Sunday, January 5, 2025
Adoration
“What comes to our mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A. W. Tozer
As we begin a week of concentrated prayer to the Almighty sovereign God, we must begin by adoring him. So, our time today will be spent in adoration.
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he began with that amazing phrase, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Take some time today to hallow (revere and make holy) the Father.
“My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty
Malachi 1:11
Lift up the name of God. Think about some of the names of God that you know from Scripture. List them here:
Think of the ways that you can declare that God is great. Praise him for who he is and declare that he is great!
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100
Read Psalms 95-100 and pray them back to God offering adoration and praise for who he is and for his magnificence.
Consider the reasons given to adore the Lord in these psalms. List some here and offer adoration to him:
Praise God that he is sovereign over all the things that have happened in 2024. Praise him for the way that he has been moving in power in our midst. Praise him for his sustaining hand of power and for the perfection of his reign. Read Psalm 150 as a praise to the Lord from your heart.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!!
Monday, January 6, 2025
Confession and repentance
When Isaiah saw the Lord seated on the throne, high and exalted, he saw the holiness of God. He heard the angels declaring holiness and as he did, he became quite aware of his sinfulness. It drew him to repentance (Isaiah 6:1-7).
As we enter this second day of our prayer week, we have an opportunity to open our hearts to the Lord. We lifted up his name yesterday and declared him to be great. In so doing, like Isaiah, we have a chance to see ourselves in light of his perfection.
In his kindness, God will use this to draw us to repentance so that we can experience the depth of his love displayed in his offer of forgiveness and the freedom that comes to us as we accept that forgiveness (see Romans 2:4).
Search me, O 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. Psalm 139:23-24
When Daniel realized that the time of exile was coming to an end, he turned to the Lord with a prayer of confession and repentance that allowed him to pour out his heart to almighty God and receive forgiveness. (Daniel 9).
Write some things here that you notice in Daniel’s prayer that could apply to our individual and corporate situation today:
There is something powerful that happens when we come to the Lord and acknowledge not only our own individual sin, but also the way that our sin has impacted others as well as the impact corporate sin has on the effectiveness of God moving in his power. As we begin this year, seeking for God to move in our midst, we must begin by allowing him to search us and reveal where we are in sin. This allows us to move into his arms in repentance and allows us to draw closer to him.
1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
As you read Isaiah 6:1-7; Daniel 9; and 1 John 1, turn to the Lord in a time of confession. Doing that in a group may require some times of silence as you seek the Lord for individual things to confess, but then pray corporate prayers of confession. Confess the things we as a people of God have been negligent in. Read the prayer of Daniel and ask God to reveal the things we need to be confessing as a people of God.
There is a difference between confession and repentance. Confession agrees with God that something is sinful. Repentance turns away from that which is sinful. Ask the Lord to reveal those places in your life that you may have confessed but have not yet repented. Sin which must be confessed is sin of which we must repent as well. Ask God, in his kindness, to lead you to repentance and turn from that which is sinful.
As you close your time of confession praise God and thank him for the forgiveness that he freely gives to those who would seek him.
Tuesday January 7, 2025
Praying for the Church (There will be a special concert of prayer at 6pm at church)
We now focus on praying for the Church—the Bride of Christ. As we pray for the Church, we are not praying for buildings and individual congregations, we are praying for the capital “C” Church—for all true followers of Jesus from every nation, tribe and tongue who together are being built together upon Jesus as the chief cornerstone to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22).
1. Pray that the Church would learn to pray fruitful prayers that will open our hearts to God’s plan and power.
Acts 4:23-31
2. Pray for unity in the Church. Ephesians 4:1-3
3. Pray that God would be glorified in all things and that the name of Christ would be lifted high.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
4. Pray that God’s Spirit and power would fill the Church. Colossians 1:9-13
5. Pray that the body of Christ would faithfully show love to a hurting world in His Name. John 13:34-35
6. Pray that the Church would be faithful to go into all the world and share the gospel of Christ. Matthew 28:18-20
7. Pray for the leaders of every church, that their hearts and minds would be directed towards Christ. 1 Peter 5:1-4
8. Pray for the Church to have a love for God’s Word and to walk with God in humility. Micah 6:8
9. Pray for God’s power and protection against the attacks of the enemy. Pray that we would see and fight the real enemy and not bite and devour one another. Galatians 5:15; Ephesians 6:10-18
10. Pray that God would wake up the Church and stir us to action. Pray that we would be doers of the word!! James 1:22
11. Pray for God’s provision and that the Church would live generously. 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Ask God to show you different ways that he would lead you to pray for the Bride of Christ all around the world.
Here is a list from CRU of how to pray for the persecuted church:
Pray that persecuted Christians would know the hope God gives (Ephesians 1:18).
Pray that Christians facing persecution would rely on God, and not themselves (2 Corinthians 1:7-9).
Pray that persecuted Christians would fearlessly tell others about Jesus (Ephesians 6:20).
Pray that their witness would inspire those who plan to harm them (Acts 16:25, Luke 6:27-31).
Pray that God would provide for the physical needs of persecuted Christians (3 John 2).
Pray that they would experience God’s peace, despite their weakness and current circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Pray that God would protect them, according to His will (Matthew 26:39).
Pray that God would ultimately rescue them out of dangerous circumstances (Psalm 91:15).
Pray that persecuted Christians would feel deeply connected to Jesus in their suffering (John 15:19-20).
Pray that they would be completely faithful and surrendered to God’s will (Revelation 2:10-11).
Pray that they would have wisdom and discernment for how to approach every situation (Matthew 10:16-18).
Pray that as they share in Christ’s sufferings, they would be able to rejoice in the hope God offers them (1 Peter 4:12-14).
Wednesday January 8, 2025
Praying for our families.
Today, let’s consider some Scriptures that we can pray over families. We know that families are under constant pressure and attack and so we turn to the one who can guard and strengthen our families.
Read the following verses, then pause and personalize each one for your family and other families as God brings them to mind. Pray for families by name. Pray that God would allow believing families to follow him closely and stay strong and give example of the amazing relationships that he has designed for the family.
Relationships:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
Protection:
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2
Wisdom:
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:6-7
Obedience:
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:9-11
Peace:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Right thinking:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Right speech:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
Hope:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Holiness:
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Corinthians 7:1
Joy:
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8
Presence of God:
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Blessing:
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Thursday January 9, 2025
Prayer for our country.
Today has been set aside as a National Day of Mourning for President Jimmy Carter. As we begin to focus on prayer for our country begin by taking some time to pray for the family of President Carter and to thank God for his service to the country.
This day, we set aside time to pray for our country and our leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 instructs us to pray for our leaders. We know that there are ways in which our country is far from God. We know that our country is filled with sinful actions and pride. We have wandered from the Lord and his plan for our lives choosing temporary pleasure over the joy found in serving God. That is why we spent time confessing.
As we pray today, we pray God would turn the hearts of the leaders of this country to him. We know God holds the heart of the king in his hand (Proverbs 2:1). So, we plead for God to bring our leaders in line with his heart.
We are in the midst of what appears to be a great transition. Pray for peace in the transition. Pray that our current president and vice president and our future president and vice president would have genuine conversations which would allow for a healthy transition. Pray for wisdom and courage to do what is right according to God’s word.
Pray for our judges in all the various courts. Pray they would judge justly. Pray they would have the courage and wisdom to rule fairly and without prejudice. Pray the morals with which they judge would be the morals of God’s design. Pray especially for the cases that are before them right now.
Pray for the Congress and the Senate-state and federal. Pray they would be men and women of godly character with a desire for justice that is a biblical justice. Pray they would not be swayed by winds of change and evil. Pray they would legislate just laws that are right according to God’s standards.
Pray for our local officials and representatives. Mayors, school board members, council members, town chairmen. Pray they would be leading with wisdom and grace and would follow God’s design.
Pray that our country would turn to God alone. Pray that we would be one nation that recognizes what it truly means to be under God’s sovereignty. Pray that the divisions that are in our midst would give way to unity around God’s truth and word.
Pray for an accurate and loving conversation to bring reconciliation between all people. Pray the anger that surrounds so many conversations would subside, and that people would truly learn to listen and hear each other and the Lord’s truth.
Pray for our law enforcement and military. Pray for courage and wisdom. Pray for boldness to enforce laws that are just and right. Pray for safety as they head into situations that are filled with strife and angst. Pray for their families who wait at home.
Pray that God would put people who know and love him in positions of leadership and decision making and give them the boldness to stand for him in those positions. Give them a voice that is heard and respected. Pray those in offices who do not know the saving power of Jesus may be drawn to salvation.
Pray for God to move in might and power and heal our country. Pray he would break the pride that keeps us from following him and turning to him for leadership.
Praise God, knowing he can bring our country in line with his will. Praise him for being sovereign over our prayers. Praise him that he is in control and his plan will not be thwarted.
Friday January 10, 2025
Prayer
“pray continually” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
In many ways God has designed that prayer would be a long, wandering encounter with God. It is not so much that we set aside time to pray as it is that we communicate with God throughout the day—we are so aware of his presence that as we experience things, we realize we are sharing int those moments with our heavenly Father.
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. Acts 4:23-24
What the world is in desperate need of is a spiritual Church using spiritual weapons to fight a spiritual war, under the spiritual reign of Christ. Walter Chantry
The early church knew that prayer was essential. They did not offer up prayers from God to fix things or to make them comfortable. In this passage (Acts 4:23-31) we see that when a trial came, they immediately went to God in prayer—not to fix the situation but to help them stand strong and make God known during the trial. They did not pray fix-it prayers, they prayed fruitful prayers!!
A church devoted to prayer is made up of people devoted to prayer. Look at the chart below and today pray that we might become ever more people devoted to prayer as opposed to people that pray! Pray that we would engage in seeking God to reveal himself in every situation!! Pray that God would help you to become a person devoted to prayer!!
Saturday January 11, 2024
Blessing (Join us for a special Second Saturday worship service at 6pm at church)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1
Take time today to read and/or listen to Psalm 103. The original word translated as blessing in the ESV is bârak, the root of which means to “bow the knee in worship”. Many times, when we think of blessing, we can look to seek a blessing from God. The psalmist reminds us to seek a blessing for God. There is great power in focusing our thoughts on how we might bless God, and to seek for ways that all creation can be a blessing to him. Today begin by taking time to seek to bless God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
Please read and/or listen to Matthew 1:1-12 today. This passage is known as the beatitudes. Basically the word means “great joy”. These blessings that Jesus uses to begin his sermon on the mount are significant to consider as we think of blessing. The Greek word for “blessed” describes the person who is singularly favored by God and therefore in some sense “happy”.
We find this in Psalm 1 as well, where a person who is blessed is described, and the Hebrew word describes a person who is happy.
The language of blessing is a special language indeed. It seeks the best for another. It comes from a heart that is pure in its desire to see another experience goodness and joy and yes, happiness.
Think about the language of blessing today. Think about ways to speak blessing over those around you. Begin with blessing God and then move on from there. Seek to have a heart that meditates on the things pleasing to God and allowing your words to flow from that heart.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14