40 Days of Prayer and Fasting Lay Your Idol Down

Transcription

1 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting Lay Your Idol Down Throughout the Old Testament you can follow the Nation of Israel as they repeat the same pattern over and over again. God would set his people free and warn them not to turn to idols or other gods. But the Israelites would soon forget and turn from the living God and fall into temptation and worship idols. God would then allow them to be conquered and sold into slavery. The Israelites would repent of their sins and God would remember them and set them free again. We see this in scripture over and over and wonder why the Israelites would so foolishly turn from the one true living God to a man-made idol!!! However we have the same tendencies today. We may not be tempted by a little statue like the Israelites, but an idol can be anything we put before or view in higher esteem than the Lord God Almighty! For the next forty days, read the daily scripture, pray for God to reveal any hidden idols you have in your life, then Lay Your Idol Down - Idol: Improper Priorities - Replace with Contentment Examples: - Busyness / Time Management - Status / Achievement - Stress management - Debt / Possessions Fast Begins at 12 Noon Day 1 Tuesday, June 25 th Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

2 Day 2 Wednesday, June 26 th : 1 Timothy 6: But godliness with contentment is a great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. Day 3 Thursday, June 27 th 1 Timothy 6: Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 [Instruct them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real. Day 4 Friday, June 28 th Matthew 6: "This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky: they don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don't labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! 30 If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't He do much more for you-you of little faith? Day 5 Saturday, June 29 th Philippians 4:6-7 6 Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Day 6 Sunday, June 30 th Philippians 4: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

3 Day 7 Monday, July 1 st Ephesian 5: Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise- 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Day 8 Tuesday, July 2 nd Luke 10: While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet and was listening to what He said. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, "Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand." 41 The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her." Day 9 Wednesday, July 3 rd Romans 8: What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the One who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! Day 10 Thursday, July 4 th Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

4 Idol: Ego - Replace with Humility Examples: - Lack of Self-Reflection - Boasting and attention Seeking - Judgmental and Rude - Comparing & Coveting Day 11 Friday, July 5 th James 4:16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Day 12 Saturday, July 6 th Matthew 7:1-5 1 "Do not judge, so that you won't be judged. 2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and look, there's a log in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye Day 13 Sunday, July 7 th James 4: Don't criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? Day 14 Monday, July 8 th Romans 2:1-2 1 Therefore, anyone of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. 2 We know that God's judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. Day 15 Tuesday, July 9 th 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we don't dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.

5 Day 16 Wednesday, July 10 th Exodus 20:17 Do not covet your neighbor's house. Do not covet your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Day 17 Thursday, July 11 th Ephesians 5:3-6 3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. 4 And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Day 18 Friday, July 12 th Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Day 19 Saturday, July 13 th Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 16:5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. Proverbs 29:23 A person's pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor. Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. Day 20 Sunday, July 14 th Philippians 2:3-8 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not [only] for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. 7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of deatheven to death on a cross.

6 Idol: Entitlement - Replace with Service Examples: - Demanding own way - Being Easily Offended - Lack of Submission - Lack of Generosity Day 21 Monday, July 15 th James 3: Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and lie in defiance of the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. Day 22 Tuesday, July 16 th James 4:7-8 7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people Day 23 Wednesday, July 17 th Colosians 2:20 If you died with Christ to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Day 24 Thursday, July 18 th 1 Peter 3: but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. Day 25 Friday, July 19 th Titus 3:1-2 1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.

7 Day 26 Saturday, July 20 th Galatians 5: For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. Day 27 Sunday, July 21 st Philippians 2:1-2 1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Day 28 Monday, July 22 nd Acts 20:35 In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Day 29 Tuesday, July 23 rd Ephesians 6:5-7 5 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ. 6 Don't [work only] while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God's will from your heart. 7 Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men Day 30 Wednesday, July 24 th Romans 12: Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.

8 Idol: Self-Righteousness - Replace with Obedience Examples: - Lack of Forgiveness - Critical Spirit - Hypocritical lifestyle - Sanctimonious Day 31 Thursday, July 25 th Matthew 6:1-2 "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So whenever you give to the poor, don't sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. I assure you: They've got their reward! Day 32 Friday, July 26 th Matthew 23: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and every impurity. 28 In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Day 33 Saturday, July 27 th James 1: If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Day 34 Sunday, July 28 th Matthew 18: Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how many times could my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 "I tell you, not as many as seven," Jesus said to him, "but 70 times seven. Day 35 Monday, July 29 th Matthew 6: "Whenever you fast, don't be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They've got their reward! 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, 18 so that you don't show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

9 Day 36 Tuesday, July 30 th Colossians 3: accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must [forgive]. 14 Above all, [put on] love-the perfect bond of unity. Day 37 Wednesday, July 31 st Romans 13:1-2 1 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. Day 38 Thursday, August 1 st 1 Samuel 15: Then Samuel said: Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention [is better] than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry. Day 39 Friday, August 2 nd 1 Timothy 2:1-3 1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, Day 40 Saturday, August 3 rd 1 Peter 4: Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, [his speech should be] like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, [his service should be] from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Fast Ends at 12 Noon Sunday, August 4 th