The Prayer Challenge Coin is a physical and spiritual reminder to pray for one another daily.

There are many reasons why I am giving you this coin. First, I am giving you a piece of me. This coin represents my heart, and my love for prayer. I have prayed over this coin and my hope is as you hold it in your hand, the coin will stir your heart, soul and mind to remember to pray, just pray as the Spirit of God moves you. And I would ask that you keep it on your person everywhere you go, as a reminder to pray every time you touch it, see it or feel it in your pocket or wallet.

The second reason I'm giving you this coin is to raise money for those in need in our local community. This part is optional (see below) and if you choose to not participate in this part of the challenge, that's okay. Please keep the coin and remember why I gave it to you in the first place.

Coin Information: Hold the coin in your hand and take a good look at it. On one side you see a soldier wearing his full armor along with the words: “Put on the Whole Armor of God” and “Pray Always”. Then on the other side you see the words: Helmet of Salvation, Shield of Faith, Loins Girt with Truth, Feet-Gospel of Peace, Sword of the Spirit, Breastplate of Righteousness, and inscribed with Ephesians 6:11-18 along with all the pieces of armor.

Continue holding the coin and feel the weight, notice and feel the texture, and on the outer side of the coin, you see and feel the ridges. It's made of metal, it is solid and colorful and is one-tenth of an inch in thickness and when bounced it has a particular sound to it. There are many reasons why the coin is constructed this way and it's up to you to discover its meaning over time.

The question arises, why carry it with me all of the time? The word that comes to mind is “Accountability”. I believe we need one another, to stand firm in the faith, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, and back to back. These are military terms and a reminder to put on the full armor of God and to pray. By touching and feeling it all throughout your day, it will remind you to PRAY and remember that we are bonded and together in Christ Always.

The History of the Challenge Coin: According to some historians, it originated in the First World War, while others say they were from the French Revolutionary Wars in the Seventeenth Century. These Military coins were produced mostly for commitment and moral purposes, carried by men and women during war and continues through today.

The Prayer Challenge Coin Fundraiser, second option: “What happens if I don't have my coin on my person?” A penalty will be given. Typically, during war times, the coin challenge was usually in a bar setting and one of the coin bearers would initiate the challenge by presenting the coin and tossing it on the nearest surface, usually a table top or on a bar. All coin bearing holders, each produced their coins and tossed it on same surface. So, if someone didn't have their coin readily available, it was commonly agreed upon that they would buy a drink or one round of drinks for those who had their coins.

Initiating Our Prayer Challenge Coin: A challenge can be initiated by anyone at any time, the challenger, would call for a “coin check” and toss his/her coin on the nearest surface. All coin bearers who are present in that moment are now challenged to produce their coin and toss it on the same surface. The one(s) unable to place their coin are obligated to pay the ten-dollar penalty, in lieu of buying a drink(s). But if all coin bearers produce their coin, then the person calling for the “coin check” is now obligated to pay the ten-dollar penalty.

Where will the collected money go? My idea is to form a fund, yearly, and distribute it to a local family in need around Thanksgiving time annually. I'm thinking the first distribution will begin in Fall 2023. We as coin carriers will gather regularly to pray and discuss the family or families in need from our local community before distribution.

Other Ways to Give: Can I give to this fund from time to time? The answer is, “Yes,” if you feel led and it's from your heart. Especially if it's been a great year, and there weren't many penalties induced.

Where did this idea come from? In short: A friend of mine, Aaron, a pastor in Idaho and now in Colorado heard the history of the Challenge Coin so he decided to start a challenge to men at his church about thirteen years ago. Fast forward to this year, I was in Salt Lake City visiting a campus pastor friend Derek who received his coin from Aaron. He brought an extra coin with him and he chose to give it to me. I asked why and what the meaning was behind this coin? He said; “Jim, I am giving you this coin because when I asked you to pray, you prayed without asking why, you just prayed.”

So, the main objective is that when you have the coin in your possession, it will remind you to pray and connect with our Father in Heaven. But even more than that, it is a reminder that I am with you, I am for you as a friend and I encourage you to remember to pray, just pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says; “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”