prayer challenge

I am sharing a challenge with you today.  It is plan and is simple, and it is pointed.  Have you noticed that when you commit to following Jesus that there seems to be a steady stream temptation and struggles come your way?  I found that to be true of myself and of others I have talked to and watched who chose to follow Jesus.

Ephesians 6:13  NLT

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Prayer is battle.  In fact if you study the life of Jesus you will see that He prayed first, and all that He did came after and came through prayer.  Prayer also puts our armor on and allows us to not only get closer to God but to be tuned into what God is doing.

This is an important and exciting time for our church, The Community Fellowship.  That is why I am sharing a challenge with you today.  It is a prayer challenge.  What I am asking you to do is to join me and many others in prayer at specific times through the day.  You don’t have to chose every one of the times that I share below.  You can use one, two, all or as many as you want.

I’ll begin by giving you a core verse and time to pray.  Further there will be some points for prayer from other verses around the core verse.  Here are the times to pray:

TIME --- 10:10

John 10:10  NLT

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

   Pray we are protected from the enemy (John 10:10)

   Pray for God to give us abundant life (John 10:10)

   Pray we will follow God as shepherd (John 10:11)

   Pray that we will know God (John 10:14)

TIME --- 12:12

Romans 12:12  NLT

Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

   Pray for us to have extreme confidence in God (Romans 12:12)

   Pray that we will be transformed by God (Romans 12:2)

   Pray that God will use the gifts He has given us (Romans 12:6-8)

   Pray that we will love and honor others as Jesus did (Romans 12:9-10)

TIME --- 2:02

1 Corinthians 2:2  NLT

For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

   Pray that we focus only on Jesus and talk about him much (1 Cor 2:2)

   Pray your faith is always real and honest to God and to others (1 Cor 2:1)

   Pray that the message will be clear to the people we share with (1 Cor 2:4)

   Pray that we will be Spirit led and grow closer to God (1 Cor 2:10)

TIME --- 4:04

Proverbs 4:4  NLT

My father taught me, “Take my words to heart.  Follow my commands, and you will live.”

   Pray that we take to heart what we read in the Bible (Prov 4:4)

   Pray that we will not turn away from what God teaches us (Prov 4:2)

   Ask God for deep wisdom as our church moves forward with ministry and building (Prov 4:5,7)

   Pray that we step away from evil and always do good (Prov 4:14)

TIME --- 6:06

Matthew 6:6  NLT

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.  Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

   Commit to get alone with God and to pray daily (Matthew 6:6)

   Pray that our prayer lives get stronger and more powerful  (Matthew 6:7)

   Use the Lord’s prayer as a guide to pray (Matthew 6:9-13)

   Practice forgiveness in prayer first and then to others (Matthew 6:14)

TIME --- 8:08

Joshua 8:8   NLT

Set the town on fire, as the Lord has commanded.  You have your orders.

   Pray that we will do what God says no matter what (Joshua 8:8)

   Trust God to do what He says He will.  Ask for God to move (Joshua 8:1)

   Spend time praising God because He is good and is God (Joshua 8:30)

   Remember and thank God for His promises and tell others (Joshua 8:34-35)

I’d love to know you are taking this challenge.  Send me an email to info@thecommunityfellowship.org and let me know you are praying.  Also share any special prayer needs you might have.

In the next few days we will be sharing that will have some special prayer times as a church family.  My prayer is that God will do great things in us and around us and use us to impact more people for Him, more than ever before.

Prayer changes things.  Prayer changes us first.  Take this challenge and pray!  Stop and pray often…

NOTE: today is our oldest daughter’s 16th birthday.  Julie and I are very proud of Rebecca.  Happy birthday, Bec Bec!