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40 Days of praying (and beginning to live)
2 Chronicles 7:14

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Day 1   (Friday, 9/27/24)       Be on the Lord’s side

2 Chronicles 7:14 says “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.” These 40 Days are about the right people (Christians), having the right attitude (humbling ourselves), with the right actions (praying, seeking God’s face, and turning from any wicked ways), so that we get the right response (God will hear, forgive, and heal our land). Pray through 2 Chronicles 7:14 today as a step of preparation.​​​​

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Day 2   (Saturday, 9/28/24)       Whose People are we?

Psalm 47:7 says “For God is the King of all the earth.” The God 2 Chronicles 7:14 talks about and that we follow has a Son; His name is Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). When Jesus ascended to Heaven the Holy Spirit was sent to help. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). To be God’s people who are called by His name, we must trust Jesus for our eternal existence. Pray either “Lord, thank you for saving me and making me your child. I want to diligently pray as one of your people during these 40 days. Or, pray “Lord, I want to know that I am a  child of yours. I confess I have sinned and need a Savior. Jesus, forgive me of my sin, come into my life and give me eternal life. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me.

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Day 3   (Sunday, 9/29/24)       Start and stay with the King

1 Samuel 8:7 “7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” Let us not make the same mistake the Children of Israel made with they wanted their king not “The King”. These United States are divided because we disagree over who we want to be “king”. Believers need to unite around our desire that Jesus be King. Ask Jesus today to be King of our lives, our homes, our churches, and our nation. As we said yesterday, He is King. Let us be certain we are acknowledging that fact.

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Day 4   (Monday, 9/30/24)       Desire Humility over Haughtiness

Once we understand who is the King, it helps us to see our shortcomings. It takes humility to admit we are not in charge and have no power over the enemy. 2 Chronicles 20 is the story of world leaders and their people coming against Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. In verse 12 Jehoshaphat says to God “We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” Today, we must humbly say “God, we have no power against the enemy that is attacking Christian principles, our families, our economy and our country. However, I am coming to you today to say “Our eyes are on you.” The end of the story is that Jehoshaphat called on Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to believe God. Then he stationed the singers (the choir) in front of the army. When the people began to sing the nations who came against Judah turned on and defeated each other and Judah won the battle without fighting.​

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Day 5   (Tuesday, 10/1/24)       Pray!

God’s people are called to pray. Psalm 145:18 says “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” Prayer is a conversation between two who love each other. During these 40 days we are talking to God, but we must also listen to Him. Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “Pray without ceasing.” Begin a daily walk that consists of talking to God and listening to Him through His word. “Lord Jesus, as the disciple asked You, we ask You ‘teach us to pray.’ We are God’s people, humbling ourselves, praying and preparing to seek His face.

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Day 6   (Wednesday, 10/2/24)      Seek God’s Face

Isaiah 55:6 says “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” The wisdom writer, in Proverbs 8:17 reminds us “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” Jesus tells us that if we will “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...” then “all these things shall be added to you.” Boldly ask today so that you and our nation will receive. Seek, so that we will find God’s will. Knock and watch God open doors to miracles (Matthew 7:7). At First Baptist Gulf Shores, we are seeing God work in our community and schools in new and amazing ways. We have asked for our area, now we are praying miraculous healing on our nation.

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Day 7   (Thursday, 10/3/24)      Turn!

2 Chronicles 7:14 calls on God’s people to turn from any wickedness that may be in our lives. Turn means “to repent”. 1 Peter 2:1 says “Therefore, lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.”  Acts 3:19 tells us “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord...”  “Lord, forgive and reveal to me  (1) things I have said that I should not have said; (2) that which I have done that I should not have done; (3) what I did not say that you wanted me to say; (4) what I did not do that you wanted me to do. Pour Your cleansing blood over me, Lord Jesus, and help me to remain clean everyday.” 1 John 1:9 is God’s promise to His people: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Learn to walk in forgiveness and peace that God is listening to you.

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Day 8   (Friday, 10/4/24)       Living in Unity

Psalm 133:1 says “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity!”  Unity should be natural for those who are a part of God’s family. Unity comes as we all follow God’s will together. When we do, it is a good thing and it is pleasant, or delightful to everyone who dwells together in God’s family. Ask God to bring complete unity among all  those who are a part of His family. Pray and ask that we unify behind God’s will.

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Day 9   (Saturday, 10/5/24)       Unity Through the Mind of Christ

Philippians 2:1-5 says “..be likeminded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Unity is achievable as we change our mindset. We must have the mind of Christ and have a desire to place others ahead of ourselves. As we do we reflect Christ to those around us. Ask God to change the way we think. Pray that God will unify the mindset of His people in such a way that we see others as valuable to God and to His kingdom.

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Day 10   (Sunday, 10/6/24)       Stay with the King (Part 2)

Matthew 28:5-6a records the Angel talking to women who came to the tomb “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen...” Jesus is our risen Savior. We often hear people refer to men and women as people “who will save us.” There is one Savior, His name is Jesus. He ascended to Heaven, but He has not abandoned us. His Holy Spirit has been sent to help us and accomplish God’s purpose in this world. “Jesus, You are Lord. Please be Lord of my life, my home, your church, our community, our state, and our nation. I confess today that you are the risen Savior.

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Day 11   (Monday, 10/7/24)       Suit up!

Ephesians 6:11 "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 flesh 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 fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spiritwhich 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.” Ask God to protect you and your home with truth, righteousness, sharing Jesus, walking by faith, having hope, reading the word and praying many times each day. Put on the whole armor of God!

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Day 12   (Tuesday, 10/8/24)       Pray with Expectation

Jeremiah 33:3 quotes God saying to His people “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

The late Dr. George W. Truett popularized the saying “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.” Christians often mistake this as a call to go to work. While work is involved, the greatest call is to pray! Every great work of God in our world started with believers willing to go to their knees and cry out to our holy God. As said on Day 5, the next part of prayer is to listen to God. Once we hear from God, we get up and do what He says.

“Lord, God, we cry out to you to hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land. What we are asking is impossible for us to accomplish. However, we know that what is impossible with us is possible with You (Matthew 19:26b). You also told us that without faith it is impossible to please You (Hebrews 11:6). These Days of Prayer are us, Your people, crying out to You, by faith, and doing what You ask us to do to cause the impossible to happen.”

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Day 13   (Wednesday, 10/9/24)       Pray for Love and Walk in Love

1 John 4:10-11 says “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Love is not simply an attitude, it is also an action. Many people have been devastated by hurricane Helene. Our hearts go out to them in love. Our actions back up that attitude. People are prepared to go, give, and take generators and supplies to those who are hurting. Christians are on the ground working, supplying, and ministering in Jesus’ name; we are being His disciples. Jesus told us that by acting out our love all people would know that we are His disciples. It is heartwarming to see the yellow shirts of Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief and the orange shirts of Samaritan’s Purse as media outlets report on the cleanup efforts.

“Jesus, teach us how we can act out our love so that our land, the United States of America, can witness us being your disciples.”

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Day 14   (Thursday, 10/10/24)       Pray for Truth and Speak Truth

The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6 says “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...” (verse 11)  “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth...” (verse 14).

God’s protection begins with truth. Many of the problems in lives, homes, churches, communities, and our  country come from the absence of truth. I recently complimented a young businessman for telling the truth when he made a mistake. Besides being a Christian, I told him that he was a Psalm 15 Christian. Psalm 15 says that the blessed person speaks the truth in his/her heart (vs. 2), and swears to his/her own hurt and does not change (vs. 4).

“Father, there is a battle against truth in our land. Help Your people who are called by Your name to speak truth and not to change. Jesus You are truth. Guide us to stand with You. As we pray for truth, guide the Christians in the United States to know the truth, tell the truth, and share the truth.”

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Day 15   (Friday, 10/11/24)       Pray for Help and Help Others

2 Chronicles 14 tells of God’s people needing help. We read “And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said...help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You...So the Lord struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. And Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar. So the Ethiopians were overthrown, and they could not recover, for they were broken before the Lord and His army. And they carried away very much spoil.”

The people prayed and God began to work. However, Asa and his army did not stand still. When they saw God working, they pursued the enemy, overthrew them, and carried away the spoil. God is at work. As we watch Him work, be prepared to do what He says to defeat the enemy, whether the enemy is in our government or schools. We must go in and take back what the enemy has devoured.

God, during these days, we are crying out to you. We know you are listening and that you are helping, but give us the courage to go forward and help others who have been in bondage to the enemy.

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Day 16 (Saturday, 10/12/24)   Pray for Wisdom and Use it

James 1:5 says “But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you” (NCV). James begins chapter 5 with an encouragement to be joyful when you go through trials. James then tells us that if we need wisdom to discover why we are experiencing trials, we need to ask God and He will let us know. Once we learn how the trials are building us up, then we need to act on this new found wisdom.

Jesus, we do not understand all the trials that have come to our land in recent years. What we do know is that You are all powerful and either cause or allow everything. Help us to be witnesses to the world of the purpose of the trials we are facing, the solutions, and how You want to use each of us to bring glory to You as You overcome our trials.   

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Day 17   (Sunday, 10/13/24)       Stay with the King (Part 3)

    John 6:66-69 are powerful verses that depict people leaving King Jesus and some staying with Him. “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

    People in our nation are voting or preparing to vote for a president. What we are learning is that no president, politician, preacher, or person is a savior. However, we know that Jesus is The Savior. In Isaiah 45:22 God says “Look to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other.”

    “God, there is no one to whom we can turn who will save us but You. That is why we, Your people, are humbling ourselves, praying, repenting, and seeking Your face. We desperately need You to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. Lord, we need YOU!”

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Day 18   (Monday, 10/14/24)       Understand Unity

The focus of the next three days will be on unity. Jesus prayed, in John 17, that His children would be as unified as the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are. Pray believers in the United States of America unify behind 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Understanding unity

Webster defines unity as a state or quality of being one, forming a whole from separate parts. Paul, the Apostle, wrote in Corinthians 12:12: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”  One of the first steps in achieving unity is to recognize and accept that within the church (and outside of it) we are all different. Unity cannot be confused with sameness. The King calls each of His people to celebrate the diversity in individuals!

“Father God, help us to see the vast array of gifts you have purposefully given to individuals within and outside of your church. Open our hearts and minds so that we can accept differences in other believers, knowing that you have created us with unique abilities be used in the furthering of your Kingdom.”

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Day 19   (Tuesday, 10/15/24)       Practice, practice, practice, Unity

Unity cannot be achieved without daily practice. Ephesians 4:3 says “MAKE EVERY EFFORT to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Colossians 3:12-13 says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Father, we look to You as our King and ask for an enlarged capacity to be daily clothed with the qualities You desire.  We confess that as frail human beings we need Your anointing to practice unity in all of our daily interactions with people. We know that unity and healing will only come if we do our part.

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Day 20   (Wednesday, 10/16/24)       Unity’s Capstone

In our efforts to achieve the unity that God desires for the believers in our nation, we as His people are challenged in Colossians 3:14 as follows: “And over all these virtues PUT ON LOVE which binds them together in perfect unity.”

It is impossible in our own strength to succeed at being kind, humble, gentle, patient, and forgiving. As God’s people, we need to seek our King for our daily infusions of love. Today is the half-way point in our 40 Days of Praying 2 Chronicles 7:14. I pray that you are sensing that our God (Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit) is bringing personal revivals in the lives of His people.

“Father God, we acknowledge that, without Your power in us, we cannot extend the love to others that will lead to unity in families, churches, and our nation. We need Your grace to love those who are different than we are, those who are less lovable, and those who hate us. Jesus, remind us that You came to die for every man and woman and that each of us is important to You.”

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Day 21   (Thursday, 10/17/24)       Do Justice

I love the simplicity of Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice... I want to stop there for a day. God is calling on His people to be people of justice. We are not turning from wicked ways when we repeat things that we do not know are true, or repeat things that are true, but our words will only hurt. Lean on Galatians 6:7: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” If I sow untruth, lies will be told about me. If I spread truth, but it only hurts someone, others will tell things that I have done for the purpose of hurting me. These are odd days in our land. As my friend O.H. once said about an acquaintance “He’ll climb a tree to tell a lie when he could stand flat footed on the ground and tell the truth.”

“Jesus, justice is in short supply in our land. It seems that people in positions of authority are misusing their offices for personal gain or notoriety. Help Your people to “do justice”. Cause us to be like You, “The TRUTH!”

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Day 22   (Friday, 10/18/24)       Love Mercy

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy...”

Grace is the act of endowing unmerited favor. Mercy is the act of withholding deserved punishment. God, through Micah declares that believers need to love it when people do not get what they deserve. The reason is clear. No believer in Jesus Christ will get what she/he deserves. By the grace of God through Jesus, we get eternal life with Jesus, instead of eternal separation from Him. Society has become judgmental. People who deserve to be condemned are wanting others to be condemned. The years I spent working in prison ministries taught me that but for the grace of God, I could have been there. God used that ministry and many others to help me to love mercy.

“Father, help us to do justice, but also to love mercy. You have demonstrated mercy to every Christian. We deserve eternal punishment, but You have given to us eternal life. May we love the guilty the way You loved us, the guilty.”

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Day 23   (Saturday, 10/19/24)       Walk Humbly with Thy God

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 brings us back to 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people will...humble themselves...” Humility was once described very simply as believing that God is God and you are not. I was in a Community Thanksgiving worship time years ago. A pastor from the community got up to pray and said: “God, thank you for being God all by Yourself!” I am excited that God did not call me today and ask me to make plans for the world next week. My God is capable of being God “all by Himself”.

“Father, God, we, Your Children, are turning to You because we cannot win the battle without You. Remind us that our battle is not against flesh and blood. Help us to love people and detest the sin satan uses to separate people from each other and You. You are God and deserve our humble praise. We praise You for Your love and work. Keep working.”

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Day 24   (Sunday, 10/20/24)       Stay with the King (Part 3)

Psalm 34:4 says: “I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.” Today is not going to be about our lives, our families, our church, or our country. This past week I received this email from Nadia who lives in the most dangerous part of Ukraine:

“Dear brother Lawrence! Please keep our churches, me and Vitaliy in your prayers especially these three weeks before the American elections. We heard some rumors about escalation of the bombing of our cities. We have made a decision to go back to Kharkiv even though it is not safe and we could have stayed in the west of Ukraine. I am in Poland waiting for a bus to Ukraine. I was in Portugal at the European Baptist Women’s Conference.”

Nadia and Vitaliy have chosen to Stay with the King, even if they die. Please pray with me for them today:

“Dear God, we lift up our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. We pray that any plans of escalation of bombing will be thwarted by Your mighty power. We pray that You would put such fear in the Russian leaders that they will hasten to retreat away from the destruction they are causing in the country of Ukraine. These two servants, Nadia and Vitaliy, have chosen to stay with Your will for their lives. Honor their faith and courage and teach us to be people of similar faith and courage. In Jesus’ name we pray. “

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Day 25   (Monday, 10/21/24)       It is Time to Pray for the Hidden things to be revealed

There are many nefarious acts that are being planned and carried out that will hurt our land. These actions have brought fear into the lives of individuals and families. Matthew 10:26 reminds us: “Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” While people are crying out for transparency, they forget that nothing is hidden from our God. God sees everything; He is omnipresent. God knows everything; He is omniscient. God is all powerful and can change everything; He is omnipotent. Get rid of the fear and start praying in faith. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Our Lord, God, we ask You to reveal the hidden things that threaten our nation at this time. Jesus, we often do not know the truth and many people are hearing and believing lies, or the lies are not being revealed to them. Jesus, You are truth. Please reveal truth in our land and in our lives so that wickedness begins to decrease and Your word begins to increase. You prayed for us in John 17:17 and said ‘Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.’ Please lift up truth. Lift up Yourself.”

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Day 26   (Tuesday, 10/22/24)       Prayer and God’s Will

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. For all the times we’ve said, “if I only knew what God’s will was for me”, we have a clear answer in this verse. Joy is that deep underlying soul knowledge that anchors us when our world seems upside down. True joy prompts us to cry out to God in thankfulness as we hear Him say “Be of good courage...I have overcome the world”. As we move through this critical time in our nation and world, we can pray and give thanks as we listen to our King!

“Father God,  thank You that You are the same - yesterday, today, and forever. Slow us down; cause us to recount all You’ve done for us. Prompt us to bring every concern to You in prayer. By Your Holy Spirit’s work in us we will show the world the true meaning of joy.”

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Day 27   (Wednesday, 10/23/24)       The Art of Listening

Isaiah 51:4a is our King speaking to each one of us: “Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation; instruction will go out from me...”. God speaks through His word. Before and after we read God’s instruction, we need to remember, as we said on Day 16, to heed James 1:5 and pray for God’s wisdom, knowing that He has promised to give it to us. We need to seek, and then listen and ask (the two parts of prayer). There may never have been a more critical time for God’s people to listen and then follow God’s instructions.

“Father, we thank You for hearing us when we speak. We thank You for offering us Your wisdom. Keep our ears open to hear what You are saying during these challenging days. We thank You that all things are possible through Your power working through us as we humble ourselves before You.”

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Day 28   (Thursday, 10/24/24)       Heeding God’s Call

Ephesians 2:19 tells us, “For we are God’s handiwork,  created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Before time began, God has had a plan for each of our lives. He has specific assignments for you and me. Are we honored to be used by Him and willing to accept whatever task God has given us? As we listen, God’s Spirit will send us the call and prompt us to action.

“Father, we ask that You restore within us a keen desire to listen for Your call. Remind us that what we need to offer to You is our willingness and obedience to accept Your assignment. We thank You for your promise to equip us with whatever we need to carry out Your will during challenging and less challenging times.”

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Day 29   (Friday, 10/25/24)       Standing During Troubled Times

Jesus says we shouldn’t be surprised by the turmoil and trouble. He says in John 16:33: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace in this world. You will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 10:27 quotes Jesus saying: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” However, in Isaiah 53:6, God through Isaiah says: “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, every one, to his own way.”

We are God’s sheep, but we need to know that sheep have a tendency to stray, therefore sheep need guidance. During these 40 Days we are seeking God’s guidance. We do not want to stray now or after these 40 Days end.

“Jesus, we are Your sheep. We are intent on listening to Your voice for our individual futures, our future as families, church families, and as a nation. We know that if we listen to You, then You will heal our lives, homes churches and land.”

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Day 30   (Saturday, 10/26/24)       Trials Refine Us

Zechariah 13:9 says: “I will refine them like silver and purity them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them.”

A metalsmith puts gold in a big vat and heats it until it gets so hot that all impurities are burned off. How does the metalsmith know when gold and silver are pure? When they can see their reflection in them.

At times God allows trials to come to a person, family, church, community or nation. The fires of testing that we go through remove impurities from our lives. We learn a lot about ourselves and God can once again see His reflection in us. After we go through the testing and purification, Zechariah 13:9 reminds us that we will call on His name and He will answer us.

“Lord, God, like the Psalmist prayed, I pray today ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’” (Psalm 139:23-24).

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Day 31   (Sunday, 10/27/24)       Stay with the King (Part 4)

    Paul, in Galatians 6:9, says: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” 

    Your daily prayers during these 40 Days are “doing good”. It is difficult to stay focused and keep walking by faith with the challenges the world and our nation face. However, we cannot give up! My first pastorate was in Moreland, Ky. A church member told me about going swimming in a rock quarry when he was young. His brother and some friends were having a great time when he noticed his brother was missing. The rescue squad came and found his brother with his arm outstretched, six feet from the shore in three feet of water. If he had stood up, he would have been OK. If he had taken one more stroke he would have still been alive. 

    Right now you may feel like our country and world is drowning. Trust God. Keep praying. We may be six feet from the shore in three feet of water. Do not give up on Jesus!

    “Lord, Jesus, we trust You. Please re-energize us today not to lose heart, not to grow weary, and not to give up on You. Remind us of Jehoshaphat’s cry: “We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” And, Lord, Jesus, remind us of the response of You, our God: “Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

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Day 33   (Tuesday, 10/29/24)       The Saved to Come Home

Remember these words: “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” The above is from Luke 15:20, the story of the prodigal son.

Today, Christians around the world are coming home to the reality that our hope is in Jesus. Years ago James Dobson was visiting persecuted believers in China. As he spoke with one woman he let her know that Christians in America were praying that their persecutions would end. The woman quickly said: “Dr. Dobson, through our persecutions, about 10,000 people per day are being saved. We are praying for persecution to come to the church in America so that revival will come to your country.

“Father, we pray that Christians around the United States of America will come home to You before You have to bring persecutions to our nation. We know that many people are praying and seeking Your face. Our prayer today is that Your convicting Holy Spirit will fall on many more who will “humble themselves, and pray and seek Your face, and turn from their wicked ways, so that You will hear from heaven, and will forgive our sin and heal our land. “

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Day 34   (Wednesday, 10/30/24)       The USA to be the Most Mission Minded Nation in the World

Jesus was about to ascend to heaven and gave us His final word and His first command to the emerging Church: “And Jesus said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

There are multiple reasons that US citizens love freedom. The #1 reason the US Church should love freedom is the opportunity we are afforded for mission outreach. I recently read that about 127,000 missionaries from the US are serving around the world. The #2 country sends about 22,000. I doubt if the statistics include the short-term mission work done by many Christian churches. Pray today for God to cause the mission-mindedness of the church in the USA to grow.

“Jesus, the Church in the United States is made up of Your people who are called by Your name. As we humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, cause us to get a renewed vision of going to the world. Jesus, today, First Baptist Gulf Shores has a mission team in Liberia. We pray Your blessings and protection on this team. May many people come to a saving knowledge of You because these individuals were willing to go.”

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Day 35   (Thursday, 10/31/24)       Leaders who will Follow

Jesus, in Matthew 23:10, says: “And do not be called Teacher; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.” The word translated “Teacher” appears one time in the Bible, here. Jesus was helping us to understand that there is one Teacher, Jesus. Today there are people in our nation who are being labeled “Messiah”. There is one Teacher and one Messiah, Jesus, the Christ. Christians are being called to rise up and be leaders. Yet we understand that there is one Leader, who is our Teacher, and He is Messiah, Jesus.

“Jesus, our land needs You to raise up leaders who will follow You. Jesus, I know there have been non-believers who have feared You and followed You. Please get the attention of those You want to be a part of healing our land and forming a future that will see Your Church rise up and turn our culture toward You. Lord, Jesus, we are ready for You to be The Leader we are under.”

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Day 36   (Friday, 11/1/24)       Believers who will Follow

Proverbs 4:25-27 says: “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.”

I heard someone once say “She is so far to the left, she can’t see the middle of the road.” I heard someone else exclaim: “He is further to the right than Attila the Hun.” And therein lies the problem. The Church in the United States of America has allowed itself to be defined as “right” or “left”. We are believers! Proverbs 4 says we should be looking straight ahead. Our eyes should be fixed on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. He gave us the example. People could not define Him as being on the left or right because He was always following His Father.

“Father, teach us to follow You the way Your Son followed You. Please do not allow the world to define us as anything but people who are called by Your name, humbling ourselves, praying, seeking Your face, and repenting when we are wrong, so You will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land. God, our eyes are on You!”

 

Day 37   (Saturday, 11/2/24)       Take Time to Rest

Today is the Sabbath. God said to Moses: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ...For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” God started His creation on the first day of the week (Sunday). He ended on Friday and rested on Saturday. Was He tired? No. However, He knew we would be. Our bodies and minds need rest.

Several thousand years later, Jesus rose on the first day of the week, Sunday, and began the new creation. That day immediately became the believers’ day of worship, yet we still need rest. Many people are anxious about our land (USA) and have struggled, prayed, and worried. It is time to rest. Our God has our land in His hands. We are trusting that if there are those promoting illegal activities, that “...nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17).

“Father, we are concerned about our land. Cause us to rest in You today. God, we ask that You will bring to light any hidden things that are illegal and are designed to hurt individuals or our nation. We are praying and You are listening. Help us to understand the truth of Your word from Philippians 4:6: “Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart” (GNT). You are our loving Father, You are Jesus our Savior, and You are the Holy Spirit who lives in us and gives us the ability to rest, even in uncertain days. We rest in YOU!”

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Day 38   (Sunday, 11/3/24)       Stay with the King (Part 5)

Each Sunday during these 40 Days of Praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, we have refocussed on our purpose. Our purpose is not about people, plans, or politics. Our purpose is to return to seeking God’s face. Let’s return to our focal passage for these 40 Days. It says “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.” Our desire is to see the land where we live and the land we love to be healed. One of the books on the rise and the fall of the Roman Empire, puts the reasons for Rome’s downfall under three headings: 1. Internal decay;  2. Natural disasters (including the plague); and 3. External invasions.

“Father, Your people, the Church, have the only answer to reversing the trends of destruction facing America. Guide our nation to return to You. God, I know that it will take prayer and patience. It has taken decades to get in this mess and it will take years of persistent prayer, fasting, and work to reverse these trends. I am willing to do what You tell me to return our nation to You. We believe America is worth saving. Please hear our prayers.”

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Day 39   (Monday, 11/4/24)       The Enemy is Defeated

2 Chronicles 13:14-18: “When Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel...The children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into Judah’s hand...Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.”

The temptation has always been great. Will God’s people depend on others or depend on Him? When Judah became fearful they turned to God and won. Every time Christians turn to God, we win. Judah and Israel were part of a divided nation. Israel had all the power and Judah relied on God. Who won? Judah, “because they relied on the Lord God”! The lesson for today is not to give up on the only One who can save us, God; Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit.

“Father, we are at Day 39 of pointing to You. We, Your people, are crying out to You. You know we need saving and You know how to save. Keep calling Your people to fall on our knees, to take a stand, and to walk in Your ways. We pray that tomorrow will begin the greatest modern day healing of this land that we love, the United States of America. We are praying through the channel of Your Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus.”

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Day 40   (Tuesday, 11/5/24)       Stay on the Lord’s Side

40 Days ago we began praying 2 Chronicles 7:14. That verse has become a theme for our future. Our God told us: “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.” Christians are God’s people, humbling ourselves, praying, seeking God’s face, and turning from any wicked ways. Numbers 23:19 says that God is not man. He does not lie. Because we are following His will, He is listening to us, has forgiven our past, and is placing us on a road to be a part of healing our land. No person can create healing and no person can prevent healing. It is up to us, the believers.

“Father, God, we admit that we are anxious about today and about the future of our nation. However, our eyes are on You. You are the God who created the United States of America and made us physically free. You are Jesus who has saved a large portion of those in this nation and made us spiritually free. You are the Holy Spirit who lives in us and works through us to solidify our freedom. Hear all our prayers from these 40 Days and give our nation Your favor, because of those who are relying on You. God, we give and will continue to give the honor and glory to You.”

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