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They’re the ONE

They’re the ONE is a prayer project that was inspired by the parable of The Lost Sheep found in Matthew 18. This story shows the glaring emphasis Jesus places on the individual. We overlook individuals daily, but Jesus not only heeds everyone, He doesn’t miss a thing. We tend to discount the few, the small or seemingly insignificant, the outcast. Jesus is calling us to love the lost even while they are lost.

They’re the ONE is an invitation to partner with us in praying for individual children within the JPM network.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

10 See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 

11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 

12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the 99 on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?

13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.“

Matthew 18:10-14

Join the project

Join this project by signing up to pray for a child from one of our partnering locations below. Once you’ve signed up, you will receive an email from Hannah Beth Lee with a specific child’s name and photo (if available) from that location.

Mexico

Navajo

Honduras

JPM Prayer Resources

The Lost Sheep

The Lord’s Prayer

Intercessory Prayer

Additional Resources

We can personally vouch for the content in this reading plan and/or bible study book and highly recommend it as a place to begin or pickup in your prayer journey. Click the image for more info on this plan.

When You Pray

One at a Time

by Kyle Idleman

This book was recommended by a several decade long friend of the Potters. He blessed us with the referral of this resource and Joey has taking such a liking to its content. This is another great resource that aligns with our They’re the One prayer mission! Click the image for more information.

Click the link below to read the Blue Letter Bible Commentary on Matthew 18.

Click the link below to read the Blue Letter Bible Commentary on Matthew 6.

Joey’s Story

Joey recounts this story on March 7, 2024:

“This past year we were walking away from a village in Kenya when I turned around and saw this one little boy in the distance running toward us. He was maybe 3 years old (or younger). He was a distance away so I couldn’t discern anything else about him, but he was running toward us. Then he stopped, tucked his head and turned to go the other way.

I left the group and headed the opposite way. As I caught up with the boy I noticed we were about a football field length away from the group. He was terribly upset and crying. I’m fairly certain he couldn’t understand english, but he understood clean water, a piece of bread w/ a melted piece of chocolate, and he understood love.

We made our way back to the group and several people seemed to know him, but no one seemed to be his family. Before we left I was serious with the group about making sure this little guy was returned to where he had come or where he needed to be.

As our team left the village, the Spirit of God directed me to focus on what had just happened. The large group was fine and in my heart they were the 99. But this little boy was the one. How tempted I was to turn and walk away. To take the easier, more convenient path.

I didn’t save his life, but I brought his life back to the group, which I believe needed to happen. There are hundreds of stories like this in my 44 years of ministry that demonstrate why we wait, we pursue, we go, we seek, we find - the one. Jesus spoke it and we should obey no matter what the cost or sacrifice. Doing our part to seek the one and bring them back to the 99 is why we were put on this earth.

I am glad someone found me - who was once considered the one - those many years ago.”

Joey Potter

“I am glad someone found me”