For the first 21 days of the new year, as a church family, we committed that time to the Lord in prayer. We joined together each day in intentional prayer. The prayer focus, Scripture, and daily encouragement is below.
21 Days of Prayer
day01
PRAYER FOCUS: who He is to me
Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
In your time with God today, honor Him for who He is to YOU. Be honest, and invite Him to be more than you currently may “allow” Him to be in your daily decisions, thoughts and actions. Still your mind; find a quiet place for a few minutes. Share your gratefulness for who He is to you. Then accept His invitation to ‘call to Him’. Speak to Him, then listen in your heart to hear what He may want to say to you.
day02
PRAYER FOCUS: confess
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
At the beginning of our 21 days of time with God, it is important to remove all barriers of sin that need to be confessed, so that we can walk into the “times of refreshing” that Jesus alone can bring. 1 John 1:9 says “if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive…” Clear out the communication and blessing blockages between you and God. Confess, and He will enable you to make the drastic turns you need help with. Go all-in with God today…and your life can pivot right into His “times of refreshing” in all areas of your life.
day03
PRAYER FOCUS: listen
Psalm 145:18-19 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Yes, the Lord does hear you when you talk to Him! Give Him space/time to speak to you. Listen with a heart of faith, that He cares to respond to your cares. Fear (give Him the respect due His name) Him by giving Him your full, undistracted attention. After all, He is God! Talk with Him about your concerns. Also, ask the Holy Spirit what is on the heart of the Lord that you need to listen closely to. Then listen…and write it down….out of honor for who He is.
day04
PRAYER FOCUS: transform our thinking
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We can’t expect to walk in the will of God, if we don’t allow Him to transform our thinking--from the values and ways of the world (our old and comfortable bent) to His Kingdom values and ways! Time for a personal evaluation. Ask Him to reveal to you any ways of thinking, decision making, or actions that you are more comfortable with the ways of the world…than what you ALREADY KNOW as being the ways of God. Confess that to Him, and ask Him to give you His strategies to cooperate with Him, so that you can be transformed in your thinking and feelings. And then you can and will walk into the knowledge of, and ability to, walk in His will!
day05
PRAYER FOCUS: ask for a miracle
Psalm 77:11,12,14 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
There’s a great song entitled “Miracles” by Jesus Culture. It was written because one of the singer/song writers really needed a miracle of God in his family. Do you need a miracle in something you are facing? In your prayer time today, affirm to the Lord that you know He has no limits, and you really need His intervention in “that” specific area or relationship. Declare how He intervened in the past, and by faith in His Word and character, declare His love and power over your situation. He IS the God of miracles!
day06
PRAYER FOCUS: how can I show my love for Him?
John 21:19 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Tough question! If the Lord were to ask you, “Do you love Me?”….why do you suppose He would ask such a question? Could it be that our lives many times don’t match our words? Is there a Kingdom responsibility God has assigned to you, if you truly do love Him? Are you aware that an evidence of our love for Him is sharing our faith and discipling others? Be alert this day for God-opportunities to SHOW your love by what you do and say. Pray today for a “Godly-alertness” and help from Holy Spirit to evidence your love for Him!
day07
PRAYER FOCUS: give Him your concerns
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
What weight of concern are you carrying today that God wants you to give to Him? Why? Is it because you don’t want to bother Him? Is it because you think you can handle anything thrown at you? Have you considered that God wants you to humble yourself, and give Him your concerns so He can divinely solve the issue, displaying to you His love, fellowship and power? God sent you His Holy Spirit to live in you, and walk with you, assisting you in all. Holy Spirit didn’t come to be a spectator, but daily involved in everything WITH you! Invite Him today to carry your burdens, needs and concerns!
day08
PRAYER FOCUS: your family—biological and spiritual
Acts 10:2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
There is power in regular prayer and being selflessly generous when raising your family. Are you daily praying for your family, and looking for opportunities to show kindness? God’s word notes that there is a blessing that falls on families that are truly faithful toward the Lord, and those that show respect and honor to the Lord and His ways. Help each family member know how they can show great honor toward the Lord in how they consider Him in all expressions of feelings and choices they make. Call out to Him for the individual needs within your family!
day09
PRAYER FOCUS: who can I invite to come and meet the One who will change everything for them?
Luke 5:27-29 After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.
Since you have encountered the goodness and salvation of Jesus, are you inviting others in your circle of associations to “come and meet Him who can change everything for them”? If not, ask God to reveal why not? Worried about not having the right words, full understanding of questions they could ask you? None of that matters! If we want to care or be concerned about something, then let’s be concerned about those people’s salvation, marriages, healing, or whatever issues of life they are dealing with in the moment. Let’s pray for a heart of concern for others right around you, in areas that concern God about them!
day10
PRAYER FOCUS: our leaders
1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Today during your time with God, will you bring before Him something much bigger than you, but is on His heart? Will you intercede for, stand in the gap for, cry out for our leaders, as God has instructed us? YES, your prayers make a difference in the Kingdom and heart of God, regardless of what the circumstances look like in our communities and nation! He is God – and changes ALL hearts and any nation He wants. Yes, your prayers effect change, and God asks for you to intercede. Will you raise your trust level, and pray today for our leaders…by name for those you know?
day11
PRAYER FOCUS: those at Freedom
Ephesians 3:14-16 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
As Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus, may we pray for those at Freedom to be strengthened through the power of His Spirit! From the leaders, to members, to occasional attenders or guests….we all are needy for God-interventions and infusions of His gracious power. Will you pray today for any and all people at Freedom who His Spirit impresses upon your heart right now? Many need prayers for decisions on opportunities or problems, for relationships, and for the ministering that God has assigned to them. For us to be and do as a church family, all that God has on our plates, we need to intercede for each other.
day12
PRAYER FOCUS: boldness in healing prayers
Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Initially Jesus gave the authority to heal and cast out demons to the apostles, and then in Mark 16:15-18, He gave that authority to “all who believe.” Are you one of those “all who believe”? Will you pray for those around you with health or demonic oppressions? Remember, it is His power within you that brings the healing, not something in yourself. So…YES you can minister healing to those friends, neighbors and co-workers under the authority given you by Jesus! The question is not do you have the authority, but will you step out in the authority and responsibility that He has given you? Pray for your boldness to step in belief!
day13
PRAYER FOCUS: salvation for the lost in your sphere of influence
Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Pray for those around you who are without salvation. You work, go to school around them, or live near them. You have the answer to their lack. They may be richer, smarter or nicer looking, but without Jesus, what does it matter when they pass from this life? God has assigned you to plant some seeds of thought, question, or answers. Will you? Will you at least pray for God’s courage today, and some entry point of discussion? Start praying for this, and watch Him open the door!
day14
PRAYER FOCUS: breakthrough through fasting
Matthew 17:19-21 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]
Sometimes you encounter a really big problem, and you haven’t seen your prayers answered on the issue. In that case Jesus points to our lack of faith, and actually gives us a way to strengthen our faith – it’s called fasting! It is part of God’s divine method of delivering incredible answers to the toughest situations. If you want to see a BIG answer, you have to follow our BIG-GOD’s solution, which He invites us to be involved in seeing it unfold…through both prayer AND fasting. Is the pain of your problem big enough yet to take on God’s solution? Will you consider enduring the uncomfortableness of fasting to see a breakthrough?!
day15
PRAYER FOCUS: Lord, is fasting my next step?
Acts 13:2-3 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Direction for big decisions more easily comes to those who FAST and pray. Are you grappling with any big decisions that could lead to a new direction or new opportunity? In the church at Antioch, God was doing big things, when He made a new shift in how things would be operating by sending out Barnabas and Saul. Are you sensing a shift from God may be coming? Do you need clarity or confirmation on some issue? Try fasting with your seeking God in prayer. Ask Him if that is your next step.
day16
PRAYER FOCUS: rest in His faithfulness
1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
Although others may have let you down, God will not. He can be counted on to deliver on His purposes for you. He is faithful—in a world filled with people who may not be trustworthy, who have hidden motives, or who have their own interests at heart. Your God is committed. He is unmoving on bringing His purposes for you to fullness, to life. As you pray today, will you ask Him to expand your capacity to trust Him, to rest in His faithfulness, to be at ease in the middle of the storms of life? May faith rise in you today to experience confidence in Him!
day17
PRAYER FOCUS: His care for you
Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Where is your first thought, first activity in your daily norm? How do you prioritize your days? Are you aware God has your back, so you can truly rest in Him, without worry or concern of crashing? Worthwhile questions, huh? Let me encourage you to start today declaring your security in Him. Thank Him that He knows all the situations you will face today, and His love, grace, and protection bubbles around you. “For who shall separate you from the love of God?” No person, force, event or unexpected situation can separate you from God’s great love. Just spend a few moments this morning letting your mind and heart wrap around His care for you.
day18
PRAYER FOCUS: faith that none of His promises fall to the ground
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Reach back in your mind and remember some of the amazing promises God has made toward you in His Word or even spoken to you in your heart. Have faith, for they are coming! And guess what? Them happening doesn’t just rely on your great ability, because He will help you stand firm! He has set His name and the seal of His Spirit on you. Let that bring you confidence when life currently may look otherwise. None of His promises fall to the ground. This morning, thank Him for the anointing He has placed upon you. Then get up and walk in His grace, with expectancy in your heart!
day19
PRAYER FOCUS: increase my zeal
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
We talked a lot about fasting – sacrificially doing without food to focus in prayer. But there is a hunger far deeper than mere food, that God rewards more than you can imagine. He rewards with His amazing FAVOR those who “hunger and thirst” for righteousness. Do you crave following Jesus in obedience, love and passion? Do you have an intense desire for following God rightly? If so, He promises to fill all those gaps in your life with Himself. You “will be FILLED” He says. Today, ask God to increase your zeal for Him and His ways, and crush the passivity in your heart that whispers, “You’re fine to not go overboard in your pursuit of God.” Go for all of Him today!
day20
PRAYER FOCUS: increase my zeal
Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Are you tired of the detours in life, in relationships, at work, or home? Is there a better way, a straighter way, from Point A to Point B in your various situations? Pray today that God would help you learn to rely on Him, not just your own experience, or the well-meaning advice of others. Learn to PRAY FIRST. Pray first, not talk first, not investigate first, not seek others’ viewpoints first, not complain first….but to PRAY FIRST in every situation. Let’s show trust in the Lord by seeking Him FIRST, submitting to His Word and Ways FIRST, refusing our own understanding as being supreme.
day21
PRAYER FOCUS: His goodness
Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
As we end our 21 days of prayer, what better scripture to form the base of our prayer, than to stop in our tracks, and be awe-struck by our amazing God! He is worthy to receive all our honor! Take 60 seconds of stillness, and reflect on His goodness to you, His supreme power to all, His purposes that always happen, His character that is spotless, His authority that strikes fear in angels, His love toward you that He would sacrifice His own Son for a reconnection to you.