Friday, February 26, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 26 Building Strong Marriages

Friday (Day 26)

PRAYER FOCUS – Building Strong Marriages

Spend 2-3 minutes confessing your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you as we begin our time together.

God speaks to us through the Word... so listen to what God might be speaking to you tonight.

Ephesians 5: 15-33 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. 25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.
31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

I know that not everyone that has been coming to pray is married. But chances are pretty good that you will be one day.
Ask God to show you what you can do to make your marriage strong and lasting.

Right now in our own church marriages are under attack. There are people in our church family that are in trouble an contemplating separation or divorce.

Spend a few minutes praying for the marriages of the friends that you have here at church. Even if there are no visible signs of trouble pray for God to strengthen their marriage.

Spend 5-6 minutes in silence listening to God.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 23 The Living God

Tuesday (day23)

PRAYER FOCUS – The Living God

Spend 2-3 minutes confessing your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you as we begin our time together.

Early on Sunday morning,[a] as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Sometimes we place all of our attention on the cross…and the message of the cross is awesome and powerful. But we don’t worship someone who simply died on a cross. We worship a God who not only died, but who also conquered death and is now alive. The tomb of Jesus is empty!! HE IS RISEN JUST AS HE SAID.

Spend the next few minutes thinking about the implications of Jesus conquering death. What does that mean for you? Write your thoughts in your journal.

We read earlier that the women were filled with joy. When you think about His resurrection are you filled with joy? Take a few minutes and ask God to stir great joy in your heart and life.

When was the last time you told someone about His resurrection? Ask God to speak to you and tell you who you need to go and tell that He is risen

Spend 5-6 minutes in silence listening to God.

Monday, February 22, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 22 My Place in The Body

MONDAY (DAY22)

PRAYER FOCUS – My Place In The Body

Spend 2-3 minutes confessing your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you as we begin our time together.

Romans 12: 3-13Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

When you came in tonight you were handed a cup… I want you to spend a few minutes thinking about your function in this body of believers. What are your gifts and callings? What does God have in mind for you to do to make this body function properly?

Write your NAME and one word that describes your role in the body….encourager…teacher…. servant…. Leader…..

When you are done…bring your cup to the front and either place it on the floor or stack it on top and we will eventually build a wall.

Spend 5-6 minutes in silence listening to God.

Friday, February 19, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 19 - Praying for our Peers

Today's prayer focus is to pray for those people we regularly come in contact with who are not Christians. These could be friends or family members. Write each name in your journal. As you write their nam imagine their day tomorrow (they will get up to go to work, etc.) and pray for them through each section of the day.

On an index card write one name that you are praying for. Pray for an opportunity to share the love of Christ with this person. Decorate your card with several pictures of symbols that remind you of this person. You should pray about each situation as you draw it - the person's job, family, health, and so on. Do as many cards as you wish.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 says;
"14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?"

If you want you can spray some cologne or perfume on yourself and the card. This is to remind you that you will be the aroma of Christ to the people you have prayed for.

Spend time quietly listening for God's voice. Write down anything that you feel God might be telling you.

Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 18 - City/Neighborhood

Spend a few minutes coming before God in confession.

The bible calls us to go and reach out to those hurting and in need. Take some time and think about those in your neighborhood that you do know and how you can reach out...write those ideas down. Then think about the people you don't know in your neighborhood...and how you can reach out to them. Write those names and/or ideas down.

Today's focus is on our city, specifically your neighborhood. As our country changes the concept of a neighborhood has changed. We don't know our neighbors as well anymore. Ask God to show you how you can His love with them.

Take out a map and find your neighborhood. Highlight the street you live on. If you don't have a map, sketch out your street and possible connecting streets to get a picture of the are you are praying for.

While looking at your map or drawn picture go from house to house on your street praying for each house.

Spend some time quietly listening to for God.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 17 - Praying how to reach out

Prayer Focus - How to reach out

Take 2-3 minutes in a time of confession.

3-4 minutes: Last week we prayed about specific people. Tonight I want to pray about what we can do to reach out to those and others in our community.

Our verse for tonight comes from Matthew 25:31-45
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

God calls us to reach out to everyone. Pray and ask God what He would have you do to reach out to those around you.

Take 3-4 minutes and pray that God would make it possible for you to reach out to those people with a place, people, money, etc.

Now take 3-4 minutes and pray for the people who come through our doors Sunday morning. Pray and ask God how you could reach out to them.

For the end of the prayer time take a few moments and quietly listen for God. Write down anything you feel Him telling you.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 16 - Church Leadership

Prayer Focus - Our Church Leadership

Spend 2-3 minutes confessing your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you as we begin our time together.

Now spend about 5-6 minutes praying Kevin, Reg and their wives as they make their way down to Dallas. Take these few minutes and pray for them and pray that God would open their minds while they're at the conference and that He would bring them great vision and fresh ideas. Pray for Rick, Reg and Kevin that God would infuse them with God's vision for New Life and how to reach the people of Gardner. It's so important that we always life up our leaders in prayer and that God would constantly bring His vision to them.

For the next 4 or so minutes pray for the leaders of New Life.
There is no greater gift you can give you pastor and leaders of your church than to pray for them. Pastors/leaders cannot win the battle alone; they need committed intercessors to life them up in fervent, specific prayer. Imagine how the power of God might be release in our churches if we were to pray faithfully for our pastors. Pastors are human - they face the same challenges that everyone does, with some additional ones! They grow tired, tempted, and may find it difficult at times to balance their many roles and responsibilities. They need the encouragement and support of those they lead. Prayer for your pastor is crucial to the spiritual health of your pastor, his family, and your church. Pray for the leadership of New Life, the pastors, elders and other leaders who lead ministries at New Life.

Spend 3 minutes or so praying for spiritual unity among the church staff and leadership of the church (elders, deacons, etc.). Pray that the enemy will not be allowed to create divisions, strife, or misunderstandings among the church leaders.

Spend about 3-4 minutes praying that God will give the leadership of New Life a clear, biblical vision of what your church should be for His glory, and that he will communicate that vision clearly and confidently to the church.

Write a letter to a few key leaders in our church. Let them know that you are praying for them and that you are willing to work along side them.

Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 14 How God Sees Us

SUNDAY (DAY 14)

PRAYER FOCUS – How God Sees You

Spend 2-3 minutes confessing your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you as we begin our time together.

Romans 8:26-30 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

I think it is important for to be reminded that GOD CHOSE US. We did not pursue Him. He is the one who loved us first … He pursued us and He chose us. He picked you for a special purpose. He selected you for a quest that only you can accomplish. For many, this is hard to comprehend. We see ourselves as weak… as sinners… as failures. Tonight ask God to show you how HE SEES YOU. Ask Him to give you courage for the quest He has called you on.

I want everyone to walk slowly past this mirror…as you do examine what you see. As you sit back down pray and ask God how He sees you.
In your journal imagine God is speaking and describing you to you. What would He say about you? What words of comfort would He give you? Write His words to you. Don’t edit them or try to determine if they are true at this moment…just write.

Spend 5-6 minutes in silence listening to God.

Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 11 OUR FAMILY (Fellowship)

THURSDAY (DAY 11)

PRAYER FOCUS – Our Family (Fellowship)

Spend 2-3 minutes confessing your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you as we begin our time together.

Ephesians 2: 17 – 22 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Take a few minutes to look around at the people here tonight. The fact that they have committed to be here each night should tell you something about their love for God, their love for the ministry of our church and their love for our church family. If you could have one of them pray for you tomorrow, what would you ask them to pray for? Write your request on a piece of paper As you look around, find someone you do not know… exchange prayer request then get their name and number or e-mail and stay in touch. (If you are praying at home each night find someone else that is doing that as well and pray for each other)

We are all part of God’s family and each of us has a special function in His family. Ask God to tell you what your function is and write it down in your journal. Find a way to fulfill it ASAP.

Spend 5-6 minutes listening for God to speak to you… ask Him to reveal to you what your role is in spreading the Good News to everyone, every where… write down ANYTHING you think He is saying to you tonight.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 9:00pm
Day 10 - GOD"S HEART FOR THE NATIONS

LIGHT 1 CANDLE THEN TURN OFF ALL THE LIGHTS

WEDNESDAY (DAY 10)

PRAYER FOCUS –God’s Heart For The Nations

Spend 2-3 minutes confessing your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you as we begin our time together.

Colossians 1:3-6 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, 5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. 6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

We have the privilege of gathering here tonight without fear of persecution. We have an abundance of resources that help us understand the heart of God. God’s heart is that ALL people ALL over the world would hear the Good News and receive eternal life. Tonight we are going to pray for the missionaries that New Life helps support. Some of them are in countries where preaching the Good News about Jesus is illegal. Many of them feel like a lone candle in a dark world. As you focus on the lone candle here tonight, imagine what our missionaries are feeling as they to carry the light of Jesus to people who are trapped in darkness.

Pray for each of our missionaries. If God lays a particular missionary on your heart feel free to pray out loud for them.

Spend 5-6 minutes listening for God to speak to you… ask Him to reveal to you what your role is in spreading the Good News to everyone, every where… write down ANYTHING you think He is saying to you tonight.