FaithSpring’s 46-day Prayer Challenge for Lent

Day 46, Saturday, April 15, 2017

Prayer Update! 100 hours and 25 minutes of Prayer through April 8, 2017.

Prayers of thanksgiving for God’s creations and blessings.

As the 2017 Prayer Challenge nears its’ conclusion, we offer God our prayers of thanksgiving for all that the LORD has accomplished. During this time of preparation for Easter, we have offered God many different prayers and followed those prayers with actions devoted to God. We have grown in faithfulness and we have opened new doors of communication with God. Now it’s time to give God some gratitude.

It’s easy to forget that some of the greatest blessings in life arise from the world in which we live. The sun that shines, the rain that nourishes, and the blooming trees and flowers are evidence of God’s work. Offer thanks to God for the crops that grow, clean water in our homes, and the jobs that sustain us. God has accomplished so much that we could spend our entire lives in prayer, and still not cover them all.

The point is that God has covered everything, including us. We are God’s greatest creation, and He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to protect our salvation. All of the things we have missed, forgotten, and messed-up don’t matter anymore. God forgives us through Jesus Christ, and for that, we can be thankful.

Today, thank God for all of creation, especially ourselves. Rest in the assurance that no matter what, God is standing by your side.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the things crawling on earth. God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them’…and God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good.” (Genesis 1:26-27; 31, CEB)

FaithSpring’s 46-day Prayer Challenge for Lent

Day 45, Friday, April 14, 2017

Prayer Update! 100 hours and 25 minutes of Prayer through April 8, 2017.

Pray and engage in 24-hours of fasting. (Don’t give up now! Try your best and keep reading.)

On the 45^th day of the Prayer Challenge, we arrive at our most difficult task. Today, we begin a time of fasting (withholding food) for 24 hours. This challenge will be very difficult for everyone, although in the history of the Christian Church, it is something that has been regularly practiced by billions of Christians. The purpose of this fast is to recognize the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ and demonstrate our faithfulness to God who supplies for all our needs.

In many parts of the world, this is a very strict and holy sacrifice. In our Prayer Challenge, this is a complete focus on Jesus Christ. When Jesus began His ministry, He retreated to a mountain where He engaged in a 40-day time of fasting. When Jesus was crucified, He spent three days in the tomb without nutrition. These are just two examples of Jesus’ fasting, but it is likely that Jesus practiced this discipline many more times during His lifetime.

First, here’s the rules for our fast: Withhold food for 24 hours. If this is not possible (especially for children, diabetics, and others whose physical requirements would prove to be dangerous to their health), then consider reducing/eliminating non-essential food and all drinks other than water.

Second, for those who have never practiced fasting, there are two keys to a successful fast: Prayer and water. Our bodies will crave certain foods and drinks, primarily because our bodies are conditioned to fulfill the hunger needs as they arise. There are several options:

1. Fast from all calories. If you choose this challenge, drink only water and pray at every opportunity.
2. Fast from all food (but drinks are okay). If you choose this option, then make sure to pray fervently and consume plenty of water and other beverages to supplement your body’s needs.
3. Conditioned Fast. If your dietary constraints (mentioned above) will not allow you to fast from calories or food, consider eating just fruits and vegetables and the minimal amount of other foods and plenty of water as your body requires (and continue to pray!).

(Hint: Begin counting the 24 hours from your last meal, so for many of us, we will already have a head-start of 10-12 hours.)

Don’t put yourself in danger, but neither give up before you begin. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish with a focus on Jesus Christ, along with plenty of prayer and water. God will care for you during your cravings, but even better, you will become a first-hand witness to how God supplies for the needs of His people.

“And when you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They distort their faces so people will know they are fasting. I assure you they have their reward. When you fast, brush your hair and wash your face. Then you won’t look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18, CEB)

FaithSpring’s 40-day Prayer Challenge for Lent

Day 44, April 13, 2017

 Pray for God’s forgiveness of our most troubling sins.

 Wait – read that again. Isn’t that supposed to say our WORST? You know your sin is worse than anyone else’s right? And you know that you probably have better reasons than anyone to avoid God, church, or transparency, right? April Fool’s Day is over and it’s not a joke. Today’s prayer is NOT for our “worst” sin but our most troubling. Can you see the difference?

Each one of us are sinners. Simply put, all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But guess what – out of His great love, Jesus loved us despite our sin and died for us! Jesus took our punishment so we didn’t have to and by His sacrifice we can stand before God blameless.

What? Blameless? Does that make you scratch your head?

Sometimes we may get a little crazy and make grace into religion. Religion is rules. Grace is a gift that we don’t have to earn – we just accept it. Jesus took the blame for our sin and if we say “Yes, I believe and want your grace. I make you my Lord.”, then we are able to start over no matter how troubling our sins! No one is worse or better than the next guy… but some of us tend to compare ourselves beyond need and rank our sins beyond grace.

Here’s the deal: If God needed us to determine the penalty for our sin, why would He have let Jesus die for us? Or put differently, if Jesus died for you, do you have to make the price of you sin exceed what He has already paid?

Today we pray about our most troubling sins. First, ask God to show you clearly what your sin actually is: it could be a past action or a recurring behavior, but it might be in an attitude. Second, admit that this is just what it is – sin – and ask God’s forgiveness. Third, ask God to empower you over this sin and fill you with His Spirit.

Sometimes we must keep asking for His strength because we keep wanting to pick back up the old, dirty bags, but God isn’t seeing things the way we do: if we give him the old bags, He removes them and He starts at work in us to reshape our hearts and minds. Give God the old stuff today. Those bags tend to get heavy and you’re probably tired of carrying them! Pray today for the newness and strength He promises as we give over the most troubling sin that wear us down.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” – I John 1:9

FaithSpring’s 40-day Prayer Challenge for Lent

Day 43, April 12, 2017

Pray for churches, temples and places of worship.

Today we pray for houses of worship of all faiths – the temples and churches of our world. This very week, Jewish and Christians alike are celebrating their most sacred days. For the first time in many years, Eastern and Western Christians celebrate Easter on the same calendar day. This week brings multiple holidays for Hindu and Buddhists throughout the world and next week marks holidays that unite Christianity and Native American tribes.

Today we pray that places of worship are protected, places of peace and safety for mankind. Jesus loved the Jew and the Gentile alike and He lived, died, and was resurrected for the salvation of all people. We pray today for those that are searching for His love, even if they don’t yet know where to find it.

We also pray, specifically, for Christian churches everywhere. Pray that we might be welcoming to those traveling in our doors and accepting of what they bring with them. We pray to be united with one another across denominational or national differences. In this holiest of weeks, may Christ’s churches keep their eyes on His love and His glory above all, His Light outshining the things that distract us from living and loving as He lives and loves. And, as God leads, we pray that we would be bold to invite strangers inside our doors; we pray this Easter might be fuller and richer for welcoming all of God’s children to worship together.

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” – Psalm 133:1 (NLT)

FaithSpring’s 40-day Prayer Challenge for Lent

 Day 42, April 11, 2017

 Pray for Alzheimer and dementia patients.

As we journey to the cross in this Holy Week, our prayers today are for those suffering Alzheimer’s and dementia. Yes, we remember their caregivers and the pain and suffering they face in watching deterioration. We lift these special persons, too. However, we consider the journey of the patient themselves and seek to identify with their experience.

Once they were like you.

Once they could freely love and laugh.

They once understood clearly.

They still have feelings.

They still know pain.

Once they were full of life.

Their thinking is distorted.

Sometimes they realize this.

They still love, even if they can’t express it.

Sometimes their mind feels locked.

They need compassion.

They need human touch.

They need… love.

Today we ask for God’s grace and mercy to be abundant to these souls and surround them with people who love them unconditionally. May they see smiles all around them, feel warmth and safety, and be free from manipulation and neglect. May they hear the good news of Christ: even if they cannot respond; even in the battle of the disease for the mind, the heart can receive Christ and the soul – even when words may not come – may find His peace. Pray that during the fog that these brothers and sisters might remember that God never forgets them!

“I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” - Isaiah 49:15-16