Connect 21 - Reaching Results

WWW.LINKEDUPCHURCH.COM
PRAYER + FASTING
WHERE YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS

Copyright © 2023 Linked UP Church
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any
manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use
of brief quotations in a book review.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version of
the Bible. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale
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Scripture quotations marked TPT are taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017,
2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Printed/published by Linked UP Church in the United States of America.
First printing 2023.
Linked UP Church
4331 Brownville Rd
Powder Springs, GA 30127
www.linkedupchurch.com

PROMISE OF
COMMITMENT
DURING CONNECT 21, I
Select all that apply.
(Print Your Name)
HAVE COMMITED TO:
ATTEND EVERY SUNDAY SERVICE |INPERSONORONLINE
We offer two service times at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Pre-service prayer begins 10 minutes
before each service.
ATTEND EVERY SATURDAY PRAYER | IN PERSON OR ONLINE
Always Saturdays. Always 9:00 AM.
PRAY EVERY DAY
Spend time with God in prayer. We’ve provided prayer models and strategies in this journal to
help you grow your prayer life.
READ THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
We hope this daily resource makes your prayer life more natural, effective, and enjoyable.
BECOME A NEW MEMBER OF LINKED UP CHURCH
Not a member yet? Complete your Next Steps classes to become a member and join our
family. Classes are in-person on 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays or on-demand.
LEARN ABOUT CONNECT GROUPS
Discover a whole community waiting for you in our Connect Groups. Make plans to attend the
Connect Group Expo. Then join a group for the upcoming semester.
JOIN A DREAM TEAM (MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED)
Feeling the call to make a difference? Join a Dream Team and unleash your unique gifts and
passions.
ENROLL IN PRAYER SCHOOL
An immersive workshop where you’ll learn tools and strategies to strengthen your prayer life.
Mark your calendars to attend each session on January 10, January 17, and January 24.
GET WATER BAPTIZED (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Water baptism is a public declaration of your new life in Christ. Visit our website to register.
I dedicate the start of this new year to God. This commitment reflects my desire to prioritize God in
every aspect of my life, trusting in His plan and purposes. Following the scripture, "But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33), I
purpose to keep God's Kingdom at the forefront of my life this year, beginning with this season of
prayer and fasting.
SIGN HERE

A Letter From Our Pastors
Dear Reader,
We are so glad you’ve joined us for a life-changing season of prayer and fasting.
Our journey begins Monday, January 8, 2024, with 21 days dedicated to seeking God and
placing our hope in Him. During Connect 21, we aspire to gain clarity in hearing God's voice
and making His wisdom our guiding light throughout the year. To achieve this, we commit to
subduing the desires of our flesh through fasting, redirecting the time spent on meals to
prayer, and glorifying God. This spiritual discipline empowers us to experience God's presence
and to witness His transformative power in our lives.
You will get closer to God and grow in your
This Connect 21 book has been precisely crafted spiritual walk because God is going to fill
to equip you with prayer techniques, topical
those who both hunger and thirst for Him
prayers, and wisdom to navigate you through (Matthew 5:6). It is through concentrated,
targeted, and continuous prayer that we can
your journey. We firmly believe that the
unlock spiritual breakthroughs.
foundation of positive outcomes begins with
prayer, and when combined with fasting we obtain the faith to achieve God’s results. Therefore,
this book is written to help you set your mind on things above and grow in your connection
with God by offering heartfelt guidance in prayer and fasting. Consider it a journey of growth
and improvement in your conversations with God, not just a resource. Read the book with a
loving heart, absorbing its wisdom, and use it to enrich your spiritual path.
Making Your Commitments
We ask everyone to begin Connect 21 by making a Promise of Commitment, such as praying
daily, joining us for Saturday Prayer, or getting water baptized. The first page of this book
provides the opportunity to make your commitment. Whether you attend services in person or
online, you can make a commitment. As you delight in the Lord during this season of prayer
and fasting, He will give you your heart’s desires.
Once you set your commitments and prayer targets, take a moment to write them down in the
section provided at the back of the book. In doing so, you have an opportunity to reflect on the
moments when God shows up and answers prayers.
1

Our 2024 Vision
You are invited to join us in prayer for the vision of Linked UP Church. We exist to connect
people to God, family, purpose, and community. We see reaching people as one of our
greatest responsibilities. Our weekend services are meant to reach all people at any point in
their spiritual journey. Whether attending physically or through online platforms, the services
offer an opportunity to win more people to Christ and to begin a vibrant personal relationship
with God. Prayer points for our vision are below.
Pray for the Vision of Linked UP Church During Connect 21
• Connecting people to God, family, purpose and community
• Dream Teams, Connect Groups, and all who serve others
• Favor with city & county officials in Powder Springs & Greater Atlanta areas
• Innovative ways to effectively serve and evangelize the community
• Resources to purchase assets, land, and property to house the vision
• Impactful Connect 40 spiritual concentration in the Fall
We expect a supernatural year for you, your loved ones, and our church. Trust that Connect 21
will help you develop the kind of believing faith that reaches results.
Thank you for joining us on this transformative journey of prayer and fasting. Your participation
brings a unique supply to the body of Christ, and we are excited to see how God will move in
your life.
In Christ,
Pastors Joel & Patricia Gregory
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• Connect 21: A Letter From Our Pastors 1
• Table of Contents 3
• Prayer as a Lifestyle 4
• Why Fast? 5
•
Prayer Models
o A.C.T.S. Prayer Model 7
o The Apostle Paul’s Prayer Model 12
o Additional Prayer Strategies 15
•
Devotionals
o Week 1 25
o Week 2 43
o Week 3 60
•
Personal Prayer
o Prayer Targets 76
o Prayer Journal 82
• Thank You 85
• What’s Next 86
3

We encourage our church family to consider fasting corporately for 21 days during
Connect 21. The fast is part of this season of high-intensity prayer as a church family.
You may also fast at other times during the year for your spiritual development. It is
typical to fast a single meal, a whole day, or three days or more. The timing of your fast
or what you choose to fast from is not as important as your focus on God as you fast.
The purpose of fasting is to draw closer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with
eliminating distractions – such as eating three times a day – for a greater spiritual
purpose. It causes us to shift our focus from outside in to inside out. It also enables us
to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good
things God desires to bring into our lives.
Your fast should challenge you to turn your attention to God in moments of hunger,
but you must know your body and your limits. The most important part of the fast is to
seek God in prayer and follow the Holy Spirit as He leads you, not simply to deny
yourself food.
PARTIAL FAST
This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any
type of food during specic periods of the day.
COMPLETE FAST
In a complete fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
CONNECT 21 FAST
At Linked UP Church, we encourage a combination of the Partial and Complete fasts
by fasting for at least six (6) hours each day for the entire duration of the 21 day fast.
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Depending on your schedule, please choose a time that works best for you to drink
only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
Suggested periods of the day are:
6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
12:00 AM – 6:00 AM*
*For night shift workers
HOW TO FAST SAFELY
As you begin your fast, be assured that fasting will be a spiritual and physical blessing
if done correctly. If necessary, consult your doctor before you begin your fast. But be
aware that many doctors have not been trained in this area, so their understanding is
limited. If you are taking prescription medication, talk to your doctor before changing
your regimen. Prudence and caution are in order.
6

A.C.T.S. Prayer Model
The A.C.T.S. prayer model is an excellent and effective way to focus our hearts on who
God is and what He has done for us before we turn our hearts toward Him, asking for
His continued blessings.
Prayer is simply talking to God, and He is not concerned with how many words we use
when we pray or if we can eloquently quote Scripture. Use the A.C.T.S. acronym to
enrich your conversation with God.
Adoration
Condence
Thanksgiving
Supplication
Focus directly on God, honoring Him for who He is in our
lives.
Find out what His will is for your life and pray the Word of
God condently, believing all His promises.
Thank Him in advance for what you believed Him for in
prayer.
Pray for the specic needs of others and yourself.
Read the scriptures associated with each acronym and let the verses inspire your
thoughts to become like His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-11). Praying Scripture allows us to
use God's Word to gain more condence and enjoyment in our prayer time.
A
DORATION
During this time, focus directly on God, adoring Him for who He is. His names,
His character, His roles, etc. Worship and praise God with your heart, mind,
and voice.
Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: “Blessed
are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.Yours, O Lord, is the
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greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in
heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as
head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your
hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to
all. “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name."
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your
glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have
ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and
the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your ngers, The moon and
the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And
the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the
angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to
have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen— Even the beasts of the eld, The birds of the air, And the sh of
the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is
Your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:1-9
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the rmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no
speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out
through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a
tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And
rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its
circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the
Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise
the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The
commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is
clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous
altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much ne gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is
warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Let the words of my mouth and
8

the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my
Redeemer. Psalm 19:1-11, 14
O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My esh longs
for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in
the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is
better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up
my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:1-4
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come
before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has
made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to
Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His
truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5
Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty rmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise
Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and utes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that
has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:1-6
C
ONFIDENCE
You should always pray condently. All of us who live for Jesus Christ have
the Holy Spirit living inside of us. If we believe this, then how could we not be
condent about coming boldly before the Lord? God’s Word instructs us to
do so in the following scriptures.
Now this is the condence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to
His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know
that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15
9

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High
Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as
we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy and nd grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised
is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6
Every time you pray, you should be condent that God will listen and answer your prayers
according to His good Will, which is His Word. If He gave you eternal life through His Son,
you know He will answer your prayers.
T
HANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is a time for prayers of thanks for what God has done. Thank Him
for salvation, the many blessings in your life, protection, provision, open
doors, opportunities, and anything else He has done for you.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
10

S
UPPLICATION
Supplication is a specic prayer request which can be oral or written. This is
the time to ask God for His divine help to meet needs, solve problems, work in
another believer’s life, etc.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this
end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
Therefore I exhort rst of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead
a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to
come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
As God blesses you and answers your prayers, now it is your time to act. Be willing to obey
God as He may lead you to share your time, resources, or testimony with others.
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither
did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all
things in common. Acts 4:32
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in
uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let
them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay
hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their
testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11
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The apostle Paul’s Prayer Model
The Word of God is one of the most valuable tools for building a dynamic daily prayer life.
Scripture brings power, truth, and encouragement to our prayer time. We can make a
difference when we spend time praying for others. Pray for those with whom you interact
and connect. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, the apostle Paul encourages us toward the following
prayer points.
Pray for those in authority
Therefore, I exhort rst of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Pray for those in spiritual authority
• Linked UP Church Overseers
o Dr. Betty Price
o Apostle Mike and Dr. Dee
Dee Freeman
• Linked UP Church Pastors
o Pastors Joel and Patricia
Gregory
• Linked UP Church Ministerial
Staff
• The Dream Team and Connect
Groups
• More wisdom and greater
discernment to lead God’s people
Supplication for other believers
• Answered prayers
• Manifestation of breakthroughs
and miracles
• Great wealth for God’s people
• Obedience with our finances as it
relates to tithes and offerings
• Spiritual growth and development
• Strong marriages and families
12
• Successful singles
• Thriving jobs, careers, businesses
• Spiritual growth as individuals
complete their NEXT STEPS classes
Pray for those in natural authority
• President
• Vice President
• United States Senate
• United States Congress
• United States Supreme Court
• U.S. Government Departments
• Presidential Advisors
• All U.S. Military Branches
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• State Senators
• Senate Representatives
• State Courts
• State & County Board of Education
• State Elected Officials
• Mayors
• City Council Members
• County and Municipal Courts

Interceding for the lost
• Win souls for the kingdom
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30
•
Clear soul-winning strategy
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is
he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18
•
Pray for more laborers
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the
laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38
•
Pray to reach the lost
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,
but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that
all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Pray for the Gifts and Ofces in the Body of Christ
And God has appointed these in the church: rst apostles, second prophets, third
teachers, after that miracle, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of
tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28
Pray for Linked UP Church’s Dream Team and Connect Groups
• God will send the right people with the right hearts to fill all Dream Team
positions within our church
• The Holy Spirit will empower each Dream Team Leader and member to love
God, love people, pursue excellence, and choose joy
• Dream Team members and their families are abundantly blessed for their
commitment to our ministry
13

•
•
•
•
God will raise up new Connect Group Leaders for the winter/spring, summer
and fall semesters who will bring people together around a common interest
God will raise up new Community Group H.O.S.T.’s who will passionately share
the weekly sermon devotionals with their family and friends
God will expand the influence of Connect Group Leaders and Community
Group H.O.S.T.’s within their neighborhoods and communities
The life of each Connect Group leader and Community Group H.O.S.T.’s will
be incredibly blessed because of their sacrifice and obedience to God
Pray for the vision of Linked UP Church
• Connecting people to God, family, purpose and community
• Dream Teams, Connect Groups, and all who serve others
• Favor with city & county officials in Powder Springs & Greater Atlanta areas
• Innovative ways to effectively serve and evangelize the community
• Resources to purchase assets, land, and property to house the vision
• Impactful Connect 40 spiritual concentration in the Fall
14

Additional Prayer Strategies
Prayer is not only communion with God, but also a confrontation with the enemy.
These prayer strategies can strengthen us and help us triumph in our spiritual battles.
THE ARMOR OF GOD
Ephesians 6:11-18
Knowing that we are in a spiritual battle, God provides spiritual armor and equips us
to take a stand when conict arises.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil. For we do not wrestle against esh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with
the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with
which, you will be able to quench all the ery darts of the wicked one. And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to
this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:11-18
Acknowledge that you are in a spiritual battle. Then, claim the protection God has
given you by praying through the different pieces of spiritual armor described above
in Ephesians 6.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for my salvation. I receive it in a new and fresh way from You, and I
declare that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ and the place I have in
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Your kingdom. I wear Your righteousness today against all condemnation and
corruption.
Cover me with Your holiness and purity and defend me from all assaults against my
heart. Lord, I put on the belt of truth. I choose a lifestyle of honesty and integrity.
Expose the lies I have believed and show me the truths I need today. I choose to live for
the gospel in every moment. Show me where You are working and lead me to it. Give
me strength to walk daily with You. I believe that You are powerful against every lie and
assault of the enemy. You have good in store for me. Nothing is coming today that can
overcome me because You are with me. Holy Spirit, show me the truths of the Word of
God that I will need to counter the traps of the enemy. Bring those scriptures to mind
today. Finally, Holy Spirit, I agree to walk in step with You in everything as my spirit
communes with You in prayer throughout the day.
THE WEAPONS OF WARFARE
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
We can actively pray through spiritual warfare when we are aware of it. God has given
us victory and power through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling
down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
You can take authority over anything that comes against the truth of the Word of God
and command it to bow in the name of Jesus. Take a bold stand, praying specically
and condently by God’s power and His Spirit.
PRAYER
Father, Your Word says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
Therefore, I declare that no weapon formed against me prospers this day or any day to
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come, in Jesus’ name. Your Word says that trouble will not arise a second time (Nahum
1:9). Therefore, I declare that Satan cannot make trouble for me again, in this manner,
as he did in the past, in Jesus’ name. I declare all these prayers accomplished and
brought to pass by trusting You through faith and expectation, in the name of Jesus.
I stand on Your Word. The enemy is driven out from before me, above me, around me,
and below me; from my home, workplace, church and its ministries, children, and loved
ones; from my works and labors, land, and my presence. I declare that he is not able to
stand against me, and his works are taken captive and destroyed. No weapon formed
against me will prosper, for the Spirit of the Lord shall raise a standard against them. I
declare all of these things accomplished by Your Word. Jesus, my Lord, I give You
thanksgiving, praise, glory, honor, and worship for Your righteousness and holiness
given to me by Your Word on my behalf.
PROTECTION PRAYERS
Corinthians 6:14-7:1, 10:3-5; Romans 12:1-2
We often worry about our safety and protection. When we feel this way, we can
immediately come to God in prayer, pouring out our hearts to Him, casting down
anything contrary to the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity
to the obedience of Christ.
Share your thoughts and concerns with God. Ask Him for His supernatural protection.
He says He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways
(Psalm 91:11). Claim this promise and lay everything down before Him, trusting His
good plans and His power to protect you and those you love.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I bow in worship and praise before You. I cover myself with the blood
of the Lord Jesus Christ as my protection. I surrender myself completely and
unreservedly in every area of my life to You. I submit myself only to the true and living
God and refuse any involvement of the enemy in my life. I choose to be transformed by
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the renewing of my mind. I pull down every thought that exalts itself against the
knowledge of Christ. I pray and thank You for a sound mind, the mind of Christ.
Today and every day, I ask for protection over my spouse, children, immediate family
members, relatives, friends, acquaintances, and myself. I also ask today for protection
during our travels, for our provision, nances, possessions, health, safety, and welfare. I
put all of these things under the covering of Your precious blood and declare that
Satan cannot touch them on this day or any day to come.
PRAYER OF REPENTANCE
2 Corinthians 7:10, Romans 2:4, Romans 12:1-2
After we are saved and born again, God has forgiven us and cleansed us from all sin
and unrighteousness. After salvation, when we miss the mark, what God desires is our
repentance. Repentance means to think differently and change our behavior. This
process is about discovering what God’s Word says about the area where you need
growth, renewing your mind, and then obeying the Word of God so that the behavior
can change.
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted;
but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. You are the Messiah, who came in the
esh to destroy the works of the devil. You died on the cross for my sins and rose again
on the third day from the dead. Because I have faith in the nished work of Jesus Christ,
I receive Your forgiveness and thank You for cleansing me of all sin. Sin no longer has
dominion over me. Thank You for redeeming me, cleansing me, justifying me, and
sanctifying me in Your blood.
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RECONCILIATION PRAYER
Matthew 6:14-15; Leviticus 19:18
Forgiveness and reconciliation can feel challenging, but God makes it clear in the
Bible that He freely forgives us, and we are expected to do the same for others.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
Come before the Lord with humility, honesty, and sincerity. Share the areas in your life
where you need to forgive others. Even if you cannot settle a situation with that
person, you can settle it with the Lord by forgiving them. As you choose to forgive
those who have hurt or offended you, you can also praise and thank God for forgiving
you when you did not deserve it.
PRAYER
Lord, I have a confession to make. I have not loved but have resented certain people
and have unforgiveness in my heart. I call upon You, Lord, to help me forgive them. I do
now forgive (name them). I also forgive and accept myself in the name of Jesus Christ.
PRIDE PRAYER
1 Peter 5:5-7, Proverbs 11:2, 16:18, 26:12
The Bible tells us that pride comes before the fall. Pride can be a genuine issue in our
lives, but we have the power to overcome it through Jesus.
When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2
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Practicing humility requires overcoming pride in our lives. As you acknowledge other
sins, when necessary, acknowledge your pride to God. Submit it to Him, asking Him to
help you walk in humility, free of pride and self-absorption. If you feel pride is an issue
that continues to surface in your life, humble yourself before God and make Him the
authority over your actions and attitude. One of the best ways to humble ourselves is
to combine prayer with fasting.
PRAYER
Father, I come to You in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know pride is an
abomination to You. I renounce anything that would cause me to feel pride in dealing
with others. I renounce these and turn away from them. I humble myself before You and
come to You as a little child.
HEALING PRAYER
1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 103:2-5; Luke 1:37
Our God is a God of miracles. As we read about in the Bible, we still see Him perform
miraculous healing today. He is our Healer, and we can condently approach Him,
asking for healing for ourselves or someone we know.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benets: Who forgives all your
iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satises your
mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5
In faith, receive your healing from God. Proclaim His power and goodness, believing
and trusting Him to care for you and those you pray for to be healed.
PRAYER
Father, in the name of Jesus, I come before You for healing (name yourself or someone
you are praying to experience healing). My hope is in You as our healer. I believe You
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can do this. Your name is Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals, and I believe every knee
will bow to You, including [name disease or disorder]. Thank You, Jesus, for dying on
the cross so we can receive healing. You say that You forgive our sins and heal our
diseases, and I praise You for this. Thank You that the Spirit that raised Jesus from the
dead lives in us. I stand in faith, believing for healing for [yourself or someone you are
praying for]. Nothing is impossible for You, God! Give us peace and direction as You
work in our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
MARRIAGE PRAYER
Ephesians 5:25-30
God created marriage, and His design for it is good. In marriage, as in any human
relationship, we must strive to love well. We cannot do this successfully in our power.
We need God, who is love Himself, to give us His Holy Spirit and to guide us in our
marriages. Marriage is a picture of Jesus Christ and His bride, the church. As Christian
husbands and wives, we have the honor of representing Christ's love and commitment
to the church through our love and commitment to each other.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water
by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having
spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without
blemish. So, husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he
who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own esh, but
nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are
members of His body, of His esh and of His bones. Ephesians 5:25-30
Thank God for your marriage. Start by asking Him to help you be the best spouse you
can be. Ask Him to help you love well and to see your spouse as He sees him or her.
Then pray for your marriage, asking God to use your marriage to impact the world for
Him. Ask Him for protection physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Pray for unity in
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your marriage and wisdom from Him about how to live your lives as one. Bring to Him
anything in your marriage that concerns you and trust Him to work on your behalf.
PRAYER
Thank You, God, for loving us and creating marriage to illustrate Your love for us here
on earth. Help me, God, to love my spouse (call him or her by name) the way You love
me. Help me to listen to my spouse, give honor, and put my spouse before myself.
Protect us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We ask You to build greater
unity between us, make us stronger as a couple, more devoted to one another and to
You. Use us, God, and build us up to exemplify how godly marriage can look. Use us
together to do more than we could ever do apart. We ask for greater inuence and
more impact on the people around us. We invite you to work through us in the lives of
our friends, family, and even those far away. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and move
through us to bring those far from You closer so that they can encounter the living God,
who seeks and saves the lost, sets us free, and gives us purpose.
We choose as a couple to love You rst, God. We put our relationship with You before
anything and everything else. We confess our need for You. Thank You for bringing us
together. We choose to love one another today and every day. Thank You for our
marriage. We ask You to bless our marriage, build it, and be present in it always.”
RACIAL RECONCILIATION PRAYER
Ephesians 4:3-6; Mark 12:28-31; Psalm 139:23-24
God created every person in His image on purpose and for a purpose. We are all
unique and have value in the eyes of God. As Christians, we love who God loves and
seek to serve others, so we need to see each person's value to the world. We need to
do our part to foster reconciliation, advocate for equality, and work to ensure that
every person is treated with dignity, respect, and honor.
As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to do everything we can to promote peace.
We are all one in Christ, called to serve Him and others with a spirit of unity.
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Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one
body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:3-6
Recognize the presence of racism in our world and bring it before God today. Thank
Him for creating every person in His image for a purpose. Ask Him to help you
embrace your unique design and the uniqueness of others. Pray for eyes to see how
inequality is at work in the world around you, and pray for boldness to uphold peace,
love, and unity in the face of injustice. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recall any ways
you have not promoted equality and unity (thoughts, words, actions, etc.) or people
towards whom you have not shown the love of Christ. Ask for forgiveness, trust God to
help you grow, and become an advocate for reconciliation.
PRAYER
Father, I recognize that You created every person in Your image and have a great
purpose for each of us. I ask You to help me see every person as You see them. Help
me to love others with the unconditional love of Jesus and to make every effort to
promote peace, unity, and equality for all people. Forgive me for the times that I have
not valued others or spoken up for what is right. Give me the boldness to confront
inequity when I see it and to honor others in my thoughts, words, and actions. Help me
to love my neighbor as myself and to be an ambassador for reconciliation, as You have
called me to be. I ask You to break the spirit of racism and division off of our nation, in
Jesus’ name. Thank You for making us one by the blood of Jesus and the power of Your
Spirit.
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Day 1 | Monday, January 8, 2024
What Are Your Thirty Pieces of Silver?
”And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Is anything worth more than your soul?”
Mark 8:36-37 NLT
Think about Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. He followed Jesus
for three years, believing Jesus was the Messiah they eagerly awaited to save them.
However, when given the chance, Judas betrayed Jesus for just 30 pieces of silver,
suggesting that he valued money over the person he thought would be their savior.
Do you prioritize anything in the natural world over your Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ?
Today's scripture asks us to imagine having control or influence over
everything—money, assets, pleasures, land, and anything else the world offers. That
seems attractive, but the world is full of things contrary to God and His Will.
For example, many of us spend a lot of time working on our bodies, exercising
and dressing up to look our best on the outside. However, the body is just the house
of the soul—the mind, will, and emotions. The soul governs what you think, feel, and
do, making it the real you. Have you pondered whether your desires for what is in the
world can cause you to lose your soul?
Like Judas, many of us have seen Jesus up close in the Scriptures and
confessed to having a relationship with God by accepting His Son Jesus as our Savior.
Some have experienced His miraculous power yet still get distracted by things of the
world that pull them away from the heart of God.
We spend much time and energy chasing worldly things while having only an
appearance of righteousness. People presume that because we are in the circle of
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elievers and use the right words, phrases, and sometimes behavior, our hearts are
fully connected to God. But is that always true?
As we delve into prayers that bring results, we must seek the heart of God, not
just His hand. We cannot be so focused on selfish desires that we make decisions
detrimental to our souls.
No matter how often we go on vacations or how expensive our clothes, cars, or
homes are, and even if lots of people follow us on social media or like our posts, none
of these worldly things can truly make us happy or fulfill the longings of our souls. The
only thing that can do that is having a genuine connection with God, who made us. As
we spend time in Connect 21, engaging in conversation with God and taking breaks
from distractions while fasting, we learn to control our desires and focus on choosing
God over worldly temptations. God has appointed this dedicated time of prayer and
fasting, and we hope it brings meaningful insights and growth.
Reection: What in the world could be worth more than your soul? If you quickly
answered, “Nothing!” Examine your life. To what or whom are you giving priority that
should only belong to God? Do you have a lifestyle that says, “Sex, money, fame,
position, power, happiness, she, or he is more valuable than my soul?” Allow the Holy
Spirit to show you how closely your life demonstrates a desire and behavior to have
your soul aligned with Him.
Prayer: Father, search my heart for the desires and motives that are not of You. I
repent for giving in to any selsh desires that have drawn me away from You. Teach me
how to love You with all of my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength. In Jesus’
name, I pray. Amen.
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Day 2 | Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Wrong Motives
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your
pleasures.”
James 4:3
When people talk to God and ask for things, sometimes it feels like nothing
happens. Have you ever wondered why it seems that your prayers aren't answered?
James wrote a letter to Jewish Christians who apparently had the same questions at
the time.
James wrote about two reasons why prayers might not be answered. One is
when we ask for things that are not aligned with what God wants for us. The other is
when we ask for things just to make ourselves happy and not to help others or honor
God.
The Greek word "kakos" means troublesome or bad and explains what “asking
amiss” means in today’s scripture. It's the same as asking for things that don't t with
God's plan for us. Even if we pray often about it or really want something, God won't
provide it if it's not in line with His Word. Asking amiss can also mean we're so worried
about what we're asking for that it makes us anxious and upset. The Bible says that
which is not of faith is sin.
James goes on to write about people who want things so much that they're
willing to ght or even hurt others to get them. God won't give us things that will harm
us or make us love them more than Him. When we ask for stuff like money or a new
job, God looks at why we want it. The question remains: Is it just to show off or make
ourselves happy, or is it to help others and honor God?
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To be truthful, we've all prayed self-centered prayers, focusing solely on our
own desires. These prayers didn't align with the responsibilities believers are tasked
with, such as advancing God's kingdom, reaching out to the lost, assisting the poor,
and glorifying God. However, God wants us to appreciate the blessings He provides
without placing them above Him. He examines our hearts, understanding the motives
behind our prayers. No pleasure or desire should take precedence over God in our
lives. He should always be the center of our joy.
Reection: Have you ever prayed with the right words but out of fear? Have you ever
prayed for something that, had you received it, might have displaced God’s level of
importance in your life?
Prayer: God, there have been times in my past when my prayers were lled with my
selsh desires or with fear and anxiety. They went unanswered. Please correct me
when I pray inappropriately or with the wrong motives. I confess that I have the Holy
Spirit and God’s Word to assist and correct me when I pray. I will pray in faith and in
agreement with Your Word. I will receive results from my prayers being answered. In
the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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Day 3 | Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Disobedience
“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, 'Launch out into the deep and let
down your nets for a catch.' But Simon answered and said to Him, 'Master, we have
toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the
net.' And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net
was breaking.”
Luke 5:4-6
Have you ever had a day of work so exhausting that all you wanted to do was
shut down and not think about anything? If you answered, “Yes!” you can imagine how
Simon Peter, Andrew, and the others felt after fishing all night and not catching a thing.
Fishing in biblical times was harder than it is today because nets had to be thrown by
hand and repaired by hand; there was no machinery to make the job easier. Now
Jesus tells them—after they have had a long night working and have nothing to show
for it—“Go out in deeper water for the catch of a lifetime.”
If you read these verses carefully, you will see a command and a blessing. If
Peter goes out into deeper water, he will catch fish. How many of us have gotten a
word from the Lord right when we were at the point of calling it quits? Did you obey?
Peter, as a professional fisherman, could have asked a lot of questions about why
Jesus was telling him to do what seemed foolish.
He could have said, “I’ve had enough for tonight, and I’ll try again tomorrow.”
I’m not going to paint a perfect picture because Peter did express why Jesus’
command could fail. Peter reminded Jesus that he had put in the work and gotten no
results. In the same breath, Peter decided to consent and said, “Nevertheless, at Your
word I will let down the net.”
Many of us will applaud Peter for obeying but let us not forget that partial
obedience is disobedience. Peter decided to let down one net when Jesus asked him
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to let down more than one net. The number of sh they caught was so massive that
their net started to break, and they had to signal to their partners in another boat to
come and help them. If we want to receive the maximum blessing that the Lord wants
to give us in any situation, we must have complete obedience. Do not think for one
minute that some sh were not lost during the breaking of the net while Peter waited
for his partners.
When we pray and ask God for answers, He will give us instructions. We must
do what He tells us to do, when He tells us to do it, and how He tells us to do it. Have
you missed some of the results of your prayers because of disobedience?
As believers, we always have a role in receiving the answers to our prayers. If
we pray for salvation, we have to confess with our mouths and belief in our hearts that
Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for our sins, that He rose from the
dead, and that He is alive right now. We have to receive Jesus in our hearts as our
Savior and Lord.
Too often, we pray and sit, not being aware that we have work to do. Those sh
were not going to jump into Peter’s boat. He had to let down the net. We have to take
the test, do the homework, make the bed, and study and apply the principles of
stewardship. We have to go to counseling, write and execute the business plan, eat
nutritiously, exercise, and the list goes on and on.
Prayer is not like the cartoon where a character nds a genie in a lantern, rubs
it, and is granted three wishes. Even in that example, the character had to take some
action, even if only slightly. The Bible is full of examples where individuals had to take
God at His Word and step out in faith. Noah built the ark. Joshua marched around
Jericho. Abraham decided to sacrice his son Isaac. David killed Goliath, and John
cried in the wilderness, for example.
If we want our prayers to have results, we must obey God. We do not directly
have to experience every negative consequence of disobedience. Instead, we have
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God’s Word and can learn through its teachings. We have the Holy Spirit, who is our
Helper to guide us and give us clarity when God answers our prayers. There is never a
reason to partially obey God. Fear, anxiety, laziness, or any other reason our minds
trick us into believing is not acceptable to God, who loves and wants the best for us.
Reection: Can you think of a time when you partially obeyed or disobeyed what
God told you to do? What happened? Have you gotten better at “letting down your
nets”?
Prayer: God, I thank You for loving me and hearing me when I pray. I repent of those
times when I let my head talk me out of obeying what You had placed in my heart.
Continue to give me direction, wisdom, and answers as I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Day 4 | Thursday, January 11, 2024
Anxiety Robs You of Your Answer
“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in
everything, by prayer and petition (denite requests), with thanksgiving,
continue to make your wants known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 AMPC
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary denes the word anxious as “greatly concerned . . .
respecting something future or unknown; being in painful suspense, applied to a
person.” At some point in our lives, we have all been anxious or fretful about
something or someone. It may have been an unfavorable report from the doctor, the
loss of a job, spouse, or child, not having enough money in the bank, or even our
mistakes. We may have at times given ourselves a pass for worrying based on the
situation with which we were dealing; however, the Bible makes it clear that we are not
to be in painful suspense about anything. It is our responsibility to keep our hearts
from being anxious. You are not to be anxious about anything.
Many years ago, there was a popular gospel song that said, “If you pray, don’t
worry. If you worry, don’t pray.” This is not a suggestion but a command to all believers
who proclaim Jesus as Lord to not worry. When we worry, what kind of messages are
we sending to our hearts? What kind of thoughts are lling our minds? Anxiety tells us
to doubt God and that things will not work out, but anxiety is nothing more than a
distrust of God and His sovereignty.
Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good
to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Even
when we go through tests and trials, things will work out for our good. This does not
mean that everything we go through is good, but it does mean everything will
eventually lead to good in our lives, and sometimes that goodness may be learning to
trust God more.
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God loves us, and He wants us to lay every care and concern at His feet and
leave them there. The more we pray about our situations, our faith increases and our
despair decreases. There is not one single thing that we cannot take to God in prayer,
whether it’s on our own behalf or on behalf of someone else. Would you rather talk to
yourself about your problems or talk to God about them? This is the difference
between worrying and praying.
When we pray to God, we are exercising our faith in Him. If we believe God can
save our souls when we repent of sins and accept Jesus, why can we not believe Him
in every area of our lives? If we want to have peace that surpasses all understanding,
we have to offer prayers with thanksgiving to God. We must continue to pray, continue
to stay in faith, and continue to thank God as part of a lifestyle of prayer. Our
communication with God, or our prayers, are not one-and-done affairs.
Reection: Spend some time reecting on your prayer life. Is it one of consistent faith
or is it lled with prayers from a crisis mode, hoping that God will do something to
take away your worry? He will not do what He has already given us the power to do.
Pray to God. Thank God. Have peace.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know everything about me. When the circumstances of
life try to weigh me down, remind me to bring every concern to You, knowing You care
for me. I will allow the Holy Spirit to help me redirect my thoughts from my problems
to the problem-solver. I can trust You today and, in the days ahead. Thank You for Your
peace in every situation because I can depend on You. I pray this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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Day 5 | Friday, January 12, 2024
Do You Believe He Heard You?
“Now this is the condence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to
His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that
we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
1 John 5:14-15
Prayer is a privilege. John, the apostle, gives believers a great lesson on how
to have condence in developing a lifestyle of praying to God. First, we are told to
have condence in God and all that Jesus provided for the believer through His death,
burial, and resurrection.
Too often, we pray to God while wanting the answer to come from a person.
“God, please let my boss give me a raise or promotion.” Even if your boss gives you a
raise, it actually comes from the Lord. The Scriptures tell us every good and perfect gift
comes from God, and that promotion comes from God. When we pray, we must begin
with our condence in the One who knows the end from the beginning, and that is
God.
Next, we are instructed to pray or ask according to His will. Too many believers
nonchalantly proclaim that they do not know the will of God. If that is the case, they do
not know the Word of God. If we want answers, we must pray for things that agree
with the will of God. No matter how much we beg and plead, God will not grant us
things that are contrary to His heart’s desires for us. That’s not to say that we cannot
force an issue or make something happen on our own out of disobedience. There are
times when we think we know better than God. We pray, then if we do not like the
answer, and we go ahead and do what we have harbored in our hearts.
Even in disobedience, we ask God to bless the mess we created in our lives, or
we blame Him for the negative consequences that ensue after a string of poor
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decisions. God will help get us back on the right track, but some wrong turns take time
to correct. This does not mean that God loves us any less; it means that for every
action, there is a reaction.
To have our prayers answered, we must have absolute trust in the truth about
God and pray according to His will. When these two things are done, we can rest
assured that God heard us. Knowing that God hears us, we can expect Him to answer.
The “whatever” in today’s passage of scripture is based on “anything according to His
will.” Therefore, it makes no sense to go to God with desires not supported by God’s
word.
As Christians, we are equipped to know the will of God, and this should help us
understand that His answer will not always be the answer we want to hear. If our
prayers seem to go unanswered, we don’t need to check God. We need to check our
motives, whether we are praying according to God’s will, and whether we have placed
our condence in Him.
Reection: Do you honestly believe that God hears you when you pray? If not, what
things do you need to change?
Prayer: God, thank You for the ability to come to You with every burden and care. You
hear and answer the prayers of the righteous when we pray according to Your will. I
pray that the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart will be acceptable in
Your sight. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Day 6 | Saturday, January 13, 2024
Doubt Hinders Your Answers
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without
reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he
who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that
man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man,
unstable in all his ways."
James 1:5-8
Do you struggle with believing that the promises God makes are for you? Have
you ever asked yourself, “Does God really care about me? Will He really supply all my
needs? Will He heal me from this disease? If God really loved me, why would He let
this happen to me?”
If you have, there is no need to be so hard on yourself, as most of us, if we’re
honest, have been in this place at some point in our lives. The issue is not that we have
had these questions at one time or another. The real issue is that we continue to revisit
them or harbor on them more than we try to build our relationship with God through
spending time in His Word and praying.
James wants believers to know that God will deliver. In today’s passage, he
speaks of wisdom. If we need wisdom in any area of our lives or for any decision we
must make, all we need to do is “ask of God.” Frequently, we seek wisdom from
ungodly counsel, self-professed gurus, or from popular opinion. There is nothing
wrong with seeking wise counsel from people, but the wisest counsel we can receive
comes from God.
Have you ever asked a person how he may have achieved a goal, and in
answering your question, that person gave you an abbreviated version as though he
were keeping the secrets to himself? Unlike others from whom we may seek advice,
God will not withhold the wisdom we seek. In fact, He wants to be generous, liberal,
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and abundant in giving His wisdom to us, but sometimes we can be too busy to listen.
While in prayer, our attitude may imply, “Hurry up, God, and give me the answer
before I’m late to work!”
It is amazing that we are willing to listen to another human being share details
about how they reached a goal, and we may get upset if we feel that they have shortchanged
us in the story. Yet we want God to “get to the point.”
Failure to spend time with God increases the likelihood that we only have a
supercial knowledge of His existence. There is a difference between knowing of God
and knowing God. The more time we spend with God, the better we will get to know
Him. We will learn how He speaks to us. We will not have to rely on how He speaks to
someone else to determine if we have heard from Him. We have the Holy Spirit to
help us.
The tests and trials we face in life put us in one of two positions. We either
doubt God’s goodness or we realize that He is sufcient. When we sink into doubt
during the challenging times of our lives, it only underscores our lack of condence in
God and the instability of our faith. If we can only trust God when things are going
well, we need to question our faith. We need to come to a place where we are secure
in our knowledge of God, who He is to us, how He speaks to us, and what He wants to
teach us.
When we pray in faith, we must approach the throne of grace, trusting in the
One who sits on the throne. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will last
forever. Lack of quality time in His Word and with Him only increases our doubt
because we do not know His promises. There is a detrimental direct correlation
between doubt and unanswered prayer. If we want prayers that have results, Les
Brown says, “Feed your faith, and your doubts will starve to death. Even when you
have no evidence to point to, . . . it’s possible.”
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Reection: Are there areas of your life in which you trust God more? It is possible to
believe God for provision and not believe Him for healing. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal
to you where you might doubt in your life.
Prayer: Loving Father, I know Your Word says that all things are possible for those who
believe. Help me to not just know what the Word says but to believe it in my heart. I
repent for not spending time with You or being in a rush when I do. I need Your
wisdom for every area of my life. As I meditate on Your Word, let my faith increase and
my hope arise as I deepen my trust in You and my dependence on You. In Jesus’
name, I pray. Amen.
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Day 7 | Sunday, January 14, 2024
How to Get God’s Attention
” If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek
My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to
prayer made in this place.”
2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Remember those "if-then" statements from high school geometry? “If p, then
q.” In philosophy, these statements are called "conditional arguments of hypothetical
syllogism." These statements start with a premise or a conditional, known as the
antecedent, and then they move on to the consequent. 2 Chronicles:7 details Israel’s
cycle of sin and repentance. It’s like a conditional statement, in order for God to hear
the prayers of the people of Israel, forgive their sin, and heal their land, they must
humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.
It is important to note that God told Solomon in verse 13 what He would do to
the Israelites and their land if they didn’t change their wicked ways. There would be no
rain, and locusts and plagues would cover the land. The Israelites are God’s chosen
people, and He addressed them according to the covenant relationship He has with
them by calling them “My people.” God has a New Testament covenant with believers,
those who proclaim Jesus as Lord, which makes this passage of Scripture especially
applicable in today.
If we want to get God’s attention, we must humble ourselves. We cannot
blatantly have a lifestyle of sin before God and expect Him to hear our prayers. We
must repent sin and receive God’s forgiveness. He expects us to pray, seeking His face
and not His hand. More frequently than not, we want the presents from God but not
the presence of God.
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The Bible teaches us that “in His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right
hand, there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11). Would you feel comfortable
requesting a favor or asking for something from someone you've wronged, especially
if you haven't tried to make amends with them? Most people would hesitate to do
that. Then there are those who can do no wrong in their own eyes. However, God
takes notice of such wicked ways, both on an individual and collective level.
Although this passage is directed at Israel as a nation, it has practical
application to the United States of America, the churches within, and the people who
live here. For individuals, we may not have literal lands that need healing, but
metaphorically, our lands can be our relationships, marriages, health, nances,
children, careers, or other things.
No matter what it is, we can go to God, knowing that He can and wants to heal
our land. Instead of having a sense of entitlement that God owes us something, we
need to humbly submit our requests to Him with the right attitude and a heart of
repentance. He will do what He said if we meet the conditions, He has given us.
We must recognize our own limitations and that we can do nothing without
God. We should rely on Him for everything. Humility is crucial in our relationship with
God. We express our desire for a relationship with Him by praying to Him and turning
away from sin. When we repent from evil, God hears our prayers, heals our land, and
brings restoration. This is His promise to His people.
Reection: Is prayer a priority for you? Do you have a commitment to lifelong selfexamination—not
a sin conscience, but a desire to align your life with God’s will and
make corrections as needed? Are there habitual practices of sin that you have failed to
address in your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in this area.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we repent for the ways our current culture promotes sin and
encourages turning away from biblical standards. Help us to turn away from idolatry
and selshness and toward righteousness and mercy. Forgive us. Thank You for Your
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love and forgiveness. Allow the light within us to transform our families, communities,
and nation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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Day 8 | Monday, January 15, 2024
Call on Him First
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and
not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and
pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
Jeremiah 29:11-12
God is always gracious toward us, even when we have to deal with the
consequences of our sin. Such is the case with the children of Israel, who had turned
their backs on God by worshipping idols. They were exiled into Babylonian captivity.
However, this did not change God’s heart toward them. Through the prophet
Jeremiah, God promised the Israelites that their captivity would last seventy years.
During this time, they were to build houses, get married, have children, grow gardens,
and live a peaceful life among their captives. They were even instructed to pray
blessings over the Babylonians. If they obeyed God during this hard season, He
promised to restore them to their homeland.
Sometimes we create hardships in our lives through acts of disobedience and a
lack of dependence on God. We try to work things out for ourselves. We make poor
choices. We commit sins of omission and commission. Sometimes Christians think that
Jesus dying on the cross takes away all the consequences of sin. It does not. It
removes the harshest punishment for sin, which is eternal death (Romans 6:23). When
things get bad for us, we want a quick x. Such was the case of the Israelites while in
Babylon.
Jeremiah’s letter is God prophetically speaking to His people, the Israelites.
God reminds them that His thoughts toward them are good, not evil. He has a plan for
their well-being. He has a plan for redemption and restoration. The same is true for
today’s believers. Even though we may stray, God desires that we stop our reliance on
destructive, worldly securities and place our complete trust in Jesus Christ. No matter
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how badly we miss the mark, God’s plan for us is good and peaceful. He does not
want us to be hopeless.
We have become more focused on the product than the process. We pray for
God to heal us while we maintain an unhealthy lifestyle of a lack of exercise and too
much stress. We would rather God give us a million dollars than learn principles of
stewardship. Every hardship we face is eeting and has an end date.
God has a plan, but we must go through the process to learn the lesson so that
we can have the future God desires for us. We must trust God and know that He will
hear our prayers and answer them in due time.
Reection: If you are going through a difcult time right now or know of someone
who is going through a challenging time, pray about your situation and theirs. Instead
of asking God for a quick x, ask Him to reveal His plan to you.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. Help me to trust You
even in the midst of challenging situations. May I never forget that what I go through
in life is not a reection of Your love for me. You are the same today, yesterday, and
forevermore, and so is Your love for me. Thank You for giving me hope and a future.
Thank You for listening to me when I call Your name. I pray these things in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
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Day 9 | Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Allow the Holy Spirit to Help You in Prayer
“Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should
pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the
Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27
There will come a time in the life of every believer that leaves him not knowing
how to pray or for what to pray. This still doesn’t give us permission to sit in silence.
The Holy Spirit is our partner in prayer. When we run out of words or do not know
what is needed in any given situation, He will help us get the job done. He is our
constant companion. He equips us to pray with boldness and condence.
Imagine you are trying to move a large, heavy table by yourself. You may nd it
impossible to do or that your efforts alone are so insignicant that you hardly make
any real progress. Imagine you have a friend who can lift 500 pounds, and he comes
to help you move the table. The two of you together can get the job done.
That is how the partnership of the Holy Spirit works. We are not solely
responsible for our prayers. When we run out of strength, we have help. When we run
out of words, we have help. When we do not have a clue, we have help. We have the
Helper, the Holy Spirit.
Whether we are emotionally, spiritually, or physically weak, we have a partner
to help us get the job done. The Holy Spirit will never lead us down the wrong road in
prayer because He knows the will of God, and everything He helps us to pray will align
with God’s will. Sometimes we are faced with situations so devasting that they cause
our hearts to groan, but the Holy Spirit can take these groanings straight to the throne
room of God. He infuses our prayers with power.
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Our prayer lives will continue to evolve when we make room for the Holy Spirit.
He aids us in understanding the Word and will of God. He helps us recognize answers
to our prayers, whether they be from the Scriptures, the counsel of other believers, or
promptings in our hearts. He will help us evaluate every decision we make. When we
believe we have received answers to our prayers, the Holy Spirit gives us conrmation
of peace. He helps us understand the timing of God.
The Holy Spirit can search our hearts and intercede on our behalf. He gives us
the ability to do God’s will, and that includes when we pray. We do not know what the
future holds, but the Holy Spirit does.
The Holy Spirit augments, or enlarges our prayers, but He cannot augment
what does not exist. The role of prayer in our lives is not to change the mind of God.
When we pray, it changes us by giving us the right perspective on things, helping us
to see beyond our emotions, and encouraging us to accept the will of God.
Reection: The Holy Spirit can only be an intercessor for the person who has a
relationship with God through receiving His Son Jesus as Savior and Lord. If you have
never made this decision, you can do so right now.
Prayer: God, I am a sinner in need of a savior. I repent of my sin. I believe Jesus is the
Son of God and that He died for my sins and is alive right now. Jesus, I invite you into
my life. Come into my heart now and be my Savior and Lord. Amen.
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Day 10 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Come Boldly to the Throne
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and nd grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
To come to the throne of grace with boldness is an expression of expectation
that believers will engage in pray. Jesus not only secured our salvation but also paved
the way for a direct relationship with God. The removal of the veil in the temple
symbolizes the elimination of separation between us and God. The veil has been torn
from top to bottom that we might have access to Father God in our time of need.
Jesus is our intercessor, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and we are
encouraged to draw near to Him in condence. The idea of a “throne of grace” is
complicated. In biblical and ancient times, thrones symbolized authority and judgment
and were usually off-limits to almost everyone. Approaching without an invitation
could lead to severe consequences, even death if the king didn't extend his scepter.
It's a signicant contrast that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords not only welcomes
but actively encourages us to draw near His throne.
We are needy people. There is nothing we can do apart from God. He causes
us to have breath in our bodies and soundness of mind. If we realized how needy we
are, we would pray more often. Unfortunately, we try to get advice from everybody
else or try to handle things on our own before we go to God. This verse does not tell
us to go to our pastors, priests, neighbors, or friends. It tells us to draw near so that we
can receive the help we need. We always need help from God.
God will not scold us for needing His help. Unlike others, He will not remind us
of the number of times we have come to Him requesting His help. When we sin or
miss the mark, we might feel as though we should run from God so we can avoid His
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eaction. Nothing could be further from the truth. God has a tenderness toward us,
and He wants us to repent and allow Him to begin the healing and repairing process
in our lives.
Like a loving parent, God is sympathetic to our wounds, whether self-inicted
or not. He knows that sin can bring misery, which is why He offers us mercy. His grace
is God’s undeserved and unearned favor as He freely forgives sin, which rightfully
deserves punishment. This is why we need God’s mercy and grace every single day!
We cannot be timid or cowardly in coming to God, no matter what life throws
in our direction. We cannot come resting on our own merits because our
righteousness is like lthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Our condence is founded on Christ
alone and what He has done for us. If you are not approaching the throne of grace in
your time of need, you may feel as though you are not receiving what you desire from
God. Before He gives us the material things, we need mercy and grace. God gives
them both freely and in abundance.
Reection: Are you boldly approaching the throne of grace to receive help in your
time of need? If not, what is keeping you from doing so? Ask the Holy Spirit to help
you in this area.
Prayer: Father, I accept Your invitation to come boldly to Your throne of grace. I can
come to You with anything to get the help I need at any time. I do not have to carry the
weight of the world on my shoulders because I can cast all my cares on You. Thank You
for the mercy and grace that stream from Your throne and never run out. Teach me to
be as merciful and gracious to others as You have been to me. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
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Day 11 | Thursday, January 18, 2024
When God Says No
" . . . even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So, to keep
me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my esh, a messenger from Satan to
torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the
Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works
best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NLT
In order to receive answers to our prayers, we, rst of all, must pray. But we
must pray, understanding that we may not always receive the answer we desire. Even
though God wants us to bring every request to Him, it does not mean that He will give
us everything for which we ask. God wants to know the desires of our hearts. He wants
us to have fellowship with Him through prayer. He wants us to seek Him for wisdom
and direction. Yet there will still be times when we are in the will of God, we pray about
something, and God responds with a “no.”
The apostle Paul is a prime example of bringing a legitimate request to God
and receiving “no” for an answer. Paul said he was given a thorn in his side. It may have
been a broken relationship that was bothering him, a physical ailment, or any number
of other things. He never tells us what that thorn in the esh is, but we do know that
Paul went to God three times about this situation.
Sometimes, when God says “no,” we misdirect blame to try and explain why.
We may never know the answer, like Paul never knew the reason for God’s “no” to him.
Receiving a “no” from God can cause some people to get angry with God, especially if
they feel they have been serving Him correctly for a long time and are in His will.
Sometimes the devil plays tricks on a person to make him think that past sin is
preventing him from getting a “yes” from God.
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Paul, a reformed terrorist, dedicated his life to spreading the gospel and faced
imprisonment and threats for being a follower of the Way. Consider the scenario of
completely turning your life around and solely living for God, only to receive a "no"
from Him. How many of us can stay committed when we don't get the desired answer
or the "yes" we believe we deserve? Do we continue to bless the Lord at all times, or
do we become bitter?
No one knows the mind of God. What this passage teaches us is that being in
God’s will does not guarantee us a life free from hardship. Being a good person does
not mean we will not have bad experiences. Serving and living for God does not mean
we get an automatic “yes” to every prayer request. God knows what is best for us. We
may never receive the answers we seek on this side of heaven, but we must accept
God’s sovereignty. We must learn to be content in whatever state we find ourselves.
God tells Paul that His grace is more than sufficient for anything Paul has to go through
in life. And His grace is more than sufficient for every believer, regardless of the “yes”
or “no” we may receive in prayer.
Reflection: Have you ever prayed and received “no” as the answer from God? How
did you handle it? Was that the appropriate response? Why or why not?
Prayer: Father, help me to trust You even more. Let me not become bitter and angry
when You have to say “no” or “not yet” to my prayer requests. Help me submit to Your
will in every area of my life. Let my joy remain full through my faith and trust in You as I
continue to believe the plans You have for my life are good. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
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Day 12 | Friday, January 19, 2024
Is It Really that Simple?
“Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree
by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, 'Let no
fruit grow on you ever again.' Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the
disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, 'How did the fig tree wither away so soon?' So
Jesus answered and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not
doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this
mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea," it will be done. And whatever things
you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.'”
Matthew 21:18-22
Being tired and hungry, Jesus saw this fig tree from afar and approached it
because He thought it would be good for food. Fig trees naturally grow fruit before, or
at least at the same time, the leaves appear. It was unnatural for this tree to be barren
of fruit and because it was out of its purpose, Jesus, who had always used His words to
this point to bless, cursed the fig tree. Immediately, the fig tree began to wither away.
If we are disciples of Christ, we must bear fruit. Jesus expects the believer’s
faith to produce a harvest in his life. Notice the conditional statement in this passage.
A condition is placed on the believer, who must have faith without doubt. The person
will not only reproduce the miracles of Jesus but also have the ability to move
mountains. No one is expected to go around cursing fig trees, but metaphorically
speaking, believers, when utilizing their faith, can command negative situations to
cease.
Faith that moves mountains is faith that sees and believes in the impossible, no
matter how daunting the situation. Jesus Christ wants us to understand that it takes the
same amount of faith to believe for the small things and the big things.
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When we face dire circumstances, we are led to believe that we need more
faith. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have all the faith we are ever going
to get. The Scriptures tell us that mustard-seed faith can move mountains (Matthew
17:20-21).
A popular gospel song encouraged believers to think that they needed “just a
little more Jesus.” Although it may have been a catchy tune, it does not align with
God’s Word. We, as believers, have all the Jesus we are going to get.
When we decide to give our lives to Christ, we have the person of the Holy
Spirit living inside of us. The Holy Spirit is our helper, mentor, teacher, Comforter, and
coach. We do not need more faith. What we need is a greater level of obedience to
the Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We have made things complicated, but Jesus tells us that when we pray, we
must believe that we receive the thing for which we are asking. What is the point of
praying if we do not believe that God hears and answers our prayers? Those answers
may not be what we want to hear at the time, and those answers may not be within the
time limit we desire, but God does answer prayer. We have to believe in order to
receive. It really is that simple!
The scriptures have already given parameters for prayer by telling us that we
must pray in faith and according to the will of God. It is our responsibility to know the
will and the Word of God. The Word of God has never promised us that we will get
everything we want.
The Greek word for “whatever” in this passage is the word otidipote, and it
means anything or everything. As American evangelist and author D. L. Moody stated,
“He is the God of whatever's and He can handle whatever comes your way.”
Reection: Examine your prayer life. Are you making things too hard because of a
lack of faith? It may be possible to exercise faith in one area of our lives and not
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operate in faith in another area of our lives. God wants you to know that the same faith
that believes for the small is the same faith that can believe God for the big.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sometimes put my condence in my own
abilities or another person instead of in the integrity of Your Word. When I pray, I
choose to exercise my mustard seed-sized faith. I believe that You have a great plan
for my life, and You will bring Your promises to pass in my life. I need only to trust and
believe, and then I will see. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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Day 13 | Saturday, January 20, 2024
Can You Recognize the Answer?
“'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,'” says the LORD.
'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.'”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Be honest. Have you ever prayed to God while already having a made-up mind
as to how God would or should answer your prayer--when we try to gure out what
God is doing or anticipate what His next move will be? I think this is one of the reasons
we miss the answers to our prayers. We try to bring God down to our level instead of
coming up to the level of God. We could never fully understand the ways of God.
God is not referring to Himself as some arrogant and distant God, but He is
making a sharp contrast between His thoughts and ways as compared to those of
humanity. God is omnipotent and omniscient. He is the Creator of the heavens and the
earth. He knows everything. He can understand everything. There is not one thing that
will ever take God by surprise. He is not startled when we make the biggest fumble of
our lives. He is not shocked when He sees us doing the right thing. He is God. There is
not one test that God does not know the answers to--not some of them, but all of
them.
When life happens to us, we do not know the decisions we should make or the
path we should take. Those are the reasons we should pray. Ignorance is not always
bliss. If we do not le our taxes correctly, the Internal Revenue Service says, “Ignorance
of the law is no defense.” In fact, this is a fundamental legal principle. The laws apply to
everyone within a jurisdiction, regardless of whether they are known or understood.
God could never be faced with such a conundrum because He is God.
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If we pray, believing we have things gured out, we could receive an answer
and miss it. Why? Because we cannot comprehend the ways and thoughts of God.
When someone wrongs us, we want to return the favor, but God’s ways tell us to
forgive or turn the other cheek. When we are faced with challenging situations, worry
might be our rst reaction. But God tells us to pray about everything.
As humans, we have a natural tendency to rely on our humanness, but as
believers, we are encouraged to rely on God, to trust Him and be condent in His love
for us. God does not want us ignorant, and He freely shares His limitless knowledge
with us. However, if we do not ask Him for wisdom, we will not receive it.
In Isaiah 55:7, God tells His people to repent of wickedness and turn back to
Him so they can receive His compassion and pardon. God’s plan has not changed. He
calls all men to turn away from sin—everything that opposes Him—and turn to Him in
faith and trust. Unfortunately, we as believers sometimes lose sight of this simple truth.
When we miss the mark, we sometimes avoid God by not praying. We trick ourselves
into avoiding Him, and all the while our situation worsens. Then, when we have tried
everything else, we decide to give God a try as a last resort.
If we want to recognize God’s answers to our prayers when we pray, we must
rst build a relationship with Him so that we can build trust and begin to learn of His
ways. One of the things that makes us so uncertain in prayer is that we are asking
things of a person we do not know. Even in the natural, when we ask a favor of another
person, we are on the edge of our seats because we do not know the person well
enough to predict his response. I am in no way saying that we should try to predict
how God will answer our prayers. We cannot put God in a box. We must allow God to
color outside of the lines of our imagination that gave us our own answer when we
prayed.
Our job is to trust the character of God and the integrity of His Word. When we
do this, we can be certain that our prayers in faith are heard and will be answered. We
have the Holy Spirit to give us clarity about the answer we receive.
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Reection: Think about a time when you prayed to God and the answer was not what
you expected or wanted to accept. Did that situation bring disappointment to you?
Did it change your prayer life at all?
Prayer: Father, before You formed me in my mother’s womb, You knew me. You know
me better than I know myself. Help me to develop my fellowship with You so that I can
learn of Your ways. Teach me to recognize the answers You give me when I pray. When
I cannot see Your hand, help me to understand Your heart, which is full of love for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Day 14 | Sunday, January 21, 2024
A.S.K. (Ask, Seek, Knock)
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will
find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks,
receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be
opened."
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
Prayer, intimate communion and fellowship with God, is how we build our
relationship with Him. Every believer should have a lifestyle of prayer, not an activity
we run to in times of crisis. If we do not have a habitual practice of prayer, we are
uncertain that God hears us. Jesus tells His followers that prayer is not a one-time
affair. It is a necessity of life. He encourages them to be diligent in seeking God.
We are to keep asking, knocking, and seeking with patient endurance. We have
to ask, seek, and knock with confident humility. We should never quit or throw in the
towel. “It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them”
(Proverbs 25:2 NLT). We are called by God to be kings and priests, and that means we
must exercise the actions of a king. If a king has to make a judgment or ruling, he has
to examine the matter closely and seek God for wisdom. When the circumstances of
life try to weigh us down, we have to call on Jesus. Our lives will never be without
obstacles, tests, or trials. But the testing of our faith develops perseverance.
God has promised to answer the prayers of those who diligently seek Him.
Sometimes we spend more time looking for a lost set of keys or our cell phones than
we do seeking God about the matters of our lives. We do not need a formula to pray.
We need persistence to continue asking, seeking, and knocking until we have the
answers, the direction, the wisdom or whatever it is we need. If we keep knocking, the
door will be opened. If we keep asking, we shall receive. If we keep seeking, we shall
find what we are looking for in God’s timing.
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Please do not take these verses out of context. They do not mean that if we beg
and plead long and loud enough, God will give us whatever we want. These verses
should be examined along with everything else God has said about prayer. We must
ask in faith. We must ask according to His will. We must not have sin or unforgiveness
in our hearts if we want to receive from God. We cannot pray with selsh motivation.
This is not the "name it and claim it" gospel. The Word of God already tells us that we
must seek rst the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all other things will be
added to us.
If we want results, we must have sincere hearts and make efforts that go the
distance. We cannot treat our prayer life like a faucet. On some days, it is hot, on some
days, it is cold, and on other days, it is lukewarm. We must be consistent. Kenneth
Hagin put it this way, “I may not pray an hour every day, but I never have an hour
without prayer.” We have to ght the good ght of faith, and we cannot be prepared
for the battles we will face in life if we do not pray.
Reection: Is your prayer life one of patient endurance or one of a quick x? Ask the
Holy Spirit to help you become more consistent and persistent in your prayer life so
that you can get results.
Prayer: Father, I ask You to give me the heart to seek You for wisdom in every area of
my life. Help me to recognize when I am praying selshly and teach me to pray
according to Your will. Keep me hungry for Your presence and do not let me be
satised until I spend time with You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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Day 15 | Monday, January 22, 2024
You'd Better Forgive!
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so
that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Mark 11:25 NLT
Unforgiveness can take a toll on us mentally, physically, emotionally, and
certainly spiritually. One proverb likens unforgiveness to swallowing poison and
expecting our offender to die. When we hold grudges or resentment, it makes things
worse for us. Every time we relive the injury or offense, it deepens the scar that has
been inflicted on our souls.
It is expected that every believer will pray because Jesus says,” When you pray,
not if you pray.” Before we even begin to pray, we must choose to forgive others.
Matthew 18 recounts the story of a man who owed a large debt to the king, who
forgave him the money he owed. This same man, who was owed a smaller amount of
money by someone else, refused to extend the same kindness. He even threatened
the life of the man who owed him and had him put in jail. When the king found out
how badly he treated the other man, he renounced his forgiven debt and had him
thrown in prison to be tortured (Mark 11:18-35 NLT).
God forgives us and empowers us to forgive others. Even the worst criminal on
the planet can receive God’s forgiveness. Too often we make the mistake of holding
on to an offense while waiting for an apology. We have to forgive others in the
absence of their apologies. Forgiveness is always possible, but reconciliation is not.
Forgiving others does not mean things will work out. When others forgive us, it does
not mean that the relationship will be restored. It means that we no longer allow the
offense to take root in our hearts to build a tree of bitterness and resentment.
Forgiveness is not for our offender; it is for us. We have freely been forgiven by God,
but it cost Jesus His life.
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Forgiveness can be hard when we focus on the offense and the person we
ought to forgive. There are some things that are so egregious that it may be
challenging for people to clear them from their history. God does not expect us to
have selective amnesia. We are encouraged to focus on His love for us and how He
has forgiven us. If we want our prayers to get results, we cannot be hindered by
carrying offense in our hearts.
Reection: Are you holding any grudges against anyone, dead or alive? If so, choose
to forgive that person. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you not to rehearse the hurt.
Prayer: Father, I know that You have forgiven me of many things. You don’t hold things
against me. Help me to focus on Your love and forgive those who have offended me in
any way. Today, I decide to forgive them and let it go. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.
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Day 16 | Tuesday, January 23, 2024
What Matters the Most
“When you’re joined to the Anointed One, circumcision and religious obligations can
benet you nothing. All that matters now is living in the faith that works and expresses
itself through love.”
Galatians 5:6 TPT
Our lives as believers revolve around our position in Christ. Once we accept
Jesus, God gives us the same status as His only begotten Son. We have eternal life. We
are blameless for sin in God’s sight. There is nothing that we can do to earn this right.
It is all because of God’s grace and the nished work of Jesus on the cross. If we really
believed the truth about our position in Christ, we would spend more time getting to
know our Father God, our big brother and Savior Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One,
and His anointing.
Sometimes we try to work our way into God’s favor, but we are already favored
by Him. We are truly known and deeply loved by God. There is nothing we can do to
change that. There is no "right" number of deeds we can carry out or religious
practices we can follow that will give us a greater status with God. We already have the
best status there could ever be, and that is that we have been reconciled to Him and
we are seated in heavenly places with Christ (Ephesians 2:6-9).
Circumcision was an outward sign for Jews to show that they were followers of
Christ. Legalism does not have any part in the kingdom of God. It does not have the
power to produce results. If someone says to give 10 percent of your money to your
local church as a tithe and spend two hours a day praying because those things make
you a better Christian, those would be false statements. We cannot be better
Christians, but we can be more obedient Christians. Our obedience to God should
come from a place of love.
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Our faith is energized, expressed, and works by love—our love for God, His
Word, Jesus, ourselves, and others. So, if we’re praying but not loving, how can we say
we’re in faith? If we’re not in faith, then how can we earnestly expect anything from
God or take God at His Word because our faith isn’t activated? If faith is the car that
gets us there, then love is the gas that causes the car to operate to get us to our
destination.
So, when we pray, we pray in faith, but our faith operates by our love walk. If I’m
out of love, then I’m out of faith. Your spirit knows when you are not exercising faith
and when you are not operating in love. This is when doubt creeps in because we
want to expect from God, but we don’t want to walk in love with God’s people.
The Word tells us to love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds, and our
neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). If we want our prayers to produce
results, we cannot have a form of godliness that denies the power of God, which is
predicated on His love.
Reection: In what areas can you improve your love walk? Is it with your spouse,
children, co-workers, or someone else? Ask the Holy Spirit for the answer(s) to your
questions. When He answers, make a commitment to obey.
Prayer: Lord, help me to love others like You love me. Help me to see beyond their
faults and understand that every person has a soul worth redeeming. Help me to grow
in my love walk so that my faith is always activated. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Day 17 | Wednesday, January 24, 2024
On What Are You Meditating?
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be
sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you
do.”
Joshua 1:8 NLT
Joshua is a great example of a man who trusted God and not only believed His
Word, but also acted on it. Joshua knew the value of hearing God’s Word and
meditating on it. Meditation means to consider any thought, to dwell on anything, to
study or revolve any subject in one’s mind. Take a look at the word dwell and what
comes to mind? Did you think of a permanent residence or extended stay in some
place? That is how believers should treat the Word of God. We should not take it
lightly; instead, we should carefully ponder it so that it can take up residence in our
hearts.
When we are aware of God’s Word, we can make decisions according to His
Word. We can pray according to His will. In high school or college, we took a course of
study to become more knowledgeable and to develop our skills in a particular area.
How much more should we study the Word of God?
We keep looking to the world to give us keys to success. But lasting success
comes from knowing what God tells us to do and doing what He tells us to do. This
passage of Scripture paints a picture of a person who knows the Word of God so
intently that he understands what he needs to do, when he needs to do it, and he has
good success when he acts on it.
Would you like to prosper in everything you do? Would you like to succeed in
everything? If you’re like me, you probably answered, “Yes.” What are you meditating
on? We cannot spend so much time and energy being consumed with worldly
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pleasures and things that lack substance and still believe that we will be successful. If
we are consumed with social media, the likes and followers, then we cannot hear
clearly from God. The most important thing is to know and trust the Word of God.
If we are decient in wisdom in any area of our lives, we should start with the
Word. When we nd out what the Word says about our situations, we can memorize it,
highlight it, and put it into practice. The Word known but not applied will not bring us
victory. If I know there is food in the refrigerator, but I do not take the time to eat it, I
will not receive the nutrients it gives, and my physical body will become weaker.
This is what happens in the natural world, and what happens in the spiritual
world is no different. If I do not take the time to feed my spirit, it will become weaker as
my esh becomes stronger. If we want godly results, we have to do things God’s way.
God’s victory in our lives comes through applying the principles of His Word, but we
cannot apply what we do not know.
Reection: Have you made God’s Word a priority in your life? What practical things
can you put in place so that you can have a healthy spiritual diet and godly success?
Prayer: Father, in the days ahead, increase my hunger for Your Word. Let me digest
Your Word, meditate on it, and treasure it in my heart. Thank You for showing me the
way to prosper. As I obey, I will have success. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Day 18 | Thursday, January 25, 2024
Everybody Needs Prayer
” Therefore I exhort rst of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
As the world grows darker in terms of how people treat and respect one
another, many, including believers, have turned to murmuring and complaining about
all the spiritual wickedness they witness among our elected ofcials, world leaders,
policemen, pastors, teachers, youth, neighbors, and so on. No one is immune from
being the target of critical remarks.
However, Paul exhorts or strongly encourages believers to pray “for all men.”
No matter how we feel about specic people, no one should be exempt from our
prayers. If we really want our prayers to bring results, we cannot be biased. Who
needs our prayers? The lost, the saved, the rich, the poor, the strong, the weak, the
people we like, the people we don’t like, those who despitefully use us, and our
enemies. That list is not exhaustive because everybody needs prayer.
Not only does Paul say that we are to pray for all men, but he also gives us
specic people for whom to pray, “for kings and all who are in authority.” The people
in authority can impact how quiet and peaceful our lives are. We must pray for the
president and congress, kings of nations, wise leaders and tyrannical leaders, heads of
state, judges, mayors, city council members, bosses, the heads of our families,
classroom teachers, principals, Dream Team and Connect Groups leaders, and
pastors, etc. We must pray for the leaders who have authority over our lives in any way.
Everybody needs prayer.
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Believers can sometimes make the mistake of believing that only godly leaders
should be in positions of power. That sounds good in theory, but God allows wicked
leaders in positions at all levels of authority so that His people can come to
repentance and return to Him. King Ahab, King Saul, Herod Antipas, and King Ahaziah
are just a few of kings in the Bible who were called wicked.
Whether we like it or not, Daniel 2:21 says, “He removes and sets up kings.”
God hears and answers our prayers, but He needs to hear them rather than
complaints of how much worse things have gotten in the world. That only adds to the
problem, and we want our prayers to produce results.
If you’re still wondering how we are supposed to pray for all men and those in
authority, Paul addresses it by saying, “Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving
of thanks” should be made for everyone. Supplication is when we recognize that we
are in the presence of the King, and we position ourselves with the right attitude
before we humbly make requests for a specic purpose. The second type of prayer is
an act of surrendering everything to God so that our prayers can reect His heart
rather than our own selsh desires.
Intercession is a form of prayer that helps us to focus on others who need
prayer, instead of focusing on ourselves. At any given time, the Holy Spirit could
prompt us to pray for a specic situation or person. We do not have to agree with the
way politics are run in our country before we can pray. We do not have to agree with
our neighbor before we can pray. There may be people who do not know how to pray
or cannot pray for themselves because of the situation with which they are faced. We
are called to pray for them because everybody needs prayer. And when we have
prayed according to His, we offer up the prayer of thanksgiving because we know that
God will hear and answer our prayers.
Reection: How often do you pray for others, including those in authority? Allow the
Holy Spirit to direct your prayers as He brings to mind a specic person for whom you
should pray.
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Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. I lift up the leaders
across the globe, in my community, and in my church. Your Word reminds me that You
appoint all authority, so I repent of any complaints that I have made against leaders,
especially when You have commanded me to pray for them. Whether they do good or
evil in Your sight, I will pray for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Day 19 | Friday, January 26, 2024
How to Overcome
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their
testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
Revelation 12:11
God has an answer to every situation we could face in life. The book of
Revelation tells believers how they can have victory over the devil, the “him” to which
this passage refers. Jesus died on the cross and shed His innocent blood for the
forgiveness of sins. The devil came to steal, kill, and destroy, but it was Jesus who
came that we might have life abundantly (John 10:10).
If we fail or fall, God’s grace is greater, and He made provisions for every sin
that has been or could ever be committed. We can come close to God because Jesus
died on Calvary to give us that right. We must remember that our victory in life does
not come from anything we did so well, so we can take the pressure of trying to be
perfect off ourselves because we will never be perfect, but we are being perfected
every day by the Word of God.
The second essential we have to overcome the devil is the “word of their
testimony.” The very reason God gives us a testimony is to share with others what
Christ has done in our lives. The devil will try to keep us quiet by making us feel
embarrassed by what we have done in the past or what has been done to us. He
doesn’t want others to know that there is power in the blood of the Lamb. Many times,
we share news about a good restaurant or movie, or gossip disguised as a prayer
request, rather than share what the Lord has delivered us from or how He made a way
for us. I am not advising anyone to share without restraint, but never be afraid to follow
the nudging of the Holy Spirit when He tells you to share parts of your testimony with
others. It will bring glory to God.
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Lastly, we see that, “They loved not their lives to death.” Over centuries, many
believers have paid the price with their lives for following Christ. We cannot become
so consumed with what we want out of life that we ignore the reason we are still on
the planet—to fulll our purpose and design by God. He is the One who provides
breath in our bodies. When we do things our way, we sometimes choose the path of
least resistance because doing things God’s way may cause us to face persecution.
Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’s sake”
(Matthew 5:10). As the world gets darker, the light that shines from the life of a fully
surrendered believer should become brighter.
As a part of the body of Christ, we have already overcome the world because
Jesus overcame the world. Our victory rests in His victory. We cannot be ashamed of
the gospel of Christ. We need to share our testimony so that we can plant or water the
seed of the Word, that God may gain a harvest of souls.
Reection: As you are led this week, share any part of your testimony with someone
else and commit to praying for the person with whom you shared.
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the victory we have through the blood of Jesus. Thank
You for taking away the stain of sin and its power over us. Help us be shers of men
and lights in this darkening world so that lost souls may be won to You. In Jesus’ name,
I pray. Amen.
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Day 20 | Saturday, January 27, 2024
The Lord Is Looking for You
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself
strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. . .”
2 Chronicles 16:9
There is no one greater on whom we can depend on than God. We are
children of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus. In this walk of life, we can lose sight
of who we are and whose we are, so much so that we begin to put more emphasis on
what we can get from the world rather than focusing on what God has already
provided. Some of us rely on our skills and personalities, while others rely on their
education or the government to help them. Finally, when we have exhausted all of our
resources in the natural, we turn back to God.
Have you ever had a friend who was loyal? A person on whom you could
depend in the good and the bad times. The children of Israel started off well under
the reign of King Asa. They were obedient and worshipped God, and God prospered
them. When the Israelites' way of life was threatened, King Asa didn’t go to God for
help; he sought advice from a pagan king. He disregarded all the time that God had
proven Himself to be faithful and true.
Before we judge King Asa too harshly, we should examine our own lives. How
many times has God made a way for us? How many times has He provided for us? For
some, how many times has God healed us? We have the truth of God’s Word in our
faces; we have our personal testimonies and even the testimonies of others that
consistently show God as a healer, deliverer, Defender, source, and supply! We also
have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to teach us and remind us of the things
of God.
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When situations look dreary and we look for help from everyone and
everything but God, we are turning away from Christ. We are depriving the Holy Spirit
of His ability to work in our lives. We are negating the knowledge that if God did it
before, He can do it again. When this happens, we are returning to our old ways of
living. We are walking in sin if we look to any source other than God to supply our
needs.
God is looking for His children. He wants to show Himself strong and mighty on
their behalf. He is looking for those who still reach out to Him in times of difculty. He
is looking for those who will stand in the midst of adversity and still proclaim, “He is a
Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness, My God, that is
who you are!”
Is that you?
Reection: About twenty years ago, I was sitting in church when Dr. Frederick K. C.
Price asked this question: “If I am the only one that God can depend on, is He in
trouble because He can’t count on me?” Take some time to allow the Holy Spirit to
show you how loyal you are to God. If He shows you areas in which to make a
correction, be obedient and do it.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your unconditional love, mercy, and grace in my life. I am
sorry for all those times when I sought others to be a resource for me and neglected
to bring my needs to the source of all wisdom, provision, strength, and everything else
I could ever need. Grow me in my faithfulness in seeking You so that You know my
heart is loyal to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Day 21 | Sunday, January 28, 2024
Be Generous
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full pressed down, shaken
together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount
you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Luke 6:38 NLT
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is teaching the fundamental principles of
sowing and reaping. Whatever we release in our lives, it will be returned to us. If we
are merciful, we will receive mercy. If we are harsh and judgmental, we will receive
harsh judgments in return. If we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven. When
we spread our gifts, whatever they may be, they will come back in abundance. This is a
universal principle that goes beyond the giving of money and material possessions.
Jesus died for us. His compassion for us is immeasurable. His love for us never
fails. We have been saved by grace, and by God’s grace, we have received many
precious promises as we exercise our faith in Jesus Christ. I am sure we can all agree
that we have received more from God than we could ever repay. When we take stock
of our lives and the goodness we have received from the Lord, it should prompt us to
think about how we treat others.
God loves us unconditionally, and by His grace, we can love others, not in our
own strength but in the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us and helping us to do
all things in Christ, who gives us strength. God is serious about us sharing our
generosity, forgiveness, and compassion with others. Too often, some believers take
on the judgment of the world. They spend too much time judging the outward sins of
others while failing to look at the sin in their own hearts that could carry bitterness,
murmuring and complaining, ungratefulness, resentment, and so on. Man looks on the
outside, but God looks on the inside. He is looking not only at what we sow, but also at
how we sow.
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outside, but God looks on the inside. He is looking not only at what we sow, but also at
how we sow.
Read this same passage of Scripture in The Message translation. It says, “Don’t
pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want
the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can
boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll nd life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll
nd life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing.
Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity” (Luke 6:37-38).
Although this text is used in many pulpits on Sunday to incite people to give
nancially, its message resonates with something more powerful than money. God
wants us to live a life of generosity that includes how we treat one another. He wants
us to work on building our character so that it is more reective of Him and the
transformation His love makes in our lives.
Reect: Do your actions toward others demonstrate a generous spirit of compassion?
If not, make the adjustments.
Prayer: Father, show me the error of my ways when I judge others harshly instead of
giving them the benet of grace. Open my eyes so that I may see others through the
lens of Your love. Help me to share Your generosity with kindness and compassion. In
Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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God has put us on earth at this specic time for a reason. He says in Acts 17:26 that He
determined when and where we would live. Knowing this, we can look at those
around us at this specic time in history and take personal responsibility to pray.
Therefore, I exhort rst of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be
saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Pray for those in authority and those under your authority. Extend your prayers to
cover family members and those within your circle of inuence.
Write down the names of specic people and offer heartfelt prayers for each one. List
the specic things you are believing for or the request you are making in faith on their
behalf.
MY GOVERNMENT
President
National Leaders
State Leaders
City Leaders
First Responders
MY FAMILY
Spouse
Children
Parents
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Extended Family
MY CHURCH
Pastors
Overseers
Dream Team Lead
Connect Group Leaders
Connect Group Members
MY LIFE
Employer
Colleagues
Employees
Teachers/Professors
THOSE I INFLUENCE
Close friends
THOSE WHO NEED GOD
God desires everyone to know Him. He says in His Word that He would leave the
ninety-nine to go after the one who does not know Him. As followers of Christ, we are
called to partner with Him, praying for those who do not know Him to come to know
Him.
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1. PRAY THE FATHER WOULD DRAW THEM TO JESUS
God draws people to Him. It is not something we can make happen out of our
efforts, so we must be faithful in praying that the Father would draw those He’s
placed on our hearts to Jesus.
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will
raise him up at the last day. John 6:44
Think about the people you know who are far from God. Let your heart be open to
God and anyone He may bring to your mind. It may help to write their names in
the space above as you pray for them.
PRAYER
Father, I pray for the people around me (list specic names) that You would
supernaturally draw their hearts to You. Send Your Holy Spirit to them and give them
the desire to give their lives to You. Help them to recognize their longing for more
in life as a spiritual thirst only You can quench. Open their ears to hear Your voice.
2. PRAY GOD WILL FREE THEIR MINDS FROM BONDAGE
The truth can be right in front of some people, and they still cannot see it because
something is blocking their view of God.
Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light
of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on
them.
2 Corinthians 4:4
We can pray against whatever is in their way so that they can see the light of God.
We can pray that they know the truth without any obstacles or distractions
interfering.
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PRAYER
Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray that all unbelievers would be able to see clearly,
to recognize who You are, and give their hearts to You. Remove all hindrances the
enemy would use to distract them from Your truth. Open their eyes, Lord, that they
might see Jesus.
3. PRAY THEY WILL COME TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Many people think Christianity is just another religion. They only see God through
the lens of the organization and the institution of the church. They may even feel
frustrated, angry, or betrayed by people in churches they have encountered or by
religious legalists and their hypocrisy. But God did not come to build an
organization. He came to have a relationship with His children.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15
God wants His beloved sons and daughters to come home. Praying for people to
have personal encounters with the living God makes a huge difference.
PRAYER
Father, I pray that people will understand how much You love them. Loose the Spirit
of adoption for the people around me so that they come into a meaningful
relationship with You. Stir in their hearts a longing to come home, to hear Your
voice, and to see You welcoming them with open arms. Let them know You are
always running to meet them and hold them close.
4. PRAY OTHER BELIEVERS WILL CROSS THEIR PATHS AND ENTER INTO
POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM
This is twofold: we can pray for other Christians to positively inuence the people
around them and look for opportunities to inuence others positively. God’s plan
to reach people is worked through those who already know and love Him. Jesus
asked us to pray for people to go into the world to be salt and light. He came to
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ing the good news of the gospel to all people, and He desires that everyone
would know and love Him.
Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Matthew 9:38
As His “spiritual farmers,” we should be attuned to opportunities to plant spiritual
seeds in the lives of the people we encounter daily. We may have no idea who has
already been praying for them, and the culminating impact our kind word,
compassionate act, or loving attitude can have to draw someone to Christ.
PRAYER
Father, I pray for the lost around me to meet believers who will positively inuence
them. Lord, let my life shine so that people want to know the God I serve. Let others
see my genuine love and concern for them in everything I say and do. Let me be
Your hands and feet to serve them and show them how much You love them.
5. PRAY THEY RECEIVE THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION TO KNOW
GOD BETTER
It is that “eureka” moment, that “aha!” when it nally clicks. The most critical
moment to have this kind of revelation is when the lights come on spiritually.
People need to see their sins, see what Jesus did on the cross, and see the hope
that results from giving their lives to God.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Ephesians 1:17
People need wisdom, not just knowledge of spiritual things and insight into how
spiritual realities directly impact them. We can pray for this kind of supernatural
revelation that only comes from God.
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Thank you for your dedication and participation in Connect 21. Our prayer for you
during these 21 days was that God would overwhelm you with His goodness as you
seek His presence, power, and provision. God is forever faithful! We can count on Him
more than we can rely on our own efforts. When we set aside time to pray and
dedicate extra focus on Him, we can expect to experience His faithfulness.
Do you have a testimony?
Now, as we transition from this focused period of prayer and fasting, please take a
moment to reect on your personal journey. Have you experienced a transformation, a
breakthrough, or a renewed sense of purpose? Your testimony is a powerful reminder
of God's work in our lives and your story may be the encouragement someone else
needs to press on in their journey of faith. You can email them to
info@linkedupchurch.com, and let's celebrate together the goodness of our God.
Remember, our 21 days of prayer and fasting were not meant to be an endpoint but
rather a launching pad for a deeper relationship with God. The journey continues, and
as we move forward, let us be intentional about maintaining the momentum we've
built. Keep praying, keep seeking, and keep developing your prayer life. The God we
serve is not just good; He is better than good, and He delights in every moment you
spend in His presence.
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We trust the commitments you made leading into Connect 21 are already in progress. If
you haven’t completed your commitments or seen your prayer targets manifest during the
Connect 21 spiritual concentration, let’s continue to persist in faith, they will come to pass.
Carry forward the live-giving habits from Connect 21. Now that you know more about the
power of prayer and fasting you can tap into that spiritual connection as you aim for new
prayer targets.
Linked UP Church is a dynamic ministry, and you belong here. There are several areas for
you to get connected and continue growing in your relationship with God.
BECOME A MEMBER
If you believe God is leading you to become a member of
Linked UP Church, then we invite you to take your Next Steps
classes to become a part of our family.
Next Steps is a series of three classes that help you grow and
thrive in the life God created for you. Upon completing all
classes, you become a member of Linked UP Church.
Anyone from anywhere can take the classes offered inperson
and on demand.
STEP
1
STEP
2
STEP
3
God & Family
Purpose
Community
Scan here to learn more about Next
Steps or take on demand classes or
email nextsteps@linkedupchurch.com
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JOIN A CONNECT GROUP
Life is better in a group. Here at Linked UP Church, we
believe you were created to “do life” in community with
other believers. We offer two types of Connect Groups:
Interest Groups and Community Groups.
Interest groups have trained leaders who facilitate groups
around their passions and interests such as shing,
gardening, and bike riding. Are you interested in
curriculum-based learning? We have you covered! We offer an amazing curriculum-based
group called: Connect to Freedom for men and women.
Community Groups are led by individuals who want to make a positive impact on their
family, friends, and community. These groups meet once a week to dive deeper into
conversation around the weekly message using the sermon discussion guide shared every
Sunday afternoon.
You can join a Connect Group without being a member of Linked UP Church. However, if
you desire to lead an Interest Group, there's a specic level of responsibility reserved for
qualied members. On the other hand, H.O.S.T.ing a Community Group of your friends
and family, does not require membership. It's an excellent opportunity to grow in
community and impact those in your sphere of inuence.
Become a Connect Group Leader or a Community Group H.O.S.T. today. Let’s help
connect people to God, Family, Purpose, and Community.
Connect Group Expo Sunday, February 4 Scan here to join a group or email
Winter/Spring Semester starts Sunday, February 4
connectgroups@linkedupchurch.com
for more info.
Summer Semester starts Sunday, June 2
Fall Semester starts Sunday, September 8
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JOIN THE DREAM TEAM
(Membership Required)
Discover your gifts and passions and join the team. The
Dream Teams are groups of incredible people who love
God, love people, pursue excellence, choose joy, and
make an eternal difference to build the body of Christ.
Before applying to join the Dream Team just make sure
you’ve completed all your Next Steps membership
classes.
Scan here to see where you can serve with the
Dream Team or email
dreamteam@linkedupchurch.com for more info.
ENROLL AT PURPOSE CENTRAL
Enroll in a Purpose Central course to help you connect to a
job, get a better job, take control of your nances, better
your bank account, start a business, upgrade your
business, get your GED, or better your education.
Courses offered:
• Joblink
• GED Test Preparation
• Grant Writing 101
• Linked 2 Start UP
•Caregivers Workshop
•Entrepreneur Boot Camp
•Financial Peace University
•English as a Second Language
Scan here for Purpose Central course
listings and registration dates
.
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