40 DAYS OF PRAYER. One step closer to Jesus everyday

Transcription

1 40 DAYS OF ER One step closer to Jesus everyday

2 I am feeling incredibly blessed to be on this journey with you as Cornerstone s new Lead Pastor. My wife, Julie and I are looking forward to serving alongside of you, growing deeper in Christ and being in relationship with you. During these 40 Days of Prayer, we will be reading the same Bible verses together, asking some of the same questions and praying for many of the same people as a church family. I can t wait to see the power of God unleashed through you and how these 40 Days set us up for an amazing future as we seek to live into our mission to: Change lives by leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Don t hesitate to connect with me if you have questions or if God uses this devotional tool to speak directly to you. We are praying for you, and hope that you are praying for Julie and me. In God s Powerful Name, Pastor Dave Hood Lead Pastor Cornerstone Church dhood@cornerstonechurch.org

3 DAY ONE Isaiah 61:1-11 In what ways can you join with God to Rebuild, Restore, and Renew the broken things in the world around you? Write down the broken things that come to your mind. Holy God, help me to see the world the way you see it. Help me to feel what you feel. Help me to care about what you care about. Align my heart with your heart. AMEN. Now pray for your neighbors who need to know Jesus and the brokenness that you see in our community.

4 DAY TWO John 17:1-26 In this passage Jesus prays for himself, his disciples and you and me. What does Unity look like to you? What do you think is the difference between Unity and Uniformity? Unifying God, help us to be one. Forgive us when we create artificial divisions between us and forget that each of us carries your image. Teach me to see your image in others. AMEN. Now pray for those we know who might feel excluded and isolated from God s love and from our love.

5 DAY THREE Psalm 1:1-6 What does it mean to you to be blessed by God? Think about times in your life when you stood, sat or walked away from God s path. How can you be more like the tree in verse 3? God of all Blessings, forgive us for the times when we walked away from you, stood still when you called us to move or sat when you asked us to stand. Teach us what it means to meditate on your word and live like the righteous. AMEN. Now pray for the children who call Cornerstone their church home.

6 DAY FOUR Luke 4:14-30 Jesus mission statement excited and encouraged people until they understood that living into it might require discomfort and sacrifice, especially to their traditions. What are the traditions that you might hold too tightly? Great God, give us the wisdom to know when you are speaking and challenging us, as well as the courage to be willing to do what you are calling us to do. Help us to hold on only to you for our strength, security and significance. AMEN. Now pray for the business owners in the community.

7 DAY FIVE Isaiah 58:1-14 Who are the hungry and oppressed that God is calling you to reach out and serve? How do you identify and engage the marginalized in your world? Faithful God, remind us today that the blessings we enjoy are but a dream for others and the challenges that we endure are temporary and contextual. Help us to see those that others ignore and to see them the way you see them. AMEN. Now pray for the school systems in which Cornerstone kids are learning.

8 DAY SIX Mark 10:35-45 Think of some of the Greatest people you have ever known. What does it mean to be GREAT in the Kingdom of God? What do you need to do in order to become GREAT in God s eyes? Great One, humble us in your eyes and in our own eyes so that we do not fall into the trap of thinking that we are greater than others or worse, greater than you. Show us the path to true greatness in your kingdom. AMEN. Now pray for the Senior Citizens in your community.

9 DAY SEVEN Joshua 24:1-27 Joshua challenges all the people to choose whom they will serve because the reality is you are either choosing God or someone or something else. Whom are you choosing? Father of All, remind us of all that you have done, are doing and will continue to do for us, in us and through us. Give us the courage to choose you like you chose us. AMEN. Now pray for Cornerstone s new pastor and family.

10 DAY EIGHT 2 Timothy 2:14-26 Paul reminds his apprentice to Do his best when serving God. This is both challenging and encouraging. What would need to change for you to be able to say that you are Doing your best to serve God? Perfect God, challenge us to give you all that you have in us. Help us to push ourselves continually to serve you better while you also remind us that you love us in spite of our faults and failures. AMEN. Now pray for the teachers and administrators in the local schools surrounding Cornerstone.

11 DAY NINE Ruth 1:1-22 Why do you think it is important that you have a friend like Ruth? How can you BE a friend like Ruth to someone else? Reach out with a word of thanks to someone who has been a friend to you. Faithful Friend, you have told us in your word that we no longer call you master, but friend. Teach us what it means to be a friend to others as you have demonstrated friendship to us. AMEN. Now pray by name for those who have demonstrated friendship to you.

12 DAY TEN Mark 8:1-13 Miracles happen when people are willing to give the little that they have in order to bless others. What do you have that you can offer God? God of Miracles, we know that every miracle begins with prayer, so today we are praying for miracles in our lives and in the lives of others. And if you can use us to be a part of those miracles, then please do so. AMEN. Now pray for those in our community who are hungry.

13 DAY ELEVEN Psalm 139:1-24 God knows every part of you and has been with you every moment of every day of your life because God created you and God loves you. Spend some time today just thanking God for the love and grace that God has always shown you. Creator God, you formed us with your very own hands and made us your masterpiece. Help us today to live into the beauty with which you created us, inside and out. AMEN. Now pray for the Cornerstone staff and servant leaders.

14 DAY TWELVE 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 We work best when we work together and when we realize that we are all part of one whole. Think about how Paul s metaphor of the One Body, Many Parts works at Cornerstone Church. Unifying God, remind us today that we were placed in community for a reason. Teach us to appreciate those with whom you have placed us in relationship, even when those relationships become challenging. AMEN. Now pray for the neighbors surrounding where you live.

15 DAY THIRTEEN Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 Isolation has never been God s plan for God s people. Who are the people in your life who make you better? Reach out to those people this week and share your appreciation for them. Triune God, you have given us an example of true relationship in the connection between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Help us to reflect your love in our relationships. AMEN. Now pray for those in our community who are lonely and alone.

16 DAY FOURTEEN 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 Sometimes relationships falter and fail and when that happens it is so painful. How can we avoid division in our relationships? Think about a relationship that needs to be healed. Healing God, mend the broken relationships in our lives with your healing love. Help us to forgive one another as you have forgiven us. AMEN. Now pray for the teens at Cornerstone and in our community who are searching for Jesus.

17 DAY FIFTEEN Jeremiah 29:1-14 What does it mean to you that God has a plan for your life? How does it make you feel that God s plan is for your future and hope? How can you do a better job of following God s plan rather than your own? God of Hope, forgive us when we choose our own flawed plans over your perfect plan for our lives. Help us to trust you more and to rely on you completely. AMEN. Now pray for what God has in store for you in this next season.

18 DAY SIXTEEN Acts 2:1-47 Pay special attention to vs and how the first church organized themselves. Compare and contrast what you read to what you see in the church today. What do you think needs to change? Founding God, you gave us the church as a gift and as a way to keep our hearts aligned with yours. Teach us to be the church you dream of and forgive us when we fall short. AMEN. Now pray for the first responders in our community who risk and serve for our benefit.

19 DAY SEVENTEEN Psalm 23:1-6 We often read this passage at funerals, but what do you see in these verses that has to do with how you live your life? Identify which part jumps out at you and wrestle with why. Holy God, you walk with us in every season of our lives and you guide our steps and bless us with all that we need. Remind us today of your promises and keep us on track with grace and discipline. AMEN. Now pray for comfort and peace for those who are dealing with grief and loss.

20 DAY EIGHTEEN Luke 18:15-17 Children are Jesus favorite people, so they ought to be our favorite people as well. What does it look like for you to become like a child in your faith as Jesus encouraged? Parent God, you created us in your image and you have adopted us into your own family as your children. Help us recover the wonder and joy of a child who feels safe in the arms of a loving parent. AMEN. Now pray for the Cornerstone Children s Ministry, its staff, servants, families and children.

21 DAY NINETEEN 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 Study Solomon s prayer and see what you can learn about prayer. What are the parts of the prayer that jump out at you? What does Solomon s prayer tell you about how you should pray? Listening God, let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you. Teach us how to pray, and more importantly, teach us how to listen to you. AMEN. Now pray for Cornerstone missionaries - local, regional, national and international - as they give their lives to serve God s people.

22 DAY TWENTY Psalm 22:1-31 As you read this Psalm, remember Jesus words on the cross and look for the parallels between this Psalm and the crucifixion of Jesus. Does this Psalm give Jesus words from the cross a deeper significance? God of Resurrection, today we remember and reflect on the lengths you were willing to go, including the cross, in order to bring your people back to you. Help us to remember and emulate your example. AMEN. Now pray for the Cornerstone worship ministry, its staff, servants, and the Spirit which guides them.

23 DAY TWENTY-ONE 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 Study how God answers Solomon s prayer and see what you can learn about prayer. What are the parts that jump out at you? What does God s response tell you about how you should pray? Great I Am, teach us how to listen to you during prayer. Tune our ears to your voice so that we are able to hear you above all the noise of the world; then give us the courage to follow you. AMEN. Now pray for the women at Cornerstone Church, the women s ministry and the way God is leading and directing women everywhere.

24 DAY TWENTY-TWO Galatians 6:1-10 What do you think God is telling us when in the same passage it says, Carry each other s burdens and each one should carry their own load? Think about the balance between empowering and enabling. Strong God, you tell us to lay our burdens down at the foot of your cross. Teach us how to help others do the same, and forgive us when we try to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. AMEN. Now pray for the young adults at Cornerstone and in the community as they step into adulthood and take on the role of leaders in the church and community.

25 DAY TWENTY-THREE Psalm 42:1-11 When you are down, do you go to God? What are the ways that you can remember that God is your refuge and resource? What does it mean to you to put your hope in God? Comforting God, you promised to never leave us or forsake us. Forgive us when we lose sight of you when we are in the valley or when we feel surrounded by negativity on all sides. Thank you for being there even when we don t recognize your presence. AMEN. Now pray for Cornerstone Christian Preschool, its staff, servants, families and especially the children.

26 DAY TWENTY-FOUR Luke 5:17-26 Identify the qualities and characteristics of the people who carried the mat for the paralyzed man. How do their resourcefulness, courage, and commitment inform our faith? How can you become more like them? Powerful God, teach us what it looks like to follow you no matter what. Help us have the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it. Forgive us when we quit too soon or let discouragement overcome us. AMEN. Now pray for the men at Cornerstone Church, the men s ministry and the way that God is leading and directing men everywhere.

27 DAY TWENTY-FIVE Numbers 11:1-17 God knows that living in isolation is too hard for any of us, so God created us to live in community with others so that we can share the load. Think about the people in your circles and networks that help you carry the burdens of life. Uniting God, teach us to rely more heavily upon you and upon one another. Remind us that you gave Adam and Eve to each other because it was not good that we be alone. AMEN. Now pray for the marriages at Cornerstone Church and in our community.

28 DAY TWENTY-SIX Matthew 5:43-48 & 6:5-15 Jesus raised the bar on prayer by telling us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us. Who are the challenging people in your life for whom God is calling you to pray? God of Peace, give us the courage to not only pray for those whom we feel good about but also those who challenge and frustrate us. Remind us that from time to time, we may play that role for others. AMEN. Pray for our government leaders, local, regional, national and international as they have been given the task of leading.

29 DAY TWENTY-SEVEN Psalm 136:1-26 What does the phrase, God s love endures forever mean to you? Meditate on all the ways and times when God has demonstrated God s deep love to you, especially those times when you felt all alone. Loving God, remind us that nothing can separate us from your love. Teach us how to hold on to your love, even when you feel far away. AMEN. Now pray for the parents represented at Cornerstone Church and the incredible responsibility that they have been given to raise and disciple children.

30 DAY TWENTY-EIGHT Ephesians 4:1-32 What is the difference between putting up with someone and lifting someone up? Think about how you have been called to lift others up and what you can do this week to live into that call. Compassionate God, help us to live lives that build up rather than tear down, that encourage rather than discourage. Forgive us for the times when we have brought others down to make ourselves feel better. AMEN. Now pray for the Applegates from Cornerstone, as they are on mission in Guatemala.

31 DAY TWENTY-NINE Matthew 28:16-20 Cornerstone Church s mission statement is, Changing lives by leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. How are you living into our mission and helping fulfill the directions in vs. 19 & 20 known as the Great Commission? Sending God, you have given us a great mission to change lives, make disciples and transform the world. Help us to more fully embrace our faith and discipleship journey so that we might be able to help others do the same. AMEN. Now pray for someone that God is challenging you to bring to Jesus through Cornerstone Church.

32 DAY THIRTY 1 Peter 2:13-25 Compassion is costly. It cost Jesus his life. What are you willing to sacrifice or pay in order to demonstrate compassion to those in need? Kind God, teach us how to love like you love. Forgive us when we fall prey to compassion fatigue and fail to love your people with our whole hearts. Help us fill our lives with your love so that we have plenty to share with others. AMEN. Now pray for the grandparents at Cornerstone and the important place in the family that God has chosen for them.

33 DAY THIRTY-ONE Psalm 57:1-11 How would you define mercy to someone who didn t know God? What does it mean to you that God is a merciful God? In what ways can you show God s mercy to others? Merciful God, have mercy on me, a sinner saved by grace. Remind me in times of trouble that your love and faithfulness are never-ending. Keep my eyes focused on you when the world tries to distract me. AMEN. Now pray for those who are ill, in the hospital, sick or whose bodies are failing.

34 DAY THIRTY-TWO John 15:1-17 What do you think it means when Jesus says, I am the vine and you are the branches? In what ways can you remain in him? Think about times when you have felt disconnected from the vine. Nourishing God, feed us with the food of life that can only come from you. Help us to do the things that keep us connected to you in meaningful ways. AMEN. Now pray for the college students represented at Cornerstone Church, both the ones that are local and the ones that are away.

35 DAY THIRTY-THREE Isaiah 6:1-13 God doesn t call the equipped; God equips the called. What is God calling you to do? Where is God calling you to go? What would have to happen before you honestly told God, Here am I Lord, send me? Sending God, remind us today that you have called each of us to a mission to follow you, to change the world and to develop disciples. Help us to say yes when you call, even when we feel underqualified. AMEN. Now pray for the mission of Cornerstone Church and for those who will say yes to God s call.

36 DAY THIRTY-FOUR John 13:1-17 Jesus set an example for us that demonstrated how we are to serve one another. What can we learn from Jesus about how to serve? What does it mean to you to wash one another s feet? Humble God, you set for us an example of what serving looks like. Forgive us when we think too highly of ourselves to serve those you love the most. Teach us what it means to serve like you did. AMEN. Now pray for families of all shapes and sizes at Cornerstone Church and the call that God has placed on them.

37 DAY THIRTY-FIVE Micah 6:1-8 God tells the people that they already know what they are supposed to be doing. What does Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God look like in your everyday life? What area do you need to work on? Providing God, teach us what it means to Do Justice in an unjust world. Help us to Love Mercy in a world that loves revenge. And show us what it looks like to Walk Humbly with you. AMEN. Now pray for those who are grieving in your circles and networks and those whom you may not even know.

38 DAY THIRTY-SIX Ephesians 3:14-21 God s four dimentional love is bigger than we could ever hope to understand or grasp. What does it mean to you that God s love is WIDE, LONG, HIGH, and DEEP? Infinite God, you promise us that you are able to do MORE than we can ask or imagine. Today we ask you to enlarge our imagination and help us to dream bigger dreams. AMEN. Now pray for Cornerstone small groups as they seek to take one step closer to Jesus everyday.

39 DAY THIRTY-SEVEN Psalm 100:1-5 Notice that the Psalmist tells us to enter the gates with thanksgiving. This means that we should be in an attitude of worship before we come to church and not solely rely on church to help us through the week. Worthy God, teach us what it means to live a lifestyle of worship rather than allowing worship to be an event or a place. Help what we do on Sunday to be the overflow of our worship of you throughout the week. AMEN. Now pray for THEM, the ones that are considered by some, Not us.

40 DAY THIRTY-EIGHT 1 Peter 4:1-11 This passage gives us a look at what it means to truly live for God. What parts jump out to you and why? What do you think it means when it says, Love covers a multitude of sins? Enduring God, help us to live for you in every area of our lives. Convict us of the ways in which we have not lived up to your standards. Give us courage to trust and serve you more faithfully. AMEN. Now pray for opportunities to share the gospel with the people you come into contact with.

41 DAY THIRTY-NINE Malachi 3:6-18 This is one of the few passages in the Bible where God tells us to test me. It s almost as if God is saying, I double dare you to give faithfully and see what I will do. Are you giving in a way that makes God smile? Faithful God, you have promised that when we trust you, you will be faithful with blessings. It s hard for us to trust you with our money. Help us give in a way that makes you smile. AMEN. Now pray for the visitors who will come to Cornerstone for the first time this year.

42 DAY FORTY Philippians 3:12-4:1 This passage reminds us that our faith journey requires some hard work, some perseverance and some maturity. Think about times when you gave up because the obstacles felt too great. Think about times when you pushed through in spite of the challenges. Persevering God, help us find the discipline and the maturity it takes to continue to take one step closer toward you everyday. Remind us that there are no obstacles or challenges bigger than you. AMEN. Now pray for those caught in the disease of addiction, for freedom and healing.

43 DAY FORTY-ONE Romans 12:1-21 What does it mean to you to be a Living Sacrifice? In what ways can you give yourself more fully to the service of God? What does transformation look like for you? Transforming God, teach us what your good and perfect will is and then give us the courage to seek after it with all our hearts. AMEN. Now pray for those looking for God s will for their lives.

44 DAY FORTY-TWO Psalm 46:1-11 Name some ways that fear keeps you paralized. In a busy world, being still is a skill that many of us have lost or neglected. How can you be still and know that God is God? Helping God, remind us that no matter what the challenge or opposition looks like, you are with us and that you are our help. Help us to overcome fear with faith. AMEN. Now pray for the future of Cornerstone Church and your place in it.

45 We have made it! Thank you for joining me in these 40 days of prayer. I have seen God at work and I hope you have noticed it too. As I mentioned at the beginning of this time, if you have questions or have heard God speak please contact me to share and discuss. My greatest desire is that each of you continues to take one step closer to Jesus each day. Cornerstone wants to help you do that and is privileged to share the journey with you! In God s Powerful Name, If you d like to keep going here are a few online resources for daily devotionals: Pastor Dave Hood Lead Pastor Cornerstone Church dhood@cornerstonechurch.org

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