40 DAYS OF PRAYER: DAY 40
Don't Stop Now
40 days of prayer is over, but its just the beginning. The heading in my bible from the following verses says; “The Goal of Life”. How fitting to remember.
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
I wish we could say that we finally “get” it… that we can actually obtain everything in Gods word, everything that God has for us. But that will not happen as long as we are on this planet. What is it that we are to do then? Should we just punch our salvation ticket and sit back and wait for Jesus or wait until we die? NO! Be devoted to Gods Word, fellowship with other believers, breaking bread together and praying with and for each other. Thats what the first church did.
Acts 2:42
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:46-47
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Do not allow yourself to get caught up in the past (good or bad). Its great to remember what God has done, knowing He is doing a new thing. It is also ok to remember the bad, when you fell or struggled. But don't live there. You are forgiven. Reach for everything that God has for you. If you feel over whelmed with what is going on slow down, go to the basics. Remember your first love! Jesus, the Example
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
So our 40 days prayer focus is over. I challenge you to keep going. Dont stop. Shut off the technology and noise. Set aside time to engage with our Heavenly Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Prayed for you all this morning!
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’
Much love and blessings,
Pastor Scott
There is an awesome little book by Watchman Née called Let Us Pray.
He starts by saying that;
“Prayer is the most wonderful act in the spiritual realm as well as a most mysterious affair”.
Do we or can we really understand what prayer is and does?
God desires us, (His unique creation) to talk with Him. Even though we know He is omniscient (All knowing), He wants us to have open dialogue with Him. Something amazing happens when we go to God in prayer as a first response, not just a last minute cry for help. Focus and perspective must be correct.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Easy to read this scripture, harder to apply. But, if we can do this, we can experience the peace of God, beyond our understanding. Don’t be anxious for ANYTHING? Mindset shift--we must determine that God is in control and we can take everything to Him in prayer, asking earnestly and humbly for His assistance with a thankful heart.
Matthew 7:7 “ Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
This is a scripture that has been abused. This is not a magic Genie in a bottle prayer that gives you your “fleshly" hearts desire. But a focus on aligning our hearts with the Lords heart knowing He will indeed provide everything we need according to His will, provision and direction. But it does start with us going before the Lord and asking.
James 4:1-6 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4 holds a special spot in my heart... it is this passage of scripture that God used to penetrate my heart 26 years ago. We truly battle the flesh as we pray. We don’t have because we don’t ask and when we do ask it is with wrong motivation. So as we pray we must humble our selves before Him. This speaks to the condition of our heart. Are we approaching God, the author and creator of everything we know in AWE and humility? Or arrogance, demanding Gods intervention and provision?
I challenge you in the next 40 days to talk to God more... make sure that your relationship with God is in order. Everything starts there. Then pray with other believers, pray for those God brings across your path.
Know that I am praying with and for you all!
Much Love,
Pastor Scott