TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS PRAYER GUIDE

Transcription

1 TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS ER GUIDE

2 INTRODUCTION Prayer is an essential part of God s plan for His people. While prayer should be routine for Christians every day, it is especially important during the Project III campaign. Only by moving in accordance with God s will can we be making a difference in our community. Prayer is a vital element in our communication with God to guide our steps and discern His plan for our church. I encourage all of King s Church to use this guide starting May 5th and ending by June 8th, our celebration Sunday. We have provided 28 short reflections for you that will take about twenty minutes each to complete. This is a time for families to seek God together and for our body to be united in the same vision. Three Steps: 1. Read: Read the scripture for the day, focusing on the verse for discussion and prayer. 2. Discussion: Use these thoughts as conversation starters as you work through as a family how to apply these truths to your lives. 3. Prayer Points: Pray the written prayer together, and then use the prayer points to guide the remainder of your prayer time. At the heart of this campaign is using our resources to reach lost souls for Christ, discipling believers, and growing the Kingdom of God. This will take prayer and commitment from everyone in our church to contribute and be a part of. I can only IMAGINE what God will do through His church when we are totally committed to Him and united in one purpose. In Christ, Tami Schaub Prayer coordinator

3 WEEK S TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE TALENTS / OUR POTENTIAL WEEK S TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE TALENTS / OUR POTENTIAL DAY 1 DAY 2 Matthew 25:14-30 VERSE 21 His master said to him, Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. God expects us to be good stewards of what he gives us and will reward us in heaven. God gives according to our own ability and entrusts us with different gifts (talents) and finances as He sees fit. How can we be a good steward of the money and gifts God has chosen to give us? 1. King s Church to be faithful in serving God in the ministry outreaches He has called us to. 2. Pray for all the volunteers that they would have the right attitude to serve and the strength and desire to over the long run, such as worship team, kid s ministry, welcome team, ushers, people setting up and tearing down, etc. and for more people to volunteer where there is a need. Dear God, Thank you for your faithfulness to us and the gifts and desires you put in our heart to use for your glory. Help us to see where we can serve at King s Church and how we can minister in this body of Christ. Help us to invest in your kingdom and listen to your call to serve faithfully. Continue to pray for above requests. 1 Peter 4:8-11 VERSE 21 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God s varied grace. God has given us all different gifts to minister and be used for His glory so that we can do our part in His work at King s Church. We need to make time to strengthen those gifts and abilities God has given to us. What is a gift God has given to you that you can work on growing, such as loving people and being kind and giving, hospitality, serving, teaching, prayers of encouragement and support, etc.? 1. King s Church will effectively use the gifts God has given to each one to minister to one another and those in our community. 2. For those who do not know what gifts God has given them that he will make it known. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gifts and abilities you give to us. Please help us use them for your glory to minister to each other and the community. Help us to encourage one another to use our gifts and to build one another up and not to neglect the gifts you have given. Show us how we can reach out to the community and serve one another.

4 WEEK S TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE TALENTS / OUR POTENTIAL WEEK S TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE TALENTS / OUR POTENTIAL DAY 3 DAY 4 Matthew 25:35-40 VERSE 40 And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. John 4:34-38 VERSE 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. Jesus identifies with His people. Every person that we reach out to in love by giving food, drink, clothing, compassion, encouragement, visiting the sick or lonely it is as if you are doing it for Jesus and will be rewarded in heaven for it. We are called to finish Jesus work and there is much to be done. Whether we are planting the seeds or watering, or reaping the harvest, we will all share in the fruit in heaven. What we do here makes a difference for eternity. What can you do today to serve Jesus and show his love? 1. We would keep our eyes and hearts open today to show God s love in a practical way. 2. We would be willing and make the time to serve others and pray for them. Dear Jesus, We need your heart of compassion and love to reach out to one another in the body as well as outside of church in our community. We cannot do it alone. Help us to get our eyes off ourselves and to be willing to be used by you for your glory and purpose. Thank you for giving us your Word and showing us how to live each day. What work has God given to King s Church to accomplish? 1. We may do the will of the Father at King s Church through our various ministries and outreaches. 2. Give us the desires of your heart for ministering at King s Church. Dear God, May we be able to look out and see the fields that are ready for harvest at King s Church. Help us to do our part in sowing or reaping. May we not be envious of how you are using others to accomplish your work, but that we can rejoice together. Help us to step out of our comfort zone and do what you are calling us to do.

5 WEEK S TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE TALENTS / OUR POTENTIAL WEEK S TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE TALENTS / OUR POTENTIAL DAY 5 DAY 6 1 Corinthians 3:10-17 VERSE 13 Each one s work will become manifest, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. John 14:12-17 VERSE 12 Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father. Christ is our foundation and we build upon Him and His teaching. The genuiness of our faith will be tested and more precious than gold or silver (1 Peter 1:7). We need to focus on building what will last for eternity not what is done for here and now that will burn. Jesus says greater works will be done because he has given the Holy Spirit to be our helper whom can multiple the works of Jesus and territory. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us (Romans 8:34) as well. How can we continue to build on Christ s foundation? 1. The body at King s Church would continue to build on Christ s foundation through teaching, serving, and loving. 2. We would be committed to studying God s word and sharing it with others as God leads. Dear Holy Spirit, Help us to remember that God s spirit dwells in us and we can do all things through you. Help us to minister to others with the right intention and purpose to glorify you so that our works will not be burned up in the fire of testing. We need your wisdom and power to fulfill your will in King s Church. What works can we do through King s Church that he has called us to? 1. We would be faithful to what God is calling us to do through King s Church. 2. We would make time and have a desire to use our gifts when the need arises. Dear Holy Spirit, We need your guidance to direct us into the works that you are already doing through our church. May we not be selfish with our time but be willing to serve as you lead each one of us. We pray that our works would glorify you and we would be open to new works to be done.

6 WEEK S TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE TALENTS / OUR POTENTIAL WEEK S TOPIC: JESUS CALLING MATTHEW / JESUS CAME TO RESTORE DAY 7 DAY 8 2 Timothy 4:7-8 How are you investing in God s kingdom? VERSE 8 Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing. When we have finished our race and go to heaven, we will receive the crown of righteousness. This is given to us because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross and through us and He will get all the glory. We will lay all our crowns at his feet in worship. 1. We will keep our faith to the end and never walk away from God. 2. We will have a humble heart and give God the glory for what he does through our lives and King s Church. Dear Father, It is by the righteousness of Jesus that we can approach your throne and have been given the right to be called your children. We worship you and are so humbled for saving us. You deserve all the glory and honor and praise. Matthew 9:9-13 VERSE 36 Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. God is not satisfied with offerings; he wants a broken and repentant heart. God wants us to do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly with him. (Micah 6:6-8). Those who are sure they are good enough can t be saved because the first step in following Jesus is acknowledging your own desperate need for Jesus healing. What would be different about your life if Jesus had come to call righteous people instead of sinners? 1. For an attentive submission as you ask Holy Spirit to examine your heart. 2. For courage to follow Jesus in humble obedience 3. Against arrogance and self-righteousness. Heavenly Father, We all are beggars in need of your saving grace. Touch our lives with the spirit of humility. Give us a deep awareness of our desperate need for your healing in our lives, Jesus. Create in us a generous spirit of acceptance and forgiveness towards others with whom our lives intersect.

7 WEEK S TOPIC: JESUS CALLING MATTHEW / JESUS CAME TO RESTORE WEEK S TOPIC: JESUS CALLING MATTHEW / JESUS CAME TO RESTORE DAY 9 DAY 10 1 Timothy 1:12-17 VERSE 16 But I received mercy for this reason that in me as the foremost (sinner), Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. People can feel so guilt ridden by their past that they think God could never forgive and accept them. But consider Paul s murderous past. God forgave Paul and used him mightily for his kingdom. No matter how shameful our past, God can also forgive and use us. When we are weak, then he is strong. How has your life proven God s faithful presence? 1. For the faith to believe that despite your weaknesses, God is using you to advance his kingdom. 2. Against self-condemnation that results in paralysis. Father, You are not limited by our weakness or by our fearful disobedience. Grant us the courage to step out in faith, confident in your power to strengthen us as we serve you. Thank you for calling us to be ambassadors of your great name. May you alone receive the glory when others witness your presence in our lives. Luke 19:1-10 VERSE 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Despite the fact that Zacchaeus was cheater and turncoat, Jesus loved him. In every society certain groups of people are considered untouchables. Jesus loves them and they need to hear the Good News. Zacchaeus demonstrated inner change by outward action by making restitution. Following Jesus in your head or heart is not enough. You must show your faith by changed behavior. Are there untouchables in your life whom you are avoiding? If Jesus came to your house (heart), what would be the changes he d need to make? 1. Ask Jesus to help you see others as he sees them. 2. Ask Jesus to help you see yourself as he sees. Dear Jesus, Thank you for your shepherding love that seeks us out even when we stray far from you. Thank you for reminding us of the depth of your restorative love in the Zacchaeus account. Grant us the gifts of forgiveness and acceptance towards the pariahs of our lives. Holy Spirit, continue your work of transformation. Restore us to the persons we are called to be.

8 WEEK S TOPIC: JESUS CALLING MATTHEW / JESUS CAME TO RESTORE WEEK S TOPIC: JESUS CALLING MATTHEW / JESUS CAME TO RESTORE DAY 11 DAY 12 Mark 2:13-17 VERSE 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Jesus spent time with whoever needed or wanted to hear his message: poor, rich, bad or good. Are there people you have been avoiding because of their reputation? Could they be the ones who need to see and hear the message of Christ s love in and from you? 1. For the gift of hospitality in your interactions with the people God places in your path. 2. Against a judgmental spirit that is quick to condemn others as unfit companions on the journey. Great Physician, You came to seek and to save the lost. Heal our proud hearts and our haughty eyes. Enable us, by your Holy Spirit s power, to love others with unconditional love. Matthew 18:10-14 VERSE 14 So, it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Just as a shepherd is concerned enough about one lost sheep to go search the hills for it, so God is concerned about every human being he has created. When have you felt like the sheep that wandered off? What needs to change in your attitude towards others who wander? 1. For a close walk with God, dependent on him each day. 2. For the gift of shepherding, for a heart that cares deeply for those who are wandering far away from God. 3. Against a cold-hearted indifference towards those living outside of Christ s will. Gentle Shepherd, Keep us close to you, guiding us by your Holy Spirit. As we come into contact with those who need you, use our words, deeds, and acts of kindness to steer them towards you.

9 WEEK S TOPIC: JESUS CALLING MATTHEW / JESUS CAME TO RESTORE WEEK S TOPIC: JESUS CALLING MATTHEW / JESUS CAME TO RESTORE DAY 13 DAY 14 Isaiah 61:1-3 VERSE 1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Jesus quoted these words as he read to the people in his hometown synagogue, boldly proclaiming himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah s prophecy. What stories from the gospels portray Jesus ministry as foretold in Isaiah 61? How does this passage relate to your own experience of the Good News? 1. For boldness to humbly share how Jesus has set you free. 2. Against a spirit of intimidation and against fear of rejection. Father God, Thank you for sending your only Son to set us free and to heal us. May we not only recognize your healing presence in our lives, but also be eager to tell others of your transforming power. Matthew 11:28-30 VERSE 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of oxen. It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull. A person today may be carrying heavy burdens of sin or of weariness in their search for God. Jesus frees people from all these burdens. Since the yoke unites two animals in common work, what does this imply about discipleship? Is Jesus yoke resting lightly on your shoulders, or are you struggling to get out of it? 1. For a yielded spirit that readily follows Christ s leading. 2. Against a spirit of rebellion or independence- an attempt to receive Jesus salvation, but not his lordship. Prince of Peace, You are the King who stoops to walk beside us. May we be willing followers on this journey of faith. Grant to us obedient, trusting spirits that surrender to your leading. Reign supreme in every aspect of our lives.

10 WEEK S TOPIC: DISCIPLESHIP / GREAT COMMISSION WEEK S TOPIC: DISCIPLESHIP / GREAT COMMISSION DAY 15 DAY 16 Matthew 25:16-20 VERSE 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the great commission by His authority to tell all people in all nations about Him and God s plan for us. He came and died for everyone. We are all responsible to share His message with others. Who was the first person to share anything about Christ to you? 1. God would put someone in your life that you can share Christ with on a regular basis. 2. For a desire to want to know Christ better through His word and prayer. Dear Jesus, You tell us we can do all things through you and we need your heart to love others and to be willing to share what you have taught us. Open our eyes to the opportunities you give us each day to share who you are in small conversations and give us courage to say what is on our minds at the moment. Acts 11:25-26 VERSE 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Saul was brought to Antioch to see how the message of Christ was received by non-jews. He stayed for a year and taught many people about Christ and His teachings. These believers were the first to be called Christians because of how they dwelt on His name and gloried in it, honoring Him as Lord and Savior. Can you think of someone who does not know Christ personally whom you can become friends with and be an example of Christ in word and action? 1. That your life would be an example of what following Christ looks like so that people will ask about what you believe. 2. God to give you someone who can disciple you in your walk of faith and give encouragement. Dear God, We all need teachers in our life who will take the time to disciple us and help us grow in our faith. This journey on Earth can be difficult and we need others. We pray that we would take the time to spend with others in sharing our own testimonies of your grace and how others have helped us through our trials. May we always turn to your word for answers and direction.

11 WEEK S TOPIC: DISCIPLESHIP / GREAT COMMISSION WEEK S TOPIC: DISCIPLESHIP / GREAT COMMISSION DAY 17 DAY 18 John 8:31 VERSE 31 So, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. We need to be committed to the truth Jesus revealed in His word and by obeying what He taught is how we show we are His disciples. His word is how we get to know Him and His character and how to live. Why would abiding in God s word prove we are Christ s disciple? 1. We would desire to learn more of who Jesus is and that he would be on our minds. 2. We would take time to meditate and study His word. Holy Spirit, Thank you for giving us your precious word to give us hope and comfort as well as warnings and promises. Increase our faith as we read your word. May we live everyday in joy being thankful for your many blessings. John 13:34-35 VERSE 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. There is no greater feeling than knowing you are loved and special. Jesus shows us how to love sacrificially. It is not selfish. It is genuine, not expecting anything in return. How will loving one another show we are Jesus disciples? 1. Help us to love one another in sincerity. 2. Open our eyes to those who need to be seen today to know someone cares. Jesus, You are the best example of what it means to truly love. Thank you for showing us how to love one another. Help us to do it better. Without your love we are lost in darkness.

12 WEEK S TOPIC: DISCIPLESHIP / GREAT COMMISSION WEEK S TOPIC: DISCIPLESHIP / GREAT COMMISSION DAY 19 DAY 20 Matthew 10:40-42 VERSE 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. No one is insignificant to God. He cares about everyone. Every act of service no matter how small it seems will be rewarded if it is done for God. Luke 15:1-7 VERSE 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Christ and His angels rejoice for each person who turns from their wicked ways to follow Christ and believes. We are very precious to Jesus and He will seek us out and draw us back to Him when we go astray. He does not want to see anyone lost for eternity. What act of service can you do for someone? 1. Help us not to overlook the unlovable, but to show your grace. 2. For us to receive God s love and let it flow out of us. God, We pray that the love you give us would overflow unto others. We cannot love or serve others without your Spirit helping us. Help us to be gracious even when we do not feel like. What can you do to help people turn back to Christ who once knew Him and walked away? 1. For those believers you know who have turned their back on God and living their life on their own. Pray the Spirit will draw them back and they would listen to your still, small voice in their hearts. 2. We would keep our eyes and ears open to those who have gone astray or are near the fence ready to jump. Help us to encourage our brothers and sisters who need it. Dear Jesus, You are the great shepherd. We pray that we would not become stubborn or confident in ourselves that we know the way to go. Help us to depend on you each day for our needs and to listen to your voice for direction.

13 WEEK S TOPIC: DISCIPLESHIP / GREAT COMMISSION WEEK S TOPIC: WIDOW S SUFFERING / SACRIFICIAL GIVING, STEWARDSHIP DAY 21 DAY 22 Philippians 3:8 VERSE 40 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Jesus is worth more than anything else. We are to put Him above all else and it his righteousness that saves us. Everything in this world will fade away and only what we do for eternity will last. God s word lives forever in our minds and hearts. What things do you count as loss for the sake of Christ? 1. We would be willing to sacrifice everything for Christ s glory and that He would be more important than anything we are or have. 2. In all things Christ would be first and we would honor Him in all we do. Dear Jesus, We are so weak and selfish. You made the ultimate sacrifice of your own life to save us. Help us to remember how much you love us and to dwell on who you are. We pray that we would not put anything or anyone before you. Give us strength to live each day for your glory. Mark 12:41-44 VERSE 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. God notices, uses and values whatever we give. Even when it is easy to disregard our giving as insignificant, if we are truly giving God all that we can he values that more than giving for show or because we feel obligated to do so. Do we really give God all that we have? If not, how can we? 1. That members of King s Church are opened up to giving all that they can. 2. That God will use the resources of King s church to reach out to the city around us; for our leaders to make good decisions on how to spend money, for leaders to rise up among us who have a love for reaching out to others. Dear Jesus, I am so selfish. I so often think that I must tend to my own needs before I give freely to you. I justify my lack of giving by thinking that I do not have much to begin with. I give what I feel I have to; I give out of obligation. God, change my heart. Transform my spirit. Make me grateful for what I have, but more than that, allow me to give all that I have back. Allow me, in by brokenness to seek your will for my earthly treasures.

14 WEEK S TOPIC: WIDOW S SUFFERING / SACRIFICIAL GIVING, STEWARDSHIP WEEK S TOPIC: WIDOW S SUFFERING / SACRIFICIAL GIVING, STEWARDSHIP DAY 23 DAY 24 Matthew 6:19-21 VERSE 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Our real treasures are not our earthly possessions, but instead are the treasures we will use to worship God in heaven. We need to turn our focus from what we have or do not have here on earth, where our lives are fleeting, but think more about how we will be spending eternity. On what things do you place too much value here on earth? What is a practical, immediate way we can focus on our eternal treasure rather than our earthly ones? 1. That God will give you vision for eternity. 2. That King s church would become a place where we are united in a spirit of giving and in a focus on showing God s love to our community. Father, I am so often focused on my life here on earth, and that time is so short. God please redirect my thinking to consider your plan, your future, your kingdom here on earth. God please direct me, and all of us that attend King s church to dwell on your kingdom. Help us to be united in a spirit of giving. Inspire in us the desire to show your love to our community. Luke 12:13-21 VERSE 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. In this parable, we see the dangers of thinking only of our earthly possessions. God wants us to use our abundance to further his kingdom. He blesses us so that we can bless others. We must truly understand that our life here is temporary and that to waste what God has given us here is foolish. What are we hanging onto now that God could use? 1. We would be good stewards of the resources he gives us and how we should spend the money He gives us. 2. We would learn to be generous and listen to the Spirit about who, when and where to give as he leads. Father, Please forgive me for being selfish with my belongings, for thinking of my life here on earth as the end goal rather than your end goal. God, help open up my heart to see your end goal, to fully grasp the grandeur, the beauty of your plan, not just for me, but for your whole creation. In that way, allow me to be generous, to share beyond what feels comfortable, and to take everything you give me, and give it right back to you.

15 WEEK S TOPIC: WIDOW S SUFFERING / SACRIFICIAL GIVING, STEWARDSHIP WEEK S TOPIC: WIDOW S SUFFERING / SACRIFICIAL GIVING, STEWARDSHIP DAY 25 DAY 26 Mark 10:17-27 VERSE 27 Jesus looked at them and said, With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. Hebrew 13:16 VERSE 36 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Jesus says these words after discussing the wealthy man who did not want to sell his belongings. But this is an encouragement! Even though Jesus speaks of the difficulty of entering heaven when wealthy, he follows it by saying that all things are possible with God. This is so wonderful to consider. Why is it so hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven? How do you see God working in your life in seemingly impossible areas? 1. For King s church to overcome impossible tasks in our efforts to reach more people with the Gospel. 2. That each of us would have increasing faith in God in the most difficult areas of our lives. Heavenly father, Thank you for the life you have given me. Thank you for the richness in which I live. Thank you for everything-the things I take for granted, the life of ease I live. Thank you for the amazing gift that you have given me, that even though I live such a privileged life, you have afforded me the ability to enter the kingdom of heaven. Please work in my heart to help me truly understand the incredible nature of that gift. We have seen in the past few days a focus on monetary giving and sacrifice, but this passage addresses our doing. In a world of work and self care, and care for children or parents or other family, in a world that tells us to focus on ourselves and let others worry about those with problems, it can be so easy to think that we have done enough by contributing financially to God s purpose. This passage stresses the importance of our actions, of pleasing God by focusing our actions on good. What are practical ways you can do good? What makes doing good difficult for you? What makes it rewarding? How must you sacrifice to please God? 1. For King s Church as a whole that our heart for doing good would be obvious to our city. 2. Help us to share what we have with others as you lead. God, I come before you now humbled by the hours I spend focusing on myself and my immediate family. I so often think only about what will achieve my desired end. I drive past, look past, walk past those people and places that could benefit so greatly from my effort if I would only stop and pay attention. Redirect my heart. Help me to see where I am needed, and then to act. Help me to please you, God, with the good that I can do for others.

16 WEEK S TOPIC: WIDOW S SUFFERING / SACRIFICIAL GIVING, STEWARDSHIP WEEK S TOPIC: WIDOW S SUFFERING / SACRIFICIAL GIVING, STEWARDSHIP DAY 27 DAY 28 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 VERSE 2 For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. Despite their own needs and trials that were facing them, the church in Macedonia gave generously and sacrificially. They wanted and even begged to be a part in what God is doing by giving what they could joyfully. They became a role model for other churches and helped to further God s kingdom. The Macedonians did not give to become famous; they gave because they were called to and wanted to. We need to give what God has put on our hearts to give. What do you think of the Macedonians? Are there any needs you have noticed that you could fulfill, but haven t? Dearest Lord Jesus, Inspire me. Inspire me to love you enough to be willing to give anything. Inspire me to give of myself, from my heart, without ceasing, without considering the outcome. Inspire me to truly know that you will care for me and that it is you that takes care of me now. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 VERSE 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Wow. Isn t the focus here powerful? God loves a cheerful giver. He wants us to give what we can from our hearts. We can look back to that widow who gave all she had, not what she had to give, and back to that wealthy man who couldn t give away what he had to enter the kingdom of heaven. We look back at them, and we have to consider the states of our own hearts and out own attitudes. Do you give with a cheerful heart? Out of compulsion? With a fearful or anxious heart? Sometimes? What is it that God wants you to do when you give? Father, I come to you weak, frail, anxious. I come before you and I pray that you would change my heart. Give me a spirit of cheerful giving. Help me to find in my heart what it is that I want to give to you, and expand that desire, and allow me to give it willingly and with great joy. Change my heart, oh God, and let me love you by willingly giving back what you have given me.

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18 CONCLUSION June 8 is Celebration Sunday at King s Church. This is the day when we ask each family to make a financial commitment in order to expand God s kingdom here at King s Church. I hope this prayer guide has encouraged your family to explore God s word and to make daily prayer a routine part of your lives. Although this is the end of the guide that was created as part of the Project III campaign, it is only the beginning for those who take its lessons to heart. If each person at King s Church commits to daily Bible reading and prayer, the power of God s people to live out what we believe will change lives forever and our community for the better. Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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