Moving Forward With Prayer: What Comes After the 21 Days With Dino Rizzo

As January closes and we move on to February, March, and the rest of the year, many people find themselves returning to normal routines after the momentum of a new year has faded. Pastor Dino Rizzo offers a reminder that prayer is not only a way to begin a season, but a way to carry faith forward every day. The best way to move into the months ahead is not by doing more, but by continuing to seek God first.

That’s why so many churches set aside 21 Days of Prayer at the start of the year, creating space to reset hearts, refocus priorities, and anchor life in God’s presence. This year’s 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting has ended, but the invitation remains the same: prayer isn’t meant to stay confined to January. It’s meant to shape the entire year.

Below, Rizzo shares practical insight on how to keep prayer at the center as you move forward. Rather than requiring a major shift in your schedule, praying first is built through small, intentional habits, often beginning with just the first fifteen minutes of the day.

What Does “Pray First” Mean?

To pray first means choosing prayer as your initial response rather than your last resort. Instead of reacting to emails, news, or responsibilities, you begin the day by acknowledging God, surrendering control, and inviting His direction.

Dino Rizzo on Why Prayer Comes Before Planning

Dino Rizzo has consistently taught that prayer aligns the heart before it activates the hands. Vision, leadership, and productivity flow more clearly when they are rooted in time with God. A life shaped by prayer creates a spiritual foundation that sustains you long after January ends.

How Do You Pray First Moving Forward?

You don’t need hours of uninterrupted silence or a perfect routine. Here’s a simple, practical approach:

Give God the First 15 Minutes
Before checking your phone or starting your day, set aside 15 minutes for prayer. Consistency matters more than length.

Start with Gratitude
Begin by thanking God for who He is and what He has already done. Gratitude softens the heart and builds faith.

Pray Scripture
Choose a short passage or Psalm and pray it back to God. This keeps prayer grounded and focused.

Surrender the Day
Offer your plans, responsibilities, and decisions to God. Ask for wisdom, clarity, and sensitivity to His leading.

Listen, Don’t Rush
Prayer is not only talking, it’s listening. Even a moment of stillness creates space for God to speak.

What are the 21 Days of Prayer?

Every year, churches across the nation set aside 21 Days of Prayer at the beginning of the year. While formats vary, the heart is the same: prioritizing prayer as a community and individually.

Even though this year’s season has ended, the purpose continues. These weeks serve as a reminder that spiritual renewal often begins with intentional focus—and daily prayer doesn’t have to stop when the calendar moves forward.

Why Praying First Changes the Entire Year

Prayer shapes what follows. When you continue putting God first, priorities tend to realign. Anxiety decreases. Faith increases. Decisions become clearer. Challenges are approached with trust instead of fear.

Rizzo often reminds leaders and families alike that who we become matters more than what we accomplish. Prayer forms the inner life before it impacts the outer one.

When God comes first, everything else finds its proper place.

About Dino Rizzo

Dino Rizzo, a 35-year ministry veteran, co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, where he served as senior pastor for two decades, and is the Executive Director of the Association of Related Churches (ARC). Through his passion for inspiring believers to serve their communities, he also founded Servolution, a movement that encourages churches and individuals to become the “hands and feet of Jesus” by meeting tangible needs like food, housing, and support.

Meta Description:
Dino Rizzo shares simple, practical ways to keep prayer first and move forward with faith beyond January. These timeless habits reflect the heart behind the 21 Days of Prayer many churches observe each year.