~Gratitude - Day 26~

And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

The healthiest of all human emotions is said to be Gratitude. Gratitude is defined as the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.  The Bible says to be “thankful in all circumstances.”  That means you should be thankful even in the midst of hard times. 

If you live with a grateful heart, with praise and thanksgiving to God, it will cancel out any toxic or negative emotions in your life.  When you use prayer to express gratefulness to God, He will lift your spirits, because His joy becomes your strength.  His strength allows you to stand strong in the power of His might.

Today, don’t stop celebrating what the Father has done for you. Rejoice in the Lord! Pray with gratitude! Pray with thanksgiving!

Journal Time:

• Do you believe that every breath you breathe, and every beat of your heart is a gift from God?
• Are you truly thankful for all that the Father has done in your life?
• Make a list of the many things in which you are grateful.

Pray:

Father, I pray for You joy to fill my heart so that I can see my life with perspective.  Help me to see the many reasons I have to be grateful.  Amen.

~The Eyes of the Heart - Day 25~

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. Ephesians 1:15-21 (NLT)

Through prayer you can see the eyes of your heart.  The eyes of your heart will be opened when you realize the value of the gift you’ve been given in Jesus.  You can see the eyes of your heart by praying for the Father’s love to fill you.  When your prayer life is active and full, when you converse daily with the Father, you will begin to see others through His eyes.

Today, Ask the Father to allow His love to flow through you to others.  Make your prayer today about love and how you can show His love more to those around you.

Journal Time:

• Is the love of the Father flowing through you?
• Would you be recognized as a Christian by the love you have shown to others?

Pray:

Father, I thank you for Your love, I pray today that You would open the eyes of my heart.  Show me where I am lacking in Your love for others.  Fill my heart with Your love and allow others to see Your love flowing through me. Amen.

~Strength When You're Weak - Day 24~

O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NLT)

Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. II Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

Let’s face it, even the strongest Christians have moments of weakness. God’s power works best in your times of weakness.  Whatever you are facing today – in your marriage, your home, your family, or at work, know that God’s grace is all you need.  It’s those moments of trials and pain that pulls you to your knees.  It is in those moments that you learn to depend on God.

Today, stay before God in your times of weakness.  Surrender your weaknesses to Him and let Him give you supernatural strength.

Journal time:

• How many times through your pain have you discovered your purpose?
• How many times through your pain have you discovered his power?

Pray:

Father, I thank You that in my times of weakness, I am made strong by Your power.  I will not be ashamed of my weakness because in my weakness, Your power works through me.  Father, I come to You today concerning_________________.  I know that You will strengthen me in this area, and I thank you for strengthening me. Amen.

~Escaping Temptation - Day 23~

And don’t let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13 (NLT)

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. I Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

This generation is faced with clear and present danger.  The enemy is waging war for the very hearts and lives of our loved ones.  You as a believer, is in this battle.  You are God’s soldier on a mission and the only way to win this war is on your knees.

You overcome the temptation of the enemy when you pray.  When you pray, you are protecting your faith, future and family.  This is a spiritual battle that cannot be won with physical weapons.  God provided us with spiritual weapons and prayer is one of them. 

Today, pray that the Father will give you the power to escape temptation and deliver your loved ones.

Journal Time:

• What are some areas in your life you need the strength to escape temptation?
• Are there loved ones in your life that are facing trials?
• Are you consistent in your prayers for their escape from temptation?

Pray:

Father, I pray for strength and will-power to escape the temptation of the enemy.  You said, “If I tempted, You will provide an escape for me. I pray for my loved ones. I pray for_______. Provide an escape from_______.  Give______ the power of Your Holy Spirit and deliver ______from temptation. Amen.

~A Heart of Obedience - Day 22~

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart. Psalm 40:8 (NLT)

A lot happens when you are willing to walk in obedience. God rewards obedience (Gen 22:18; Ex 19:5; Luke 11:28; James 1:22-25).  When you are faithful to obey God’s instructions for your life, He is faithful to bless you.  It is your obedience that is distinctively rewarded. It is your obedience that honors God.

Prayer should never be a substitute for obedience.  It’s not enough to pray, you must be willing to hear His voice and follow His Instructions.  Your feet should be ready to move into action when you pray.

Today, be ready for action when you step into your prayer closet.  Whatever the Father tells you to do – do it.  Be obedient to the Father and He will reward you.

Journal Time:

• Are you praying diligently and responding to what God calls you to do?
• In what area of your life can you be more obedient to God’s call?
• Has He placed a specific area of service on your heart?

Pray:

Father help me to be obedient to Your Word and what You’ve called me to do.  Use me in the days to come to fulfill Your purpose in the earth.  I surrender, submit and commit my will to You.  I will follow Your voice from this day forward. Amen.

~Answers to Prayer - Day 21~

So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so he can show you His love and compassion.  For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help.  Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)

When you pray, you’re looking for and seeking answers.  Know that when you seek the Father, coming before Him with a pure heart, believing that you will receive, He will answer you.  God loves you and if you are obedient to His Word, He will answer your prayers. He doesn’t always answer immediately.  That doesn’t mean you stop praying. Continue to seek Him until you get His response.  Don’t get ahead of God.  Earnestly seek Him.

Today, take every pressing need or concern you have to the Father.  Pray about your needs and concerns every day.  Pray and wait for His response.

Journal Time:

• Write down all your needs and concerns.
• In your prayer time pray about each of them.
• As you receive answers – write and record each answer, date and time of response, in your journal.

Pray:

Father, I come before you concerning________________. You know my heart and exactly what I need.  Lead, guide and direct me concerning this issue, need/concern.  I will not try to work it out on my own.  I will seek you daily until I receive answers. Amen.

~Seeking the Will of God - Day 20~

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10 (NLT)

Seeking the will of God for your life is important.  You should long for, love, yearn for, and yield to know His will.  When you pray, you are seeking the will of God.  When you sense or hear His direction, follow with a heart to please Him and fulfill His purpose in your life.  Get out of the mindset of what you want and focus on what the will of the Father is for your life.

Today, pray for the will of God, His purpose and plan for your life.  Surrender your plans to Him and replace them with His plans.

Journal Time:

• Do you actively seek God for His will concerning your life?
• Do you have trouble surrendering your will and submitting to His will?
• Do you know His will for your life?

Pray:

Father, I want to know your will for my life.  I humbly surrender my will to You.  I want to know Your purpose for my life.  I get rid of my plans and submit to your agenda for my life.  Today, I pray concerning______________ (list the areas).  Give me direction concerning these areas. Amen.

~Intercession - Day 19~

(1) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. (2) Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (3) This is good and pleases God our Savior, (4) who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT)

The act of intercession is prayer for others.  The greatest way to experience the power of prayer is through intercession.  When you pray for others you are blessed because you are giving of yourself.  It is important to pray for our leaders – public and spiritual, for the lost and for our country.

Today, go before the Father, not praying for yourself (only), but pray for others.  Make a list of those people and pray for them daily.

Journal Time:

• Who has God laid on your heart to pray for?
• Make a list of people to pray for and take them before the Lord daily.

Pray:

Father, I come before you today, praying for those in leadership.  I pray for the President, congress, our national leaders, state and local government leaders, and others in authority.  I pray for my spiritual leaders.  I come against discouragement, hurt and other attacks of the enemy.  I pray for every pastor, prophet, elder, missionary and Christian leaders around the world.  I pray for those that are lost, those that don’t know You.  I pray that they will have a divine encounter with You and their hearts will be turned to You.  I pray for the state of our country.  Revive Your church! Restore families and communities! I pray that our nation will return to its roots of honoring You.  In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

~Pray the Word of God - Day 18~

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:7 (NLT)

When we pray, we speak to God. When we read and study His Word, He speaks to us. Unless we read and study His Word it’s impossible to know what God wants us to do. God reveals His will to us through His Word. Everything we need to know is in His Word. When we pray His Word, we are reminding Him of His promises to us. As we read and meditate on His Word, and His Word remains in our hearts we begin to see the manifestation of His Word in our lives. Whatever we ask Him for He will freely give it.

Today, set aside some time (everyday) to read and study God’s Word. Research His promise and His will. In your prayer time pray His promises.

 

Journal Time:

• Which scriptures did you read?
• What were His promises written in His Word?
• How can you incorporate those scriptures in your prayer?

 

Pray:
Father I thank You for Your word and every promise written. You said if I remain in You and in Your word, I can ask for anything and it will be granted to me. (John 15:7), Your Word is a lamp onto my feet and a light for my path. (PS 119:105), I will trust in You with all my heart and will not depend on my own understanding. I will seek Your will in all I do, and I will look to You for which path to take. (Pr. 3:5-6) I thank you for it now, Amen!

~Pray With Boldness - Day 17~

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 (NLT)

Being bold means knowing who you are and when you know who you are in Christ, your prayers become militant in nature.  It’s time out for safe, vague and repetitive prayers.  Your prayers become lazy when you don’t understand the purpose and value of prayer.  I read somewhere that it cost blood, sweat and tears to pray with boldness, to bruise your hands and knees, asking, seeking and knocking. Even though the cost is great, it’s worth being uncomfortable and beat up because when you pray, God moves on your behalf.

Today, approach the throne of grace with boldness.  Don’t pray safe prayers.  Pray with passion – shamelessly.  Pray bold prayers that get His attention.  Lay it all out before Him and watch Him move. 

Journal Time:

1. Do you find yourself praying safe prayers?
2. Do you understand the true value of prayer?
3. Do you understand the purpose of prayer?

Pray:

Father, I come before Your throne boldly, praying for (about)_______________________________.  I know that you are a God that answers prayer.  You are a God of miracles and all power is in Your hands.  I will not back down or become lazy with my prayers.  I know that you hear my every cry and see my tears.  You will not fail me or leave me.  Thank you, Father, for answering my prayers. Amen.