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"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work."
- Oswald Chambers
You are invited to join with your Grace Church family to engage in a 40-day prayer adventure during this season of Lent.
This will be a personal adventure to:
1. Experience a closer connection with God.
2. Gain more satisfaction and fulfillment in the life Jesus gives.
3. Receive at least one gift from God.
This will be a group adventure to:
1. Reach a new level of trust in God’s faithfulness.
2. Be more committed to God’s purposes and plans.
3. Experience an outpouring of God’s power in the Holy Spirit.
4. Develop a reputation for our friendship with the living God.
What does it look like to take this adventure of prayer?
1. Be willing to set aside 40 days of Lent for a heartfelt pursuit of the living God.
2. Be willing to attempt new things in order to get new results.
3. Be willing to gather with other people to encourage them and be encouraged.
4. Be willing to deny yourself in order to let God have His way.
5. Be willing to give to get to give again… and again… and again….
“And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Please read this manual in its entirety. It provides clear instructions and encouragement for how to engage in these 40 days. The time spent perusing this document and engaging in the prayer adventure will be time well spent.
Why should you take a 40-day adventure of prayer?
A group of hikers decided they would attempt one of the most difficult hikes in North America. They planned their two-day hike to the top of one of the beautiful areas in the Rocky Mountains. All of them were excited, motivated, and made excellent plans.
After the first day they all arrived exhausted at a well-stocked cabin and enjoyed a hearty meal in front of a warm fire and comfortable lodgings. The next day the group was divided. Half decided this was as far as they wanted to go. They would stay at the cabin, rest, and wait for the others to complete the hike.
All was well with the ‘stay-behinds.’ They said goodbye to the ‘go-aheads’ and lifted cups of hot cocoa and coffee. They had a wonderful leisurely day recuperating and eating lunch. Then one of the ‘stay-behinds’ shouted, “Look!”
She had spotted the ‘go-ahead’ hikers through her binoculars above the tree line, making their way to the summit of the mountain. Not one of the ‘stay-behinds’ spoke as they watched the ‘go-ahead’ hikers reach the top. For the first time, they regretted remaining at the cabin in comfort.
Even though you may be too tired, too comfortable, or too scared, it’s worth the risk to “go-ahead” in prayer!
Why is prayer scary?
1. Because I have been disappointed in the past.
2. Because I am afraid I will be disappointed in the future.
3. Because I worry my expectation won’t be fully met.
4. Because I worry I’m not good enough for God to answer my prayer.
These are just a few of the reasons why people stay behind and are afraid to walk in faith. Miracles in our culture are considered long shots. Our attitude towards faith seems to be very different from the attitudes of many of the people in the Bible.
Why should I be a praying person?
1. I have nothing ultimately to lose by trusting in God. He is faithful always.
2. I ultimately have much to gain by trusting in God. He is faithful always.
3. I want to develop an exciting walk with God in my life. He is faithful always.
4. I want to see God move in practical concrete ways. He is faithful always.
To the woman who was healed when she touched Him, Jesus said, “Your faith has healed you.” (Luke 8:48) The LORD told a leper, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19) These are two example of people who stepped passed their fears and risked in faith and were rewarded.
Our 40-Day experience is meant to imitate that risk. To ask God to move on our behalf, to move on behalf of our family, our community, and our church, you and I have everything to gain. This is a journey of discovering what is possible with God.
“You do not have, because you do not ask God.”
James 4:2
40-Day Ingredient #1: Pray in faith for others
Pray for those who are hurting, who are sick, and for those who are lonely and feel like outcasts. Also, pray for God to show you what He is doing and to give you the desire to join Him in His work on behalf of others. List them here:
“There is no pit so deep that the love of God is not deeper still.”
- Corrie ten Boom
Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep: (Luke 15:1-7)
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Create a list and pray for those far from God and in need of God:
One of the simplest and most effective ways to impact a life for Christ is simply to regularly be inviting people to church. Then, trust God for His work in them.
Create a list and pray for those whom you rejoice for, having been found:
If appropriate, share these prayer lists with those in your group and pray together over them.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:18-19
40-Day Ingredient #2: Pray in faith for something concrete from God
God is not a miracle-dispensing vending machine. However, there is power in prayer. God wants to hear from us and be in relation with us. Just like a parent wants to bring joy to their child, and may be moved by a child’s earnest request for something, God delights in bringing blessings to those who seek Him.
Jesus instructs His disciples: “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24
How to pray during the 40 Days for a concrete answer to your prayer:
1. Pray specifically and clearly. Think it through. Determine exactly what you are asking for in your life, and then write it down.
2. Pray consistently, every day, during the 40 days. Jesus teaches us to keep asking God for the things we need. (Matthew 7:7-11) Sometimes it takes a long time. Remember you cannot lose with God because your ultimate goal is to connect yourself to God and His will for your life.
3. Pray with others. Jesus said, “For wheretwoor three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20. Pray with your small group, your bible study, or gather a couple of Christian friends and work through the 40-Days’ steps. If you aren’t part of a group already, call the church office to join a group.
4. Tell us when God answers your prayers.Email us at . Write your praise stories on our Comment Cards. We’d love to hear how God is moving in your life! This can be wonderfully encouraging.
“Has theLordredeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others….”
Psalm 107:2 NLT
40-Day Ingredient #3: Pray with a Group
Matthew 18:19-20 says, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven, for where two or three come together in My name, there I am with them.” Here Jesus shows us that there is value in praying with others. Over the next 40 days you are encouraged to find people to pray with on a weekly basis.
For you parents out there, praying together as a family can be a powerful thing! Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. It is never too early or too late to start praying with your kids! Over the next 40 days, consider setting aside a specific time to pray with your children outside of your normal routine.
How to gather a group for 40 days:
· Pray - Seek God’s wisdom on whom you should gather with for this season of 40 days.
· Start with a group you are already involved in - Invite others in your group to create groups of 4 or more to pray with. Invite others outside of your group to join in on your prayer group.
· Join a Small Group or Bible Study - We have many groups that would love for you to join them. For more information, check the Small Group flyer or contact Mal Johnson in the church office. ( or (909-542-0505)
· Family - Praying as a family can be a powerful, inspiring, and instructive.
The intention of this season is to deliberately set aside time to pray and seek God’s will. Here are a few suggestions to help your group as you pray together:
1. Pray daily for each of your group members. Pray for each person’s concrete request. If you are praying as a family, ask each child how you can pray for them. Consider writing these down somewhere so you can remember what to pray for. (Parents, don’t forget to include yourself in this one, too!)
2. Bless your group or family during the 40 days as much as possible. 1Thessalonians 2:8 says, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” Keep your eyes out for ways to bless those close to you to show you care about them. If you are doing this as a family, talk with each child about practical things they can do to show kindness toward your other family members.
40-Day Ingredient #4: Read the Bible to build your trust in God
Studying the Bible is a practice Christians use to get to know who God is.
"The word of God is the food by which prayer is nourished and made strong."
- E. M. Bounds
“The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring people to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.”- A.W. Tozer
Read the Bible every day during the 40 days, except Sundays. Here’s why:
· To increasingly discover the character and attributes of God.
· To identify our place in the story of God’s people.
· To know the promises of God and to more clearly know our future.
· To know the warnings of God that guide us into His abundant life.
How do I read the Bible effectively? This is a good question as some people complain that the Bible is boring. It’s sort of like complaining that oxygen isn’t important because you really don’t think about it much. God’s laws and promises govern our lives whether we know it or not. Here’s how to read the Bible well:
1. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read. Pray a simple prayer like, “God open my mind and heart to help me to understand your will for me.”
2. Read God’s Word like no other book. Read it like it’s written for you and to you. Take to heart that this is a special time to grow closer to God. God waits for this moment. Step into it with confidence and listen carefully.
3. Follow this simple reading plan. Look up these Scriptures.
40-Day Scripture List: Read one passage every day during your time of prayer.
2/18 Deut. 32:3-5 / 3/3 Mark 2:1-12 / 3/16 Matthew 5:13-16 / Sunday 3/292/19 Psalm 111 / 3/4 Luke 5:17-26 / 3/17 Galatians 2:20 / 3/30 Isaiah 40:29-31
2/20 Matthew 6:25-34 / 3/5 Luke 8:22-25 / 3/18 Micah 6:8 / 3/31 Romans 4:16-25
2/21 Psalm 31 / 3/6 Jeremiah 33:6 / 3/19 James 1:2-5 / 4/1 2 Cor. 1:18-22
Sunday 2/22 / 3/7 Matthew 8:5-8 / 3/20 1 Peter 3:15-16 / 4/2 Jeremiah 29:11
2/23 Psalm 51 / Sunday 3/8 / 3/21 Matthew 28:16-20 / 4/3 Isaiah 40:29-31
2/24 Deut. 7:8-13 / 3/9 Acts 3:1-16 / Sunday 3/22 / 4/4 Romans 6:37-39
2/25 Proverbs 14 / 3/10 John 11:1-44 / 3/23 Romans 12:1-8
2/26 Proverbs 28 / 3/11 Matthew 11:25-30 / 3/24 Romans 10:9
2/27 Ephesians 2:8-10 / 3/12 John 10:7-18 / 3/25 Proverbs 1:33
2/28 Colossians 2 / 3/13 Romans 1:16-17 / 3/26 Proverbs 14
Sunday 3/1 / 3/14 Philippians 4:4-9 / 3/27 Deut. 30:15-20
3/2 Matthew 9:27-29 / Sunday 3/15 / 3/28 1 Cor. 10:12-14
40-Day Ingredient #5: Pray For the present and future of our church
We all have “strong” opinions about “the church.” It’s like God has hard-wired each human being to care deeply about the actions and attitudes of His people who meet together. Even those who aren’t followers of Jesus usually have really strong opinions about the church. By the way, a national poll in 2011 says that people generally have positive opinions about their local churches and the people who attend them. (“Americans like Evangelicals,” Christianity Today, 8/5/11)