30 Days of Prayer

[Jeff]

Day 1 Guidance

God, You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. You know the future as well as the past. you alone, Lord, know the way I should take and the directions I should make.

You have told me to trust in you with all of my heart. Without leaning on my own understanding and to acknowledge you in all my ways that you may direct my paths. Lord, I lay hold of your guidance today and always.

Psalm 73 says: "You will guide me with your console, And afterwards receive me to glory."

Take away my fear of tomorrow and give me confidence for today. grant me wisdom to make decisions that reflect your plans for me. Not my will, but yours, be done, not my race, but yours, be won.

Like a shepherd, you will lead me in paths of righteousness. I will thank you and praise you forever.

In Jesus name... Amen.

Guidance Scripture References

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs16:9

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].
They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Ps 91:11–12

For You, O Lord, are my Lamp; the Lord lightens my darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29

Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.
Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long Ps 25:4–5

Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. Job 6:24

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.
For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened
Matthew 7:7–8

8 I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Ps 32:8.

Dr. Jack Graham

 

[Jeff]

DAY 2: THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER​

How many times, when faced with a difficult situation, do we manipulate, plan, scheme, dream, and yet do not pray? Sometimes we'd almost rather do anything than pray. Why pray when we can worry about it? Why pray when we can try to figure it out ourselves?

We must change our way of thinking about prayer to realize that it is not an obligation; it is an opportunity. Prayer is not just a requirement; it is also a privilege and an invitation to experience the power of God. Prayer is spiritual breathing - our normal and natural experience in Christ.

The word "pray" that Jesus uses throughout the New Testament is the most simple and basic of all the words for prayer, and it means to "wish forward" or "to desire onward." God wants to hear the desires of our hearts. God wants to hear what's on your heart! He wants to hear your desires and your dreams. He wants to hear about your failures as well as your successes.

You can pray anywhere, anytime about anything. Tell God about your needs. Pray for your family and your friends. Pray when you are in pain and when you're living in victory. Pray about your finances and your future. Beginning today, make prayer a non-negotiable, necessary part of your day.

In your prayer time, think about each part of your life: your relationships, your occupation, your talents and hobbies, your health, and your future. Do you realize that each of these should be covered in prayer daily? Spend time today thanking God for the unique life situation in which He's placed you.

Seek your happiness in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desire.
Psalm 37:4

 

[Jeff]

DAY 3: THE COMMAND TO PRAY​

In Luke 11:2, as Jesus was about to instruct the disciples on how to pray, He began with, "When you pray." Notice that Jesus said, "when" and not "if."

We are commanded to pray. Prayer is a demonstration of our obedience to God. It is one the essentials of the Christian life. Prayer is also an opportunity to receive from our heavenly Father all that He desires to give.

It is amazing to me that we struggle in the area of prayer when God has promised so much. When you and I arrive at heaven's gate someday, no doubt we will be shocked by our lack of faithfulness as it relates to prayer. We will see firsthand the vast storehouse of blessing God had reserved for us, if only we had asked for His intervention in our lives. "You do not have because you do not ask." James 4:2 reads. What a fitting reminder to pray while we still have life left to live! Indeed, nothing good, nothing great, nothing lasting, nothing holy can ever happen apart from prayer.

That is why prayer should never be a sideline habit for believers. Prayer should not just be a ritual performed at the beginning of a family meal. We are to pray, persistently and passionately in dependence and in obedience. And let me be clear, if you are not praying, there is no way you can ever grow as a Christian. Without prayer, there is no way you will ever truly know God intimately. Prayer flows out of a life connected to Christ. And prayer also connects our life to Christ.

Pause for a moment and think about your prayer life. Are you communicating with God regularly through prayer? If not, when was the last time you prayed? What do you think is standing in the way of your praying more often? In your prayer time today, ask God to give you an even deeper desire to pray.

Luke 18:1​

Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart.