When The Church Prays may 2015 Devotional
When The Church Prays may 2014 Devotional Easter is a sobering reminder of the Life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ. However, the days following the resurrection leading to Pentecost are often treated like the day after Christmas. We can go on about life without a renewed response to the true impact of the Gospel. The gospel has the tendency to get watered down, and we can become too quickly satisfied with knowing God and believing in Christ. The truth is, our work to make God known just begins with the celebration of Easter. The reality and fullness of following Christ is not realized until later, when challenges arise and the real questions pop up. Questions such as how do I follow Christ? How do I do it? What does it really look like to walk with boldness in the Spirit? The how to happy bug has hit many of us where we want a step-by-step action guide. That s okay; the disciples did the same thing. They asked Jesus how to pray. Instead, He gave them a manner, or a type of blueprint for prayer. This blueprint was not just about precise words. Within the prayer, Jesus words were intentionally inclusive. He assumed His disciples would gather in corporate prayer on a regular basis. He gave many examples and instructions about the power of corporate prayer. A simple look at the Lord s Prayer suggests that our prayer life is supposed to include others (e.g., Give us this day, forgive our trespasses)... Prayer was not designed to function as an individual sport. Even tennis and golf have doubles and scratch plays. As the story of Acts unfolds, we find corporate prayer and unity as the foundation of every ministry, calling and assignment. When two or three are gathered, the Kingdom of God comes, His will is done and deliverance erupts. If Jesus wrote a manual on How to Get the Most Out of Your Prayer Life to our current generation He would probably tell us we must gather together. PURPOSE OF THE DEVOTIONAL God repeatedly tells His people throughout scripture to set themselves and their time apart. God s people are encouraged to consecrate themselves as a means of reaffirming God as their source of life and intentionally pursuing His heart. We have provided a daily devotional for the purpose of inspiration and greater unity during these days of consecration. Each devotional will include a section called READ with key scriptures for study and memorization. A second section of the devotional called REFLECT will provide a brief study as the heart of the devotional. Finally, we will conclude each day with a section called RESPOND, which will assist you in applying the revelation gained from the READ and REFLECT portions. INFORMATION ON FASTING Visit bethelworld.org for important information on the purposes of fasting, helpful tips while fasting, and appropriate things to do and not do during a time of fasting. BETHEL PRAYER SCHEDULE Monday: Prayer at 6am and Noon in the sanctuary (Fasting optional) Tuesday: Prayer at 6am and Noon in the sanctuary (Fasting optional) Wednesday: Monthly Church-wide Day of Prayer and Fasting (Prayer at 6am and Noon in the sanctuary 7pm Service)
Monday MAY 4 TH Kingdom Come read reflect Romans 14: 17,19 (a) Acts1:13,14 (b) Mark 14:72, Acts 5:29 (c) Acts 4:24, 31 (d) Matthew 12:26-27 (e) If you have not done so already, start by reading the topic introduction on the first page. Our western culture values individuality. The Apostle Paul wrote that the Kingdom of God is not about self-expression or individual preferences, but about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (a). These are all the things after which our souls truly chase. Unfortunately, a self-absorbed focus leaves us more confused about our mission in life. We become less confident about living than the conquering lions we are called to be. However, the good news is the book of Acts confirms Christ s lessons on how corporate prayer allows us to experience more of God (b). Confusion turns to clarity. Cowards turn into confident Ambassadors of Christ (c). The callings of God transform even the darkest days of persecution into power-filled testimonies (d). In Matthew, Jesus demonstrated the power of unity (e). Even satan s kingdom cannot progress with individual demons doing their own thing. How much more power will be released when Christ s Church prays with one voice, one mind and one heart? In our selfie obsessed society, we glorify our own identity over God s divinity. Let s turn our selfies into We-fies with consistent, corporate prayer fests. We can then watch the Kingdom blossom with unlimited power. REFLECT Why is it significant that you are involved in corporate prayer? What can you learn from the book of Acts about the results of unified prayer? Why do we need to remember to pray with one another and not just for one another? What can you learn from Acts about ways we are called to gather together? respond Repent for having selfish attitudes, selfish prayers, and selfish actions. Ask the Lord to help you become sensitive to the needs of others. Ask the Lord to reveal and cultivate a hunger for praying with the Church.
tuesday MAY 5 TH Will Be Done read reflect Matthew 6:33 (a) Matthew 28:19,20 (b) Luke 24:49 (c) Acts 13:1-3 (d) Acts 14:23 (e) Acts 2: 41-42 (f) What is the Will of God? That is a loaded question that will receive many different answers depending on who you ask. Some will use the original command in Genesis: God s will is to be fruitful and multiply. Others will rely on John 3:16: that we are to believe in Jesus and have eternal life. These are all valid and powerful results of God s Will. However, they only happen with the intimate knowledge of God (a). Ultimately, His Will is for us to know Him, and our work is to make Him known (b). We know prayer helps us to know Him and have the Kingdom come in our lives. However, making God known in unfriendly territory requires the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus gave the disciples instructions to wait together for this power (c). We are not supposed to make Him known on our own. Through corporate prayer ministries were launched (d), apostles received their calling, leaders received their divine appointments (e), and entire cities and nations were changed through power-filled missionaries (f). Corporate prayer is a channel through which the will of God ignites us, so the work of the Kingdom will be expressed through us. REFLECT How is God calling you to be more effective in praying for a specific ministry? How does the mission to make Him known change your perspective about church prayer? How does the goal of making Him known change your attitude about your personal gifts and callings? How do these scriptures encourage you to be more involved in church prayer? respond Write down one specific ministry you will pray for every day this week. Ask at least 2 people to pray and agree with you. Ask the Lord to clarify the gifts He wants to use in you to make Him known. Be grateful for the church family and leaders you have. Show gratitude by praying over a minister in their presence.
WEDNESDAY MAY 6 TH Deliverance from Evil read reflect Luke 4:18 (a) Matthew 18:20 (b) 2Corinthians 3:17 (c) Acts 16: 13-15 (d) Acts 13:8-11 (e) Acts 16:16-18 (f) John 14:14 (g) John 16: 23 (h) Luke s Gospel highlights Jesus mission statement to proclaim liberty and freedom (a). John s Gospel recorded that where two or three are gathered, Jesus would be with them (b). Paul later confirmed Christ s claim: where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is liberty (c). Deliverance from evil and oppression should be an expected outcome of corporate prayer. When the church prayed in this way Peter was able to break out of jail. Preaching erupted in assemblies, liberating the minds of those eagerly waiting for news of the Christ (d). Even the work of sorcerers and mediums came to a halt (e,f). Corporate prayer and assembly leads to deliverance from physical, mental and spiritual oppression. The path for deliverance and freedom is paved through corporate prayer! Jesus promised He would do or give anything we asked in His name, as long as we believe (g,h). Unfortunately, we can miss out on great opportunities because corporate prayer is viewed as only an option. This divine roadmap highlights our need to devote ourselves to assembled prayer. REFLECT What does the Scripture say about prayer and deliverance? What have you learned this week about the importance of praying with others? Why is it important to use prayer as a weapon for deliverance? What Scriptures have stood out to you about prayer this week? Why? respond Think of someone in your life group or workplace who needs deliverance. Ask your prayer partners to pray and agree that God would use you to make Him known in their lives. Healthy expectation and thanksgiving is important in prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal and remove any feelings of doubt or discouragement. Think of the Scripture that stood out to you this week. Ask God to teach you to pray about making that Scripture come alive in your life.
Prayer Points What are your main prayer points for this time of prayer & fasting? What are you hoping to see God do in your life during this time of consecration? How do you see God moving during these three days?