PRAYER + FOCUS: 28-Day Devotional

P R AY ER + F OCU S A 28-DAY DE VOT ION A L

P R AY ER + F OCU S A 28-DAY DE VOT ION A L

THE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES, PR AYER PROMPTS, AND REFLECTION QUESTIONS IN THIS DEVOTIONAL ARE DESIGNED TO BE USED AS A TOOL TO HELP YOU GROW IN YOUR FAITH. THE Y CAN BE USED INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVLE Y (WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, ETC).

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

DAY 1 FOR THE CITY

READ “ But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you...”

(Jeremiah 29v7) “ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” (1 Timothy 2v1)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for Your goodness and Your desire to bring goodness to our city! We ask that You would move in a powerful way in our city & the surrounding areas. We ask that Your will and ways would be experienced in our city, and that You would help us to share Your hope, love, joy and compassion with those around us!

REFLECT What needs do we see in our city?

What ways can we bring hope to our city?

DAY 1 ­

FOR THE CITY

NOTES

FOR THE CITY

DAY 1

DAY 2 FOR HURTING PEOPLE

READ “ T herefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”

(Galatians 6v10) “ He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6v8)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for Your heart for hurting people. We thank You that You are One who desires to help! We ask that You would show us ways that we can help hurting people around us. We ask for courage to do good even when it’s difficult. Help us to help others in our path!

REFLECT Who do we know that is hurting right now?

How can we bring help to hurting people in our lives?

DAY 2 ­

FOR HURTING PEOPLE

NOTES

FOR HURTING PEOPLE

DAY 2

DAY 3 PRAISE FOR GOD’S PROVISION

READ “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1v17) “ A nd my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4v19)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for taking care of us and for providing for our every need. You know what we need before we do and You sustain us! We pray that You’d continue to provide as we seek to live generous lives that seek to bless others!

REFLECT How has God blessed us?

What needs do we have that we can ask God to meet?

What ways can we bless others?

DAY 3 ­

PRAISE FOR GOD'S PROVISION

NOTES

PRAISE FOR GOD’S PROVISION

DAY 3

DAY 4 FOR RELATIONSHIPS READ “ B e completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4v2) “ A bove all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4v8) “ M y command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

(John 15v12)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for creating us for relationship with You and with others. We thank You that you made a way for relationship with You through Jesus. We thank You that You’ve placed people in our lives that know us and love us! We pray that You’d give us strength to grow in love, forgiveness, kindness and compassion towards one another.

Would You help us to seek healthy relationships with others that honor You and honor others?

REFLECT How can we grow in having healthy relationships?

How can we help others in their relationship with God and one another?

DAY 4 ­

FOR RELATIONSHIPS

NOTES

FOR RELATIONSHIPS

DAY 4

DAY 5 FOR GOD’S PRESENCE

READ (Jesus said) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14v15-16) “ 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 said to you.” (John 14v26)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that You made a way to be present with us! We thank You for being close! You are intimately acquainted with our ways, You know our thoughts and our struggles…there is nothing hidden from You. We ask that You help us become more aware of Your Presence. Help us God, to know that You are here.

REFLECT How have we experienced God’s presence today?

What would change if we lived like God was close?

DAY 5 ­

FOR GOD'S PRESENCE

NOTES

FOR GOD’S PRESENCE

DAY 5

DAY 6 FOR NEIGHBORS

READ “ L ove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Matthew 12:30-31)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for our city and the street we live on! We thank You for the opportunity we have to show great love for our neighbors as we trust You. Help us to love our neighbors when it’s easy and when it’s difficult. Help us to live with grace and generosity and joy as we love those You’ve placed in our path.

REFLECT How can we love God with our whole heart, soul, mind & strength?

What can we do to share love with our neighbors?

DAY 6 ­

FOR NEIGHBORS

NOTES

FOR NEIGHBORS

DAY 6

DAY 7 FOR COURAGE

READ “ B e strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31v6)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that You are powerful and strong! We thank You that You are with us and not against us. We thank You for the courage and compassion of Jesus. Help us to take courage as we seek to follow You and share Your good news. Give us courage to pray when we don’t feel like it. Give us courage to forgive and to show love. Give us courage when we are afraid… we trust You God!

REFLECT What parts of our life do we need courage?

How can we get courage from God? DAY 7 ­

FOR COURAGE

NOTES

FOR COURAGE

DAY 7

DAY 8 FOR STUDENTS & TEACHERS

READ “ L et your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.

Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2v7)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that You made us to know You and grow in wisdom and maturity! We thank You that we have schools that invest in the next generation! We pray for students and teachers today, that Your presence and Your purposes would make it’s way into each classroom.

Help students and teachers to be confident, compassionate and caring for one another. We pray for an awesome school year!

REFLECT What students and teachers can we be specifically praying for?

DAY 8 ­

FOR STUDENTS & TEACHERS

NOTES

FOR STUDENTS & TEACHERS

DAY 8

DAY 9 FOR FAITHFULNESS

READ “ A nd pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6v18)

PRAY GOD, You are awesome and You keep Your promises! We thank You that You are faithful and trustworthy and good. We ask that You help us to strive for that same faithfulness! Help us to keep our word, to be focused on following You and praying in all circumstances.

REFLECT What has God done to prove His faithfulness to us?

How can we grow in love, joy, peace, patience, etc?

Why is faithfulness a good thing?

DAY 9 ­

FOR FAITHFULNESS

NOTES

FOR FAITHFULNESS

DAY 9

DAY 10 PRAISE FOR FORGIVENESS

READ “ God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5v8)

PRAY GOD, You love us even when we are at our worst. We thank You for Your sacrificial love that rescues us from our sin. We thank You for Jesus, who made a way for us to stand before You without stain or blemish You forgive us! Help us to acknowledge Your love and grace everyday.

Help us to share Your love with others!

REFLECT How did God show His love for us?

What ways can we share His love with those around us?

DAY 10 ­

PRAISE FOR FORGIVENESS

NOTES

PRAISE FOR FORGIVENESS

DAY 10

DAY 11 FOR FOCUS

READ “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6v33)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for being worthy of our focus and attention! We thank You for being awesome and good. Help us to seek You with our whole heart. Help us to live like Jesus and strive to know You more everyday. Help us to trust that Your ways are better than our ways and Your thoughts are higher than ours!

REFLECT What does it mean, “to seek God first”?

How can we put God first every day?

DAY 11 ­

FOR FOCUS

NOTES

FOR FOCUS

DAY 11

DAY 12 FOR MERCY

READ “ Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.”

(Matthew 5v8) “ T he Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” (Psalm 145v8-9)

PRAY GOD, You show mercy and grace and kindness. We thank You for Your overwhelming love for Your children. We thank You for stepping into our mess and making a way for all to know You! Help us God to see Your mercy and to live out mercy in our homes, our workplaces, our schools and wherever we go.

REFLECT What is mercy and how does God display it?

How can we be merciful in our every day?

Who is someone that is in need of mercy & how can we bring it?

DAY 12 ­

FOR MERCY

NOTES

FOR MERCY

DAY 12

DAY 13 FOR FREEDOM

READ “ T he Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61v1)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for being One who sets those in chains free! We thank You for breaking chains of addiction and apathy, arrogance and abuse, racism and rage. We thank You for being a Rescuer - we thank You for rescuing us by Your powerful love and amazing grace! Help us to bind up the brokenhearted and to share the good news that Jesus breaks down all barriers - so that all may know His goodness and hope!

REFLECT How has Jesus set you free from oppression?

What can we to join Jesus on His mission to set others free?

Who’s someone in your life that needs the good news that Jesus brings?

DAY 13 ­

FOR FREEDOM

NOTES

FOR FREEDOM

DAY 13

DAY 14 PRAISE FOR GOD’S LOVE

READ “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

(John 3v16)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for amazing love. We thank You that You proved Your love in Jesus. We thank You that we can know You and experience abundant life because of Your son. We praise You for Your power and the grace that You give. Help us to reflect on this powerful truth today!

REFLECT How does God’s love for all people change our view of all people?

How can we share abundant life and blessing with others?

DAY 14 ­

PRAISE FOR GOD'S LOVE

NOTES

PRAISE FOR GOD’S LOVE

DAY 14

DAY 15 FOR COMPASSION

READ “ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1v3-4)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that You are the Father of compassion and comfort.

We thank You that You don’t leave us alone in our trouble, but You love us and comfort us. Help us to see how compassionate You are today & to trust You! Help us to comfort others in their distress & to bring hope in hopeless situations!

REFLECT How have we seen God be compassionate?

How can we be compassionate like Jesus?

DAY 15 ­

FOR COMPASSION

NOTES

FOR COMPASSION

DAY 15

DAY 16 FOR HELP

READ “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121v1-3) “ God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46v1)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for making everything. We thank You for making us and for watching over us. We thank You for being a safe place to run when we find trouble! We ask for help today, God. We ask for help to make wise decisions, to love others well, to be hospitable and generous... We ask for help with the trouble we experience! We know that You care and that we can trust You!

REFLECT What do we need help with?

How can we run to God with our troubles?

DAY 16 ­

FOR HELP

NOTES

FOR HELP

DAY 16

DAY 17 PRAISE FOR GOD’S POWER

READ “ But God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding, he stretched out the heavens.

When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.” (Jeremiah 10.12v13)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that there is no one like You! We’re in awe of how great You are and how creative You are! You made the stars and galaxies, how awesome! You made the world and everything in it and You alone are over it all. Help us today to know that You are God and we are not...and we get to be known by You!

REFLECT What does God’s power and wisdom mean for us?

How can we acknowledge and share God’s power and creativity today?

DAY 17 ­

PRAISE FOR GOD'S POWER

NOTES

PRAISE FOR GOD'S POWER

DAY 17

DAY 18 FOR BOLDNESS

READ “ A fter they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4v31) “ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”

(Ephesians 6v19)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for giving us strength when are are weak and courage when we have need. Will you fill us with boldness today to trust You fully and treat others like Jesus would? We ask for Your presence to fill us up and help us love those around us!

REFLECT Where do we need more boldness?

How can God’s presence give us boldness to live the way of Jesus?

DAY 18 ­

FOR BOLDNESS

NOTES

FOR BOLDNESS

DAY 18

DAY 19 FOR REST

READ “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46v10) “ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11v28-30)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that You invite us to rest. In a world of worry and anxiety and hurry and things to do...You invite us to be still. Help us to see that You love us because You created us - not because of what we do or how we perform. Help us to come to You with our burdens and to be still, to breathe and to know that You are God.

REFLECT Why does God invite us to be still?

What burdens are weighing us down?

How can we rest and know that God is God today?

DAY 19 ­

FOR REST

NOTES

FOR REST

DAY 19

DAY 20 FOR KINDNESS

READ “ T herefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3v12)

PRAY GOD, we thank you that You are kind and full of love! We thank You that Your love and kindness changes us and leads us! Help us today to follow after You and to live out kindness!

REFLECT How has God been kind to us?

Why is it difficult for us to be kind to others?

How can we live the way of Jesus and walk in kindness?

Who’s in our path that we can treat with love and kindness?

DAY 20 ­

FOR KINDNESS

NOTES

FOR KINDNESS

DAY 20

DAY 21 FOR GRACE

READ “ L et your conversation be full of grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4v6)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for Your amazing grace. You give when we don’t deserve it and You forgive freely. Help us to cling to Your grace and to share grace with others. We ask that our conversations, our actions and our thoughts would be full of grace!

REFLECT How has God shown grace to us?

What has grace changed about us?

How can we live in light of grace?

DAY 21 ­

FOR GRACE

NOTES

FOR GRACE

DAY 21

DAY 22 FOR PEACE

READ “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

(John 14v27) “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4v6-7)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that Jesus is our peace. We thank You that You made a way for us to be put back together through Jesus! We pray for peace today. May Your peace fill our hearts, minds, relationships, homes, schools, workplaces...May our city know Your peace! Help us to be peace-makers today.

REFLECT Where are you desperate for peace?

How can we bring peace today?

DAY 22 ­

FOR PEACE

NOTES

FOR PEACE

DAY 22

DAY 23 FOR AWAKENING

READ “ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

(Ephesians 1v16-19)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that You sent Jesus to rescue, restore and redeem us. We pray that you open the eyes of our heart to Your wisdom and what You have for us today. Help us to know Your hope and Your grace and Your power. Help us to be awake to what You’re doing. We pray for our church, our city, our friends and family!

REFLECT What can we give thanks for today?

What ways can we be awakened to God’s wisdom?

Who can we be praying for?

DAY 23 ­

FOR AWAKENING

NOTES

FOR AWAKENING

DAY 23

DAY 24 FOR FORGIVENESS

READ “ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

(Ephesians 4v31-32)

PRAY God, we thank You for being compassionate, forgiving and full of kindness! We thank You for being the ultimate example of forgiveness in our lives. Would you give us strength to forgive like You forgive us?

We ask that You would form us to be more and more like Jesus. Empty us of all divisiveness and show us that You alone are our hope!

REFLECT Why is it difficult to forgive?

Who is God calling us to forgive?

How would forgiveness change relationships?

DAY 24 ­

FOR FORGIVENESS

NOTES

FOR FORGIVENESS

DAY 24

DAY 25 FOR THE OPPRESSED

READ “ T he Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9v9) “ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1v27)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that You see those who are oppressed and You are a refuge. We thank You, God, that You bring freedom and hope to the marginalized! Help us to care for those who are afflicted and help us to fight for the cause of the needy. We pray for freedom from all oppression-and that the Church would stand with the oppressed!

REFLECT What oppression do we see around us?

How can we point to Jesus as a refuge and stronghold?

Who can we “look after”?

DAY 25

FOR THE OPPRESSED

NOTES

FOR THE OPPRESSED

DAY 25

DAY 26 FOR TRUST

READ “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3v5-6)

PRAY GOD, we know that You are trustworthy and good. We submit to You as Lord and Savior! We thank You for Jesus today and ask that You would help us to trust You in all circumstances. Help us to acknowledge You in every decision and every conversation. Help us to submit to Your ways - because You lead us to a straight path!

REFLECT What we can trust God with today?

How can submitting to God be for our good?

DAY 26 ­

FOR TRUST

NOTES

FOR TRUST

DAY 26

DAY 27 FOR THE CHURCH

READ “ L earn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1v17) “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1v8)

PRAY GOD, we thank You for the Church! We think it’s amazing that You established the Church to be the tool to bring Your Hope on earth. Give us courage to be Your witnesses in the way we live, the way we love and the way we serve others! We pray that Your church would be about real, tangible hope in our city - that everyone would find grace and truth in Jesus.

REFLECT How has God blessed us through the church?

What can we do to engage with the powerful work of the church?

Who can we invite into our lives and invest in?

DAY 27 ­

FOR THE CHURCH

NOTES

FOR THE CHURCH

DAY 27

DAY 28 FOR HOPE FOR EVERYONE

READ “ Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.” (2 Thessalonians 3v1) “ Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

(Romans 10v13)

PRAY GOD, we thank You that Hope is Your Name! We thank You that Jesus is our Hope and our Savior! We ask that Hope would spread rapidly as we live the way of Jesus - and that everyone would find grace, mercy, truth and joy as they encounter Jesus!

REFLECT What has hope changed in us/for us?

How can we share that hope with everyone & for everyone?

DAY 28 ­

FOR HOPE FOR EVERYONE

NOTES

FOR HOPE FOR EVERYONE

DAY 28

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A CIT Y ON A HILL CANNOT BE HIDDEN. NEITHER DO PEOPLE LIGHT A L AMP AND PUT IT UNDER A BOWL. INS TE A D THE Y PU T IT ON IT S S TA ND, AND IT GIVES LIGHT TO EVERYONE I N T H E H O U S E . I N T H E S A M E W AY, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, TH AT THE Y M AY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS A ND GLORIF Y YOUR FATHER IN HE AV EN.

M A T T H E W 5 v 16 -17