40 DAYS OF PRAYER
AS CHILDREN WE'RE OFTEN EXCITED TO GROW UP AND EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM THAT COMES WITH GETTING TO BE" A BIG PERSON." AS WE REACH ADULTHOOD, WE WANT TO HANG ONTO OUR YOUTH AND LET GO OF RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH AGE. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR FAITH, THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE NOT MEANT TO REMAIN AS CHILDREN BUT INSTEAD ARE TO GROW UP IN CHRIST. THIS SESSION WILL GIVE YOU AN INSIDE LOOK INTO OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH CAMPAIGN, 40 DAYS OF PRAYER. YOU'LL LEARN SIX LAWS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND ACTION STEPS TOWARD A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. DISCOVER THE IMPORTANCE OF FEEDING ON THE WORD, DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL HABITS, AND GROWING TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY. FIND OUT WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO GROW UP SPRITUALLY!
"We are not meant to remain as children at the mercy of every chance wind of teaching... Instead we are meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and grow up in every way into Christ..." Ephesians 4:14
SIX LAWS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1) WE GROW WHEN WE FEED ON GOD'S WORD
Jesus: " People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every Word of God." Matthew 4:4
Paul: "...the Word of grace is able to build you up and give you all the blessings that God has for his People." Acts 20:32
Hear...Read... Study...Memorize... Meditate... Apply
Action Step: To help get in the habit of reading your Bible every day, set a reminder on your phone or put it in your calendar for the same time each day. You can also download the YourVersion Bible app and have the Bible with you wherever you go.
2) WE GROW WHEN WE LEARN IN DIFFERENT WAY
"In many different ways John preached good news to the people." Luke 3:1
_-By Listening (Auditory)
_-By Watching/Reading (Visual)
_-By Talking (Verbal/Oral
-By Doing it (Physical/Kinesthetic)
3) WE GROW WHEN WE DEVELOP SPITITUAL HABIT
"Now that you know these things you'll be blessed if you practice them!
John 13:1
"Solid food is for mature people, whose minds have been trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil."
Hebrews 5:1
"All good athletes train hard and practice to get better. They do it to win a prize that won't last. But we practice to win a prize that will last forever."
1 Corinthians 9:25
-Habit of weekly large group worship
-Habit of small group fellowship
-Habit of a daily time alone with God (Bible & Prayer)
-Habit of memorizing God's Word
4. WE GROW WHEN WE HELP EACH OTHER GROW
" I want to help each other grow with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you." Romans 1:12
" Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the HABIT of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more... " Hebrews 10:24-24
5. WE GROW WHEN WE EXPECT TO GROW
Jesus said, "According to to your faith will it be done for you." Matthew 9:29
6. WE GROW WHEN WE COMMIT TO GROW
God: "You'll find me when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else..." Jeremiah 29:13
Action Step: Covenant with others
Nehemiah: "In view of all this, we are making a covenant together in writing, and all of us are signing our names to it..." Nehemiah 9:38
40 DAYS OF PRAYER SESSION TWO: A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO PRAYER
3.13.22 - 3.19.22
FROM CINDERELLA TO ALADDIN, THESE FAIRYTALE STORIES ARE BASED ON CHRACTERS WHOSE LIVES ARE CHANGED WITH THE GRANTING OF A WISH. WHEN IT COMES TO PRAYER, WE OFTEN TREAT IT LIKE A MAGICAL WAND THAT WE WAVE AT GOD WHEN WE WANT OUR DREAMS TO COME TRUE. BUT THE BIBLE TEACHES US THAT PRAYER IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AND NOT AN ENCHANTED TOOL. THIS SESSION SHARES FOUR FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS OF PRAYER AND HOW TO CONNECT WITH GOD IN CONVERSATION. YOU WILL LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF TALKING TO GOD ABOUT EVERYTHING IN SIMPLE AND SINCERE WAYS. FIND OUT HOW PRAYER WILL DRAW YOU CLOSER TO GOD AND WHY ANSWERED PRAYERS ARE HIS GIFT OF GRACE.
"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of the disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray..."' Luke 11:1
Our frustrations with prayer are caused by: misconceptions
--not a magic wand
--not a fire extinguisher
--not a tug of war
--not a ritual to relieve guilt
FOUR (4) FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS ABOUT PRAYER
1. GOD LOVES FOR ME TO TALK WITH HIM ABOUT ANYTHING
"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who reverence him." Psalm 103:13
"We can be confident in approaching God, knowing that he listens to us whenever we ask him for anything according to his will. And since we know that he hears us when we make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us." 1 John 5:14-15
PRAYER IS: A CONVERSATION, NOT A CEREMONY------- A RELATIONSHIP, NOT A RITUAL
"I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:11-12
ACTION PLAN: What do you tend to do more often, talk to God or post on social media? On the devices where you check social media, install Bible apps if you have not already. Place the apps physically next to your social media apps as
a visual reminder to check in with God first and often. Anything that you think about posting on social media, talk with God about first.
2. GOD LISTENS TO PRAYERS THAT ARE SINCERE AND SIMPLE
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Instead, when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray do not keep babbling on and on like pagans, for they think they will be heard
because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:5-8
"let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith..." Hebrews 10:22 3.
3. GOD LIKES TO SHOW HIS GRACE BY ANSWERING PRAYERS
"Call to me and I will answer you. I will show you marvelous and wondrous
things that you could never figure out on your own." Jeremiah 33:3
"If you, being imperfect and sinful parents know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?" Matthew 7:11
"You do not have, because you do not ask God." James 4:2
4. GOD LONGS TO BE CLOSE TO ME
"The Lord waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion." Isaiah 30:18
"I don't want your sacrifices I want your love! I don't want your offerings,
I want you to know me!" Hosea 6:6
"Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them God shares the secret of his covenant." Psalm 25:14
"Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." James 4:8
ACTION PLAN : Write down Isaiah 30:18 (above) and keep it somewhere you will see it every day.
The Closer I am to God, THE LESS STRESSED AND MORE BLESSED I'LL BE.
40 DAYS OF PRAYER SESSION THREE: PRAYERS THAT WORK
3.20.22 - 3.26.22
HAVE YOU EVER INVESTED HOURS, OR EVEN DAYS ON A PROJECT THAT NEVER PANNED OUT? MAYBE YOU EVEN THREW IN THE TOWEL ON A FAILED REPAIR JOB DESPITE CHANGING THE BATTERIES, READING THE INSTRUCTIONS, AND GETTING A SECOND OPINION. SOMETIMES OUR PRAYER LIFE CAN FEEL JUST LIKE THAT-WITH A LOT OF TIME ON OUR KNEES AND NOTHING QUITE WORKING. THIS SESSION TEACHES US ABOUT PRAYERS THAT WORK AND HOW TO PRAY FREQUENTLY, EARNESTLY AND SPECIFICALLY. YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO BOLDLY ASK GOD TO ACT, AND FIVE DIRECTIONS FOR SPECIFIC PRAYERS. DISCOVER HOW TO ALIGN YOUR PRAYERS WITH GOD'S WILL AND PRAY WITH GOD'S ULTIMATE PLAN IN MIND.
"Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill gaps in your faith." 1 Thessalonians 3:10
1.FREQUENTLY
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18
Action Plan: Practice the "First 2 Minutes" technique. Whenever you transition from one activity to another, set aside the first 2 minutes for prayer. Example: When you get into your car to begin your drive home, begin with a 2-minute prayer.
2.EARNESTLY
"Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." Ephesians 3:20
PRAY SPECIFICALLY
"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
Hebrews 4:16
Boldness is ASKING GOD TO ACT
5 Directions for Specific Prayers:
"May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen." 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
"When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia." Acts 20:1
"While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church." 1Corinthians 8:1
"...If I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2
Action Plan: When you pray for your own needs or the needs of others, ask God to not only meet the need but also to develop your/their character and a heart that is more like God's.
-I pray from time to time, I want to learn to pray all of the time.
-Teach me to pray.
-I pray casually, I want to learn to pray earnestly.
-Teach me to pray.
-I pray for a change in my circumstances, but forget to pray for a change in my character.
-I pray for my needs to be met, but forget to pray for my love to increase.
-My prayers often stretch no further than tomorrow when I want them to reach towards eternity.
40 DAYS OF PRAYER SESSION FOUR THE PUPOSE, PRACTICE AND POWER OF PRAYER
3.27.22 - 4.2.22
HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED A SPORT THAT REQUIRED DAILY PRACTICE JUST TO BE PART OF THE TEAM? MAYBE YOU'VE TAKEN UP A FOREIGN LANGUAGE OR A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT THAT DEMANDED TIME AND ENERGY TO IMPROVE OR BECOME FLUENT. JUST LIKE ANY SKILL WE WANT TO MASTER, OUR PRAYER LIFE REQUIRES PRACTICE TO DEVELOP A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOO. THIS SESSION WILL TEACH US THE PURPOSE, PRACTICE AND POWER OF PRAYER AND HOW IT CAN BRING ABOUT MIRACULOUS CHANGE. YOU WILL LEARN THE REACH AND INFLUENCE OF YOUR PRAYERS, ANO HOW TO PRACTICE THROUGH SCHEDULED PRAYERS AND DAILY REMINDERS. DISCOVER HOW TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY AND BE EMPOWERED THROUGH GOD'S WORD.
PURPOSE: WHY DO WE PRAY
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18
AEGIS: REALM OR REACH OF AUTHORITY, INFLUENCE, PROTECTION, RESPONSIBILITY, ADVOCACY
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE AEGIS OF MY PRAYER LIFE?
--FAMILY
--FRIENDS
--CHURCH
--COMMUNITY
--WORK OR SCHOOL
--PROJECTS OR EVENTS
"God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20
PRAYER INVITES THE MIRACULOUS
ACTION PLAN: Write down the aegis list from above (include other areas that may come to your mind). Keep this list somewhere visible as a reminder of the areas you should be praying for.
PRACTICE: HOW TO GET ORGANIZED
-SCHEDULE PRAYERS
--TURN DRIVE TIME INTO PRAYER TIME
--SET UP PRAYER REMINDERS
--PRAY FOR "DROP-IN VISITORS"
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers." Ephesians 1:16
ACTION PLAN: Think through your aegis list above and see how you can best remember to pray for those areas using practices list. Who can you have scheduled prayer for? What time of "monuments" can you establish to remember to pray for certain people?
POWER WHAT KIND OF PRAYER IS MOST EFFECTIVE?
"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16b Righteous=dikaios:upright, observing divine laws,living according to the Wor d. Describes a person whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God.
Powerful= energo: energized by the power of God. Always refers to supernatural empowerment.
Effective=ischuo: to be a force capable of extraordinary deeds
THE PRAYER OF A MAN OR WOMAN OF THE WORD IS ENERGIZED BY THE POWER OF GOD, AND IS A GREAT FORCE CAPABLE OF EXTRAORDINARY DEEDS-James 5:16
--THE MORE YOU HONOR GOD'S WORD, THE MORE HE EMPOWERS YOUR
PRAYERS. "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4:16
40 DAYS OF PRAYER SESSION FIVE: HOW TO PRAY THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY
4.3.22 - 4.9.22
IMAGINE HOW STRONG YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD COULD BE IF YOU HAD A PROVEN STRATEGY BEHIND YOUR PRAYER LIFE. THIS SESSION WILL GIVE YOU A STRATEGY BASED ON THE LORD'S PRAYER. YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO PLAN YOUR PRAYERS, SCHEDULE YOUR PRAYER TIME AND KEEP A RUNNING CONVERSATION WITH GOD THAT IS AS NATURAL AS BREATHING. YOU WILL LEARN THE SEVEN KEYS TO PRAYER THROUGHOUT THE DAY THAT WILL BRING YOU CLOSER TO GOD AND HELP YOU FACE ANY PROBLEM WITH SPIRITUAL CONFIDENCE. TURN YOUR SCHEDULED PRAYERS INTO HABITUAL CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
"Pray in the spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. And always pray for all God's people." Ephesians 6:18
DEVELOP THESE TWO (2) POWERFUL HABITS
1. KEEP A RUNNING CONVERSATION WITH GOD
"Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads." Ephesians 6:18 "Never stop praying! (Pray all the time!)" 1 Thessalonians 5:17
2. SCHEDULE PRAYER TIMES THROUGHOUT MY DAY
"Seven times a day I praise you!" Psalm 119:164
Action Plan: Try starting every day this week by reading a chapter from Psalms. Pray through that chapter, turning the authors' words into your prayers.
A DAILY SCHEDULE BUilTONTHE LORD'S PRAYER
1. GET UP WITH GRATITUDE(THANKSGIVING)
Jesus said,"... Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So then,
this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven'..." Matthew 6:8-9
"Every good gift and perfect present comes from your Father of light in heaven..." James 1:17
- 2. BLESS GOD'S NAME AT BREAKFAST(PRAISE)
"Hallowed be your name..." Matthew 6:9b
"Every day I will bless your name, and praise it forever and ever!" Psalm 145:2
--Review God's names and then think about the promises they imply
GOD SAYS "I AM... "
Abba EIDeah
Your Loving Father!
Your God who Knows Everything!
Jehovah Rapha Your God who Heals you!
El Shaddai God Almighty- with all the Power you need!
"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never abandoned those who truly seek you." Psalm 9:10
3. AT MIDMORNING, REMEMBER WHAT MATTERS MOST (DEDICATION)
"May your kingdom come, and may your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
--I align myself with God's purpose and plans for my life
"If you seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, all the other things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:334.
4. LIST MY NEEDS AT LUNCH(PETITION)
"Give us today our daily bread." Matthew 6:11 I ask for anything I need Jesus: "You can ask for anything in my name" John 14:13
--I ask for what other people need too(lntercession)
"I'd besinning against the Lord if I failed to pray for you." 1 Samuel 12:23 "Jesus has the power of God, by which he gives us everything we need to live, and to serve God. We have these things because we know him." 2 Peter 1:3 Action Plan: Somewhere in your house, create a prayer request list that is visible every day. Write down prayer requests for yourself and others and then write out how those prayers are answered
5. ASK FORGIVENESS IN THE AFTERNOON(CONFESSION)
"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." Matthew 6:12
--I admit my sins and I forgive others who've frustrated me.
"I confessed my sins to you and didn't try to hide them... Then you forgave me and now all my guilt is gone!" Psalm 32:5
6. ASK GOO TO HELP ME MAKE WISE DECISIONS(PROTECTION)
"And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one." Matthew 6:13
7.END MY DAY WITH AN ENCOURAGING TRUTH(BENEDICTION)
"For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever!
40 DAYS OF PRAYER SESSION SIX: HOWTO PRAY FOR HEALING & RESTORATION
4.10.22 - 4.16.22
DOES GOD HEAL PEOPLE TODAY? OF COURSE GOD DOES! GOD USES DIFFERENT WAYS TO HEAL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PAIN: FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, RELATIONAL, AND PHYSICAL. BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A BROKEN WORLD, WE ALL NEED SOME KIND OF HEALING OR RESTORATION, WHETHER WE ARE AWARE OF IT OR NOT. THIS SESSION Will TEACH US FOUR CONDITIONS FOR HEALING AND RESTORATION IN ANY AREA OF OUR LIVES. LEARN WHY HUMILITY, PRAYER, SEEKING GOD, AND RELIANCE ON HIS WORD Will BRING HEALING AND FORGIVENESS.
"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
4 CONDITIONS
1. ADMIT l'M NOT IN CONTROL!
"If my people will humble themselves..." 2 Chronicles 7:14
HUMILITY:
--IF l'M HUMBLE, GOD WILL GUIDE ME.
"God leads the humble in the right way and teaches them his will." Psalm 25:9
--IF l'M HUMBLE GOD WILL BLESS ME" I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts..." Isaiah 66:2
--IF l'M HUMBLE GOD WILL GIVE ME THE POWER TO CHANGE
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
--IF l'M HUMBLE, GOD WILL RELIEVE MY STRESS
Jesus: "Take the yoke I give you... and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble, and I will restore deep rest to your soul." Matthew 11:29
Action Plan: Focus on one of these areas per day this week. Use the verses for each in your prayer time and offer these areas to God.
2. ASK GOD FOR HELP!
"If my people... will pray..." 2 Chronicles 7:14b
Jesus: "...I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest joy." John 16:23-24
1. REMEMBER JESUS WANTS ME TO ASK
2. ASK IN JESUS' NAME
"Is any one of you in trouble?He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." James 5:13-15
"Pray in the Spirit at ALL times with ALL kinds of prayers, asking for ALL you need. To do this you must ALWAYS be ready and never give up! ALWAYS pray for ALL God's people." Ephesians 6:18
Action Plan: Write down these 5 steps above and keep them wherever you normally do your daily quiet time. Remind yourself of them daily.
3. SEEK GOD, NOT A MIRACLE!
"If my people... will seek my face..." 2 Chronicles 7:14c
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17 "God rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6b
"If you seek the Lord your God, you will find him IF you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For HE is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you..." Deuteronomy 4:29-31a "Seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well." Matthew 6:33
4. TURN MY ATTENTION FROM THE WORLD TO THE WORD
"If my people...turn from their wicked ways..." 2 Chronicles 7:14d
"If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. But if you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy." Proverbs 28:13
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." James 5:16
3 PROMISES
1. I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN
2. I WILL FORGIVE THEIR SINS
3. I WILL HEAL THEIR LAND
