Anchor Point Community Church in Lakeside is launching a 40-day prayer and service initiative during the Lenten season this year. Instead of encouraging members in the typical observances of self-denial or abstinence from certain foods, Anchor Point attendees are being encouraged to participate in a prayer and service initiative called “4.4.40”.
“4.4.40 is a movement that began a couple years ago at Anchor Point out of a desire to mobilize people to pray, love and serve our city,” said Anna Bailey, worship director. “Over the past few years it has grown to involve many people outside of our local church, both in the Twin Ports and even in other cities.”
The 4.4.40 initiative has two elements over the 40-day period: prayer and service. Each person is challenged to pray for 4 minutes each day at 4 p.m. People can choose to receive reminders on their phones or via email with a prayer focus for each day. In addition, people are asked to find four opportunities to serve throughout the city during the 40-day period, with a goal of serving 4 hours in each place.
”I just love the idea of seeing people give of their time and energy to serve all throughout our city,” said Ryan Underwood, pastor of missional communities. “4.4.40 is a big part of who we are as a church and it’s awesome to see more and more people getting excited about taking part in it.”
People can choose to serve by meeting needs in their neighborhood, for someone they know or by volunteering with one of the city’s many non-profit organizations. In line with the 4.4.40 initiative, Anchor Point Church has set a goal for its members to serve 4,440 total hours over the course of the 40-day period. That’s about 10 hours of service per person.
“We’re really hopeful that we can make a tangible impact on our city as a part of our worship in these next 40 days. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Easter holiday than to get outside of our building and love and serve the people of our city,” Underwood said.
More information about 4.4.40 is available online. can sign up for prayer reminders, view service opportunities and see a map of city-wide participation at fourfourforty.com
