Week One: January Personal Prayer Focus: Sins of the Mind

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2 ABOUT THIS GUIDE All Weekly Prayer Guides have been adapted by materials from Returning to Holiness: A Personal and Churchwide Journey to Revival by Dr. Gregory R. Frizzell 2

3 Week One: January 4-10 Personal Prayer Focus: Sins of the Mind It is no accident that Satan frequently attacks our minds with inappropriate, sinful thoughts. Jesus reveals in Matthew 15:18 19, But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Simply stated, Jesus reveals that sin begins in the heart and mind. Until our attitudes and thoughts are under God s control, we will never experience the fullness of life in Christ. (John 10:10) Proverbs 23:7 states As a man thinks within himself, so he is. (NASB) TAKE A MOMENT... Prayerfully consider and reflect upon the following Scriptures. As a part of this time of reflection, allow God to bring a conviction of sin. Spend time confessing each sin (be specific) and fight the temptation to be distracted or to move quickly through each one. 3

4 The shortest, the surest, the safest way to seek God is to seek Him in secret. It is not that God is any more real in secret than He is in public: but we are. - Alexander Whythe, Lord Teach Us to Pray 2 Corinthians 10:5 What type of thoughts occupy my mind? Do I spend the majority of time thinking thoughts of Christ or am I consumed with earthly issues? Do I think more about work and/or recreation than I do about spiritual growth and serving Christ? Am I filled with unclean thoughts? Am I filled with fearful or angry thoughts? Take a moment and reflect on these and ask God to reveal any sinful thought patterns that exist in your mind. For each one, ask God s forgiveness and trust Him to renew your mind (Romans 12:2). What specific thoughts should replace the thoughts that are worldly? Matthew 5:28 Do lustful, unclean thoughts frequently occupy my mind? Do I watch programs or movies that spark improper thoughts and/or feelings? Am I aware when I am thinking unclean thoughts? Do I have thoughts I would be ashamed for others to know? Do I have wandering eyes? Search the Scriptures for key verses to replace the unclean thoughts in your mind. Every time an unclean thought arises, replace it with this Scripture passage and a prayerful focus upon God. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Matthew 5:28 (NIV) 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Colossians 3:1-3 Do my affections and priorities often revolve around people and things more than Jesus? Am I more passionate about earthly things than spiritual things? To what or to whom do I devote the majority of my thoughts and energies? Do I honestly get more excited about work, sports, etc. than about God s kingdom? If God reveals that many of your thoughts are undisciplined and earth centered, immediately confess this to God and ask Him to transform your mind. Write down specific ways God reveals that you need to set your affections and thoughts on Him. Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV) 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4

5 WEEK ONE: JANUARY 3-9 CHURCH PRAYER FOCUS: HEART OF WORSHIP Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV) 8 "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" Amos 5:21-24 (NIV) 21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Think about it... Scripture is clear that God desires a heart of authentic worship. The picture of worship is that of one who bows down in reverence and surrender before the King of kings, Jesus Christ. We must confess the fact that we take worship far too lightly. Many have fallen into a pattern of singing the songs and listening to the spoken word with absolutely no thought of confession or repentance. Ask God to... Lead our church family to bow before God in worship in complete repentance and obedience Fill our church family with holy fear and reverence for Him Open our hearts and ears that we might listen to His voice from Scripture and immediately respond in obedience to His instruction Convict us of a shallow reverence and worship of God Immediately confess these most serious areas of sin in your life and then confess them as God impresses on behalf of our church family. Allow what breaks His heart to break your heart. Trust God to grant to us as a church the spirit of genuine reverence and worship. 5

6 What God said to me this week... 6

7 Week Two: January Personal Prayer Focus: Attitude TAKE A MOMENT... In the book of Revelation, we learn a sobering reality in Jesus message to the church of Laodicea. As God examines our lives, He not only observes the outward behavior, but especially the inward attitude. God is deeply concerned with the attitude of our hearts. Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--i am about to spit you out of my mouth. This week let s ask God to open the eyes of our heart and reveal the attitudes that lie within. God desires deep and abiding love from His children. That s why the thought of a middle ofthe road or lukewarm attitude sickens God. Where sin exists in our lives there also exists a lack of deep love for Christ. The root of sin is the love and worship of ourselves over God. Confess it personally and then pray and confess it for our church family as God reveals. 7

8 Having a praying church is not just a good idea; it is the foundation from which everything else flows. - Cheryl Sacks, The Prayer Saturated Church Ezekiel 36:26 Can I authentically categorize my love and service to God as passionate? Is the burning priority of my life His presence and His service? On a scale of 1-10, how would I rate my zeal for Christ? Has there been a time when I loved and served God more passionately than I am now? Am I deeply excited about Scripture, witnessing and serving Him? Take a moment and reflect on these and if God reveals any lukewarmness, honestly confess this sin to God. Only the Holy Spirit can grant a pure and burning love for Christ. Pray in faith for God to give you a heart that yearns for Him. Embrace the new heart He provides. Ezekiel 3:26 (NIV) 26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house. Psalm 51:17 Do I consider myself quite spiritual? Do I often criticize and judge others? Do I find myself frequently trying to set others straight? Do I spend time daily allowing God to search my heart and life or do I feel I need little cleansing? Am I desperately hungry to see a mighty moving of God or am I somewhat apathetic towards His activity? Spiritual pride is a slippery slope! God hates self-righteousness and spiritual complacency. Immediately confess and forsake the sin of pride. Trust God to restore your heart with a spirit of genuine humility and brokenness. 1 John 2:15-17 It s probably no surprise that worldliness and materialism are prevalent sins among modern Christians. Do I barely tithe and yet pay enormous interest on debt? When I buy things, do I seek God s direction about the purchase? Do I lust for things? Am I willing to live with less in order to embrace more God centered patterns regarding money? Spend some time reflecting on this question: Is Jesus Christ in control of my desires and finances? Journal some of the changes that are necessary to embrace God s plan for your finances. Psalms 51:17 (NIV) 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV) 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-- comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 8

9 WEEK TWO: JANUARY CHURCH PRAYER FOCUS: SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Think about it... A forgiving attitude is a primary mark of someone right with God. Unfortunately, it is all too common for people to be highly religious, yet possess a judgmental, unloving spirit. Pharisaical attitudes come in many shapes and varieties. Often times we say we forgive, when we really don t. Ask God to... Convict our church family to respond with forgiveness and love when we are wounded by others Open our hearts to respond with kindness to others even when they don t deserve it Convict our church family of any internal grievances against friends, family members, or those within our church family Fill our church with Christ s unconditional love Confess these sins in your own life and for our church family. Ask God to use our disappointments as a church family as His opportunities to allow Jesus to live through us rather than serving as a foothold for the attitude of bitterness. Ask God to fill our church family with his pure, unconditional love for others. 9

10 What God said to me this week... 10

11 Week Three: January Personal Prayer Focus: Sins of Speech Throughout Scripture, God places a high priority on our speech. This applies not only to what we say, but also to how we say what we say. Consider this powerful statement by Jesus: I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36 (NIV) 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. TAKE A MOMENT... This week our prayer focus emphasizes sins of speech. In In his book, Slouching Towards Gomorrah, H. Robert Bork makes the point that there has been an explosion of vile and wicked speech in our society. Many Christ followers have fallen into sinful patterns regarding their speech. Unfortunately, some have done so without even knowing it. Let us seek the Lord in this area not only in our personal lives but on behalf of our church family. Let us ask God for discernment as we prayerfully examine our words so that we might not be careless. 11

12 There is only one key to successful ministry, and it is in God s hands. In the light of sovereign grace, we work, we pray, and we do not lose heart. - Tim Chester & Steve Timmis, from Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel & Community Ephesians 4:29 Do I ever speak words that are crude and inappropriate? Do I ever use God s name (or variations of it) in any way other than worship, honor, and praise? Do I often find myself engaging in inappropriate jokes or conversation? Do I use slang words to add emphasis to what I m saying? Spend time honestly examining your speech. Ask God for His forgiveness. Be specific in your confession of improper speech. Fully surrender what you say and how you say it to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:18 Do I often gripe and complain about situations in my life? Do I fail to give thanks in all things and at all times? Do I often make excuses for my grumbling with statements like I have good reason to complain? Am I trusting God for His joy or do I give in to murmuring and complaining? (see 1 Corinthians 10:10) A lifestyle of continual praise pleases God. It is impossible to be a complainer and walk in the power of God s Spirit. An attitude of grumbling is a major sin and blocks God s full blessing on our lives. If you are repentant, God will grant to you unspeakable joy! Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) 29 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. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:31 Am I often times guilty of using critical words? Do I tend to be irritable or cranky? Do I often use sarcasm? Am I quick to raise my voice? Do I speak unkindly to those in my family? Am I guilty of any form of gossip or slander of others? Do I find myself talking about others behind their back? God intends for His people to be different! We are to be a testimony of His healing and transformation, not a people of bitterness. Spend some time reflecting on this area. As God reveals, immediately confess and forsake these serious sins of speech. 12 Ephesians 4:31 (NIV) 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

13 WEEK THREE: JANUARY CHURCH PRAYER FOCUS: SPIRIT OF UNITY 10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) Think about it... Today one of Satan s most effective strategies is to distract believers through conflict with one another. A clear sign of spiritual immaturity is a divisive, contentious spirit. All throughout the Scriptures we are commanded to love one another. We are to place the needs of others ahead of our own. We must continue to seek the Lord and ask Him to unify us around the Good News of Jesus. Ask God to... Grant to our church family His Spirit of peace Unify our church family through the gospel Tear down our tendencies to form church cliques and truly learn to love one another in Jesus Name Lead others in our church family to renew their passion for prayer Subtle sins of attitude and speech are often times more damaging to a church than obvious outward sins. Allow God to convict you and any tendency in your life to be contentious or negative. Confess that sin. Intercede for our church family and ask God to transform our hearts and grant to us His wisdom as we deal with differences of opinion and conflict without becoming angry or divisive. Ask God to develop a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation within our church family. 13

14 What God said to me this week... 14

15 Week Four: January Personal Prayer Focus: Sins Relationships God has created us for relationships. First and foremost, we have been created for a relationship with God. Jesus declared, And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 (ESV) God has also created us for relationships with others. God declared in Genesis that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Although this is an often overlooked area of sin, sins of relationships are perhaps one of the most common areas where we miss out on God s ideal. TAKE A MOMENT This week our prayer focus emphasizes sins of relationship. In his book, The Great Commandment Principle, Dave Ferguson writes, Great Commandment love cannot be limited to our comfort zone. Before proceeding, pause and ask God to stretch you in regards to relationships and speak to your heart in this area. Deny the tendency to be like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9 14. Approach His throne as the tax collector who acknowledged His need for mercy. 15

16 The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous his isolation is. Sin wants to remain unknown. - Dietrich Bonheoffer, Life Together MATTHEW 5:23-24 Can I think of people I may have hurt or offended in some manner? Am I bitter or holding grudges against people who have offended me? Have I secretly resented God for allowing a painful situation in my life? Have I cooled off toward God because He has not acted in alignment with my expectations? Take time and be honest with yourself and fully confess these sins. Ask God for His forgiveness and His cleansing. Make a definite decision to harbor no bitterness against anyone. Remember forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. When we choose to forgive, God changes our feelings. Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. EPHESIANS 5:25 (for husbands/men) Am I taking responsibility to lead my family in devotions and prayer? Am I creating a loving atmosphere of spiritual nurture and training in our home? Am I prioritizing my wife s needs and desires ahead of my own? Am I having consistent conversation with our children about everyday life issues? Ephesians 5:25 (NIV) 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her Improper family relationships are common areas we lose the filling and power of God s Spirit. If we fail at home, we fail! Confess your failures and allow God to change you by His grace. 1 PETER 3:3 (for wives/women) Do I treat my husband with dishonor and disrespect? Do I often point out his weaknesses and faults? (Eph. 5:33b) Do I ignore his needs and desires? Is my attitude one of thanksgiving and love or complaining and anger? The greatest way to experience God s change in your husband is to bring yourself under God s pattern for a godly wife. Don t make excuses by saying, That s not my personality. Confess your sin and surrender to God s pattern and anticipate His blessing. 1 Peter 3:3 (NIV) 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 16

17 WEEK FOUR: JANUARY CHURCH PRAYER FOCUS: SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- -and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Think about it... God strongly emphasizes the importance of staying closely connected to a local body of believers. According to 1 Corinthians 12-14, all followers of Christ are to stay in genuine fellowship/community and close relationship with other believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 identifies the reality that neglecting regular fellowship and worship with the body of Christ is a major sin. God does not intend for His children to be lone rangers or orphans without a church home. Ask God to... Lead our church family to stop asking What can this church do for me? but, rather How can God use me in this church? Lead more and more of our church family to participate in God s work and not just be spectators Convict our church family of the sin of consistently receiving but rarely giving Convict regular attendees and guests of the need to plug in and serve God through the ministries of First Southern Baptist Church of Augusta Pray for revival throughout our church family and for the salvation of those apart from Christ! Pray for a strengthening partnership within our church family that centers around the Good News of Jesus Christ. 17

18 What God said to me this week... 18

19 Week Five: February 1 February 7 Personal Prayer Focus: Sins of Omission THINK ABOUT IT... Most of us do not use the word transgress very often in our everyday conversations. Often times we choose a similar word that has a softer connotation. The word transgress means to go beyond the limits imposed by a law or command, etc. The idea of transgression is a Biblical concept. When David confesses his sin before the Lord he prays, For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51:3 (ESV) TAKE A MOMENT... This week our prayer focus emphasizes sins of commission. Transgression is any act of breaking God s laws or doing something God forbids. Prayerfully consider the following Scriptures describing common areas of transgression. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and then confess your sin. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 103:12,...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 19

20 The Holy Spirit does not seek to hurt us, but He does seek to make us Christ-like, and this can be painful. - Francis Chan, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit EPHESIANS 5:5,12-13 Have I committed any form of sexual immorality, uncleanness or perversion? Do I ever watch television or movies that feature immorality and violence? Do I dress in ways that incite lust in the opposite sex? Am I in the habit of reading things that are suggestive or unclean? According to Scripture, these things are not in alignment with the ways of holy God. If we desire to know His glorious power and blessing, we must reject sinful movies, magazines, and entertainment. Confess these areas honestly before the Lord and receive His forgiveness. Then make a plan for how to change these habits. God s standards have not changed at all! (And neither should ours.) Ephesians 5:5 (NIV) 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-- such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. EXODUS 20:3 Have I transgressed God s first commandment by placing things ahead of Him? Have other things or people crowded out my worship and service to God? Do I worship and serve God only if everything else is done first? Do I spend more time on the internet or watching TV than in Bible reading and prayer? If our church family followed my example, how strong would the ministry of our church be? Most people do not bow down to a carved image but, we still struggle with the sin of idolatry. Prayerfully reflect on these questions today and ask God to transform your heart! Exodus 20:3 (NIV) 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. MALACHI 3:8-10 Have I been honest to fully tithe my time and talents to God? Have I been honest in calculating my tithe or have I tithed from the leftovers rather than the first fruits of my income? Would I be willing to give far more than a tithe if God leads me? Spirit filled believers give cheerfully, generously and sacrificially. If you sense God s conviction about finances, obey Him now. You cannot out give God! (Luke 6:38) Malachi 3:8 (NIV) 8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 20

21 WEEK FIVE: FEBRUARY 1 FEBRUARY 7 CHURCH PRAYER FOCUS: A SPIRIT FILLED CHURCH Romans 14:23 (NIV) 23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. Think about it... Romans 14 contains an often ignored spiritual principle. Though we no longer face issues of eating meat sacrificed to idols, we do face many issues that can violate our conscience. According to Scripture, if we (individually or as a church) act without a firm conviction it is God s desire, we are committing sin. A beautiful phrase from the great Welsh revival was, Brother or sister, are there any controversies between you and God? Imagine a church family that refused to allow any controversies between us and the Lord Jesus Christ! Ask God to... Fill our church family with the power of the Holy Spirit Lead our church family to openly confess our sin Convict our church family of areas of life where we fail to have peace and the boldness to make changes according to the Spirit s leading Convict our church family of sins in our lives which are grieving the Holy Spirit Pray that God would transform the First Southern Baptist Church of Augusta to be a Spirit-filled, prayer-saturated church! 21

22 What God said to me this week... 22

23 Week Six: February 8 February 14 Personal Prayer Focus: Sins of Omission THINK ABOUT IT... The word omission can be defined as something left out, not done, or neglected. Often times as Christians, we are overwhelmed by the guilt of our past. We regret an act we have committed days, weeks or even years prior. The greater challenge is in what we do with what we know in the here and now. As the great theologian Mark Twain once said, It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand. TAKE A MOMENT... This week our prayer focus emphasizes sins of omission. This is an area of sin that is often times ignored. James 4:17 speaks of this condition. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (ESV) 23

24 If we are allowing the Holy Spirit to minister through us, we must say gently and firmly that there is no middle ground. There is no partial obedience. Partial obedience is disobedience. Disobedience is sin and leads to further sin instead of a godly life. - Henry Blackaby, The Ways of God JOHN 15:4-5 Am I spending time in daily Bible reading and prayer? (more than a 2 3 minute devotion) Have I been too busy to give God significant time? Am I neglecting to abide in a close relationship with Christ? Spend time today with the Father confessing any neglect on your part regarding quality and quantity time with Him. This is the heart of our relationship with Jesus Christ! ACTS 1:8 Have I made a prayer list of people I consistently encounter in my daily course of life? (Store clerk, co workers, classmates, neighbors, etc.) Am I praying for them on a regular basis? Do I seek to show them special kindness? Do I witness to them about Christ? Am I seeking to be a better communicator of the gospel through training? To be ashamed of Christ is a serious sin against God and silence is one of our greatest failures (Mark 8:38; Genesis 13 19). Confess your sin of omission in this area. Develop a list today of those whom God may use you to influence for the Kingdom. ROMANS 6:14 What are my spiritual strongholds? Have I made the determination to claim God s full victory and overcome the sins that keep cropping up or am I simply putting up with them? Has Satan deceived me to believe I cannot be free? Am I too complacent and spiritually lazy to push forward into full victory? John 15:5 (NIV) 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Acts 1:8 (NIV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Romans 6:14 (NIV) 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Whether it is anger, fear or a sinful habit, you must determine to get rid of it. Immediately confess the sin of unbelief and determine to settle for nothing less than the complete victory Christ purchased on the cross (John 8:34)! 24

25 WEEK SIX: FEBRUARY 8 FEBRUARY 14 CHURCH PRAYER FOCUS: AN OBEDIENT CHURCH James 1:23-24 (NIV) 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Think about it... A far-to-common omission is failure to obey God s Word the moment He speaks. Often times we find ourselves guilty of dissecting Scripture without any genuine intention of actual obedience. According to Luke s Gospel (chapter 12) it can even be dangerous to embrace times of cleansing or solemn assembly. The danger is that we might make a show of repentance. When we are exposed to searching God s Word, He holds us doubly responsible for what we have seen. The Bible is a dangerous book! The Holy Scriptures are not something for us to merely consider. God s Word demands obedience. Ask God to... Speak to our church family with great clarity Change our church family to be people who never delay our obedience of His Word Reveal areas of our lives (individually and collectively) where we consistently fail to make progress spiritually Lead our church to confess our sin before the Father and be an obedient church according to His will 25

26 What God said to me this week... 26