Name:
Now glory be to God,
who by his mighty power
at work within us
is able to do far more
than we would ever dare
to ask or even dream of -
infinitely beyond our highest prayers,
desires, thoughts, or hopes.
Ephesians 3:20
1
Understanding Your Study Guide
SUNDAY NOTES
Bring this booklet to church during your 40 Days of Prayer. Use these pages to take notes on the weekly messages.
KEY VERSE
Each week you will find a key Bible verse to focus on. If you are in a small group, and someone in the group has a different translation, ask them to read it out loud so the group can get a bigger picture of the meaning of the passage.
VIDEO LESSON
There is an optional video lesson for each week. If you are in a small group, you may watch it together each week. If you are doing the 40 Days of Prayer by yourself and you would like a copy of the videos, contact Mike, .
INDIVIDUALLY OR IN SMALL GROUP
Study these questions individually or in a small group. Don’t feel like you have to cover every question. Choose the questions that seem most relevant. The point is to learn and grow your faith as you go through the session. Go through “DISCOVERY QUESTIONS,” “PRAYER,” and “THIS WEEK.” Close your time with prayer and plan for your next session.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNAL
Take a few minutes each day to read the verse several times, slowly. Emphasize a different word or phrase each time you read the passage. Underline key words or phrases that are especially meaningful to you. Follow the Spirit’s moving and write down your responses in the journal space. Finish with prayer.
SERMON NOTESFebruary 11, 2018
Week 1: The Purpose of Prayer
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:7
Individually or in Small Group
Discovery Questions
What role has prayer played in shaping your relationship with God?
Based on this week’s message, what can you do to deepen your conversation with God?
What are you hoping to get out of this study for the next 40 days?
PRAYER
What are you lacking in your life simply because you’ve never asked God for it? What is your greatest need? Don’t hold back. Share your prayer request with your group, then pray together. Write down your prayer requests in Prayer & Praise on page 59 and see how God answers our prayers.
THIS WEEK
DAILY PRAYER
Set a daily alarm as reminder to pause and pray this week. This idea works best if you pick the same time every day. The best time to pray is when you’re at your best. Consistency is more important than quantity.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 11, 2018
Day 1, Sunday
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:5-7
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 12, 2018
Day 2, Monday
I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
John 15:15-16
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 13, 2018
Day 3, Tuesday
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 14, 2018
Day 4, Wednesday
Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything
in my name. Ask and you will receive,
so that your joy may be complete.
John 16:23-24
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 15, 2018
Day 5, Thursday
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 16, 2018
Day 6, Friday
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 17, 2018
Day 7, Saturday
I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything,
I will do it.
John 14:13-14
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
SERMON NOTESFebruary 18, 2018
Week 2: How to Pray with Confidence
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Individually or in Small Group
Discovery Questions
God is caring, consistent, close, and competent. Which of these characteristics has the greatest meaning to you, and why?
Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us
is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask
or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers,
desires, thoughts, or hopes.
Ephesians 3:20 (TLB)
Read Ephesians 3:20, is there something you’re afraid to ask for or dream of? God can do far more than you can imagine.
Psalm 34:18 says, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit. How has this been true or false for you?
PRAYER
Take this time to pray with confidence for anyone in your group or life who may be in a season of heartbreak or experiencing a crushed spirit. Write down your prayer request in Prayer & Praise on page 59 and see how God answers our prayers.
THIS WEEK
PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE
Read Ephesians 3:20 at the top of the page.
What did God say to you as you read this passage?
What does this passage mean to you?
With this passage, what is your prayer?
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 18, 2018
Day 8, Sunday
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 19, 2018
Day 9, Monday
Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, [God] remains faithful to us and will help us, for he cannot disown us who are a part of himself, and he will always carry out his promises to us.
2 Timothy 2:13 (TLB)
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 20, 2018
Day 10, Tuesday
Keep your lives free from the love of money,
and be content with what you have; for he has said,
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 21, 2018
Day 11, Wednesday
How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
I try to count them - they are more than the sand;
I come to the end- I am still with you.
Psalm 139:17-18
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 22, 2018
Day 12, Thursday
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven
give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 23, 2018
Day 13, Friday
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him”
1 Corinthians 2:9
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 24, 2018
Day 14, Saturday
But to all who received him, who believed in his name,
he gave power to become children of God.
John 1:12
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
SERMON NOTESFebruary 25, 2018
Week 3: The Pattern for Prayer, Part 1
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
Psalm 107:15
Individually or in Small Group
Discovery Questions
Prayer starts with who God is; it doesn’t start with what you need. Why do you think Jesus taught us to praise God (hallowed be Thy name) and to surrender to God (Your kingdom come, Your will be done) before we make our requests to God?
There are many names of God: Creator, Father, Savior, Shepherd, Shield, Counselor, Comforter, and Friend. Which name reminds you most of God’s presence in your life or resonates with you in your current circumstance?
The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to ask God for our daily bread. Share a story of how God has provided for you.
PRAYER
Share a prayer request based on what stood out to you as an area of growth in this session. As you pray, remember to start with praise, then surrender your will to God’s will, and then make your requests.
THIS WEEK
GRATITUDE LIST
This week, start your daily prayer time with praise and worship. Notice what happens in your prayer life.
Praying with your palms up symbolizes that you are bringing your requests and cares to God. Turning your palms down symbolizes that you are letting go and releasing your cares into God’s hands. Turning your palms up again symbolizes that you are receiving God’s grace, and that your hands are now available to God to be used for his purposes. Try it this week.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 25, 2018
Day 15, Sunday
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
What did God say to you as you read the Lord’s prayer? Slowly read it again.
What does this mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 26, 2018
Day 16, Monday
I pray that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith,
as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that
you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints,
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 27, 2018
Day 17, Tuesday
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
Psalm 107:15
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALFebruary 28, 2018
Day 18, Wednesday
We know that all things work together for good
for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALMarch 1, 2018
Day 19, Thursday
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you:
Take your everyday; ordinary life - your sleeping, eating,
going-to-work; and walking-around life -
and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
Romans 12:1 (The Message)
What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
Take a minute and pray. It could be a confession, gratitude, or praise. Anything that you want to share. Write down some words.
DAILY PRAYER JOURNALMarch 2, 2018
Day 20, Friday
Abba, Father, for you all things are possible;
remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.
Mark 14:36