Forty Days of Prayer - Day Twenty Five

WEEK 4 - REAWAKENING TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Church was purchased by Christ, initiated by Christ, and is under the ownership and leadership of Christ. He is in the position to tell us the purpose and function of the Church, and we are to submit to His ownership and headship. Think about Jesus’ intent for the Church and how we are to live into that intent. Pray for an open heart.

DAY TWENTY FIVE - THE CHURCH AS THE DWELLING OF GOD’S SPIRIT -

DAVID GILMORE

Ephesians 2:21-22

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[a] the Spirit.

Recently, as I was driving, I saw a handwritten sign posted by the road. It said: “Repent or Hell.” It immediately triggered frustration within me. Why would those three words create frustration? As I pondered and prayed, I realized this reductionist message was missing the entire gospel work of Jesus Christ and His love for all people.

Ephesians 2:21 says that our identity and position in this life and for eternity is “in Him.” Those two powerful words are centered on the work and love of Christ. God chose us to be His Church, His Body. Then, He sends His Holy Spirit to empower us.

The Holy Spirit is not weak, timid, or tired, so when we, or the church, are weak, timid, or tired, it often reflects that we are not being fully surrendered to the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t force Himself on us. He waits for the invitation; He longs for us to fully surrender to Him. We need to daily surrender to the Holy Spirit and invite Him to take charge of our lives and every trial we face.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Take a moment today to thank the Lord that He chose you and purchased you to be His Body. You are the Church.

2. Surrender to the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit so that His work can be done in you and through you for His glory.

3. Ask God for opportunity and boldness to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to those in your world who desperately need our Savior.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Twenty Four

WEEK 4 - REAWAKENING TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Church was purchased by Christ, initiated by Christ, and is under the ownership and leadership of Christ. He is in the position to tell us the purpose and function of the Church, and we are to submit to His ownership and headship. Think about Jesus’ intent for the Church and how we are to live into that intent. Pray for an open heart.

DAY TWENTY FOUR - THE CHURCH AS GOD’S FAMILY - BECKY McCABE

Ephesians 2:19

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[a] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Have you ever experienced what it feels like to be a foreigner, a stranger? As a new worker overseas, I did. It took a friend welcoming me into her household and giving me her family name before I felt like I truly belonged. To this day, many of my dearest friends know me as Bintou Diallo.

As Christ-followers, one of our greatest blessings is being a part of God’s family. We no longer go through life seeking to belong because we’ve found our rightful place. Our Abba knows us by name, and we are His cherished children.

In God’s family, we are all on equal footing. It’s a running joke in my family—made up of four girls and one boy—that my brother is the favored one. To prove it, he has a coffee mug that says, “I love how we all know that I’m your favorite child.”

Unlike my parents, God doesn’t play favorites. We were all unworthy, each of us saved by grace, and we are all equal heirs.

God’s household is a global family. On that great day when the multitudes gather, there will be peoples from every nation, tribe, and language worshiping the Lamb. What a glorious family reunion it will be!

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Spend some time thanking God for the gift of being a part of His family.

2. Ask the Lord to reveal to you someone who’s estranged, left out, or feeling marginalized and needing to find their rightful place in God’s family.

3. Search your heart. Have you looked at a brother or sister in Christ and felt they were unworthy of their equal place in God’s household? Repent.

4. Pray for our global family. Pray especially for persecuted brothers and sisters whose earthly families have abandoned them.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Twenty Three

WEEK 4 - REAWAKENING TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Church was purchased by Christ, initiated by Christ, and is under the ownership and leadership of Christ. He is in the position to tell us the purpose and function of the Church, and we are to submit to His ownership and headship. Think about Jesus’ intent for the Church and how we are to live into that intent. Pray for an open heart.

DAY TWENTY THREE - THE CHURCH AS CHRIST’S BODY - ANYA HOLCOLM

Ephesians 1:23

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Christ’s Body—what a powerful image to describe the Church. Think about your body and all that happens in and through your skin, bones, muscles, brain, and heart. With our bodies, we move; we touch; we speak; we see; we eat; we rest; we hear; we smile; we weep; we embrace; we serve; we feel pain; we show compassion; and we love. And the Church is collectively described as the living, moving, breathing Body of our Lord and King.

This is both a wonderful and sobering reality—one we must acknowledge with joy and re- sponsibility. What a privilege it is to be the arms and legs and voice of Christ in the world. What an honor that, despite our deep brokenness, He chooses to manifest Himself through us. This honor comes with great responsibility. We are to reflect Christ at all times and in all things—in how we love one another, navigate conflict, serve our communities, celebrate, lament, care for “the least of these” among us, and in how we proclaim His good news.

If we become overwhelmed by the seeming impossibility of this calling, let us remember that Christ is the one who “fills all in all.” It is only through His filling, the indwelling of His Spirit, that our bones come to life, that breath fills our lungs, and that He is made known through us.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Praise God for the honor of being Christ’s Body.

2. Ask His forgiveness for the ways you have relied on your own

3. Pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit to empower the Church to live as His Body.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Twenty Two

WEEK 4 - REAWAKENING TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Church was purchased by Christ, initiated by Christ, and is under the ownership and leadership of Christ. He is in the position to tell us the purpose and function of the Church, and we are to submit to His ownership and headship. Think about Jesus’ intent for the Church and how we are to live into that intent. Pray for an open heart.

DAY TWENTY TWO - THE CHURCH WITH CHRIST AS ITS HEAD - PANG FOUA RHODES

Ephesians 1:22

22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Christ as the Head of the Church is not so much about the Church’s subordinate position as it is about Christ’s supremacy in everything, including the Church. A focus on a church’s duty to submit emphasizes what we are doing, but a focus on Christ’s supremacy fixes our eyes on who leads the Church.

Paul reminds the Ephesians that Christ is seated at God’s right hand “in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet . . . ” (Eph. 1:20–22). It is this high and exalted Christ whom God has appointed to be Head of the Church.

The Church with Christ as its Head does not need to worry about political upheaval, eco- nomic downturns, or crumbling religiosity. There is absolutely no need for mudslinging, handwringing, or doomsday-ing when we know “his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph. 1:19). No matter how dire or disastrous things may appear for the Church, we do not need to be riled up with anger or overwhelmed with despair because we know that with the high and exalted Christ as its Head, the Church will prevail.

In our current times of scandals, sociopolitical schisms, and declining church attendance, let us fix our eyes once again on Christ, the Head of the Church, who is seated at God’s right hand.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Turn your gaze upon the high and exalted Christ, worshiping Him in His supremacy and thanking Him for His leadership of the universal Church and your local church.

2. Confess any anxieties you may have about the Church’s position in society, power in politics, or reputation in the world.

3. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart so that you will know His incomparably great power for us who believe.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Twenty One

WEEK 3 - REAWAKENING TO SPIRIT OF CHRIST

Jesus did not leave us as orphans; rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill those who put their trust in Him. This week, we will explore various aspects of the Spirit’s ministry to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be present and to open up your eyes and heart.

DAY TWENTY ONE - FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST - WANDA WALBORN

Ephesians 5:18

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

The story goes that when evangelist D.L. Moody was asked why he needed to keep being filled with the Spirit, he replied, “Because I leak!” Ephesians 5:18 reads that we are to “be filled with the Holy Spirit” as an ongoing need in our lives. At salvation, we receive all of the Holy Spirit, but He doesn’t receive all of us because there are still areas of our lives that need to be surrendered to His lordship. The leaking problem is not on God’s end. The leaking problem is that we are fallible human beings who get hungry, tired, and emotionally depleted.

We need the continual impartation of His Spirit to willingly choose to say no to sin and yes to Him. He lovingly points out areas of our lives that are taking up room that belong to Him—areas of fear, anger, pride, or self-righteousness. When these areas are surrendered to the Lord, we make room in our lives for more of Him. It is not just sin that needs to be surrendered, it is areas of pain, wounding, grief, disappointment, and loss that need a fresh touch of His Spirit. This is the process of sanctification.

Many people say that they want more of God and then try to qualify how He can come to them. Surrender means giving up control; so when we open ourselves to the filling of the Holy Spirit, we trust Him to choose the way He wants us to experience His presence. It is an act of intimate love to dare to give ourselves to the Lord; therefore, our yes to Him is the doorway to more of Him.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Give the Holy Spirit permission to come to you in any way that He chooses.

2. Pray that the Spirit will increase your heart’s capacity to receive more of Him.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you again and again.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Twenty

WEEK 3 - REAWAKENING TO SPIRIT OF CHRIST

Jesus did not leave us as orphans; rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill those who put their trust in Him. This week, we will explore various aspects of the Spirit’s ministry to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be present and to open up your eyes and heart.

DAY TWENTY - ENLIVENED BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST - PAUL SMITH

ROMANS 8:11

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[a] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

As Christians, we are not called to a life of superhuman effort. We are called to a life that, humanly speaking, is impossible. Listen to the words of Jesus: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44)—humanly impossible. Hear also the words of Paul: “Forgive one another just as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32)—once again, humanly impossible.

So where does this leave us? Are we destined for a life of discouragement? No. We are des- tined for and called to a life of dependence on the Holy Spirit who makes the impossible possible in the life of the believer.

Romans 8:11 says, “and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” The context of the verse is victory over sin for the believer through life in the Spirit. As we know, there is no victory over sin in the Christian’s life through human effort. God provides the victory that He desires for us through Himself, through the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in the heart of every believer in Christ Jesus.

What challenges are you facing today? Where do we turn when the issues around us or the challenges within us overwhelm us? As Christians, we are called to a life of dependence on the Holy Spirit who makes possible the impossible. Praise be to God.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Ask the Lord to open your heart to the ways you need to lean on Him today.

2. Pray that He will open your eyes to what He wants you to see and experience.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of challenge. Pray for strength to lean on Him and not yourself.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Nineteen

WEEK 3 - REAWAKENING TO SPIRIT OF CHRIST

Jesus did not leave us as orphans; rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill those who put their trust in Him. This week, we will explore various aspects of the Spirit’s ministry to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be present and to open up your eyes and heart.

DAY NINETEEN - POINTED TO JESUS BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST - OMEE THAO

John 15:26

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

We are here to testify for Jesus (John 15:27); however, Jesus made it clear that it will not be easy (John 15:18–25). The provision for our inability to testify for Jesus is the Advocate or Counselor—the Holy Spirit.

First, the Holy Spirit is the one who can and will testify about Jesus because of who He is. Jesus said that He will send the Advocate from the Father, and He is going out from the Father to us. He is a part of the Trinity or triune God. He has full knowledge of Jesus and can best testify about Him.

Second, the Holy Spirit is the one who will testify about the work of Jesus and the role He plays in our lives and in this world. Jesus knew about our inability and weakness to testify about Him, so He promised to send us the Helper or Advocate—the Holy Spirit. He is the one who will make Jesus known to us and the world as Lord, Savior, and Messiah.

Therefore, let us be strong in our witness for Jesus because we are not alone. We have the Holy Spirit on our side who will help us in every way as we share Jesus with others. All we need is a heart of faith and obedience.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Ask that the Lord will help you grow in your understanding and willingness to yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your witness for Jesus.

2. Pray that He will make His presence known in your church through the Holy Spirit.

3. Ask that He will anoint your pastor and elders with the Holy Spirit so that they can lead your church in the testimony of Jesus to your community.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Eighteen

WEEK 3 - REAWAKENING TO SPIRIT OF CHRIST

Jesus did not leave us as orphans; rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill those who put their trust in Him. This week, we will explore various aspects of the Spirit’s ministry to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be present and to open up your eyes and heart.

DAY EIGHTEEN - HELPED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF CHRIST - HA HO

John 14:16, 26; 16:17

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[a] to be with you forever,

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 16:17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?”

In the upper room during the final week of His life on earth, Jesus knew that His near departure would cause great distress to His disciples. He promised that He would not leave them alone in this world, but that He would send the Holy Spirit as the Helper to be with them forever.

Jesus fulfilled His promises, not only to His disciples but to all of us today.

The Holy Spirit gives wisdom, power, and boldness to God’s children. Jesus also promised that the Helper would teach them and remind them what He has taught them.

The Messiah, according to the prophet Isaiah, was given wisdom, power, and boldness by the Spirit of the Lord God to carry out His ministry and bring great results. The Holy Spirit gives wisdom to God’s servants and gives God’s people the ability to boldly proclaim the gospel to the lost and fulfill the Great Commission with great results.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray that the Lord will remind you of the ways the Holy Spirit is within you.

2. Ask Him to continuously give you wisdom and boldness to proclaim the good news throughout the world.

3. Pray that God would give you strength to expand His Kingdom for His glory.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Seventeen

WEEK 3 - REAWAKENING TO SPIRIT OF CHRIST

Jesus did not leave us as orphans; rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill those who put their trust in Him. This week, we will explore various aspects of the Spirit’s ministry to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be present and to open up your eyes and heart.

DAY SEVENTEEN - TAUGHT BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST - JOSE AHMED

John 14:17; 16:13

John 14:17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[a] in you.

John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

One of the greatest challenges we face in the times we live in is the battle for truth. The world is constantly pushing us to believe the lie that truth is relative and self-determined. It is not hard to see the effect of this thinking in our culture—people clamoring for others to accept their “truth” no matter how contrary or different it may be from someone else’s.

Christ has revealed Himself as the Truth (John 14:6), and all who have recognized this have been forgiven and accepted as they are. In turn, the Spirit of Truth has come to dwell only in them.

By indwelling us, the Spirit constantly reveals our present condition, guides us into all truth, enlightens our hearts and minds, teaches us to know God, and helps us understand the depths of Christ and His Word—the truth, which sanctifies us ( John 17:17).

The danger is that we might forget that our greatest teacher lives in us and longs for us to sit in His classroom. He has inspired the authors of the Bible and, in turn, helps us to under- stand, apply, live, and teach it to others. Yet, we continually face the temptation to rely only on our own understanding, searching for quick answers to our needs and questions in other books, places, or people, while forgetting that they are merely substitute teachers for a period in our life.

Jesus is calling us to a deeper life, to abide in Him. Knowing our limitations, the Father has given us everything we need to achieve it: His Word, His Church, and His Spirit, our guide and teacher in the journey.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray the Word—read Ephesians 1:17–19. Make this prayer your own.

2. Pray for the world—that they may know the truth of Christ.

3. Pray for yourself in the world—that you may respond in obedience to Christ’s calling and the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Sixteen

WEEK 3 - REAWAKENING TO SPIRIT OF CHRIST

Jesus did not leave us as orphans; rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill those who put their trust in Him. This week, we will explore various aspects of the Spirit’s ministry to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be present and to open up your eyes and heart.

DAY SIXTEEN- CONVICTED BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST - DAVID SMITH

John 16:8-11

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

I love math. I love numbers and how they seemingly show up in everything. I can count my steps, cups of coffee, miles per gallon, activity time on my cell phone, and on and on. In college, I took a high-level math class and got behind, became discouraged, and just quit trying. We get behind, and we tend to give up.

The same seems to be true in our spiritual lives. We get behind in obedience, in maintaining spiritual disciplines, in our walk with Jesus, and we give up. We begin to live with a low-grade guilt that lurks around everything.

The good news is that Jesus tells us, through the apostle John, that we have a Helper—one who will “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” The very Spirit of Christ points to our wrong (sin), our thinking (righteousness), and our decisions ( judgment).

Conviction can expose our sin, our righteousness, and our judgment. The Holy Spirit con- stantly sheds light in dark places to bring reconciliation with God when we get behind or feel like giving up.

Conviction can also convince us that God is pleased when we do not sin, when we think rightly, and make decisions to follow Him. The Spirit’s conviction, surprisingly, can be posi- tive—God affirming us when we give into Him rather than giving up.

What a Savior!

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Is the Spirit exposing an action, pattern of thinking, or decision that needs changing? Ask Him to reveal it to you.

2. Pray that the Lord would bring to light areas of your life that are pleasing to Him.

3. Ask the Lord to reveal ways you can better serve Him.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Fifteen

WEEK 3 - REAWAKENING TO SPIRIT OF CHRIST

Jesus did not leave us as orphans; rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill those who put their trust in Him. This week, we will explore various aspects of the Spirit’s ministry to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be present and to open up your eyes and heart.

DAY FIFTEEN - INHABITED BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST - HAZAEL MORELL

ROMANS 8:9

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

When we meet someone for the first time we often ask, “Where are you from?” In some ways, perhaps, this is an icebreaker, a tool we use to have something to say to a person we are just getting to know.

But, it may be also a way for us to identify certain traits about that person that help us to get to know them more quickly. Knowing where a person is from might help us to understand them better, or it might allow us to better connect with them.

As believers, the question of where we’re from takes on a different meaning. Paul tells us that we are not in the realm of the flesh but rather in that of the Spirit. We may think of a “realm” as a physical place, a literal kingdom, but the implication is that we are “in” and “of” someone—under their control—while we are somewhere else.

We are here, physically on earth; and as such, the realm of earthly things would seem to rule. We are not “in” that realm, but rather in the realm of the Spirit. Our worldview, our values, our hopes, our allegiance, and our obedience are in the Spirit of Christ who inhabits us. It is what we’re in—not where we’re from—that defines us.

The next time someone asks where you’re from, tell them who you’re in.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray that you might understand clearly that you are here on earth, but not under the control of the earthly realm.

2. Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you greater understanding that Christ defines you as a believer.

3. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to better understand that your obedience is to Christ and to the Spirit, not the worldly realm you inhabit.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Fourteen

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 FOURTEEN - THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST - ESTHER SCHAEFFER

Luke 4:1-11

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

The crowning miracle of the Incarnation was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ—predicted by Jesus, but still unexpected. The Resurrection cements the authenticity of all of Jesus’ other claims. He is Lord!

Oh, how we love these women who went to the tomb early that morning. We know that sorrow and disappointment bring fatigue. Yet, despite the heartbreaking hours at the foot of the cross, following the procession to the tomb, and investing their resources to gather the spices, they somehow still managed to get out the door before sunrise. This demonstrates their faithful love for Jesus.

Disappointment and sorrow can also send us searching for answers in all the wrong places. The angels’ question is one for us: “Why are you looking to dead things to solve your prob- lems or ease your pain or bring meaning to your life?”

And, finally, we all know that disappointment and sorrow often cause us to forget. The angels didn’t tell the women anything new; they simply reminded them of what Jesus had already said. Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life!

PRAYER POINTS:

1. To the disciples, the women’s story sounded like nonsense. Pray Mark 9:24: “Help me overcome my unbelief” for children, family members, and for the people where your missionaries serve, that they would investigate the risen Christ for themselves.

2. Pray for those who are experiencing sorrow and disappointment, that they would stay faithful to and focused on the Lord Jesus and remember His wonderful words of life.

3. Praise the Lord that because of Jesus, the stone has been rolled away in our own lives. We now live anew in the Resurrection power of Christ. What a powerful name it is, the name of Jesus!

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Thirteen

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 THIRTEEN - THE ATONING DEATH OF CHRIST - PATRICK BLEWETT

Luke 23:32-34

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Our text today (Luke 23:32–34) reminds us that Jesus died with criminals, yet He extended forgiveness to them. Imagine it—our Jesus was executed with other death row inmates! And in that setting, we see His care for the one who believed (Luke 23:43).

In that same setting, what did Jesus pray? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). This was not a prayer for the criminals; it was a prayer for the soldiers (law enforcers) tasked with officiating His execution for the government!

Our Jesus understood His role. He became the atoning sacrifice for our sin. He did not shy away from this task. He became the divine sacrifice (in the old English, the word was “pro- pitiation”) for human sin. The apostle John put it this way: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). His death paid the price for my sin!

This week, we remember Christ’s life and His death on the cross. Oh, that we thank Jesus for providing forgiveness for sin through His shed blood.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray that incarcerated men and women will see Jesus as their forgiver of their sins.

2. Pray that men and women in law enforcement and the military will see Jesus as their sustainer and encourager in hard times.

3. Ask the Lord to reveal one people group that you can pray for.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Twelve

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 TWELVE - THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST - TERRY SMITH

Luke 7:11-17

An outstanding feature of the earthly life of Jesus Christ was the miracles He performed. The one described in Luke 7:1–17 involved interrupting a funeral procession to raise a young man from the dead and “give him back to his mother.” I love the response of the people who wit- nessed this miracle: “They were all filled with awe and praised God . . . ‘God has come to help His people.’” Of course, this was just one of the many miracles of Jesus, who healed people of various diseases, released them from demonic control, turned water into wine, calmed the storm, multiplied food, and raised others from the dead.

And Jesus Christ is still a worker of miracles. He is daily intervening in people’s lives, over- ruling and overturning their circumstances. He is still miraculously at work to “help His peo- ple.” Does He still raise the dead? Well, I’ve heard three stories in recent years from credible witnesses where it seems He did.

He still heals the sick, defies the natural order of things, and multiplies resources to provide for His people. Hebrews 13:8 declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Obviously, Jesus doesn’t choose to miraculously intervene in every situation, but He still does miraculously intervene, and we still have the privilege to approach the throne boldly and ask in faith for Him to do so. Whatever you need Jesus to do today, be confident that He is still able.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray that the size of your faith will be defined by the power of Jesus Christ.

2. Ask Jesus to help you to stop worrying and fretting over your difficult circumstances.

3. Take what you’re facing today to Jesus and trust Him for a miracle.

Forty Days of Prayer - Day Eleven

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 ELEVEN - THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST - ERIKA THORTON

Luke 5:1-11

5 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”[a] 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

The crowd is pressing in on Jesus. They are desperate to be near Him and hear His words. Peter is content being busy around Jesus. He has his own urgent work to be done and tasks that consume his time and attention. He needs to wash out the (empty) nets. Then Jesus interrupts him.

Jesus wants to connect more deeply with this mob of listeners and forces Peter to redirect his attention to something else. Jesus climbs into Peter’s boat, and now Peter must ferry this traveling teacher out into deeper water.

Then Jesus decides to give him fishing advice! Peter has just cleaned his nets; he has spent an exhaustive amount of time maintaining a system that produced nothing. Surely Jesus can see the bags under his tired eyes and the calluses on his hands from doing the same thing every morning. He even reminds Jesus how hard he has worked and how minuscule the results have been; but Peter obeys and trusts Jesus’ words, throwing his clean nets back into the water.

And then suddenly, Peter has a great multitude of fish on his hands. His nets are breaking, and his boat is sinking. His old tools cannot keep up with this new thing Jesus is doing. He calls his friends over to try and help, but they all end up astonished. Now Peter is terrified. He even asks Jesus to leave. In that moment, Jesus’ presence and power is overwhelming. It feels like too much. Jesus responds with comfort and a promise. For Peter and every disciple since, following Jesus is just the beginning of so much more.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Are you desperate to be closer to Jesus, or are you content merely being busy around Him? Pray that He will reveal the answer to you.

2. Ask that the Lord will reveal to you what you are simply maintaining without producing fruit.

3. Pray that God will open your eyes to what you need to leave behind so you can be ready for and obedient to Jesus’ promise of more.

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.