Psalms 28:2. Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.

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1 Psalms 28:2 Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Stop & Pray One Hope Church of Christ 21 days of prayer ending with a day of fasting and a closing Prayer Maze

2 How To Use This Packet 1. There is a different prayer suggestion for each of the 21 Days of Prayer. Of course the prayers are up to you, but should you choose to follow this booklet, then focus upon the topic for the day and allow it to be a part of your prayers all day long. 2. Each Sunday there will be a couple of Discussion Questions should you decide to use them for a class discussion or LifeGroup 3. 6 times through our 21 days, there will a day where you will be encouraged to have a Family Devo. There will be additional information shared on those days with scriptural references you might want to use for a slightly more in-depth devotional time. 4. As in years past we will close off the 21 days of prayer with a Fast (information will be provided about that day) on th, and then later that day a Prayer Maze will conclude the Days of Prayer

3 Saturday, April 14 2 Corinthians 1:4 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. Today, stop to think of those times in your life, when you were down or discouraged or hurting, and God brought you comfort and even greater joy in the process. Thank Him for always being faithful to being our Great Comforter. Then close out your prayer time asking him to use you to be a comforter to another. To bring a similar comfort to another, that God brought to you. Sunday, April 15 7 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. ----Matthew 7:7 You ever notice how patiently a dog will sit (and ask) for a bite of your food? Why would we do any less when we ask of our Heavenly Father? Some times He answers no, sometimes yes, sometimes, not now but He tells us to ask and ask until we see His answer. If you don t already, start a prayer journal for this 21 days of Prayer. See what you ask for and then record how God answers those request. It may be of real encouragement to see just how active God is in our lives, and it happen so silently that, unless we are watching carefully, we don t even notice. QUESTIONS TO PONDER 1. Why do you think we struggle so hard to be persistent in our prayers? What distracts us from persistence? 2. What s the last request that you persistently made to God that He answered, maybe without you noticing at first? 3. If we believe God is all supreme, and that He is all powerful able to handle any and all problems.and we believe He can answer all our prayers what might our inconsistency say to Him?

4 Monday, April 16 The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Prov. 16:21 Ask God to give you the words to speak as those around you share their lives. Ask Him to give you words that are wise, and discerning as well as insightful and true. Today, speak His words not your own. Ask Him to bless the words you speak as you represent Him to your corner of the world. Tuesday, April 17 Psalms 111:10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! God does NOT agree There is only one road to human greatness, thru the school of hard knocks -Albert Einstein Know what makes a person smart and wise? Obedience! Most of the times when we decide to step outside the lines and go rouge, we end up hurt or in hurting another. We call this learning from the school of hard knocks, but God says real wisdom comes from obedience, not because you tried it another way and it didn t work, just simple obedience. Pray today for TRUE wisdom thru obedience. What was it that caused Abraham to leave his home, his friends, and his comfort zone to follow Gods instructions? What was it that moved him to move toward sacrificing his son Isaac? What was it that drove him to keep moving forward until he, eventually, got to the Promised Land? And what is it that will cause God, one day, to say to us, Well done My good and faithful servant? As you already know, the answer to every question is: obedience. Really when you sum it all up, that s all God asks from us, DO THE 2 (Matthew 22), that s how Jesus put it. The question to ponder is how does obedience show up in our lives, and is there some area where we might do better?

5 Wednesday, April 18 Exodus 31:3 New Living Translation (NLT) 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. So many times we SPEAK AND ACT before we think, don t we? If only we had more tact, or ability to disperse patience, or the wisdom to bite our tongue until we are in proper control. Today ask God for those very qualities. The same God that passed along qualities of special skills and crafts to Bezalel, has the power to give us those same type skills in how we deal with people. Ask God to be a craftsman with your words today. To fill your words with wisdom and to give you the ability to allow God s Spirit to speak through you today. Thursday, April 19 Matthew 6:34 34 So don t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today s trouble is enough for today. All too often we spend our time worrying about tomorrow and the next day and the next day all the while missing out completely on the blessings of today. Don t be anxious about life, why? Because by being anxious or worrying we cannot change one single thing, except maybe our health. Pray today that God helps you live in the present, in assurance that He is in complete control.

6 Exodus 33:13 Friday, April If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people. Family Devo Have you ever found yourself running ahead of God? Maybe you prayed and asked for His guidance, but when the answer didn t come as quickly as you wanted, you opted to proceed with the option that sounded best to you. If you can identify with that, then welcome to the club. It s best known as Abraham-itus. Read Genesis 16:1-6. Abraham and Sarah knew what God had promised them, but it wasn t in the time wheel. So they took matters in their own hands. Do a brief study what problems this running ahead caused: a. Gen 17:20..God s promises Ismael would, what? (also Gen 21:18) b. Gen 25:12-16 the names of Ishmael s c. Note: It is from the Ishmaelite's that the Arab nations come today d. Later the Ishmaelite's were called the Midianites (Gen 37:28; 39:1) e. During King David, the Ishmaelite's joined a confederacy to destroy God s people (Ps. 83:4-6) f. Even today and with the problems in the middle east Ishmael s troubles live on So whens the last time you ran ahead of God? Do you have Ishmaelite's of your own (oh not kids who become nations, but decisions that cause you to be left with consequences for the days that follow)? How can we go about avoiding the Ishmaelite's in our own lives?

7 Saturday, April 21 Matthew 6:33 (NIV) 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. You ever notice how so many are trying to put more THAN Jesus in their lives? In this text Jesus is plainly saying, all we need is Him, and nothing more. Today asks God to help you focus upon Him more fully. To be able to discern His will more fully and be able to remove the distractions that try to blur our sight of You. Sunday, April 22 (Additional Questions) Genesis 18:14 (NIV) Is anything too hard for the LORD? Luke 1:37 (NIV) Nothing will be impossible for God Nothing is too hard for God, and nothing can t be accomplished with God. We know that, right? Then why do we struggle with living like we do. When we come up against obstacles, or when struggles seem to be overwhelming, or even when following His will seems to be really, really difficult..we need to remember we serve the Creator of the Universe, with whom nothing is impossible. 1. How do we determine between when God shuts the door on something or another, and when He is just testing us to see if we really trust Him for the impossible, or the timing just isn t right, etc? 2. How can we be better at turning the controls over to God and trusting Him to take it over? 3. How can we take control of our me do it attitudes, so we can let God be impossible? 4. What area in your life is the hardest with which to let God be impossible?

8 Monday, April 23 2 Timothy 2:19 19 Nevertheless, God s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, Family Devo How do you know what belongs to you (I use quotations because nothing actually belongs to us anyhow). Well usually we either mark them, score them, brand them, insure them, or put them in a vault somewhere. When it comes to things that we can t inscribe upon (like our children) they normally they look enough like us we couldn t DIS-claim them even if we wanted to, right? Some even say they after years of being in the same house, our animals even start looking like their masters, at least kind of acting like us. Spend some time today just thanking God for making us, His. Adopting us as His children. Even though we didn t look like Him as much as He desired, He saw something in us that we will never understand. Some thoughts to discuss: 1. What does it mean to be adopted? 2. When God says we are His adopted children, what He is saying is? 3. I have a friend who purposefully adopted two children with major physical ailments. She knew it upfront and chose them BECAUSE of their ailments. That s pretty unusual and pretty amazing all at the same time. But just think about what God did when He saw us in all our imperfections and all mess, and yet He still picked us out for adoption through Jesus. Discuss a bit how this should affect our faith walk.

9 Tuesday, April 24 Colossians 4:2 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Today, confess to God those times when you have grown weary of praying over and power and over again about the same thing. Maybe you grew weary of your prayer not being answered. Maybe you lost confidence that God was even hearing your pleadings. Today pray and ask God to forgive you of those weaker faith times. Ask Him to give you the strength to WAIT on His timing. Pray for stronger patience, and tell how trusting you are in His care. Wednesday, April 25 Isaiah 30:19b He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. Ask our Lord, who is full of grace and mercy, to help you overcome any distractions or troubles that may come your way today. Call upon Him who hears, and leave those distractions with Him. If we can get to the point where when distractions and troubles come..we don t miss a beat and just hand them over to God. and go along our way.we not only will be much more peaceful..but we will be a more distinction disciple. Thursday, April 26 Family Devo John 16:32 32 Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. Ever had that feeling being all alone? Perhaps you were left somewhere and got separated from the crowd? Or you were the only one in your class who thought you should vote left and everyone else said right? Most of us know that feels. But what about when we remember that we are NEVER alone, for God is always right there with us. How should that make us feel and act? (see Matt. 28:20) Talk about times when you might have felt alone or deserted, but God brought you comfort and peace.

10 I Corinthians 15:33 April 14 Hebrews 10:22 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. Friday, April 27 That FULLY part is the hardest of all. We have been talking quite a bit about trusting fully in our God who loves us, yet we are continual need of remembrance. Spend some time today thanking God for His continual love, comfort, and salvation. Ask Him to help you always see His hand in your life Family Devo Saturday, April 28 I Corinthians 15:33 33 Don t be fooled by those who say such things, for bad company corrupts good character. Isn t it amazing how our friends and acquaintances can have such an influence on how and what we think and even our attitudes? Of course when we surround ourselves with good friendships, then that influence is a wonderful addition to our Christian walk. But. Spend time today thanking God for those friends who make your walk that much more meaningful. Ask Him to guide you away from those who might mislead you because they are not vested in your future. Think a little of some friends in your past that have influenced you in a nbd manner.

11 Sunday, April 29 Revelation 3: I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! I like lots of drinks, but very few of them do I like lukewarm. I like water, but not really into lukewarm water. I like an occasional A&W Root Beer, but only icy cold. You get the drift, right? Lukewarm is neither this nor that. It s neither hot nor cold, and God says from a spiritual standpoint, if a person is lukewarm it just makes Him sick to His stomach. Today pray for a more dedicated faith walk. That your walk is not about some check off system, but rather about a relationship with the living God from above. (Additional Questions) For additional thoughts, think about these questions: 1. Why would a person be tempted to slide into LUKEWARMISM? 2. What could a person do that would keep them from becoming lukewarm? 1. What s the difference between a check off system of faith and a relationship based faith?

12 I Thessalonians 5:16-18 April 14 Monday, April Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Life can get so busy and so complicated. So we get up earlier and we work a little longer. We skip a chore here and there. We put that book we ve been trying to read back on the shelf, and we just put our head down and plow through life. But then we look up one day only to remember that we haven t really prayed in a long time, and forget about having a minute or two to study God s word. Pray today that God helps you prioritize your day in such a way that prayer is continual through your day. Not just a one time prayer fest, but a continual prayer that starts in the morning and ends at night. I think God is telling us that if we do this our whole attitude about life will change.. Tuesday, May 1 Family Devo James 5:16 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Why is it that year after year at the Men s Retreat the Prayer time (rather a maze or prayer feast) is always the biggest hit? Oh the schedule may change from year to year and the format may change, but that time spent in praying with one another: sharing common struggles, admitting defeats, and asking for spiritual help from brothers---is always the biggest hit of the whole Retreat. WHY? Because there is healing that comes from being truthful, and those prayers for each other do produce wonderful results. Today ask God to give you the strength to be honest (to yourself and to Him). Be honest about your struggles and become a little more transparent to those who love you the most.

13 2 Chronicles 26:5 April 14 Wednesday, May 2 5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the LORD, God gave him success. As long as he sought guidance from God he was successful. Couldn t that be an slogan for all of us? Oh maybe not the success man offers, but success in matters of REAL importance (spiritual). Over the past several days we have stressed being patience and waiting on God s guidance several times, and the reason for this is..we re not real good at it. Today, take time to ask God s guidance and for Him to supply you with wisdom and insight so that you will know when His guidance is given and just how to apply it.. Thursday, May 3 Galatians 3:26 26 For you are all children of God through faith In Christ Jesus. God has assembled some amazing people to be in His kingdom, hasn t He?! The gifts and talents and passions they bring with them, enable us to serve people in some pretty incredible ways. Sometimes we forget to see the bigger picture of what God can and has done to assemble His kingdom, so that His kingdom will go shine and influence that way He intended. Today thank God for those amazing people in your life. People who just naturally serve God with the talents He has given them. These are your family, thank God for your spiritual family. Also spend a little time thanking Him for your own talents and gifts (some you may not have even discovered as of yet). Thank Him for needing you in His plan, and ask Him to make you aware of those ways by which He needs your involvement.

14 Congratulations You Have Made It Through.. Remember: The challenge has been given that as a Congregation we FAST today (at least from the time we wake up until the time we attend the PRAYER MAZE). Today keep your focus on the POWER OF PRAYER. Thank God for this amazing avenue of communication He has given to us.. When that veil split at the death on the cross, it ushered in a blessing like we have a hard time understanding. Remember to use this gift throughout the day and thank God for the blessing of the past 21 days, and the power of prayer we enjoy. See you between 5:00-8:00 at the building for a time through the Prayer Maze. Once you pray your way through the Maze, why not go out to eat and break your FAST, talking about your experiences throughout the past 21 days.