Week 2: Forty Days of Prayer
August 10 to August 16by Becky Stephen
note: Immeasurably More's interactive features require a free login with MyUrbana - urbana.org's portal for discussion, journals and MSearch, the search engine for missions opportunities and educational programs.
Go to ... Week 1 (days 1-7); Week 2 (days 8-14); Week 3 (days 15-21); Week 4 (days 22-28); Week 5 (days 29-35); Week 6 (days 36-40)
Day Eight - August 10
Read: 1 Samuel 17:32-49
Think What battles do you face that seem impossible to win? How have you seen the LORD deliver you in the past? Speak vs. 45-47 out loud, inserting the description of your "enemy" or issue into the verse. Imagine yourself with this kind of courage. Record it in your urbana.org MyJournal (free login required).
Respond: Thank the LORD for specific experiences of deliverance in your past. Ask the LORD to show you how He intends for you to win your battle. Worship the LORD Almighty, the Living God.
Correspond: Share your thoughts and prayers in the discussion area (free login required).
Day Nine – August 11
Read 2 Chronicles 20:2-13
Think What battles does your church face? Ask God to give you insight into ways His enemy, Satan, might be working to overpower God's people in your church or on your campus. Imagine what God might do if we sought Him in prayer and fasting together as a church. What opportunities are there on your campus or at your church to "inquire of the LORD" together? Take advantage of at least one of those opportunities during these 40 days of prayer.
Respond: Use vs. 6-12 as your own prayer. Where Israel's enemies are described, insert any insights you have about battles you face as a congregation or as a city.
Correspond: Share your thoughts and prayers in the discussion area (free login required).
Day Ten – August 12
Read Nehemiah 1
Think What news have you heard recently about suffering among the people of God, whether at your church, in your city, or in the world? (If you aren't aware of the suffering of God's people, take these few minutes of reflection time to read the international section of the newspaper or go online to www.persecution.com.) Write about it in your urbana.org MyJournal.
Respond: Use vs. 5-11 as your own prayer. Where Israel is named, insert "your people." Where Nehemiah intercedes for himself in vs. 11, ask the Lord to show you how He wants you to respond to the news of the suffering of His people.
Correspond: Share your thoughts and prayers in the discussion area (free login required).
Day Eleven – August 13
Read Job 40:1-14
Think How do you respond to suffering or tragedy? Imagine God speaking to you like He did to Job. What would He say to you? How would you feel about that? What kind of response would you give?
Respond: Worship God for who He reveals Himself to be in Job 40:1-14. Confess the truth about God - and yourself. (You might want to use Job 42:2-4 as a guide.)
Correspond: Share your thoughts and prayers in the discussion area (free login required).
Day Twelve – August 14
Read Psalm 1
Think Where do you get advice about life? Who or what guides you in decisionmaking? What do you meditate on? (What do you spend time thinking about? What occupies your mind?) Imagine what your life would look like if you were the "tree" in this passage.
Respond: Thank God for His written word. - Ask God to make His word your source of life and direction. - Pray for the believers in your city - for protection against "the counsel of the wicked" and for "delight" in God's word and God's ways.
Correspond: Share your thoughts and prayers in the discussion area (free login required).
Day Thirteen – August 15
Think Imagine what life might be like if you experienced God's voice speaking to you this clearly.What do you want out of life? How are you trying to obtain it? What does God offer in Proverbs 8? How does one get those things?
Respond: Tell God what you need from Him.
Ask God to give you the "fear of the LORD."
Listen to Him! Expect God to make His voice heard to you right now.
Respond to what you hear from Him in prayer and praise. Write about it in your urbana.org MyJournal.
Correspond: Share your thoughts and prayers in the discussion area (free login required).
Day Fourteen – August 16
Review Look over the past week: What prayers has God answered? Thank Him! Who have you seen God to be? Worship Him! What themes have emerged? Pray about them! What are you learning about prayer? Share it with someone!
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