LENT 2014: 40 DAYS OF PRAYER

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1 LENT 2014: 40 DAYS OF PRAYER

2 A CALL TO 40 DAYS OF PRAYER The number 40 has always been significant to God s people. God changed the course of human history through a 40 day flood. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai, where he was given the Ten Commandments. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years before entering the Promised Land. And Jesus faced Satan s temptations for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry. The leadership at GFMC encourages our entire church family to move in one direction, toward the face of God, this Lent. Our congregation will be participating in a 40 Days of Prayer adventure from March 10 Easter. This will be an exciting time as we focus upon knowing God more deeply and discovering His plans for our lives individually and collectively. During the 40 Days of Prayer, weekly worship services will focus upon The Anatomy of Prayer. Opportunity will be provided to Adopt a Service, and pray weekly for a specific worship service. As a part of our 40 Days of Prayer emphasis, each person is challenged to have a daily time of Bible reading, prayer and reflection. This Lenten Prayer Guide can serve as a daily tool for worshiping God, listing your prayer requests and intercessions for others, and recording the insights the Lord gives you. The booklet also contains a guide for reading through the Gospel of John in 40 days if you so choose. 40 Days of Prayer is a simple emphasis, yet its impact can be profound. Whether you are in middle school or a senior citizen, someone new to the Christian faith or a believer of many years, God has a desire to connect with you over the coming 40 days! Don Postema, in Space for God, writes the following words: Prayer is taking time to let God recreate us, to touch us as an artist who is making a sculpture, a painting, or a piece of music with our lives. May the creative Spirit of God hover over us personally and as a congregation, making us a people who passionately follow Him!

3 HOW DO I PRAY? 2004 Shawna Koon, Southwest Community Church (Indian Well, CA) P.R.A.Y.E.R is adapted and used with permission There is no one right way to pray, but many have found that using a prayer tool can be helpful. The following P.R.A.Y.E.R. acrostic is provided as one helpful guide for your devotional time: P - PRAISE R - REMEMBER A - ADMIT Y - YIELD E EXPRESS R - RELY P: PRAISE God for who He is. When you think of God and His nature, what images come to mind? Over the next forty days, begin your time of prayer by focusing upon the worthiness of our great God. Enter into His presence and thank Him for Who He is. Perhaps an attribute of God from your Scripture reading will be fresh on your heart. The next section in this booklet, Names of God, also provides a listing of names and characteristics of God to assist in your reflection. I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! Deut. 32:3 I will be filled with joy because of You. I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for You. Psalm 9:2,10 R: REMEMBER what God has done for you and give thanks. In the Old Testament we see a pattern of grateful response to God for His provisions and actions. His followers often sang songs of praise or built monuments to commemorate times when God had acted in miraculous ways. As you pray, identify specific ways God has provided for you. Whether looking back into your distant past, or just the last 24 hours, take time to identify and thank Him for

4 His blessings, His watch care, and His strength to face life s challenges. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. Psalm 100:4 It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future, your children will ask, 'What do these stones mean?' Then you can tell them, 'This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and He kept it dry until you were all across, just as He did at the Red Sea when He dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so that all the nations of the earth might know the power of the Lord, and that you might fear the Lord your God forever." Joshua 4:20-24 A: ADMIT your sins and needs to God. Often we rush to make requests of God without first examining our hearts to clear away the barriers that limit our fellowship with Him. The Bible says that sin separates us from God. Our Heavenly Father calls us to humbly approach Him, laying openly before Him our sins and short-fallings. As you pray, confess anything in your life that does not line up with God s commands and principles. Ask Christ to search your heart and bring to your attention any unworthy thoughts, attitudes or actions in need of His cleansing, healing touch. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. 1 John 1:9 With a restored relationship, then present your needs and requests to Him. Be specific and completely honest; nothing is too small or trivial for God s attention. However, as you speak with God about your needs and your desires, check your motives. The Bible tells us that we often do not have things we desire

5 simply because we don t ask God to supply our needs, or we ask for things with selfish motives. Use those two admonitions as guidelines as you talk openly with God. He is a loving Father who cares about you, and He wants to give you an abundant life.... And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it. And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:2-3 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philip. 4:6-7 Y: YIELD your will to God s perfect will. Being in a conversation with God means that we not only talk to Him, but that we also listen to Him. Many times this part of prayer can be the most difficult. Don t rush through it. Become quiet and receptive, allowing the Holy Spirit to hover over you. Is God bringing to mind something long forgotten, or are you suddenly able to see a difficult situation from a new perspective? Do you feel prompted to do a particular action, or to respond to a perplexing problem in a surprising way? If a Scripture comes to mind, take the time to open up your Bible and meditate upon that truth. Writing down the thoughts and images that come to mind during this time is often helpful. Space is provided on the daily Prayer Journal pages to record your insights and conversations with God. Serve only the Lord your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him. Deut. 13:4 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5 & 6

6 E: EXPRESS the needs of others. One of the greatest ways we imitate Christ is to intercede on behalf of others. Just as Christ stood in the gap for the greatest need of mankind, we too should stand in the gap, bringing before God the needs of others. Don t be limited by geography or circumstance uplift your church family, coworkers, community, nation, and world. If you ve been praying for someone or some situation for a long time and you don t yet see any evidence of change, don t give up! God is working in the lives of those you pray for, even when you are not able to detect His involvement. I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. 1 Tim. 2:1 He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his mighty power and justice. Isaiah 59:16 R: RELY upon God s plan, provision, and protection. Now that you ve spoken to God and listened to His leading, rest in the assurance that His perfect plan always comes to pass. He has heard your concerns and He will act. You can be sure that all things will work together for good. Trust in His love and sovereignty, knowing that you serve a mighty God. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Psalm 37:7 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 NOTE: The P.R.A.Y.E.R. acrostic is adapted for daily use in the Prayer Journal pages of this booklet

7 NAMES OF GOD Provided are some of God s names which reveal His character and nature. Choose one and meditate on how knowing this truth about God impacts your life. A faithful God who does no wrong A forgiving God A fortress of salvation A glorious crown A jealous and avenging God A Master in heaven A refuge for His people A refuge for the needy in his distress A refuge for the poor A sanctuary A shade from the heat A shelter from the storm A source of strength A stronghold in times of trouble An ever-present help in trouble Architect and builder Builder of everything Commander of the Lord s army Creator of heaven and earth Defender of widows Eternal King Father of compassion Father of our spirits Father of the heavenly lights Father of the fatherless God Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ God Most High God my Maker God my Rock God my Savior God my stronghold God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob God of all comfort God of all mankind GOD, THE FATHER God of glory God of gods God of grace God of hope God of love and peace God of retribution God of the living God of the spirits of all mankind God of truth God our Father God our strength God over all the kingdoms of the earth God the Father God who avenges me God who gives endurance and encouragement God who relents from sending calamity Great and awesome God Great and powerful God Great, mighty and awesome God He who blots out your transgressions He who comforts you He who forms the hearts of all He who raised Christ from the dead He who reveals His thoughts to man Helper of the fatherless Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine Him who is able to keep you from falling Him who will judge the living and the dead

8 Holy Father Holy One Holy One among you I AM I AM WHO I AM Jealous Judge of all the earth King of glory King of heaven Living and true God Lord (Adonai) Lord Almighty Lord is Peace Lord (Jehovah) Lord Most High Lord my Banner Lord my Rock Lord of all the earth Lord of heaven and earth Lord of kings Lord our God Lord our Maker Lord our Shield Lord who heals you Lord who is there Lord who makes you holy Lord who strikes the blow Lord will provide Love Maker of all things Maker of heaven and earth Most High My advocate My comforter in sorrow My confidence My help My helper My hiding place My hope My light My mighty rock My refuge in the day of disaster My refuge in times of trouble My song My strong deliverer My support One to be feared Only wise God Our dwelling place Our judge Our lawgiver Our leader Our Mighty One Our Redeemer Our refuge and strength Righteous Father Righteous judge Rock of our salvation Shepherd Sovereign Lord The Almighty The compassionate and gracious God The Eternal God The consuming fire The everlasting God The exalted God The faithful God The gardener (husbandman) The glorious Father The Glory of Israel The God who saves me The God who sees me The great King above all gods The just and mighty One The living Father The Majestic Glory The Majesty in heaven The One who sustains me The only God The potter The rock in whom I take refuge The spring of living water The strength of my heart The true God You who hear prayer You who judge righteously and test the heart and mind You who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants You who love the people

9 GOD, THE SON A banner for the peoples A Nazarene Alpha and Omego Ancient of Days Anointed One Apostle and high priest Author and perfecter of our faith Author of life Author of their salvation Blessed and only Ruler Branch of the Lord Bread of God Bread of life Bridegroom Chief cornerstone Chief Shepherd Chosen and precious cornerstone Christ Jesus my Lord Christ Jesus our hope Christ of God Consolation of Israel Covenant for the people Crown of splendor Eternal life Faithful and True Faithful and true witness First to rise from the dead Firstborn from among the dead Firstborn over all creation Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep Fragrant offering and sacrifice to God Friend of tax collectors and sinners God of all the earth God over all God s Son Great high priest Great light Great Shepherd of the sheep Guarantee of a better covenant He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world He who searches hearts and minds Head of every man Head of the body, the church Head of the church Head over every power and authority Heir of all things Him who died and came to life again Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins His one and only son Holy and righteous One Holy One of God Holy servant Jesus Hope of Israel Horn of salvation Image of the invisible God Immanuel (God with us) Indescribable gift Jesus Jesus Christ Jesus Christ our Lord Jesus Christ our Savior Jesus of Nazareth Judge of the living and the dead KING OF KINGS King of the ages Lamb of God Light for revelation to the Gentiles Light of life Light of men Light of the world Living bread that came down from heaven Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Lord (Kurios) Lord of glory LORD OF LORDS Lord of peace Lord of the harvest Lord of the Sabbath Lord (Rabboni) Man accredited by God Man of sorrows

10 Master Mediator of a new covenant Merciful and faithful high priest Messenger of the covenant Messiah Morning star My friend My intercessor One who makes men holy One who speaks to the Father in our defense One who will arise to rule over the nations Our glorious Lord Jesus Christ Our God and Savior Jesus Christ Our only Sovereign and Lord Our Passover lamb Our peace Our righteousness, holiness and redemption Physician Prince and Savior Prince of Peace Prince of princes Prince of the hosts Ransom for all men Refiner and purifier Resurrection and the life Righteous Judge Righteous man Righteous One Rock eternal (rock of ages) Ruler of God s creation Ruler of the kings of the earth Savior of the world Second man Shepherd and Overseer of your souls Son of man Son of the Blessed One Son of the living God Son of the Most High God Source of eternal salvation Sure foundation Teacher The Amen The atoning sacrifice for our sins The Beginning and the End The bright Morning Star The exact representation of His being The First and the Last The gate (door) The Good Shepherd The Head The last Adam The Life The Living One The living Stone The Lord Our Righteousness The man from heaven The man Jesus Christ The most holy The One and Only The only God our Savior The radiance of God s glory The rising of the sun (Dayspring) The stone the builders rejected The testimony given in its proper time The true light The true vine The truth The way The Word (logos) True bread from heaven Wisdom from God Witness to the peoples Wonderful Counselor Word of God Word of life Your life Your salvation

11 GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT A deposit (earnest) Another Counselor Breath of the Almighty Comforter Holy One Holy Spirit Holy Spirit of God Seal Spirit of Christ Spirit of counsel and power Spirit of faith Spirit of fire Spirit of glory Spirit of God Spirit of grace and supplication Spirit of His Son Spirit of holiness Spirit of Jesus Christ Spirit of judgment Spirit of justice Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord Spirit of life Spirit of our God Spirit of sonship (adoption) Spirit of the living God Spirit of the Lord Spirit of the Sovereign Lord Spirit of truth Spirit of wisdom and of understanding Spirit of wisdom and revelation The Gift The promised Holy Spirit The same gift Voice of the Almighty Voice of the Lord

12 Day 1: Monday, March 10 Optional Gospel Reading: John 1:1-28 What attribute or name of God am I praising Him for today? What sin, barrier or short falling do I need to confess to God?

13 Day 2: Tuesday, March 11 Optional Gospel Reading: John 1:29-51

14 Day 3: Wednesday, March 12 Optional Gospel Reading: John 2:1-11

15 Day 4: Thursday, March 13 Optional Gospel Reading: John 2:12-25

16 Day 5: Friday, March 14 Optional Gospel Reading: John 3:1-21

17 Day 6: Saturday, March 15 Optional Gospel Reading: John 3:22-36

18 Day 7: Sunday, March 16 Optional Gospel Reading: John 4:1-42

19 Day 8: Monday, March 17 Optional Gospel Reading: John 4:43-54

20 Day 9: Tuesday, March 18 Optional Gospel Reading: John 5:1-15

21 Day 10: Wednesday, March 19 Optional Gospel Reading: John 5:16-47

22 Day 11: Thursday, March 20 Optional Gospel Reading: John 6:1-24

23 Day 12: Friday, March 21 Optional Gospel Reading: John 6:25-59

24 Day 13: Saturday, March 22 Optional Gospel Reading: John 6:60 7:13

25 Day 14: Sunday, March 23 Optional Gospel Reading: John 7:14-53

26 Day 15: Monday, March 24 Optional Gospel Reading: John 8:1-30

27 Day 16: Tuesday, March 25 Optional Gospel Reading: John 8:31-59

28 Day 17: Wednesday, March 26 Optional Gospel Reading: John 9:1-41

29 Day 18: Thursday, March 27 Optional Gospel Reading: John 10:1-21

30 Day 19: Friday, March 28 Optional Gospel Reading: John 10:22-42

31 Day 20: Saturday, March 29 Optional Gospel Reading: John 11:1-44

32 Day 21: Sunday, March 30 Optional Gospel Reading: John 11:45-57

33 Day 22: Monday, March 31 Optional Gospel Reading: John 12:1-11

34 Day 23: Tuesday, April 1 Optional Gospel Reading: John 12:12-36

35 Day 24: Wednesday, April 2 Optional Gospel Reading: John 12:37-50

36 Day 25: Thursday, April 3 Optional Gospel Reading: John 13:1-17

37 Day 26: Friday, April 4 Optional Gospel Reading: John 13:18-38

38 Day 27: Saturday, April 5 Optional Gospel Reading: John 14:1-14

39 Day 28: Sunday, April 6 Optional Gospel Reading: John 14:15-31

40 Day 29: Monday, April 7 Optional Gospel Reading: John 15:1-17

41 Day 30: Tuesday, April 8 Optional Gospel Reading: John 15:18 16:4

42 Day 31: Wednesday, April 9 Optional Gospel Reading: John 16:5-33

43 Day 32: Thursday, April 10 Optional Gospel Reading: John 17:1-26

44 Day 33: Friday, April 11 Optional Gospel Reading: John 18:1-27

45 Day 34: Saturday, April 12 Optional Gospel Reading: John 18:28 19:15

46 Day 35: Palm Sunday, April 13 Optional Gospel Reading: John 19:16-27

47 Day 36: Monday, April 14 Optional Gospel Reading: John 19:28-42

48 Day 37: Tuesday, April 15 Optional Gospel Reading: John 20:1-18

49 Day 38: Wednesday, April 16 Optional Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

50 Day 39: Thursday, April 17 Optional Gospel Reading: John 21:1-14

51 Day 40: Good Friday, April 18 Optional Gospel Reading: John 21:15-25

52 The purpose of this Prayer Journal is to serve as a guide for you to experience for the first time, or refresh your existing pattern, of daily Bible Reading and Prayer. Now that this Lenten Guide is complete, how will you continue the pattern of reading God s Word and also listening and talking to God? Talk with someone else perhaps someone from your small group or your pastor if you are not sure which book of the Bible to read through next. It isn t important how much you read daily; it IS important that you stop and reflect upon what you are reading so that God s Word can become personal to you.

Names & Attributes of God

Names & Attributes of God Below are many of the names and attributes of God. This list is not exhaustive. You may also find that there is some variation of the names based on the Bible translation being