21 Day Devotional and Prayer Guide

Transcription

1 21 Day Devotional and Prayer Guide

2 Day 1 Scripture: Psalm 4 Often when we look at our prayer life we wish it were better. Like a boat that has not been tied to the dock we have begun to drift little by little. At first unnoticeable, but overtime we look up and wonder how we got so far from where we would like to be. This feeling is what keeps many us from beginning the journey back. Relationships are hard work and similar to a relative we have become estranged from or a close friend or spouse we have recently had a disagreement with, the hardest part about reconciliation is beginning the conversation. Today, no matter where you find yourself in your relationship with God begin by simply starting a conversation. Tell God everything that has been stealing your joy and causing you pain. Call out to God and allow Him to be there for you.

3 Day 2 Scripture: Psalm 32, Isaiah 55:6-9 When we approach our relationship with God do we have a sense of urgency? Do we count on borrowed time or understand that tomorrow is not promised? Prayer is our way of responding to God s continual pursuit of our hearts as He calls us to Himself. Unconfessed sin in our lives weighs down our soul and keeps us from fully enjoying the joy Christ has given us. Today, in prayer reject the things that have left you feeling empty and celebrate the freedom and newness you have in Jesus.

4 Day 3 Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Psalm 103 Prayer allows us an opportunity, through Jesus, to boldly step into the presence of God. As we enjoy the freedom and pleasure of being in communion with God we should also take time to have reverence for our creator. The God of the universe is before us who has spoken us into existence and has extended to us the name of sons and daughters. Today, lift up your voice in thanksgiving worshipping God merely for who He is. Thanking him for all the works He has done in your life, all of the gifts He has given, and all He has brought into existence for His glory and your enjoyment.

5 Day 4 Scripture: 1 John 5:13-15, Matthew 7:7-11, John 16:22-24 One of our greatest desires is to matter. A lot of the hurt we experience is caused because at one point or another we have struggled to matter. According to God s promise, we know that despite how we feel about our situation we are loved more than we can ever imagine. God speaks to our hearts, draws us close to himself, and tells us that we matter even when we struggle against his embrace. God wants to give us blessings and delights in helping us. He does so much without us even knowing, but promises to also hear our needs and requests. Today, spend time submitting your needs to God while trusting Him to fulfill them.

6 Day 5 Scripture: James 5:13-18, Matthew 17:14-21 God is not limited in power or in resources, yet when we pray we often forget to ask for the impossible. We pray for small things and then when they happen question if maybe our own effort has led to our small prayer being fulfilled. God delights in big prayers. Prayers where after God answers you are left amazed because no other explanation, but God is available. Today, step out in faith. Pray to God for something impossible going on in your life or in your heart. Something that only God is capable of doing.

7 Day 6 Scripture: Luke 18:1-8 Growing up many of us are taught not to be quitters and to be persistent if we really want something. Our prayer life should be no different. The question is how badly do you want your prayer to be fulfilled? At times we can be children fixated on something we don t have, forgetting about it as soon as it s out of sight. Jesus tells us if we truly desire what we pray for we should be persistent and not lose heart until it is fulfilled. Today, pray for something or a situation that is requiring persistent prayer. Also, for strength to rely on God even through the wait.

8 Day 7 Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Philippians 4:4-7 Cultivating a prayer life where the purpose is to solely connect with God is important. A time set apart where there is no pressing need other than to feel His presence. With the demands and worries of this life we are often on a determined mission to get things crossed off the list. This mindset can enter our prayer life where we try to check off a certain amount of time daily or go through a list of prayer requests and then are finished. Today, have a time with God where you allow His presence to be enough. Where the only thing that matters is sitting at His feet listening to what he may have to say to you.

9 Day 8 Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-2:8 If a lot of us were honest we would say we find reading God s word boring. This is where we must begin, being honest with our self about where we are. For many of us our natural desire is not God s word and learning about him. What if instead of pretending, we were honest. Today, come to God telling him that you want to have a greater passion for his word, but currently aren t there yet or ask him to sustain and increase your current passion. He will always listen. God longs for a teachable heart.

10 Day 9 Scripture: Mark 7:1-9, Romans 12:1-2 The world is full of voices telling us how we should think. One of the most important decisions any of us will make is what voice to listen to and influence who we become. God s word shines through the darkness as the only truth and offers us an anchor through the ever-changing voices and culture. When God s word stands in direct conflict with the voices we have allowed to influence us will we choose to listen to God or the world? Today, pray to God that you would choose his word not only when it is easy, but also when it is hard.

11 Day 10 Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 God s word is powerful and has many uses. When understood correctly we have a tool that is unlike any other. Through it we learn everything about our faith, as it is the principal way God has chosen to communicate with us. People have many opinions about God, but never consult the word. We must be a people that separate opinion from truth by seeking God through His word. Today, pray to God that you would continue to seek His truth through the word.

12 Day 11 Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 How do we know what is truly right and wrong if we do not know God s word. When thrown into situations where saying no is not easy how will we allow God to help us? One of God s primary vehicles of speaking to us in a way we can clearly understand is through His word. By increasing our knowledge of the word we also increase our ability to hear God s voice when we are placed in compromising situations. Today, pray that God would help you to hear his voice more clearly through His Word when temptation surfaces.

13 Day 12 Scripture: Mark 12:18-27, James 1:5-8 We all have questions about our faith. There are things we learn and have to reteach ourselves everyday. Like any other relationship we should never stop learning about God. Many of us mistakenly feel some sort of embarrassment for not knowing everything about God while others don t know where to begin to find answers. God assures us that everything we need to know has been communicated to us through his word. Our God is the very creator of knowledge and will give us understanding if we genuinely and humbly seek it. Today, pray for the questions about God that have been on your heart and that God would give you understanding through His word.

14 Day 13 Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-16 Studying scripture is an integral part of our faith. Growing requires that we continually be in the word in order to understand the ways of God. Each day our mission should be to become more Christ like and understand scripture so it can speak into our life. We are on a journey to worship and be united with God, the lover of our souls. Each day we take a step closer. How are we preparing with the time we have been given? Today, pray to God that he would reveal more of himself and work in your heart through His word.

15 Day 14 Scripture: Psalm 119:25-48 Our hope and salvation is found in what Jesus Christ did on the cross. The chains have been broken and we have freedom, but that does not mean we should abuse the gift we have been given by ignoring the way God has called us to live. There is unspeakable joy to be had in God s word and seeking to follow his ways. Within God s word, God has communicated His ways to protect us from hurt, His promises, and knowledge of what has come and what will come to pass. Today, give thanks for having God s word in your life.

16 Day 15 Scripture: Genesis 3:17-19, 1 Peter 5:6-11 There are some days where many of us are just tired and burned out. Our fear is that if we stop, even for a minute, we will discover just how tired we are and collapse. Being honest with ourselves about our need for rest is hard and even though we are tired we know that we must continue. Though most of us do not work with the ground we still find that our work is hard and full of frustrations. The reason we are tired is a combination of the world we live in, trials, and personal choices we have made. Today, begin by praying about your weariness. Search your heart and examine your life to identify if you are in deep need of rest.

17 Day 16 Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11, Mark 2:23-28 God calls us to take time to completely rest from everything going on in our life. Jesus tells us that scheduling time to rest should not make our lives harder, but should be a time we use to recharge when we are drained. The freedom we have in Christ means that we can choose whether or not and when we would like to schedule this time. However, God does call us to rest and has good reasons for doing so. Today, pray for greater understanding into God s design for work and rest and that His plan would influence your own life.

18 Day 17 Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-16, Genesis 2:1-3 Often we view the need for rest as a weakness within us that we shouldn t need. We don t feel comfortable expressing that we are tired to others, but God communicates to us, through his word, that rest is important. God s decision to rest should inform how we view the relationship between work and rest. Today, pray that God would help remind you of the importance of rest. Also, draw closer to God knowing that Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, experienced weariness just as we do and understands our struggle.

19 Day 18 Scripture: Mark 6:30-46, Luke 5:12-16 In the busyness of life it is hard to find rest. Jesus understood this perfectly. Throughout his ministry he was continually seeking and encouraging his disciples to take time to rest in the presence of the Father. There will always be something to do, one more thing to check off the list, and another demand fighting for our attention, but are we actively pursuing the rest that Jesus treasured? Today, pray and treasure your time with the Father and fully rest from everything that is going on in your life.

20 Day 19 Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46 Not only is getting rest important, but choosing the appropriate time to do so is just as important. There are times when we desire to rest, but work is especially required of us. More commonly however, we are in a time where we should rest, but choose to continue to work. Both are just as harmful. By choosing not to work and rest at the appropriate times we devalue the quality of our work and never truly enter real rest. Today, pray that God would help you in having appropriate times of work and rest. Also, to protect your work by giving you strength to truly rest when it is time.

21 Day 20 Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30, Matthew 14:28-33 An important aspect of rest is it is not only physical but also internal. We can be perfectly well rested physically and in good shape, but feel within our souls great unrest. At times this kind of rest is the hardest. We walk around with a smile on our face projecting to the world that we are fine, but behind our eyes rages a storm we are unable to suppress. Jesus calls out asking us to let him be the center of our lives. He promises that by coming to him we can have internal peace, joy, and rest. Today, pray for the storms raging in your own life and to continually make God your focus and source of rest.

22 Day 21 Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31, Psalm 61:1-5 Our soul longs for rest, but even more we seek for someone to lean on when we find that we are not enough. Some days when we reach our limits and have nothing left to give the feeling of hopelessness begins to enter our hearts. This is the time when we are in most desperate need of rest, but not just simple relaxation. We need rest with Jesus, the savior of our souls, where we can reflect and worship God for who he is as he brings us the strength to continue the work he has for us. Today, pray and celebrate the ability you have to lean on God and call Him Father. Cast all your troubles on Him and know that He will always be there for you.