Forty Days of Prayer - Day Ten

WEEK 2 - REAWAKENING TO THE LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

This week, we will focus on various aspects of Christ’s Incarnation—from birth to death and Resurrection. We will turn our eyes to focus on the person of Jesus in all of His glory and continuously pray for deeper understanding of who He is.

DAY TEN - THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST - SANDY KANG

Luke 4:14-21

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

The Spirit of the Lord activated, appointed, and anointed Jesus for the ministry of the gospel. It is a ministry to proclaim and demonstrate the power of the Good News to the physically and spiritually poor; to the captive, brokenhearted, blind, and oppressed. Jesus, the Great Physician of the body and soul, faithfully teaches about the Kingdom—and with great au- thority, sets people free.

As followers of Christ, the Spirit of the Lord anoints us to proclaim and demonstrate the Good News. We cannot have one without the other, and neither one can precede the other.

Just before the outbreak of COVID-19, a new health center was launched in one of the most impoverished communities in San Jose, California. Its mission was not only to proclaim the Good News, but to demonstrate its power to heal the sick and set people free from the curse of poverty. Believers volunteered countless hours to fill out applications for rental relief funds, administer COVID tests, deliver boxes of food, and provide educational and tech support to families.

Thousands experienced God’s love and mercy in tangible ways. More than 85 people surren- dered their lives to Jesus and were baptized as they heard the message of Christ and experi- enced healing and deliverance for their souls. The Good News of Jesus is all-the-more good and powerful when it is preached both in word and deed.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray that your life and ministry will be marked by the fullness, power, and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

2. Ask the Lord for more confidence to faithfully proclaim and demonstrate the gospel.

3. Pray that He will provide liberty, healing, and jubilee to the spiritually poor, captive, brokenhearted, blind, and oppressed.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Nine

WEEK 2 - REAWAKENING TO THE LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

This week, we will focus on various aspects of Christ’s Incarnation—from birth to death and Resurrection. We will turn our eyes to focus on the person of Jesus in all of His glory and continuously pray for deeper understanding of who He is.

DAY NINE - THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST - MONTY WRIGHT

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

As Jesus broke through the waters of baptism, the Spirit descended upon Him, prophetically remaining with and in Him. The Spirit would be His source of strength, power, discernment, and direction as He began His messianic ministry. There are two primary works for which the Spirit is given: to transform our character toward holiness and to become our source of power for life and ministry.

Following Jesus’ baptism of the Spirit in the Jordan, He entered the arena of character building in the desert of temptation. It was after this trial of temptation that He began His ministry in the power of the Spirit. We follow a similar pattern—regenerated by the Holy Spirit, transformed in character, empowered for ministry, and surrendered in obedience to the commands of the Father for Kingdom service.

Jesus gives us access to the same power to overcome sin and temptation through surrender, obedience, and His Spirit’s ongoing, indwelling presence.

• Holiness is our birthright.

• Jesus models the normal Christian life of Spirit-empowered life and ministry.

PRAYER POINTS:

1.Ask God to reinforce the truth that you are filled with the same Holy Spirit presence and power that indwelt Jesus.

2. Ask that the Holy Spirit will reveal your sinfulness, redeem your character, and restore your righteousness in Christ.

3. Pray that you will allow the Spirit to lead, guide, and move you into deeper intimacy with Jesus and greater passion to join Him in His work.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Eight

WEEK 2 - REAWAKENING TO THE LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

This week, we will focus on various aspects of Christ’s Incarnation—from birth to death and Resurrection. We will turn our eyes to focus on the person of Jesus in all of His glory and continuously pray for deeper understanding of who He is.

DAY EIGHT - THE BIRTH OF CHRIST - NATE SANS

Luke 2:1-7

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The word “potential” finds its Latin roots in “being able” and “power.” It begins with what seems to be small and insignificant. Yet, when released, it causes a chain reaction exponentially altering all that it touches. An atom is minuscule; but when split, it has the potential to release enormous amounts of energy that can be terrifying; yet, that same power has the potential to light up a city for years.

Consider the potential riddled throughout Luke 2:1–20. Life-changing potential is gifted to a young, insignificant couple betrothed to one another. The nameless shepherds are caught up in a glorious acapella worship session led by angels. When the show is over, they band together, go to a tiny town, and find themselves in awe of a small new life with great potential.

Notice how the potential of Jesus’ entry extends in two directions—deep and wide. It goes wide as the shepherds experience Jesus. As good extroverts, they spread the news about “this child,” and all who heard were amazed. The deep-reaching impact of Jesus’ entry into the world is displayed in Mary’s classic introverted response as she deeply “treasures up all these things” and continues to “ponder them in her heart.”

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Ponder God’s great potential in the person of Jesus. Recognize how His humble entry into your world has changed you and equipped you to bring light into a darkened world that so desperately needs to hear that He can forever redeem any soul who calls on His name.

2. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you see potential places where He is at work in those around you.

3. Ask the Lord to highlight areas in your life that you need to be convicted of and to bring comfort to areas that need His healing touch.

Forty Days of Prayer Day Seven

WEEK 1 - REAWAKENING TO THE GLORY OF CHRIST

During His Incarnation, the glory of Christ is often veiled, and we see His humility. But His glory has existed from eternity past and will continue into eternity future. Even during His Incarnation, His glory is seen from time to time. This week’s devotionals unpack various aspects of the glory of Christ so that we will find ourselves caught up in worship.

DAY SEVEN - THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST - MARY PETTY

Philippians 2:5-11

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The glorious, majestic One who was with the Father before the world existed emptied Himself so that He might rescue us from sin and restore us to God. As He labored in Gethsemane under the crushing weight of what He was about to endure on our behalf, He prayed for us. He asked that we would be one with each other, as He is one with the Father, so that the world might know that He is the Son of God. It is the commandment that He repeatedly gave us: love one another. The most evident way to display that love is by treating others as more important than ourselves.

Jesus didn’t just tell us to do this, He lived His life as the very example of sacrificial love. He had every right to assert Himself and claim His rightful place, but He flipped conventional wisdom on its head by going low in order to be high. We sing songs about wanting to see Jesus exalted and lifted high, and He loves and deserves the praises of our lips; but He is also glorified by the obedience of our lives. Let’s go low by loving one another well so that we might lift Him high; then, the world might smell the sweet fragrance of Christ in us!

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal places of pride and selfishness. Repent.

2. Ask the Father to grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him so that you might catch a glimpse of His glorious majesty and brilliant beauty. It is as we gaze upon Him that He transfigures us into His image.

3. Thank Jesus for the freedom and privilege you have to speak His name with power and authority, the Name that is above every name!

Forty Days of Prayer Day Five

WEEK 1 - REAWAKENING TO THE GLORY OF CHRIST

During His Incarnation, the glory of Christ is often veiled, and we see His humility. But His glory has existed from eternity past and will continue into eternity future. Even during His Incarnation, His glory is seen from time to time. This week’s devotionals unpack various aspects of the glory of Christ so that we will find ourselves caught up in worship.

DAY FIVE- THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST - OMAR NIEBLES

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11

Have you ever caught yourself just ‘standing around?’ At times, standing around is purpose- ful. You might be waiting for the bus or train. Perhaps you’re waiting for the person in front of you to place their order so that you can place yours. These few examples alone should be enough for you to recognize that this kind of standing around is not in vain.

But what about when you find yourself standing around in an emotional, mental, or spiritual state of paralysis? Life is happening all around you, and though you are physically moving, you feel . . . stuck. Again, I ask you, have you ever caught yourself ‘standing around?’

Two angels ask the disciples why they are standing and looking up toward the sky. Isn’t it obvious? They are staring up toward their hope. Jesus is leaving again; yet this time, no one is running or hiding for their lives. Jesus ascends to heaven, and though I would imagine the disciples experience a bit of grief, they also have hope. This is an example of actively standing and waiting. Their eyes are transfixed on their King who is leaving; but this time, He is leaving in victory, not breathing out His final breath on the cross. Their beholding will not be in vain—Jesus will one day return in the same way they saw Him ascend.

Our standing and waiting need not get in the way of our active participation of Jesus’ will for this world. The disciples beheld and got to work. We are challenged to do the same.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray that the Lord will reveal to you areas that you might be standing around and not trusting in the victory of Jesus Christ.

2. Are you lacking in beholding or in actively participating? Ask God to give you strength and wisdom to become an active participant.

3. What would change in your life if you truly believed He will return in the same way He ascended? Ask Jesus to grow your faith.

Forty Days of Prayer Day Four

WEEK 1 - REAWAKENING TO THE GLORY OF CHRIST

During His Incarnation, the glory of Christ is often veiled, and we see His humility. But His glory has existed from eternity past and will continue into eternity future. Even during His Incarnation, His glory is seen from time to time. This week’s devotionals unpack various aspects of the glory of Christ so that we will find ourselves caught up in worship.

DAY FOUR- THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST - TOM MYERS

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,[a] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Matthew 17:1-8

For over thirty years, Jesus lived a sinless life before God and mankind so that we could one day stand clothed before Him in the righteousness of His Son. Our sinless Savior never entertained a thought, never uttered a word, and never carried out an act that emerged from an impure or selfish motive. Jesus always obeyed and honored His Father in heaven as well as His father and mother on earth. He never stole, lied, or coveted. He never uttered a single word out of pride or sinful anger. He never gossiped, slandered, or deceived His neighbor. In other words, Jesus Christ submitted to every commandment of God. He loved His Father with all His heart, soul, strength, and mind, and He fully loved His neighbor as Himself.

In living this life of sinlessness as our representative, Jesus faced the same temptations and difficulties we face so that He might know and sympathize with our weaknesses and failures. He walked in our shoes, entered into our affliction, and then did the unthinkable by dying in our place.

When we hunger and thirst to know our Lord in a deeper and more intimate way, it is essen- tial for us to meditate on His glorious perfection. When we struggle with our own sin and failure, we must remember the sinless One who was obedient unto death in order to find true forgiveness, hope, and assurance in Him.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Picture yourself slowly climbing steep, uneven steps; meditate on entering the sacred space around Jesus.

2. Picture yourself bowing down before Him in all His majesty—or do it physically; be still and listen for at least five minutes.

3. Express your praise and worship of Him in all His deity.

Forty Days of Prayer Day Three

WEEK 1 - REAWAKENING TO THE GLORY OF CHRIST

During His Incarnation, the glory of Christ is often veiled, and we see His humility. But His glory has existed from eternity past and will continue into eternity future. Even during His Incarnation, His glory is seen from time to time. This week’s devotionals unpack various aspects of the glory of Christ so that we will find ourselves caught up in worship.

DAY THREE - THE SINLESSNESS OF CHRIST - TOM MYERS

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

For over thirty years, Jesus lived a sinless life before God and mankind so that we could one day stand clothed before Him in the righteousness of His Son. Our sinless Savior never entertained a thought, never uttered a word, and never carried out an act that emerged from an impure or selfish motive. Jesus always obeyed and honored His Father in heaven as well as His father and mother on earth. He never stole, lied, or coveted. He never uttered a single word out of pride or sinful anger. He never gossiped, slandered, or deceived His neighbor. In other words, Jesus Christ submitted to every commandment of God. He loved His Father with all His heart, soul, strength, and mind, and He fully loved His neighbor as Himself.

In living this life of sinlessness as our representative, Jesus faced the same temptations and difficulties we face so that He might know and sympathize with our weaknesses and failures. He walked in our shoes, entered into our affliction, and then did the unthinkable by dying in our place.

When we hunger and thirst to know our Lord in a deeper and more intimate way, it is essen- tial for us to meditate on His glorious perfection. When we struggle with our own sin and failure, we must remember the sinless One who was obedient unto death in order to find true forgiveness, hope, and assurance in Him.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Picture yourself slowly climbing steep, uneven steps; meditate on entering the sacred space around Jesus.

2. Picture yourself bowing down before Him in all His majesty—or do it physically; be still and listen for at least five minutes.

3. Express your praise and worship of Him in all His deity.

Forty Days of Prayer Day Two

WEEK 1 - REAWAKENING TO THE GLORY OF CHRIST

During His Incarnation, the glory of Christ is often veiled, and we see His humility. But His glory has existed from eternity past and will continue into eternity future. Even during His Incarnation, His glory is seen from time to time. This week’s devotionals unpack various aspects of the glory of Christ so that we will find ourselves caught up in worship.

DAY TWO - THE DEITY OF CHRIST - JEN ASHBY

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily Colossians 2:9

I have noticed that most church traditions tend to lean toward an emphasis on either God’s transcendence or His immanence. Like some of you, I have walked up the steps of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and the synagogue in Chorazin. The stairs there are purposefully steep and uneven to slow people down and cause them to consider the sacred space they are entering. But most Sundays, I walk into a church building without stairs, where you can grab a coffee and take it into the sanctuary and where most people are dressed casually and have come late.

In Colossians 2:8, Paul alludes to a heresy simmering in the church around the depreciation of Christ. In verse 9, he contrasts this heresy with a bold and vital truth, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form . . .” While it is right and good to recognize Christ’s immanence and accessibility, we are also to honor His transcendence and deity.

Make no mistake, He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15); in Him all things were created (1:16); and in Him all things hold together (1:17). We follow not merely a good teacher from Galilee but the Head of the Church (1:18), the first to be resurrected (1:20), and the Reconciler of all things (1:20–22).

What a difference this makes in how we approach Him, our posture before Him, our attitude toward His Word, and our lives of worship lived for Him.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Picture yourself slowly climbing steep, uneven steps; meditate on entering the sacred space around Jesus.

2. Picture yourself bowing down before Him in all His majesty—or do it physically; be still and listen for at least five minutes.

3. Express your praise and worship of Him in all His deity.

Forty Days of Prayer Day One

WEEK 1 - REAWAKENING TO THE GLORY OF CHRIST

During His Incarnation, the glory of Christ is often veiled, and we see His humility. But His glory has existed from eternity past and will continue into eternity future. Even during His Incarnation, His glory is seen from time to time. This week’s devotionals unpack various aspects of the glory of Christ so that we will find ourselves caught up in worship.

DAY ONE - THE ETERNALITY OF CHRIST - JOSE MARTINEZ

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be sruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2

This is the story of God’s love. A story in which the Heavenly Father stepped down into the limits of time, where a sweet, little visitor from heaven approached Bethlehem, a little town surrounded by crumbling walls.

The visitor was the baby in whom the greatness and glory of the Creator became a mere human. Throughout His life, the love of the Father took this visitor through the difficult trials of humanity. He experienced much pain, loneliness, and rejection. He was despised and cast out. But He was loved. Even more than that, He was love.

This visitor is also the Great Judge. He walked to the end of the road with the heavy weight of our guilt on His shoulders, ready to be humiliated, abandoned, slapped in the face, and rejected on a cross for our sake.

This humiliated visitor, resurrected and exalted, later regained control of all things, and as a tender shepherd, took care of His lambs and continues to do so. The greatness of His name leads us to the security of His eternal love that is safe and peaceful.

He came from eternity to humanity and back to eternity, making the great, if at all possible, greater still.

This is Jesus, our Lord. He is a great mystery—not fully understood, but believed and treasured by those who accept such a high-priced gift—unmerited, undeserved, and available only by grace though faith. He was brought by the Father to a decaying world that was and is in need of a touch from beyond time, from beyond humanity.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Ask the Lord to help you delight in the unfathomable reality of the Incarnation.

2. Pray that He will lead you to be thankful and worshipful.

3. Ask Him to guide you into a life worthy of such love.

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Bible Reading Plan - Week of December 27th

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, January 2nd.

Monday - Romans 7:21-8:11

Tuesday - John 16:1-15

Wednesday - Acts 22:1-21

Thursday - Acts 15:36-41 and 2 Timothy 4:1-22

Friday - John 21:1-19

Bible Reading Plan - December 20th

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, December 26th

Monday - Matthew 2:13-23

Tuesday - Exodus 3:1-22

Wednesday - Leviticus 19:9-18

Thursday - Ruth 2:1-23

Friday - Matthew 25:31-46

Bible Reading Plan - December 13th

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, December 19th

Monday - Luke 2:1-20

Tuesday - Micah 5:1-9

Wednesday - Psalm 148:1-14

Thursday - Psalm 103:1-22

Friday - Revelation 5:1-14

Bible Reading Plan - December 6th

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, December 12th

Monday - Matthew 1:1-17

Tuesday - Joshua 2:1-21 and 6:22-25

Wednesday - Ruth 4:1-22

Thursday - 2 Samuel 11:26-12:25

Friday - Hebrews 4:1-16

Bible Reading Plan - Week of November 29th

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, December 5th

Monday - Hebrews 10:1-14;

Tuesday - John 1:1-18

Wednesday - 1 John 1:1-2:2

Thursday - Isaiah 9:1-7

Friday - Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Bible Reading Plan - Week of November 22nd

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, November 28th

Monday - Revelation 7:9-17

Tuesday - Psalm 67:1-7

Wednesday - Psalm 72:1-20

Thursday - Colossians 3:1-17

Friday - Acts 11:19-26 and 13:1-3

Bible Reading Plan - Week of November 15th

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, November 21st

Monday - Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:4-11

Tuesday - Colossians 4:1-18

Wednesday - 1 Peter 3:8-22

Thursday - 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Friday - Romans 13:8-14

Bible Reading Plan - Week of November 8th

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, November 14th

Monday - Hebrews 10:19-39

Tuesday - Psalm 122:1-9

Wednesday - Revelation 21:1-27

Thursday - Luke 22:14-23

Friday - 1 Peter 2:1-10

Bible Reading Plan - Week of November 1st

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, November 7th

Monday - Genesis 2:18-3:13

Tuesday - Genesis 4:1-26

Wednesday - Ephesians 2:11-22

Thursday - Acts 15:1-29

Friday - Acts 21:26-22:16

Bible Reading Plan - Week of October 31st

These passages will prepare you for this week’s sermon which will be preached on Sunday, October 24th

Monday - Genesis 1:26-2:25

Tuesday - Genesis 11:1-9

Wednesday - Philippians 2:1-11

Thursday - Acts 2:1-11 and 37-47

Friday - Hebrews 10:19-39