Dear Christ Fellowship family,

DAYS OF 30PRAYER

DAYS OF 30PRAYER

Dear Christ Fellowship family, As you have likely heard, we are facing a humanly impossible situation with Make Room. The costs have escalated above any reasonable anticipation. Even after scaling back the project and looking at every way to reduce costs, we still do not have enough funds to complete the project. So we are seeking our powerful Lord God, our Father, who invites his children to call on him. I am calling us to 30 days of prayer for Make Room during the month of April. Each year I memorize something from the Scripture to grow more like Jesus. This year I am learning the stories of 40 biblical characters. For our 30 days of prayer I have written a brief daily devotional from 30 Old Testament characters. Each day in April we will send out a short devotional by email and Facebook to guide our prayers. From the biblical characters lives we see both positive and negative examples as well as a connection to Jesus Christ. Subscribe to the daily email at CFhome.org/praynow As you read each one, I invite you to ask the Spirit of God to make connections for you in regard to Make Room, whether that is to your personal involvement or for our entire church. Those connections can guide your prayer. Seeking God with you, Bruce

April 1 (Day 1) Adam First Person in the Image Of God Genesis 2-4 Adam teaches us not to listen to serpents or to blame the person God gave to us. Rather, like Adam, after we fail, we are to receive our new clothes given in God s grace to cover our sin, and then live faithfully for God. Jesus Christ is the second Adam who perfectly obeys and starts the new humanity in him. Pray for Make Room that we will not listen to the enemy or blame anyone but faithfully follow the Lord. April 2 (Day 2) Noah Faith to Build the Ark Genesis 6-9 Noah models the faith to build an ark when there was no rain. God then called him to multiply and fill the earth. Now we are to build Christ s church in faith, and multiply his disciples all over the earth. On the other hand, we must avoid getting drunk as Noah did. Jesus Christ is the ark of our salvation who delivers us from eternal judgment to come. Pray for Make Room. April 3 (Day 3) Abraham Faith to Leave Home Genesis 12-25 Abraham shows us faith to leave his home in Ur when he had no idea where he was going. And yet we must not follow Abraham in everything. He got sidetracked by trying to fulfill the promise that he would have children; he went outside of his marriage to have a child with Hagar, who was not his wife. Instead we seek to follow his amazing faith that God would provide when God called him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Jesus Christ fulfills God s covenant with Abraham as his ultimate heir. With Make Room, pray that we will avoid Hagar solutions and instead trust that God will provide.

April 4 (Day 4) Isaac Faithful Son Genesis 22-28 As a single man in a remote area he seemed to have no options for someone to marry, without marrying a forbidden foreign woman, but Isaac trusted God to provide a wife for him. God provided Rebekah in an amazingly detailed story. Jesus Christ is the ultimate Isaac (son) who was sacrificed for us on the cross, but rose from the dead. Even with no human options before us for how to complete Make Room, let s pray for the faith that God will provide what we cannot yet see. April 5 (Day 5) Jacob (Israel) Deceiver Genesis 25-35 Jacob shows us the terrible consequences of deception. God promised him a blessing, but tried to get it by deceiving his nearly blind dad, Isaac. We must trust God to fulfill his promises apart from our deception to try to make them happen. Instead we should follow Jacob in wrestling with God in faithful prayer, who as a result was able to see God, and was renamed Israel. Jesus Christ is the new Israel through whom all people can join the people of God. Pray for Make Room. April 6 (Day 6) Joseph Trusts and Forgives Genesis 37-50 Joseph models trust in God when everything goes wrong. After God gave him a dream that he would be a huge leader, his brothers threw him in a pit, and then sold him into slavery. From there, based on a false accusation, he was thrown into prison. Eventually he became COO of Egypt and saved the young Israelite nation from a massive famine. He forgave his brothers, saying, You meant it for evil but God meant it for good. Jesus Christ is the ultimate Joseph who saves us from spiritual famine. Pray for Make Room that we can trust God means our testing for good.

April 7 (Day 7) Moses Leader to Deliver Israel Exodus 1-18 Moses shows us persevering faith, when he trusted God to deliver Israel from slavery in Egypt, even when Pharaoh said no, make bricks without straw; even after he said no nine more times. Again Moses shows persevering faith when he trusted God to provide food and water on a 40- year trek through the desert. Jesus Christ is the new Moses who delivers all humanity from slavery to sin, into the true Promised Land. Pray that we can persevere to trust God to Make Room no matter what obstacles we face. April 8 (Day 8) Joshua Courageous Leader Joshua Joshua models courage when he steps into the Jordan River. Sometimes we have to get our feet wet. He followed God to march around Jericho and saw the walls fall. He led Israel to defeat more powerful armies. Unlike when Joshua forgot to pray about the Gibeonites and was deceived, we must remember to pray. He called the people to choose for their family to serve God. Jesus Christ is the Joshua-warrior who will lead his armies to defeat all evil one day, creating the true Promised Land. Pray for Make Room that we will have Joshua-like courage to get our feet wet. April 9 (Day 9) Caleb Different Spirit, Follow Fully Numbers 13-14 and Joshua 14-6-10 God says Caleb had a different spirit and followed fully. Caleb stood alone with Joshua against the other 12 spies and the whole nation saying we can face the giants in God s strength. At 85 years old, full of gritty faith, he asks Joshua to give him that mountain where Jerusalem was. He fought to get it in God s power. Jesus Christ is the unique God-man who alone followed God fully without sin. Pray for Make Room that we have Caleb-like spirits to trust God even when the majority says it is impossible.

April 10 (Day 10) Samson - Tragedy in Lust for Delilah Judges 13-16 Tragically Samson shows us how temptation to lust can ruin a great work God wants to do. He fell for Delilah s trick and lost his God-given strength. But even as a blind captive, at the end of his life, he asked God to strengthen him one last time. Jesus Christ overcame all temptations, and with omnipotent strength he defeats the devil. Pray that we will flee temptations, and even after we fail, that we will still ask for God s strength to serve him well toward the end of our lives. April 11 (Day 11) Ruth Loyal Woman Ruth Ruth models loyalty in the face of her husband s death. She committed stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, following her back to Israel as she pledged, Where you go I will go. God blessed her with an amazing husband, Boaz. Jesus Christ comes through the lineage of Ruth who is mentioned in his genealogy. He is our ultimate kinsmanredeemer husband, who delivers us from our difficult situations. Pray for Make Room that we will stay loyal to Christ in all decisions. April 12 (Day 12) Samuel Faithful Prophet 1, 2 Samuel Samuel is a faithful prophet, leader and judge, born to his mother Hannah who was infertile and then dedicated him as a child to serve the Lord for his whole life. As a young boy, God called him in a dream and he responded. Samuel taught the people God s Word, anointed the first king, Saul, and then had the courage to rebuke him twice, and share his kingship was over. Then he anointed king David. Jesus Christ is the ultimate prophet, judge and king. Pray for Make Room that we remain faithful to serve the Lord in ministering to our children.

April 13 (Day 13) Saul First King of Israel, Half-hearted 1 Samuel We want to avoid Saul s half-hearted following after God. While he started well, he lost patience waiting for the prophet Samuel so he made the sacrificial offering himself, out of fear of the opposing army. Then he took spoils from war that were forbidden. When David was successful, Saul became insanely jealous. Jesus Christ is the only true king of Israel. Pray for Make Room that we will be patient to wait and not take matters into our own hands. April 14 (Day 14) David Greatest King of Israel 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles David models devotion to God, the courage to fight Goliath as a young boy, and the loyalty to avoid killing his sworn enemy King Saul. David wrote most of the Psalms, which show his heart for God. Later in life he sinned with Bathsheba, but fully repented. God used David to provide all the materials to build the temple, but because of his sin, he could not build it. Jesus Christ is the ultimate David who fulfills God s covenant of a king and kingdom to come. Pray for Make Room that we show David-like courage and devotion to God. April 15 (Day 15) Solomon Wisdom, but Pulled Away from God 1 Kings 1-11 Although he was the wisest man in the world, Solomon ruined his life by marrying many wives who did not follow God, and pulled him away from the Lord. His prayer for God to grant him wisdom to lead the nation provides a great model for us. Jesus Christ is true wisdom itself. Pray for Solomonic wisdom in all decisions related to Make Room.

April 16 (Day 16) Rehoboam, Foolish 1 Kings 11-14 and 2 Chronicles 10-12 The son of Solomon who inherited the throne, Rehoboam, foolishly listened to the wrong counsel. Soon after becoming king he faced a crisis, the older advisors from his dad s regime said to be gracious while his peers, the younger men, said to get tough with the people. He listened to his peers, which led to the nation dividing into Israel in the north only the two tribes of Judah in the south. Jesus Christ is the true King who unites all humanity. Pray for Make Room that we will ignore foolish counsel and listen to wise counsel. April 17 (Day 17) Uzziah Pride 2 Chronicles 26 Uzziah was a great king who ruled for 52 years mainly obeying the Lord, but then late in life he violated the law by going into the temple to burn incense. When confronted, in his pride he got angry and refused to repent, instantly God struck him with leprosy. Jesus Christ is the humble leader who obeys his Father. Pray for Make Room that we avoid pride in all our decisions. April 18 (Day 18) Esther Courage to Speak Up Esther Esther was put in a terrible position when Persian King Xerxes took her as one of his wives. But she was in the perfect place when evil Haman planned to exterminate all Jews. She was there for such a time as this and seized the moment by courageously appealing to the King at the risk of her life. Jesus Christ gave his life to save the people of the world from death. Pray for Make Room that all of us will step up to the such-a-time-as-this moment we are in to reach the many people coming to our community.

April 19 (Day 19) Isaiah Bold Prophet, Foretells the Messiah Isaiah When called by God, he said, Send me. Isaiah models a deep awareness of God s incomparable majesty and holiness. He confronted Israel s sin and foretold the coming of the virgin-born Messiah as the Prince of Peace, who would be both a ruler and suffering servant. Jesus Christ is that virgin-born Messiah King who suffered for his people but is returning to rule. Pray that we see more fully God s incomparable greatness and Jesus amazing reality as we Make Room for one more. April 20 (Day 20) Jeremiah Weeping Prophet Jeremiah Jeremiah grieved the sin of Israel and that they did not respond in repentance so they suffered God s judgment. He served God in a time of national crisis, and prophesied of a New Covenant to come in which God would transform people s hearts. Jesus Christ fulfills the New Covenant in himself and with the sending of the Holy Spirit. Pray that our hearts would be soft before the Lord, open to his transforming work as we seek to Make Room for others. April 21 (Day 21) Ezekiel Dramatic Prophet Ezekiel Through many dramatic examples and stories, priest and prophet, Ezekiel, led the people to know that the Lord is truly God. He pictured himself as a watchman on the walls of the city warning people of spiritual danger. He predicted and described the new temple in detail as he focused on the presence of God. Jesus Christ is the new temple and today we have his presence with us. Pray for Make Room that we can teach children the truth that the Lord is truly God.

April 22 (Day 22) Daniel Loyal to the Big God Daniel Daniel models loyal confidence in the Big God who delivers from evil kings and hungry lions. Taken into captivity as a young man, Daniel held to his convictions in Babylon. He served three kings faithfully without ever compromising. He was a man of prayer even in the face of a command to stop. God gave Daniel vision of the end times showing that although an antichrist will rise to power and cause havoc, God will be the ultimate victor in the end. Jesus Christ too was an innocent man, arrested while praying, condemned to death and sealed in a grave only to rise from the dead. Pray that we will have Daniel-like confidence as we face lions in carrying out Make Room. April 23 (Day 23) Jonah Reluctant Prophet Jonah God sent Jonah to bring his message to Nineveh but Jonah fled instead to Tarshish. God interrupted his plans with a storm and a big fish. Jonah repented and preached in Nineveh about judgment to come, but the people repented and God relented. Jonah was angry that God did not judge them. God said, Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh? Jesus Christ, like Jonah was three days in the grave, but then rose to life to redeem us from sin. Pray that with Make Room we will have Gods heart for the great Collin County where many need Jesus. April 24 (Day 24) Jehoshaphat Worshippers Lead Army 2 Chronicles 17-20 and 1 Kings 22 When King Jehoshaphat ruled Judah, a large army from Edom attacked them. He fasted and prayed. God said to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Jehoshaphat sent worshippers out in front of the army praising God. The Lord caused the enemy to fight each other. Jesus Christ wins the victory that we get to stand and see. Pray that we will worship God as we trust him to make a way for Make Room when we humanly impossible circumstances.

April 25 (Day 25) Hezekiah Reformer, 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29-32 King Hezekiah repaired the temple, re-started Passover and led the people in spiritual revival, including restarting the tithe, giving 10% to the Lord. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria planed to attack. Hezekiah said, Do not be afraid, because we have a greater power with us. An angel wiped out the army. Jesus Christ is our greater King who brings final revival to the world. Pray that we will have confidence in the greater Power with us as we face financial challenges in Make Room. April 26 (Day 26) Josiah- Leads Major Revival 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35 Josiah became King at 8 years old. He destroyed idols to Baal, found an old copy of God s law and read it publicly, then celebrated greatest Passover in Israel s history. He led a revival based in the Word of God because he turned to the Lord like no king before him. Jesus Christ will destroy all evil and lead humanity to true worship as the Word himself. Pray for Make Room that we can build a children s space in which we challenge 8 year-olds to serve God like Josiah did. April 27 (Day 27) Elijah Faith to Challenge Ahab and Prophets of Baal 1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 2 The prophet Elijah courageously challenged wicked King Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel during a drought. After hours of wailing, no fire consumed their sacrifice on their altar. Elijah doused his in water. God shot down fire that burned the offering licked up the water and consumed the altar. Elijah prayed for rain. The first six times not even a cloud appeared, but after the seventh prayer, a little cloud appeared and Elijah said, Run. Years later on another mountain Jesus Christ was transfigured to shine like the sun. Pray faithfully like Elijah for Make Room that God will show he is the true God.

April 28 (Day 28) Elisha Miracle Working Prophet 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2-13 Elijah trained his associate Elisha who followed him and refused to leave his side near the end. Elisha prayed for a double-portion of Elijah s spirit, God granted that request and Elisha did more miracles than any other prophet. Jesus Christ is the ultimate miracle worker full of the Holy Spirit. Pray for Make Room that God will do miracles to provide for the building and to provide the volunteers to care for children and their parents who come. April 29 (Day 29) Nehemiah Visionary, Strategic Leader Nehemiah Nehemiah models strategic spiritual leadership as he led Israel to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in just 53 days against serious opposition. He prayed an amazing prayer, then boldly asked Persian King Artaxerxes for a grant. Alone Nehemiah inspected the ruins, then organized all the people to build, keeping them focused on the task when others tried to distract and discourage. Jesus Christ is the ultimate leader who will build the new City in his Kingdom. Pray the Lord will grant us favor with city officials and that everyone in the church will lend a hand to Make Room. April 30 (Day 30) Ezra - Bold Priest Ezra and Nehemiah 7-13 Ezra, the bold priest, led the way alongside Nehemiah for spiritual reformation when Israel first returned from Babylon. He confronted the people for marrying pagan wives. Personally Ezra dedicated himself to study, obey and teach the Scripture. He publicly read the Word of God to the people. Jesus Christ is the ultimate high priest who will bring world transformation. Pray that we will dedicate ourselves to study, obey and teach the Word as Ezra did, to the new people God brings when we Make Room.

Take time to reflect on what God has done in your heart over the last 30 days. Thank him for what he has done and ask him for wisdom as we move forward. For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36