Forty Days of Prayer Day 35

WEEK 5

DAY 35- LEAD US INTO VICTORY

Scripture- Daniel 7:25

Each week, Christian churches gather together and proclaim songs of God’s victory such as, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord!” These songs are both a declaration and a reminder that no enemy can defeat God and His people. This refreshes our faith and challenges us not to get short-sighted when troubles find us, knowing that our sovereign King has already won.

In Daniel 7, Daniel’s vision reveals coming kings and kingdoms who subdue the earth. A final king rises up, oppressing God’s people. But afterward, Daniel sees that “all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him” (Dan. 7:27). God’s eternal victory is guaranteed.

A friend shared with me three “p’s” to consider in the midst of present suffering and temporal defeat, to which I will add a fourth. The first is “presence.” God is with us in the midst of trials. He will never leave us nor forsake us. The second is “prayer.” Petition for God’s mighty hand to deliver you while accepting and acknowledging your desire to see His will accomplished regardless of personal pain. Pray for peace regardless of the outcome. Third is “perspective.” Reframe your thoughts from temporary sufferings to the eternal victory promised by God. And finally, “perseverance.” We run the race set before us, which is an arduous journey guaranteed to contain troubles. We must not give up! God will lead us to victory!

REFLECTION PRAYER

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father,

Yours is the power, glory, and honor forever.

Lead us to victory in Jesus. Help us not to despair in the midst of temporal pain but set our eyes on the eternal hope of glory that we might run well this race that You have set before us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Jerry Henderson

Forty Days of Prayer Day 34

WEEK 5

DAY 34- LEAD US THROUGH SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Scripture- Matthew 6:13

You may be familiar with the passage on Jesus and His temptations but have possibly missed a very key aspect: Jesus wasn’t there by accident, but rather the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert for the expressed purposed of being tempted by Satan. This may seem at odds with the Lord’s Prayer, “. . . lead us not into temptation . . .” (Matt. 6:13). However, it gives insight into God’s relationship with us. God could shield us from all temptation, but He desires for us to trust Him to deliver us, to equip us to face our enemy head-on. The Lord has given us His authority, His power, and His purpose. All it takes to access those tools and weapons is our faith in Christ.

When Jesus was in the desert, He used Scripture to combat the lies of the devil. He also stood firm in His authority, in His sonship, and in His purpose. Using that example, it is clear that our greatest weapon against the enemy is intimacy with the Father. The closer we draw to the heart of the Father, knowing His Word, the more effective we are against the powers and principalities of this world. When temptation comes, our knowledge of our firm place in the Kingdom of God and our connection to the love of the Father will give us the same strength we see Jesus exercise in Matthew 4 when He said, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

REFLECTION PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your presence in our lives. Thank You that You knew us and loved us and chose us long before the creation of the world. We stand righteous and redeemed because of Your sacrifice on the cross and because of Your great love for us.

Because of that, the enemy has no ground on which he can accuse us and no weapon with which he can attack us. Draw us more and more near to Your heart, and forgive us when we doubt.

We ask all this in Your holy name, Jesus. Amen

By Paul Garcia

Forty Days of Prayer Day 33

WEEK 5

DAY 33- LEAD US INTO PUTTING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD

Scripture- Ephesians 6:8

You must remember that each day God permits you life on this planet, you are engaged in spiritual warfare. This is not simply a descriptive statement (acknowledging a truth). For the Christian, this is a prescriptive statement (a truth you must act on).

When Paul talks about putting on the armor of God to the Ephesian Christians (Eph. 6:10-18), he makes it clear that it is a necessary first step for every Christian. It is the armor of God that gives you the strength to stand firm (v. 11), fight against the mighty powers of darkness who rule this world (v. 12), and be fully prepared for what He is calling you to (v. 15).

Are you feeling spiritually exhausted? Defeated? Overwhelmed? Unprepared? Are you ready to retreat? Circle the wagons? Wave the white flag of surrender to the world around you? Is the enemy too great and your own strength too small?

Your Father promises you His strength and victory when you lay down your armor and weapons and take up His. Don’t be fooled into thinking that acknowledging this truth is the same as acting on it. Paul’s final encouragement in this passage is to “pray at all times and on every occasion” (v. 18).

Make it a point today to spend time with Him in prayer. Confess your dependence on Him. Don’t stop praying until you are encircled with His peace. Meditate on Scripture. Consider His truth and righteousness. His armor brings the victory today. Put it on, Christian!

REFLECTION PRAYER

Father,

You have called me to spiritual warfare today. Without You, I cannot win. If I fight this battle on my own, defeat is certain. Fill me with Your peace today. Remind me of who You are. You are the God of truth. You are the God of righteousness. You are the God of salvation. I confess my dependence on Your Holy Spirit. Replace my exhaustion with Your joy and my fear with Your boldness. Fill me with Your strength that I may stand firm and fight faithfully today.

By Justin Dubose

Forty Days of Prayer Day 32

WEEK 5

DAY 32- LEAD US INTO PROTECTION AND COURAGE

Scripture- Psalm 125

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” —Psalm 125:1-2

In 2018, I was assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, which is nestled at the foot of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. When we arrived, we were awestruck by how huge the mountains were and how close they seemed. They were especially beautiful in the winter—snowcapped and strong, always there, always present.

One morning, I got up early, weary and worried, looking to pray regarding the uncertainty of the future we were facing at the time. I opened my Bible and landed on the above Psalm. After I read these words, I looked out and saw those steady and strong mountains literally surrounding our house. I felt God saying, “You see those mountains there? That’s how present I am with you. Do you trust that those mountains can’t be shaken? Neither can I, because I made them. So trust in me. I’m surrounding you. I’m protecting you. I will not be moved from you, my child.”

When we are in times of difficulty and stress, it can often seem like God is distant. At times, we look for answers or rescue and there seems to be none. This is a reminder that regardless of the trouble we face, God is surrounding us with protection and provision both now and forever.

REFLECTION PRAYER

Father,

When it seems like we are being surrounded by attacks and adversity, may we remember that You do not forsake Your people. Rather, You surround us with Your presence. You are a God who cares for His people and longs for us to cast our cares upon You. We thank You for Your Spirit that guides us in truth, comforts us in our pain, and guards our hearts and minds with Your peace. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.

By Gabe Lawson

Forty Days of Prayer Day 31

WEEK 5

DAY 31- LEAD US INTO DELIVERANCE

Scripture- Psalm 23:4

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” —Psalm 23:4, KJV

In times of danger, difficulty, and even death, I will fear no evil. Why? “For thou art with me” in every situation of life. The “rod” (a short club) is a weapon of defense or discipline, symbolizing God’s strength, power, and authority. The “staff “(a long slender stick with a hook on one end) is used to draw a sheep close to the shepherd, guide it in the right way, or deliver it from trouble.

God’s rod and staff reassure us of God’s love and guidance in our lives. We often require deliverance from the onslaught of Satan and the world’s system, which is separated from the holiness of God. Satan is a masterful strategist who seeks our downfall by his various schemes. Some schemes of Satan are failures, disappointments, hurts, depression, worry, fear, grief, anger, conflicts, and broken relationships designed to defeat God’s people. Because of the presence and nearness of God, we can walk in victory and above all our circumstances. Our deliverance from evil is assured by our intimate relationship with Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

REFLECTION PRAYER

Almighty God,

You sent Jesus to suffer and die for my sins. Lead me through all things that hinders my walk with You. I call on Your name to deliver me from the entanglements of Satan and everything that impedes me from receiving Your blessings and a victorious lifestyle. By Your grace and mercy, I stand on the promises of Your Word that “thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” In the name of Christ, amen.

By Rufus McDowell

Forty Days of Prayer Day 30

WEEK 5

DAY 30- LEAD US INTO LIBERATION FROM THE GRIP OF THE EVIL ONE

Scripture- Luke 5:1-11

Liberation is the act of setting someone free. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! He made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Likewise, many on the battlefield have given their lives for our freedom. Lt. Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his men when he knowingly exposed himself to enemy fire to gain a better position to transmit a call to get help. In his memory, “Murph” is a workout completed by CrossFitters and Navy Seals on Memorial Day every year. In the midst of running one mile, completing 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and finishing with another mile, it is tempting to give into the pain and give up, but many persevere to honor the fallen who have died for our freedom.

Similarly, in life, we find ourselves tempted to give up or give into the enemy’s schemes, but we must keep fighting to honor Christ’s sacrifice and remember that He gives us victory over sin in our lives. He died so that we may be free from Satan’s grip. Not only that, the weapons we fight with have divine power to demolish the strong grip of the enemy. We fight with worship, the Word, and with prayer. In 2 Chronicles 20, worshipers led the march into battle. In response, the Lord sent an ambush against their enemies! The Israelites kept their eyes on the Lord and followed orders to stand firm and watch the deliverance God would bring!

REFLECTION PRAYER

1. Our freedom isn’t free. Spend a moment in silence to honor those who’ve died for your freedom. If you’ve ever been to a war memorial, remember the deep reverence and gratitude you felt.

2. Take some time to remember Christ’s sacrifice. Thank Him for your freedom. Praise Him for the victory He gives over the grip of the enemy! Satan has no hold on you!

3. Take time to worship Him, focus your eyes on Christ, follow His orders to stand firm on the ground that’s already been won by His sacrifice, and be watchful as He brings deliverance!

By Krista Lain

Forty Days of Prayer Day 29

WEEK 5

DAY 29- PRAYER AS SPIRITUAL WARFARE

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

2 Chronicles 20:12 is interesting: “Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Three armies had surrounded the Israelites. Understandably, they were tempted to be afraid, discouraged, overwhelmed, and worried. You can feel it in their words, their pleas. Often, we do not know what to do. Other temptations in the form of the devil’s spiritual attacks can seek to neutralize us and drain our spiritual life. When we are faced with personal troubles or attacks from the evil one, when the devil tries to dump all kinds of evil temptations on us, we can stand strong. Christ will lead us on into victory.

By David and Ty King

Forty Days of Prayer Day 28

WEEK 4

DAY 28- WE CONFESS CORPORATELY

Scripture- 2 Chronicles 7:14; James 5:16

The Bible consistently positions repentance before revival—whether it’s spiritual awakening, national healing, or cultural renewal. Throughout the Scriptures, we see God’s kings and prophets alike who are led to confess and repent of their peoples’ sin. Each time the Lord answered with healing and renewal—just like He promised (2 Chron. 7:11-14). When Jesus teaches us to seek forgiveness for sin, His prayer assumes a corporate nature: “. . . forgive us our debts . . .” (Matt. 6:12). Of “the prayers” to which the Early Church was devoted, corporate confession would have been vital. A culture of repentance was at the heart of the New Testament Church.

My friend Jim planted a church where another church had closed several years before. In his first months, while reading through old church files, he discovered that the church had made the decision to forbid performing interracial marriages in the 1970s. While it was a decision Jim had nothing to do with, his response was to lead his church in corporate repentance for the sinful, systemic patterns practiced by the previous congregation. The Lord answered. Today, Jim pastors one of the most diverse congregations in The Alliance.

Our churches ought to be marked by the perpetual practice of confession and repentance. It’s how the people of God reorient themselves from the powers and patterns of the world to the presence and purposes of God. The Lord responds by breaking the chains of cultural and institutional patterns of sin. If we want revival, let us begin with repentance.

REFLECTION PRAYER

Seek the Spirit’s leading to bring attention and awareness to areas of sin that may have taken root in your church. Allow these questions to shape prayers of confession and repentance:

1. What practices or patterns in our church are lacking in love (thoughts, words, deeds)?

2. Where might we be allowing sin to compel us in what we’re doing or what we’re not doing (pay attention to inherited behaviors)?

3. If anyone has been wounded by our sin, how might we seek forgiveness?

By Spencer Sweeting

Forty Days of Prayer Day 27

WEEK 4

DAY 27- WE CONFESS INDIVIDUALLY

Scripture- Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Acts 3:19

I don’t know how many times I’ve seen “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” calligraphied on some farmhouse style home decor or on some lady’s prayer journal. And justly so—it’s a beautiful reminder that we are utterly and completely known. Could anyone claim to know me better than the One who created me?

If you haven’t yet—pause and meditate on the whole of Psalm 139. This Psalm starts by declaring that the Lord God has searched and known our every thought, action, and circumstance—our very soul. When we’re at our best or our worst, when we’re feeling distant or close, there’s nowhere to flee from His presence. Does that warm you up or make you shudder? I reckon, both?

This leads us to the second half of the passage—a plea. It’s a heartfelt longing to know Him as He has known us; a profound yearning to be as righteous as He is just. But no matter how well we think we’ve managed our own thoughts and ways, we don’t know what we don’t know.

“Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”

You believe God answers prayers, right? Are you willing to be obedient when He reveals His response? Do you understand the gravity and power of this confession? Are you willing to go there?

REFLECTION PRAYER

God,

You know me so well! As my Creator, You know how I was meant to be. As my Savior, You’ve experienced the extent of my fallen state. You demonstrate Your love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

Like the psalmist, I acknowledge what I do know—about You, about me, about others—but I confess that I don’t know what I don’t know. Examine me, O Sanctifier, and lead me as You will. And by my will—my heart, mind, soul, and strength—I will follow you daily into everlasting. Amen.

By Grace Cheon

Forty Days of Prayer Day 26

WEEK 4

DAY 26- HELP US BE FREE FROM GUILT AND SHAME

Scripture- Psalm 103:8-14; Romans 8:1-2

If there is a struggle with living free from guilt and shame, it’s not uncommon for there also to be a struggle with believing in the goodness of God. Who you believe God to be will reflect what you believe about yourself. In His goodness, Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead—according to the Scripture—to set you free not only from sin and death but also from guilt and shame. However, the enemy will ride guilt and shame on the back of conviction in the form of false claims:

You are so ______. I can’t believe you would _______. You’ll never _______.

Then, with a subtle shift, “you” turns to “they”: They think you’re so _______. They can’t believe you would _________. They think you’ll never ________.

And gradually “they” becomes “I”: I am so _______. I can’t believe I would ______. I’ll never _______. And when you tell yourself a lie long enough, you’ll eventually believe it.

Conviction does not equal condemnation. Conviction is the feeling of having done something wrong; condemnation is the impending punishment for what you did wrong. In His goodness, Jesus received your punishment; therefore, you are no longer condemned.

Living free from guilt and shame doesn’t come without practice. Being able to recognize the enemy’s false claims only comes after having realized you’ve believed a lie. Once you’ve learned how to identify the voice of the enemy, you can extinguish false claims with the truth of God’s goodness: You’ve been acquitted, and the Lord has honored you.

REFLECTION PRAYER

(Pray aloud) Jesus, help me. I am struggling with living free from guilt and shame.

I confess that sometimes it’s hard for me to trust in Your goodness. When I’m convicted for repeatedly doing the wrong thing, I feel like such a failure.

I renounce the lies that “I’ll never be able to quit,” and that “You’re disappointed in me.” I choose to believe that You will help me and that You take joy in me because Your Word says I am no longer a slave to sin but to righteousness—and You smile on me. Amen.

By Caesar (Chavo) Chavez

Forty Days of Prayer Day 23

WEEK 4

DAY 23- HELP US FORGIVE

Scripture- Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” —Ephesians 4:32–5:2

My four-year old doesn’t like help. But . . . he can’t button his shirt yet either. So, in the morning, I watch him struggle. He gets so mad trying to cover himself with that little shirt, and I often offer to be an example. One of two things is likely to happen: (1) On a good day, he watches me button it while I explain how much better it will cover him this way; and (2) On a not-so-good day, he tells me I’m not his friend anymore and walks around with a shirt that will open wide to leave him exposed any moment.

When it comes to forgiveness, I differ little from him. Have I been dressed in Christ’s forgiveness through His sacrifice? YES! And do I try it myself with great frustration sometimes? YES! It’s like telling Jesus He isn’t my friend and trying to “button myself up” when I’m a moment away from being exposed. He asks if I will allow Him to show me the immense forgiveness He has offered me so that I can begin to rely on how it changes me. This allows Him to help me forgive others in return.

It’s when I don’t allow His amazing grace in forgiveness to be shown to me that I end up holding onto grudges I have against those who have wronged me—at the risk of being uncovered completely! Can we agree together today that we desire the graceful covering of Jesus’ forgiveness offers? We must allow His example to change the way we offer it to others.

REFLECTION PRAYER

Jesus,

It is hard to admit that we need You for so much, and it is our pride that tempts us to feel that way. We repent of the pride we still carry. We acknowledge that forgiveness is not only something You have audaciously offered us but also something you have commanded of us. We repeatedly fail at this, Lord, but you have promised us that we can follow You as our example. Please come into our lives. Humble us to see Your forgiveness towards us so that we may graciously extend it to others. We need Your help. Amen.

By Meica Campbell

Forty Days of Prayer Day 22

WEEK 4

DAY 22- PRAYER AS CONFESSION

Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Confession is crucial to the Christian life—both as repentance before God and as forgiveness between one another. Scripture is clear: God desires mercy. His loving kindness and mercy toward us abound; therefore, we must extend mercy toward others. This week, the devotionals will guide us through the confessional aspect of prayer, discussing the love that leads us to forgive as we have been forgiven.

By David and Ty King

Forty Days of Prayer Day 21

WEEK 3

DAY 21- FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST

Scripture- Psalm 23:1; Matthew 6:33; John 15:5

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall [lack nothing].”—Psalm 23:1

God provides for all humans and creatures, but He is a shepherd only to His people. As shepherd, He’s always there to take care of His sheep, and they will lack nothing. Jesus is our Good Shepherd (John 10:11). He looks after our whole being—spirit, soul, and body.

Jesus wanted His disciples’ hearts to be occupied by Him and His Kingdom. He did not want them to worry about the things of this world. He said, “But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33). For those who set King Jesus before them, God makes sure that they have all they need.

As believers in Christ, we depend on Him for all things. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The assurance for the branch to always bear fruit is in abiding in the vine. The Father, the farmer, is looking for fruit on the branches—fruit that comes only from the farmer’s vine. Only these fruits bring glory to Him.

We are to produce Christ’s fruits—His character. Let us look to our source, our enabler, our sustainer, our true vine. He will never disappoint us.

REFLECTION PRAYER

Father,

We thank You, for You are our Shepherd, our Provider. Help us not to worry about little things. Help us to trust You and Your Son.

As Your Word says in John 14:1, “Trust in God; trust also in Me”; we want to continually believe in and depend upon You. We want to be fruitful. We want to produce Your character. Help us. Help us to get the order right: You before us and the things we need behind us. Occupy our hearts with You and Your Kingdom. Let our prayer always be “May Your Kingdom come.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Daniel Zewdu

Forty Days of Prayer Day 20

WEEK 3

DAY 20- MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR EMPTY SOULS

Scripture- Psalm 23:2, 119:11; Matthew 4:4; Romans 10:17

Where do you run when your soul is empty? When you are worn and weary, do you seek fulfillment from your own power, effort, and plans, or do you run to Jesus and seek the comfort that comes from knowing Him and His Word? Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary. . . and I will give you rest.” It’s natural for us to try to find satisfaction in other things (it’s been the case since Adam and Eve), but the only thing that can truly make us whole is Jesus.

The closer we run to Jesus, the more we will know Him and His Word, and this will keep us from sin. Jesus Himself turned to Scripture to rebuke Satan’s temptations in Matthew 4, and as the psalmist writes in Psalm 119:11, hiding His Word in our hearts keeps us from sinning against God.

Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd and says that like sheep, His followers will know His voice (John 10:27). As David writes, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul” (Ps. 23:2–3a).

Do you know the Word of the Lord? Can you discern the voice of the Good Shepherd? The more time we spend with Jesus (the incarnate Word) and in our Bibles (the written Word), the clearer His voice becomes, and He will restore our empty souls.

REFLECTION PRAYER

Father in heaven,

We confess and repent of all the times we have tried to treat our emptiness under our own power and through worldly means. We acknowledge that You, and You alone, are the key to a fulfilling, whole, and satisfying life.

Lead us to a greater appreciation of Your written Word and a greater desire to study it and know it because knowing the Word allows us to know You better; and in knowing You, we can find rest. Amen.

Please reflect on Psalm 23 again as you end your prayer time.

By Aaron Pfahler

Forty Days of Prayer Day 19

WEEK 3

DAY 19- MEET THE NEEDS THROUGH OUR CREATIVE OUTREACH

Scripture- Jeremiah 1:7; Matthew 25:35-40; Mark 16:15

“Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘Now, I have put my words in your mouth.’” —Jeremiah 1:9

God’s Word encourages us with stories of people who, on the exterior, may not appear to be likely candidates to spread the good news of the Kingdom; but their interior life tells a different story. People God uses in Kingdom advance are not favorites; they are intimates who take the hand of the Father in prayer.

One of my fondest memories of my “steelworker” Dad was of him walking me to school during kin- dergarten. Each day, he would take my hand and walk me to the Juniata Terrace Elementary School. At the end of the day, he would be there again to take my hand, hear what I had learned, and walk me home. It’s the same when we take the hand of the Father in prayer. When we are intimate with God, we sense His presence and hear His promptings, which come to us in prayer. When we move into prayer that is intimate conversation with our Father, we take His hand just as Jesus told us to do, praying, “Our Father in heaven. . .” In the presence of the Father, we bring our petitions to Him and then respond to His promptings to take His Word to a lost world around us. What is your petition today? Will you take the Father’s hand and ask?

REFLECTION PRAYER

Use this simple prayer pattern to take the Father’s hand today, sensing His presence and hearing and responding to His promptings.

Father,

You are great, and You are good. I need Your help.

They need Your help.

Heal me and forgive me.

Thank You.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

(Taken from Before Amen by Max Lucado)

By Joel Smith

Forty Days of Prayer Day 18

WEEK 3

DAY 18- MEET THE NEEDS OF THE MARGINALIZED & IMPOVERISHED

Scripture- Exodus 22:22, 23:6; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 10:18; Luke 10:25-37

Read Luke 10:25–37. Do you want to feel good, or do you want to be an answer to prayer?

We’ve heard the Good Samaritan parable many times. It was in response to a ruler who felt good because he had the religious answers about how to obtain eternal life—love God and love your neigh- bor—but was the ruler willing to really answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?”

There are many in our communities, in our world—and, yes, right next to us—who are hurting, traf- ficked, forgotten, starving, abused, and living in poverty for whom Jesus is the answer. Take a moment today and pray for them specifically. Pray that they will find healing, stability, purpose, food, comfort, shelter, sustenance, and employment. Maybe even go a step further and become the answer to the prayer.

Theologian Miroslav Volf states, “There is something deeply hypocritical about praying for a problem you are unwilling to resolve.” Part of a good prayer life is aligning our thoughts and desires with the heart of God. While you and I may not have a Jericho-road experience as in the parable, we can begin to see others as God does as we intercede spiritually, materially, and physically on their behalf.

REFLECTION PRAYER

The chorus in Brandon Heath’s song “Give Me Your Eyes” will serve as the reflection prayer today:

“All those people going somewhere, why have I never cared? Give me Your eyes for just one second.

Give me Your eyes so I can see everything that I keep missing; give Your love for humanity.

Give me Your arms for the brokenhearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me Your eyes so I can see.”

By Les McMahan

Forty Days of Prayer Day 17

WEEK 3

DAY 17- MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE IN CIVIL UNREST

Scripture- Psalm 32:7, 34:4, 107:6; Isaiah 43:18-19; 1 John 4:4

The world around us is filled with constant pain—from overseas conflicts where the mighty attack the weak to our own backyard filled with violence against the innocent and children. How do we approach God amid this injustice and unrest?

It is good and right to weep with those who weep and to mourn with those who mourn. It is being like Christ who had compassion and wept with Mary and Martha over Lazarus though He knew Lazarus would rise by His hand. It is good to cry out to God and grieve the pain and destruction in our world.

God has also called us to be a people of prayerful petition, asking Him to protect children, those who are being wronged, and our Christian brothers and sisters who are suffering. We claim the promise of Psalm 32:7: “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Further, we should give thanks that even while evil is at work, God is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4) and is doing a new thing. He is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isa. 43:18-19). We claim these truths and pray that God will overcome evil with good. We pray that He will send His people to bring peace, restoration, and justice to the places in our world thirsty for the hope only Christ can bring.

REFLECTION PRAYER

Take a current event in our world and pray over the situation with God; grieve with Him over the injustice of it. Pray for God’s protection of those facing trials by name or group.

Ask Him to make a way in the wilderness, to make streams in the wasteland.

Ask Him to bring the love, hope, and peace of Jesus Christ to the people walking through this hard reality of life, that the name of Jesus would be lifted up for all to see. Thank you for walking beside them in prayer today.

By Ben Douglas

Forty Days of Prayer Day 16

WEEK 3

DAY 16- GOD IS FAITHFUL

Scripture- Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 7:9-11; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

Have you ever had an extended conversation with someone you met for the first time? For most of us, it tends to be an awkward encounter. The subject matter usually remains at the surface level. There’s no trust developed to go any deeper than what we do for a living.

Unfortunately, that is a posture that many take with knowing God. People guard their hearts and avoid vulnerability. They may feel free to trust Him with provision of their needs, but is He trustworthy with those painful areas of our lives?

God is always faithful to supply our every need, and He gives us the choice to remain at that level of relationship. However, His desire is to go much deeper. God was faithful to meet the physical needs of the Israelites as they wandered the desert. As for Moses, that wasn’t enough. He longed to experience the fullness of God at the deepest level; he ultimately wanted what Adam and Eve experienced before the Fall.

Because of His death and Resurrection, Jesus has taken out the prohibitions to knowing who He truly is. Within the Trinity, there is love, delight, security, and acceptance. The invitation is not just to be a bystander craving that kind of relationship; it is to fully take part in that relationship.

Action: Meditate on John 15:9. Ask God to reveal the places in your heart where you haven’t opened up to Him. What is He asking of you in response?

REFLECTION PRAYER

Father,

You see the deepest part of my soul. You understand me better than I understand myself. You consistently prove Yourself to be faithful, and the love that You have expressed to me can be found nowhere else. Yet, how often do

I find myself holding back? I don’t want to keep anything from You. I long to experience the fullness of Your love for me. I want to know what it means to be united with You. Jesus, thank You for making the way for this to be available to me. And it’s in Your name I pray, amen.

By Brian Scott

Forty Days of Prayer Day 15

WEEK 3

DAY 15- PRAYER AS PETITION

Give us today our daily bread.

This week, we will be focusing on prayer as petition. The Scripture says that our Lord is our Heavenly Father who knows all our needs even before we ask Him. Yes, that is one of the reasons Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present

your requests to God” (Phil.4:6). 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” As we ponder over prayer

as a petition, our focus is to meditate on God’s faithful nature to hear our petitions, His justful nature to validate our petitions, and His sovereignty to fulfill our petitions. What is our role and action as we bring our petitions to Him?

By David and Ty King

Forty Days of Prayer Day 14

WEEK 2

DAY 14- KINGDOM THROUGH CARE OF THE EARTH

Scripture- Romans 8:19-23

“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

This is what I think of when I read Romans 8:19-23. Anticipation and longing form a palpable tension between what is and what we hope will come to be: the coming of the God’s Kingdom.

Strikingly, Paul intertwines creation’s anticipation with the fate of humanity. Creation awaits libera- tion “from its bondage to decay” while humanity awaits adoption and redemption. In fact, creation’s liberation is dependent on humanity’s redemption; it waits in expectation “for the children of God to be revealed” in order that it might be “brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” Kingdom-living brings life to the whole word.

Paul reminds us that when people sin, creation suffers. In Genesis 1, creation was subjected to hu- manity, who was tasked to rule over and care for it. When humanity promptly rebelled against God and this task, creation began its suffering, waiting for the redemption of those who would reflect God and His rule.

In our redemption, we become what we were created to be: participants in the Kingdom of God who rule over and care for creation. To participate through care of the earth, we must commit to orienting our lives toward God’s creation in the ways that He designed us to do—to rule as He rules and to care as He cares so that we help bring about the flourishing of all life.

REFLECTION PRAYER

Lord of Creation,

We thank You first and foremost for the gift of life that comes through Jesus Christ. As we reflect on this passage, we repent of the ways that we fail to be Your image bearers, not least in how we choose to live in the world. Forgive us for failing to love our neighbor and Your creation. May Your Holy Spirit convict and guide us into new habits of living. Give us the strength to be obedient to Your Kingdom rule. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we pray, amen.

By Chris Vena