HEART MIND SOUL 7 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

Transcription

1 2019 HEART MIND SOUL 7 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

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3 Welcome to 7Days of Prayer & Fasting! From the moment the vision of New Life Church was conceived in 1988, we have made it a standard to make prayer our first response - never allowing it to be a last resort, no matter the situation. Good or bad, it is prayer before action. As we start this new year and the theme of Year of the Bible we want to spiritually challenge our church to not just understand the necessity of prayer but make it a part of our life. We re convinced most people don t enjoy prayer because they never put it to practice. That s where this simple prayer journal will help. Using several prayer models out of the Bible, and having some guides to make prayer more personal, this booklet is designed to bring joy into your time with God. When you discover the beauty of daily conversation with Him, you ll experience the presence of God that will change your life. Whether you are learning how to pray or are a seasoned vet, we are excited to see where these 7 Days of Prayer & Fasting will lead you. Your Friends, James & Lydia Ranger New Life Church Lead Pastors

4 What is prayer? The basic definition of prayer is talking with God. Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is a direct address to God. It is the communication of our soul with the one who created it. How do you pray? Prayer can be audible or silent, private or public, formal or informal. All prayer must be offered in faith (James 1:6), in the name of the Lord Jesus (John 16:23), and in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26). As described in the Bible, prayer is seeking God s favor (Exodus 32:11), pouring out one s soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15), crying out to heaven (2 Chronicles 32:20), drawing near to God (Psalm 73:28), and kneeling before the Father (Ephesians 3:14). When praying, use Matthew 6:9-13 as your guide, Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

5 What is fasting? Fasting is eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. The goal is to draw nearer to God. This enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things He desires to bring into our lives. What to know before fasting: Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Our church s pastors and staff invite you to join us in committing to a sunup to sundown fast. This is where you abstain from food from the start of day break to dusk. For more information on what fasting options our church has available, visit our website nlc.life/fast. Why does the church do this? From the beginning of New Life Church, we have made it a priority to seek God first in prayer. We do this collectively as a church in January and August through 7 or 21 Days of Prayer. These two months are intentional, as they begin new seasons of the year. Together, we faithfully seek God first, trusting in His power alone to create lasting impact in our lives, our church, and our world.

6 Day 1 - Infirmity Identified Luke 13:12 "When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, 'Woman you are set free from your infirmity.' When Jesus met the woman at the synagogue she had been living her life crippled, not able to stand up at all. In a moment, Jesus freed her of this crippling infirmity. Today as we begin these 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting, invite the Holy Spirit to come and help you identify any infirmity, whether physical, mental, or emotional that you may be struggling with. These are specific areas where God wants to bring healing into your life. He always comes with love, compassion, and hope. Trust His process of restoration. He wants to give you hope from His Word that there is a future beyond your struggle. Prayer: Father, help me to recognize the struggles in my life. I hand you my heartache today, and I trust You to use my pain for a greater purpose and to bring restoration into my life. Thank you for speaking into my life, restoring my infirmities, and bringing me hope. Amen. My Reflections:

7 Day 2 - Mind Transformed 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." It is easy for our perspectives to be affected by the world around us. Without a constant renewing, that comes through the consistent reading and meditation on the word of God, we are not able to see our lives through God s good, pleasing, and perfect will. As we develop a habit of diving into the scriptures, we will understand that what the world says about life and relationships isn t important but only what God tells us through His word and Spirit. No matter the up and downs, the crazy or calm, it is the renewed mind that will stand strong. Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask that You help keep me fixed on you and your word. I trust that you are continually transforming and guiding me into Your will for my life. Help me to remember that no matter the circumstances I live in, or face each day, You are bigger still! In Jesus name, Amen. My Reflections:

8 Day 3 - Moved by Compassion Matthew 14:14 "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." It is compassion that moved the heart of God and what motivated God to send Jesus to Earth in human form. Compassion for us, our hurts, pains, and iniquities moved him to a place of healing. Even before receiving your healing, receive the gift of God s compassion. Through this compassion from God we have our faith strengthened; believing for wholeness. Certainty of God s love for you becomes an unstoppable strength in your journey. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your compassion toward us. It is resting in your compassion that allows us to trust in your healing. We, like the multitude, come to you expectant that you will care for all our needs and we are so grateful for your love for us. My Reflections:

9 Day 4 - The Past Healed Job 11:13-17 "Still, if you set your heart on God and reach out to him, if you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, You ll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless. You ll forget your troubles; they ll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring. Full of hope, you ll relax, confident again; you ll look around, sit back, and take it easy." It is impossible to forget the things that have pained you in the past. Events that happened and the facts of your hurt cannot be erased from history; however, restoration is possible. Through reaching out and holding tight of the life-transforming message of Jesus, we scrub away the sin of our lives and refuse to entertain evil. The process of restoration is not always glamorous but the results are hope and confidence; living a guiltless and fearless life. Prayer: Father please forgive me for harboring anger in my heart, even when it feels justified. Equip me with the ability to forgive those who ve hurt me and to guard my heart when old emotions threaten to surface. Thank you for giving me the confidence to rest in your restoration process and for filling me with hope. Amen. My Reflections:

10 Day 5 - Do Not Be Afraid John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." God s promise of peace is given to all of us but the world around us gives reasons to live in worry and concern. When we live in His peace, and stand firm on His word, there is no room in our hearts or minds to be troubled. The access to His peace was given, there are no requirements to gain it, just rest in it. Today, choose to live without fear, expectant that He has gone before you and gifted you His peace. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for leaving me Your peace. Today I thank you for calming my fears. I walk in the assurance that only comes through knowing you. As I walk out my day I trust that Your Holy Spirit comes over every situation and guides me to leaning more on these words spoken over my life. Amen. My Reflections:

11 Day 6 - Call Out To Jesus Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." Almighty means having complete and supreme power. The Lord Almighty indicates that our God has all power and authority in Heaven and Earth. Call out, lift up your voice without shame, fear, or intimidation. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. There is no situation in our lives that we have to consider whether or not we have the ability or power to handle because His power gives you the ability to move beyond any situation you face. Prayer: Jesus, I know my might and power is not enough. Today, I submit every part of my life to you, The Lord Almighty, who is able to do all things. Thank you, Jesus. Amen. My Reflections:

12 Day 7 - Freedom John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Freedom is available to you right now. Sometimes, the enemy tries to convince us we are not worthy. We hear you re not enough you ve done too much - these are lies. The Word is truth. Final. Definitive. Unchanging. Every lie that is sent your way, that disagrees with the Word of God, is to be cut down. Destroyed. Extinguished. Believe in the truth of God s Word right now as this is the key to unlocking your freedom in Christ. Prayer: Lord, this is the victory I want to live out today. Help me to remember that I have everything I need in You. I live out my freedom in Your word, for it is truth. In Jesus name, Amen. My Reflections:

13 Reading your Bible: To better know God, you must spend time hearing what He has to say. The Bible is His message to us. As we read God s word and create a habit of spending quiet time with Jesus, it reshapes the way we think and transforms the spirit of the mind. We have found one of the best ways to journal God s thoughts is by using the S.O.A.P. acrostic. Just as the Bible says the Word cleanses our hearts, minds, and souls, S.O.A.P. helps us clean up the thoughts and key points God is wanting to share with us daily. S.O.A.P. SCRIPTURE: Open your Bible to your reading for the day. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, and write it in your journal. OBSERVATION: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. APPLICATION: Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, a promise, or corrections for an area in your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today. PRAYER: This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture or even a prayer for a greater insight into what is being revealed to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

14 Baptism: Baptism is an important step of obedience that shows others we have personally trusted Jesus for our salvation. Jesus was baptized when He was on the Earth, and we do this to follow His example. When Christians are baptized, they are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection. We believe that water baptism is a public declaration of three important things: you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are beginning a changed life in Christ, and you are part of a new family. By being baptized, you were buried with Christ [Jesus] into His death. Christ has been raised from the dead by the Father s Glory. And like Christ we can also live a new life. -Romans 6:4 Connect: At New Life Church, we re passionate about helping you take next steps on your spiritual journey. After accepting Jesus into your life, a great next step is to go through New Life Church s CONNECT Classes; jump in at any time! Connect One: Starting Point Connect Two: Spiritual Growth Connect Three: Finding Your Place Connect Four: Getting Involved

15 Our hope during 7 Days of Prayer & Fasting is for you to start this new year with a whole new way of spending time with God. As we lean into His word, we believe you will see your life change. We hope that you ask and spend time in prayer, expect that God is going to answer your prayers, and develop resilience in the unexpected challenges and frustrations of life. Yesterday s disappointments shouldn t undermine your hope for tomorrow. Keep your hopes up! And hold the words of Psalm 39:7 close to your heart: And now, Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and expectation are in You.