The tools and resources provided in this guide are designed to answer questions, give direction, and coach you along in this spiritual endeavor.

Transcription

1 Dear Friends, We are so excited you have decided to participate in our 21-day season of prayer and fasting. There really is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about the renewal we all desire in every area of our lives than through a concerted effort of prayer and fasting. This season of prayer and fasting is intentionally designed to be flexible so that you can participate at any level. Helpful tips have been included, so all can participate, whether for the first time or as a seasoned veteran. However, the most important thing is that you follow the leading of God as you embark into this spiritual journey. The tools and resources provided in this guide are designed to answer questions, give direction, and coach you along in this spiritual endeavor. It is our prayerful desire that you will experience the presence, power, joy, and love of God in an extraordinary way as you set aside dedicated time to be with Him over the next 21 days. May your passion for God and His Word will be ignited, so that you will develop a hunger for His presence that is greater than ever before, and that you will hear from God in profound and wonderful ways. May God continue to bless you, enlarge your spiritual life, and expand His Kingdom as you seek Him first! The Staff at Sugar Hill United Methodist Church 36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple 37 She worshipped God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the infant, Jesus, to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God s redemption. Luke 2:36-38 (NLT paraphrased)

2 PRAYER Our predominant focus during this time is to tune in and listen as God speaks into our hearts, into our minds, and into our spirits for ourselves, our church, our leaders, and our nation. Record, jot down, or journal the things the Lord shares and reveals to you. You may hear His voice in various ways as you still your own mind and thoughts while praying scripture, so don t just read it and dash off a quick message to God. Pause as the words from His Word catch you--and listen for His voice; marinate in His Holy Word and let it bless you in fresh and new ways. You may hear Him as a still, small voice inside of you, sometimes He speaks through dreams or visions, sometimes as He speaks through others, sometimes you may hear Him in a new thought or revelation a new understanding of His Word; you may even hear Him audibly. Why not? The creator of the universe can communicate with you creatively in ways you can understand clearly if you listen for Him. Use the scriptures listed for each day as a springboard to hearing from the Lord. As you pray the scriptures, insert yourself into the text. Read your own name into it, declaring your agreement that those words are for you. For all of God s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding Yes! And through Christ, our Amen ascends to God for His glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT) Breakthroughs, miracles, and answers to your prayers will be byproducts of drawing closer to Jesus! When praying, make your primary goal to know Jesus more and experience Him. Pray prayers of total surrender and aim to glorify God with your life. Don t overcomplicate this! Just talk to God. Listen to Him. Have that place and time where you can seek Him every day. If you don t plan to pray, you won t. If you find it a challenge to disconnect from the busyness of your day, engaging in worship music is a great way to prepare your heart for prayer Are you wondering, How will I ever have the time to do this? Be intentional. Ask God to schedule your time to be with Him daily, then faithfully meet Him when and where He provides and designates that time. How much time is required? Let God say the Amen to release you from your prayer time; honor Him. 2

3 Write down what you hear from the Lord. Journal notes, prayers, observations, your questions in response to His Word, etc. We invite you to send us notes on what you are hearing from the Lord during this time of prayer and fasting. them to: May you be like Samuel, who listened and responded to the LORD. 10 And the Lord came and called as before, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel replied, Speak, your servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT) PERSONAL DEVOTIONS Just like prayer and fasting, reading your Bible is about connecting to God in a more powerful way. It is not about duty, but about relationship. When we engage God through reading His Word, we enter the very presence of God. His Word is living and active! As we read our Bible, we are drawing closer to God and positioning ourselves to hear from Him. Once again, as with prayer, choose the time and the place where you are going to read your Bible and devotional every single day, and come prepared to hear and note what He wants to tell you. Three ways to get the most out of your devotional time with God: 1. Read Consistently. In the pages that follow you will find our daily Prayer Focus & Fasting Scriptures to use as your personal devotions. If you miss a day or two, pick up at the next reading, but stay with it and DO NOT give up. That s exactly what Satan wants you to do so don t play his game. The key is to keep this simple and make it sustainable. 2. Read Prayerfully. Talk to God as you re reading. Try not to rush through your bible reading. If you come across something you don t understand, pause for a moment and ask God about it and listen. Reading prayerfully is making space and time to talk to God and giving Him time and space to talk to you. Taking time to meditate on God s Word is just as important as reading it. 3

4 4 3. Read Expectantly. You are about to partake of the bread of life, so foster an attitude of expectancy. Believe that God is going to speak to you through His Word. Be prepared to respond to with what God shows you. A great, simple way to journal your devotional time is to use the SOAP method. 4. SOAP Method: Scripture Observation Application Prayer S for Scripture: Read prayerfully. Take notice of which scripture(s) catches your attention and mark it in your Bible. When you re done, reread the verse(s) you marked and look for one that particularly speaks to you. Write it in your journal. O for Observation: Focusing on that scripture, tune in and listen to what God is saying to you through His Word. What is it about this scripture that specifically stands out? What is God revealing or teaching you? Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide and show you what God is saying. A for Application: Think of how this verse(s) applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or correction for a particular area of your life. Use your journal to write how this scripture applies to you today. P for Prayer: Wrap up your SOAP time in prayer. Talk to God about what you ve just read. This can be as simple as thanking Him for revealing a truth from the scripture, or it may be asking Him for greater insight or wisdom as to how it applies to your life. Remember, prayer is all about relationship. It s a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say. If you want to go deeper in your study, here are additional tips: Reread the daily passage in a different Bible translation or paraphrase. Utilize online resources, such as those available from Utilize a commentary, such as those online at Cross reference your daily reading, using the footnotes in your study Bible. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 NIV

5 5. Beyond this 21-day period We want to encourage you to continue to be just as intentional about your time with the Lord. Remember, keeping the hunger and passion for God burning in your heart is what will keep your relationship with Him fresh and new. It will allow you to continue serving and obeying Him from your own heart s desire, and you will experience the joy of your salvation everyday regardless of what life brings your way. The principles you practice in this season are very easy to sustain long term. Prayer, personal devotion, and fasting are all quite simple to incorporate into your everyday life. You are creating space for God to fill. The best way to continue in these same practices is to keep that space open indefinitely. Don t allow it to close up! Protect that time and space with God and make it your priority each and every day. Just like reading your Bible, praying, and attending church, fasting is also a lifestyle. We encourage you to establish a frequency and consistency of fasting in your life. Remember, this is not a legalistic thing. This is an I get to experience God thing. It is like going into heaven for a tune up, so we can keep our passion for God and joy of Him at a high level. We encourage you to do the same. Figure out what works for you, commit to it, and make it a part of your life. Don t ever settle for anything less than a life full of passion and spiritual zeal for God. Keep the fire for God burning in your heart and do whatever it takes to feed your spiritual hunger for God. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) 5

6 FASTING Important Note: Fasting requires reasonable precautions. If you have any health concerns, please consult your physician prior to beginning your fast, especially if you are taking any medication, have a chronic condition, or are pregnant or nursing a baby. The purpose of a fast is to focus on God, rather than on our own issues and concerns. It is biblical and encouraged by Jesus. The purpose of this specific time of prayer and fasting is to dedicate ourselves to hearing from the Lord. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) Is fasting appropriate for today? Our nation is in need of revival. Our world is in desperate need of rescue from evil and redemption from the Lord. Our church is in need of protection, power, and Holy Spirit guidance as we seek to do great things for the Kingdom of God in our community and world, and our families are in need of direction, support, and protection to stand firm and equip future generations of Christ-followers. So YES!! Fasting is entirely appropriate for today and for NOW! As you prepare to fast, it is important to plan ahead and choose a fast that works for you. This section provides some general information about different types of fasts, as well as some suggestions on how to create your own fasting plan. There is nothing more inherently spiritual about one type of fast as opposed to another. These are simply guidelines and suggestions on different things you can do. Following are a few tips to keep in mind before getting started: 1. Start Where You Are We are all at different places in our walk with God. Your personal fast should present a level of challenge to it, but it s important to know your own body, know your options and, most importantly, seek God in prayer and follow the Holy Spirit s lead. 6

7 Remember, the goal of fasting is not just to do without food that s called crash dieting and that is not healthy. The goal of any season of prayer and fasting is to draw nearer to God. When most people start fasting, there is typically some level of discomfort, however, it is possible to get used to the fasting routine pretty quickly. Quite simply, you must learn to fast through God s guidance in a way that works for you. 2. Find Your Fast Zone While any true biblical fast involves abstinence from food, or at least certain types of food, different fasting combinations work better for different people. The goal to having a successful fast is all about finding your own personal Fast Zone, and that is different for everybody and can change depending on the season you are in. The best way to describe your Fast Zone is that it s the place where you feel light and spiritually in tune. Your mind is easily focused on God and spiritual things. You have an increased spiritual energy you can feel the fast working. Just like runners know what their target heart rate is to see the benefits of their physical training, the Fast Zone is similar in a spiritual sense. Finding your Fast Zone helps you choose both the type and length of fast. Let s say you choose to go on a Daniel fast (only fruits and vegetables). Should you eat beans? If you can eat beans and stay in your Fast Zone, go ahead. But for some people, eating beans takes them out of the zone. Should you eat peanut butter? Probably not. Peanut butter is more of an indulgence, and not many people can stay in a Fast Zone while enjoying indulgences. Should you completely cut out caffeine? It depends. The great thing is, when you fast, your body automatically craves less caffeine. If you can stay in your Fast Zone with a little caffeine, great. If you are going on a longer fast and want to cut it out of your diet completely, that s great too, but ease yourself off and make it your goal to be completely caffeine free about two thirds of the way into your fast. 7

8 If you consume caffeinated beverages regularly, one of the worst mistakes you can make is to eliminate them abruptly and completely. Please don t do that or you will spend this time grumpy and in withdrawal instead of enjoying God s presence. Variety, mixing things up a bit during this fast is what typically works best for people. For example, do a fruits and vegetables fast for the first few days. Then do all liquids for a day or two. Maybe even mix in a few days of only water if you think you are ready for that. Then go back to fruits and vegetables for a few days. Some people can t stay in a Fast Zone eating any type of solid food, so they prefer all liquids. With today s protein drinks and juicing options, it is so easy to get a healthy dose of all your nutritional needs even while taking in only liquids. Certain people can t do anything other than drink only water. If they eat a salad or drink a glass of juice, they get out of their zone. Or if they allow themselves to eat cantaloupe, they will end up eating twenty cantaloupes a day! Get the picture? Prayerfully find your Fast Zone, get in it, and stay in it for the duration of this season so that you are able to focus on your dedicated time with the Lord. 3. Choose Your Type of Fast While preparing for your fast, it is important to choose ahead of time what type of fast, or what combination, you will pursue. Not only will this help with making the necessary preparations to implement your plan, but also as you commit to a specific fast ahead of time and know how you re going to do it, you will position yourself to finish strong. On the following pages we ve listed some options and variations of fasts you can choose from. As you read over the information, please consider how it may or may not apply to your personal circumstances and convictions. 8

9 You may choose to fast all 21-days. Or you may choose to fast several days, such as one or two days a week. OR you may choose to build up toward the end or even the beginning of this 21-day period. The amount of time you spend fasting and the type of fast you engage in is your personal decision and should be prayerfully considered as it applies to your circumstances. Different Types of Fasts Specific Food or Activity Fast In this type of fast you omit a specific item(s) from your meal plans. For example, you may choose to eliminate all red meat, processed or fast food, or sweets. Most people can incorporate this type of fast relatively easily. It can also prove to be a great solution for people with specific dietary needs or medical conditions that may present certain limitations. Do not let what you eat or do not eat become the focus of your fast. Our goal is to draw closer to God. This is a time to disconnect enough from your regular patterns and habits in order to connect more closely to Him. While fasting typically refers to refraining from specific food items, you may also find it extremely beneficial to fast from a regular activity or habit. This might include things such as television, social media, phones, talk radio, movies, and the like. Prayer and fasting are not just about connecting to God but also about disconnecting from the world, from the distractions that often pull our lives out of balance and may even become habits that not only take us away from God, but also from one another. Try to tune out some of the regular distractions from your day as much as possible. Replace that time with things that will nourish you spiritually. Daniel Fast The Daniel fast is a great model to follow and one that is extremely effective for spiritual focus, bodily discipline, and purification of the body and soul. It is probably one of the most commonly referred to fasts; however, within the Daniel fast there is room for broad interpretation. 9

10 In the book of Daniel we find two different times where the prophet Daniel fasted. Daniel 1 states that he only ate vegetables and water, and in Daniel 10, while the passage does not give a specific list of foods that Daniel ate, it does state that he ate no rich (or choice) foods, as well as no meat or wine. So based on these two verses, we can see that either of these, or combinations of the two, constitute a Daniel fast. Again, it is important to mention that there is nothing inherently spiritual about one type of fast as opposed to another. The foundation of the Daniel fast is fruits and vegetables. Some starchy vegetables and dairy could be included, but that depends on the individual. Your goal should be to seek God in prayer about this and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Juice Fast A juice fast is simply consuming vegetable and fruit juices and water instead of solid food. Many people include whey protein in their liquid plan as well. This is one of the most popular and effective fasts. Even if you choose not to make your entire fast liquids only, substituting liquids for one or two meals is a great alternative. Water Fast A water only fast is the common fast referred to in the Bible. This is how Jesus and the New Testament church fasted. A water-only fast is just that no eating of any food or drinking of any liquids except water. Periodic water fasts can be very beneficial, but extreme precautions should be taken. For some people it is hard to perform effectively at their jobs and have energy for their families while drinking only water. We recommend consulting your physician first, and water fasting only for a day or two unless you can get away or your job allows you to really disconnect so you can give your best energy to the fast. Remember, when Jesus went on His forty day fast, He went by Himself out into the wilderness. Having said all that, there are some people who can water fast and work, and they function fine without much fatigue and are able to work well. You are blessed if you are one of these people. 10

11 Total Fast A total fast is where nothing neither liquid, solid food, nor even water is consumed for a very short period of time. There are examples of this type of fast in the Bible. It was an Old Covenant type of fast associated with mourning, or deep grief, such as when David engaged in a total fast for a week, hoping that God would spare the child he had with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). Under the New Covenant, we do not fast to mourn or to seek forgiveness. God has already forgiven us, and we are commanded to celebrate Jesus because He is alive. Plus, complete abstinence of food and water can be very dangerous to our health. Attempting to go without water for any period of time can be extremely harmful to the body. We strongly discourage the total fast. Fasting While Nursing or Pregnant Strict fasting while pregnant or nursing also is not recommended. If you are in this incredible season of life, but would like to participate in the 21 day plan, here are some great options for you to consider with the approval of your physician: a modified Daniel fast including whole grains, legumes, whey protein, calcium, and iron supplements fasting sweets and desserts fasting red meat fasting certain diversions (TV, movies, social media, surfing the internet, music, going out to eat, shopping, and so on). If you are a pregnant or nursing mother, your priority is the health and the development of the baby God has entrusted you with. Make that your guideline and go from there. And please consult your doctor. Fasting and Eating Disorders If you have struggled with an eating disorder, this situation is a battle of the mind you can win through Christ (Philippians 4:13). Remember, fasting is a tool used to get closer to God, and it actually should keep us from being preoccupied with food. If your method of fasting is going to cause you to obsess about what you eat in any way, you will need to change either your approach or your mindset. 11

12 12 If giving up food is a stumbling block to you, then consider fasting from television, reading (other than the Bible, of course), social media, or shopping. There are many distractions and ways that we use to stay in control that we could eliminate from our daily routine. We do these things to distract ourselves from the real issues hurting us. If you can identify such things, maybe you can give those up instead of food. Remember that you are covered by God s grace. God will show you what to do. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matt 11:30). His way will bring rest to your soul. 4. Begin and Break the Fast Well It is very important to prepare your body ahead of time before beginning the fast. Take a few days (or even a week) or so to transition into your fast. For example, if you would like to go on a fruits and vegetables or juice fast, start eliminating meat, white grains, and refined sugars from your diet the week before. Also start to cut back quite a bit on dairy products and some of your caffeine intake. The same principle applies to breaking your fast. When your fast is over, add foods back in very gradually. Please don t break your fast with a greasy cheeseburger! Because your body is so cleansed and detoxified, you may get sick if you do that. There are also several supplements you can take that will help support the detox process during your fast. Your health food store can give you recommendations. 5. Create Your Personal Fasting Menu To keep your energy up throughout the day, it s important to eat or drink every two and a half to three hours. If you go longer than that, you can experience an energy lull and be tempted to overstuff yourself at your next meal. Even if you re fasting on fruits and vegetables, overstuffing is never a smart thing to do. It is very important to drink lots of water while fasting. Drinking about one hundred ounces of water per day will help to support your critical liver function. The liver is the filter for the body, so when you don t drink enough water, the liver doesn t function at its highest capacity.

13 Select your food items wisely. We will not be listing specific ingredients you should or should not include in your plan. The key is to prepare a plan ahead of the fast, to not get legalistic about it, and to choose menu items well. For example, if you prefer dressing on your salads, choose a healthy, organic option with natural ingredients and don t pour a gallon of it on your plate. If you re drinking fruit juices, try to go as natural as possible, and don t drink ones heavily processed and laden with sugar. Remember to not let food become the focus of your fast, but make wise eating choices. 6. Final Fasting Tips Here are some other ideas that can help make your fasting experience more pleasant and helpful: As you select your type of fast, make a fasting calendar that fits your plan. Determine what each day and week will look like. Keep your fridge and pantry stocked with the items you need. Being unprepared to fast sets you up to give into temptation. Choose well when selecting products, stick to raw food as much as you can, and limit artificial ingredients. Make it a priority to attend worship, Sunday School, and/or your Life Group, or Bible study during your fast. Being around other believers will encourage you to keep on going when the going gets tough. If you mess up, don t get discouraged. Just get right back on track and keep going. God s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22 23). He wants you to finish, and He will give you the grace and strength to do it. 16 And when you fast, don t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT) 13

14 PRAYER FOCUS & FASTING SCRIPTURES August 28, 2016 Prayer Focus: Listen to the Word of the Lord Jeremiah 30:1-3 (NIV) 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. 3 The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will bring My people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess, says the Lord. Hebrews 8:6, (NLT) 6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for He is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises 10 But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. 11 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, You should know the Lord. For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know Me already. 12 And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. 13 When God speaks of a new covenant, it means He has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear. Malachi 3:16 (NIV) 16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name. Psalm 1:1-2 (NLT) 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 14

15 August 29, 2016 Prayer Focus: Praise Psalm 113:1-4 (NIV) 1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you His servants; praise the name of the LORD. 2 Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. 3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. 4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Psalm 19:1-2 (NLT) 1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. Psalm 92:1-5 (NLT) 1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. 2 It is good to proclaim Your unfailing love in the morning, Your faithfulness in the evening, 3 accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp, and the melody of a lyre. 4 You thrill me, Lord, with all You have done for me! I sing for joy because of what You have done. 5 O Lord, what great works You do! And how deep are Your thoughts. Revelation 4:11 (NIV) 11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being. Luke 2:37 (NLT) 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 2 Chronicles 20:6 (NIV) 6 Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand you. 15

16 August 30, 2016 Prayer Focus: Blessing & Hope Psalm 115:15 (NLT) 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. John 1:16 (NLT) 16 From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. [List the blessings you have received from God as you thank Him for each one.] Isaiah 44:3 (NLT) 3 For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your children. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Psalm 34:4-10 (NLT) 4 I prayed to the LORD, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. 6 In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; He saved me from all my troubles. 7 For the angel of the LORD is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear Him. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! 9 Fear the LORD, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing. Titus 2:12-13 (NLT) 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 16

17 August 31, 2016 Prayer Focus: Wisdom & Revelation Ephesians 1:15-17 (NLT) 15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. Revelation 1: 1-3 (NLT) 1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Daniel 2:20-23 (NLT) 20 He said, Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though He is surrounded by light. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for You have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of You and revealed to us what the king demanded. Isaiah 11:1-3 (NIV) 1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD 3 and He will delight in the fear of the LORD. 17

18 September 1, 2016 Prayer Focus: Your Inheritance in Christ Jesus 18 Ephesians 3:12 (NLT) 12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God s presence. Lamentations 3:22-26 (NLT) 22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him! 25 The LORD is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. 26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. Ephesians 1:11-14 (NIV) 11 In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him Who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God s possession to the praise of His glory. John 14:1-3 (NLT) 1 Don t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. 2 There is more than enough room in My Father s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.

19 September 2, 2016 Prayer Focus: Children of God John 1:12 (NLT) 12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. Galatians 3:26-28 (NLT) 26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 1 John 3:18-20 (NLT) 18 Dear children, let s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything. Psalm 103:11-14, (NLT) 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. 14 For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust 17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children s children 18 of those who are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commandments! 19 The Lord has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything. Romans 8:13-17 (NIV) 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God 15 The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 19

20 September 3, 2016 Prayer Focus: Love God Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NLT) 12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the LORD s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. Romans 8:28 (NIV) 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. 1 John 4:15-16 (NLT) 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. Psalm 116:1-2 (NLT) 1 I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. 2 Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! 1 Samuel 12:24 (NLT) 24 But be sure to fear the LORD [with awe and profound reverence] and faithfully serve Him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you. Psalm 77:13-15a (NIV) 13 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; You display your power among the people 20

21 September 4, 2016 Prayer Focus: God s Strength In You Psalm 105:4 (NIV) Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. Joshua 1:6-9 (NLT) 6 Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is My command be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV) 21 Now it is God Who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Psalm 28:7-9 NIV) 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. 8 The LORD is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one. 9 Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. 21

22 September 5, 2016 Prayer Focus: Serve The Lord Joshua 24:14-15 (NLT) 14 So fear the LORD and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. 1 Samuel 7:3 (NLT) 3 Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, If you want to return to the LORD with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth [idols]. Turn your hearts to the LORD and obey Him alone; then He will rescue you James 1:12 (NIV) 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) 14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 1 John 3:23-24 (NLT) 23 And this is His commandment: We must believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 Those who obey God s commandments remain in fellowship with Him, and He with them. And we know He lives in us because the Spirit He gave us lives in us. 22

23 September 6, 2016 Prayer Focus: Protection 1 John 3:16-22 (NLT) 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion how can God s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the Truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we don t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from Him whatever we ask because we obey Him and do the things that please Him. Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG) 5-12 Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He s the one who will keep you on track. Psalm 91:4 (NLT) 4 He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Proverbs 18:10 (NLT) 10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. Colossians 1:9b-12 (NIV) 9 We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. 23

24 September 7, 2016 Prayer Focus: Forgiveness and Salvation Micah 7:18-19 (NLT) 18 Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because You delight in showing unfailing love. 19 Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! John 3:16 (NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Romans 5:6-8 (NLT) 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Psalm 103:1-3 (NLT) 1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Philippians 1:9-11 (NLT) 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ for this will bring much glory and praise to God. 24

25 September 8, 2016 Prayer Focus: God Is My Rock, My Shelter 2 Samuel 22:2-4(NLT) 2 He sang: The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. 4 I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3, (NIV) 1 I love you, Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies 30 As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. 31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT) 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on all of God s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 25

26 September 9, 2016 Prayer Focus: Call to Holiness Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT) 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NLT) 3 By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world s corruption caused by human desires. 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 26

27 September 10, 2016 Prayer Focus: Listen to the Lord God Habakkuk 2:1-3 (NLT) 2 I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how He will answer my complaint. 2 Then the Lord said to me, Write my answer plainly on tablets [big as a billboard], so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. Revelation 1:10-11 (NIV) 10 On the Lord s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. 1 Samuel 3:10, 21 (NIV) 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, Samuel! Samuel! Then Samuel said, Speak, for your servant is listening. 21 The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there He revealed Himself to Samuel through His word. Jeremiah 31:33 (NIV) 33 This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. 1 John 3: And this is His commandment: We must believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 Those who obey God s commandments remain in fellowship with Him, and He with them. And we know He lives in us because the Spirit He gave us lives in us. 27

28 September 11, 2016 Prayer Focus: Petition for Help Habakkuk 3:2 (NLT) 2 I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by Your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as You did in years gone by. And in Your anger, remember Your mercy. Luke 11:9-10 (NLT) 9 And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Deuteronomy 33:26-27a (NLT) 26 There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. 27 The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you. Lamentations 3:55-58 (NLT) 55 But I called on Your name, LORD, from deep within the pit. 56 You heard me when I cried, Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help! 57 Yes, You came when I called; You told me, Do not fear. 58 Lord, You have come to my defense; You have redeemed my life. 1 Ephesians 1:19-22 (NLT) 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 28