 5:26), knit together in the womb (Psalm 139), and made in God's own image (Genesis 1:26). Is there any wonder why the bible says that we should honor Him with our bodies? After all, his Son went from Heaven to earth and bought us at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). So go ahead, tinker a little. Piddle a bit. Enjoy working on something with the Lord He designed and gave to you.
(You know, I don't think Dad will ever finish that old car. Not because he can't, but because I think he simply enjoys working on something Granddaddy first gave him, and they worked on together.)
--Jimmy Peña
EXCLUSIVE: THOMAS NELSON RELEASES PRAYFIT DVD NO. 2 PrayFit's 33-Day Body Toning System available now through world's largest Christian publisher
PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System (Lionsgate) is a more advanced system that toggles between targeted exercises that build lean muscle and high-intensity cardio to blast through body fat. By repeating these intervals, you’ll see results faster than you would by doing cardio alone. This DVD will help you improve steadily each day, building your fitness and your faith. This DVD incorporates toning exercises with “PrayFit Minutes” – encouraging, weekly devotionals aimed at helping you become healthy in body and strong in Spirit.
“If you thought the first DVD was fun, effective and challenging, you won’t believe our newest edition,” says Jimmy Pena. “Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the most respected names in Christian publishing, is exclusively releasing our second DVD through retailers everywhere. We hope you order it and are blessed by the message and workout. Get ready. You are going to love it!”
>> For other PrayFit products to help boost your faith and fitness, click here.
>> Interested in having PrayFit founder Jimmy Peña come to speak at your church? Write us today for more info!
Opening Day
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." --Romans 8:1
Read: Romans 8
Last week marked the beginning of the 2012 Major League Baseball season. Of course, many of you know we're thrilled that the boys of summer have taken the field. In fact, I'm not kidding when I say I've been whistling "Take me out to the ballgame" a lot lately. (And maybe now so are you.)
But as I watched my beloved Yankees take the field, it occurred to me that opening day can teach us a lot about grace. Reason being, right before Jeter's first at-bat, all they could talk about was last season's stats. And yet, as he stepped into the batter's box, his average on the screen was .000 -- a clean slate.
You know, each morning you and I step up to the plate ready to swing away at whatever the day throws at us. Thankfully, no matter how many strikeouts we had yesterday, God's mercy is new with each plate appearance. And with yesterday being Easter, it's so appropriate don't you think? Jesus conquered death so we can have life; an abundant life with no record of wrongs. Let's rise today the way Jesus rose yesterday...victorious.
You know, I'm now whistling a medley. "Take me out to the ballgame"...because I know "He Lives".
--Jimmy Peña
NEW: PRAYFIT 33-DAY TOTAL BODY SYSTEM
Get ready to transform your health. Building on the strong success of our first DVD, PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Challenge, we are proud to partner with Lionsgate Entertainment and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the exclusive release of our second DVD, Prayfit 33-day Body Toning System.
"If you thought the first DVD was fun, effective and challenging, you won't believe our newest edition," says Jimmy Pena. "Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the most respected names in Christian publishing, is exclusively releasing our second DVD through retailers everywhere. We hope you order it and are blessed by the message and workout. Get ready. You are going to love it!"