Light Up the City
February 18-April 5, 2026
A CITY-WIDE PRAYING, FASTING, AND PREACHING MOVEMENT calling the church across Houston to walk with Jesus
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Awaken Houston is a city-wide movement of prayer, fasting, and preaching, uniting the church to seek personal renewal, revival within our churches, and a spiritual awakening across Greater Houston.
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During the upcoming Lenten season (February 18 – April 5, 2026), we are calling the church across Houston to walk with Jesus. It’s not about doing anything spectacular, powerful, or impressive. It’s about taking the simple, faithful step of walking with Him. When we walk with Jesus, He does more than we could hope or imagine.
If the Church in Houston truly walks with Jesus, we believe we will experience revival:
Health flowing into areas of sickness
Purity overtaking pollution
Light breaking into darkness
Life conquering death
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February 18 - April 5, 2026
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This journey of prayer and fasting can be participated in from wherever you are, day by day. Additionally, we will be updating the Prayer Rooms section of our website for you to discover specific days, times, and locations where people are gathering to pray in communities across the city.
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Awaken Houston is for any church and all followers of Jesus who are willing to join in prayer and fasting alongside others throughout Greater Houston. This movement is open to individuals, congregations, and ministries who feel called to unite in seeking God’s renewal and revival during the Lenten season, from February 18 to April 5. Whether you’re new to prayer and fasting or have a seasoned practice, we invite you to be part of this city-wide journey.
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Christian fasting is the practice of intentionally going without food, or other comforts, for a set time with a specific spiritual purpose. In the context of Awaken Houston, fasting is an opportunity to unite in prayer and reflection, seeking God's renewal and revival for ourselves, our churches, and Greater Houston. It’s not about deprivation, but about creating space to hear from God, realign our hearts, and deepen our dependence on Him. Through fasting, we come together as a city to humbly ask for spiritual transformation, both personally and across our communities.
(See more resources below for guidance on fasting.)
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HCPN (Houston Church Planting Network) is a collaborative movement of multiplying churches committed to saturating Greater Houston with the gospel. As the initial catalyst for Awaken Houston, HCPN envisions this initiative expanding into a citywide movement. We long to see churches, denominations, networks, and ministries from every corner of Houston united in prayer, fasting, and a shared desire for renewal in our lives, revival in our churches, and a spiritual awakening across our city. Awaken Houston is not about one organization—it’s a collective response to God’s call to unite the church in seeking Him for an awakening in Houston.
Light Up the City—Prayer Walking Movement: 100,000 miles of prayer walking
PRAY WITH US February 18 – April 5, 2026)
THE PREACHING PLAN
Lent is a journey — a walk toward the cross and the empty tomb. In this series, we’ll travel alongside Jesus and those who encountered Him “on the move.” From the shores of Galilee to the road to Emmaus, we’ll discover what it truly means to walk in His steps.
Each week highlights a key encounter and unpacks one letter of the WALKING acrostic — calling us to Walk Where He Walks, pursue Authentic Relationship, Launch Out by Faith, keep the Kingdom First, Invert Authority, Never Hold Back, and Go Share the Good News.
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As we walk through this journey together, let’s also walk alongside one another in collaboration.
If you’re preaching or leading during this series, please upload your sermon notes, visuals, graphics, small group guides, or videos to the shared Awaken Houston: Walking with Jesus folder.
Your creativity and insight can inspire others, helping our whole community walk more deeply with Jesus. Please contact Haleigh at haleigh@hcpn.org for access to the shared folder.
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Jesus calls His first disciples to leave their nets and follow Him.
(Matthew 4:18–22)
As Jesus strolls along the Sea of Galilee, He sees fishermen going about their daily work — ordinary people, busy with the familiar. His simple invitation, “Come, follow Me,” changes everything. To walk where Jesus walks means to leave behind comfort, control, and certainty to embrace a new calling. We begin our Lenten journey by stepping into obedience and discovering that true discipleship always starts with surrender.
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Jesus shows that walking with Him is about relationship, not rules.
(Matthew 12:1–8)
When the Pharisees challenge Jesus over Sabbath traditions, He responds with grace and truth: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Walking with Jesus is not about rigid religion, but real relationship. He calls us to move from ritual to relationship — from legalism to love — learning that His presence offers rest for the soul and freedom from performance-driven faith.
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Peter steps out of the boat and walks on the water toward Jesus.
(Matthew 14:22–33)
In the darkness of the storm, Jesus appears — walking on the waves. Peter’s decision to step out of the boat is a moment of breathtaking courage and trust. Faith means moving toward Jesus even when fear and uncertainty swirl around us. This week we’ll learn that walking with Jesus often means leaving the safety of what we know to experience His power in what we can’t control.
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Following Jesus requires total devotion and no turning back.
(Luke 9:57–62)
Three people approach Jesus, each eager yet hesitant to follow. Jesus’ replies cut to the heart: discipleship is not part-time or convenient. To walk with Him means prioritizing His kingdom above all else — setting aside excuses, distractions, and divided loyalties. The road of discipleship may be costly, but it leads to lasting joy and eternal reward.
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True greatness comes through humility and service.
(Mark 10:32–45)
As the disciples dream of glory, Jesus redefines leadership: “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” He turns worldly ambition upside down, teaching that power is found in serving, not ruling. To walk with Jesus is to follow the One who kneels to wash feet and lays down His life for others. In a world obsessed with status, we’re invited to embody a kingdom of humility, grace, and sacrificial love.
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We join the triumphal celebration, refusing to let the rocks cry out in our place.
(Luke 19:28–40)
As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, the people shout “Hosanna!” and lay down their cloaks before Him. Yet their praise will soon give way to silence. This week challenges us to worship boldly — with full hearts and open hands — even when following Jesus leads us into difficult places. Walking with Him means holding nothing back, declaring with conviction and joy that He alone is worthy.
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The risen Jesus meets two disciples on the road to Emmaus and opens their eyes.
(Luke 24:13–35)
Two weary travelers walk away from Jerusalem, hearts heavy with disappointment. Then, the risen Christ joins them — walking beside them, revealing truth, breaking bread, and rekindling their hope. In that encounter, their sorrow turns to joy and their silence to proclamation. Walking with Jesus ignites our hearts and compels us to share the life-changing news: He is alive!