Bethany, as a church-wide activity, embarked on 40 Days of Prayer November 20, concluding Thursday, December 29. Even though the 40 days has passed, you will still find these prayers and reflections a meaningful part of your spiritual life. Why not make it a practice to choose one to focus on each morning or evening?
The daily devotionals are written by Rev. Dr. Joan S. Gray, author of Sailboat Church. The inspirational images are a creation of Bethany member Cathy Sapunor.
You can start at Day 1 and work your way forward or begin at Day 40 and go backward … or just jump around!
Like this? Find more devotionals here.
Looking back on the past 40 days …
Are your feelings toward this 40-day journey the same as they were before you started the journey? Why or why not?
What happened with your hope for these 40 Days of Prayer?
Do you feel closer to God having done this? Why or why not?
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Malachi 3:8-18
Focus Verse:
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of Hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour down on you blessings beyond your wildest dreams” (v. 10).”
Listening to God:
”If you are going to walk with me, I must own your possessions. If I do not own them, they will own you. I gave them all to you in the first place. Do you understand that? Or is there still a corner of your soul where you hide the idea that you got them for yourself? If you let go of these things, I can use them to bless you. If you hold on to them, they will strangle our relationship. Obey me in giving me one tenth of your income. If you can’t do it all right now, start with one per cent a year and work toward the tithe. Put my promise to the test; I dare you!”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
1 Peter 5:1-11
Focus Verse:
“All of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (v. 5).
Listening to God:
”The way you deal with others is a window into your soul. If you are in right relationship with me, you will not need to elevate yourself on the one hand or feel inferior on the other. You will be at ease with others because your worth is rooted and grounded in what I think of you rather than what they think. You will not need to promote yourself if you know in the depths of your heart that I am working out my will for your life. Don’t be afraid of people or circumstances that seem to put you at a disadvantage. In my economy, downward mobility is the way up.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Matthew 6:19-24
Focus Verse:
“No one can serve two masters” (v. 24).
Listening to God:
”You were created to have me at the center of your life. If I am in my proper place in your affection, everything else in your life will be in balance. If you allow any other thing (even good things such as family or job or hobbies) to move to the center of your life, eventually everything will fall out of balance. You cannot be your own center of gravity. My will is the best thing that could ever happen to you and those around you. I always have your best interest at heart. Can you trust me for this?”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Acts 3:1-10
Focus Verse:
“I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk” (v. 6).
Listening to God:
”Your lack is never the end of the story. When your resources run out, if you are in the flow of my will, all the resources of heaven are available to you. It grieves me when you forget that I am your source of supply. Praying in the name of Jesus is not magic. It means that you surrender yourself to my will and are willing to be used for my purposes. Let me work through you to do miracles in the lives of others! Together, we can do more than you could ever ask or imagine.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Romans 5:1-11
Focus Verse:
“We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us” (vv. 3-5).
Listening to God:
”You don’t have to go looking for suffering. Life will bring it your way. And if you are faithful to my call, you may have even more suffering than those who are not faithful. Don’t be afraid of it. I can do things for you in your suffering that I cannot do otherwise. Suffering strips you of your defenses, your pride, your ability to control things. I can do my best work in you when these things are taken away, I don’t send suffering to you or enjoy watching you go through it. But I am able to use it for your good and your growth in grace. Trust me when suffering comes. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will give you gifts as you come through the fire.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Micah 6:6-8
Focus Verse:
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (v. 8).
Listening to God:
”I demand integrity from my disciples. You cannot walk humbly with me and walk in arrogance with your brothers and sisters. You cannot be a saint in prayer and a tyrant in your job or with your family. I have given you many things that I intend you to use for the good of those in need around you. The quality of your human relationships shows the true quality of your relationship with me. If you are truly walking with me, I bring you face to face with the needs of my other children. As you treat them, so you treat me.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 3:1-15
Focus Verse:
“The work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done” (v. 13).
Listening to God:
”Much is done in my name that has very little to do with me and my purposes in this world. Much energy is spent doing religious activities that will count for nothing in the end. If you are not listening to my direction, your work will not endure, no matter how successful it looks now. You are called to be my disciples. Are you asking my guidance each day about what to do and how to do it? Is what you are doing for your glory or for mine? If you work for yourself, you have your reward. But if you truly work for me by walking with me, your reward will be great in heaven.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Ephesians 3:7-21
Focus Verse:
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory…” (vv. 20, 21).
Listening to God:
”It grieves me that you think in such cramped terms about what I can do. I am the God of the universe, and I have promised to do whatever you ask in my name. Where is your imagination? Why do you dream so small when the needs around you are so great? And why do you settle for so little of my grace and power in your life and in your church? If you can imagine it, I can do it and more. Spend time with me, getting in the flow of my will, then dream big!”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Romans 5:12-21
Focus Verse:
“If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who have received the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (v. 17).
Listening to God:
”I did not create and redeem you to go through life just barely scraping by. You have received an abundance of grace. It is yours to claim by prayer whenever you want. This grace will enable you to follow my path through any difficulty. This is victory, to follow my path through life no matter where it takes you. If you try to follow a path you make, you will end up bogged down in needless problems and woes. Or you will succeed (by human standards) and become something I never meant you to be. Stay close to me, and you will find abundant life.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Matthew 6:5-15
Focus Verse:
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses” (vv. 14, 15).
Listening to God:
”When you refuse to forgive someone, you bind that person and the hurt they caused you to your soul. This blocks your spiritual growth and gives the Adversary lots to work with in your life. I cannot bless you as much as I would like if you are holding on to things you should have forgiven. Unforgiveness is poison to your spirit. If you can’t bring yourself to forgive, pray to me your desire to want to forgive. I want to set you free. When you let me do that, many will be blessed through you.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
John 10:1-18
Focus Verse:
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (v. 14).
Listening to God:
”I know you through and through, and I want you to know me. Don’t think of me as a holy concept or force. I am a living person right now. Talk to me. Tell me what is on your mind. I don’t want to be a stranger to you. Your sin is not a problem with me. I defeated it on the cross, and my Holy Spirit is in the process of rooting it out and destroying it. Spending time with me will help that process along. Give me ten minutes a day, and I will transform you.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Isaiah 64:1-6
Focus Verse:
“From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God beside you who works for those who wait for him” (v. 4).
Listening to God:
”I know you hate to wait, but if you are not willing to wait on me, you cannot work with me. If you are not willing to wait, you will rush in and do things that will carry you and your church away from my will. In this dance of life, I am the one who leads. Your job is to follow my guidance as I give it to you moment by moment, day by day. I will lead you, if you are willing to be led. Walk into this day with me. Pay attention to me as I speak, act, and guide. If you do this, you will see me work in ways beyond anything you have ever imagined.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Matthew 16:13-28
Focus Verse:
“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (v. 18).
Listening to God:
”Never doubt that there is an Adversary who is eager to bring you down and many others with you. In fact, if you are about my business in this world you can expect all kinds of opposition. Don’t waste too much time fighting against these things. The opposition is too powerful for you. Instead, trust in my promise that the powers of hell and death will never prevail against my church and my chosen ones. Faithfully put on all the armor that I have provided for you, and the Adversary cannot touch you. Keep on being filled with my Spirit every day, and you will be saved.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Psalm 55
Focus Verse:
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (v. 22).
Listening to God:
”Why do you try to carry these heavy burdens by yourself? The responsibilities I have placed on your shoulders are meant to be shared with me. The purpose for this sharing is to draw you and me closer together. Out of this deeper relationship you will be able to accomplish far more than you ever could alone. If you do not abide with me and allow me to provide what you need, you will become worn out and embittered. Give this burden to me, and give me yourself too!”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Isaiah 30:15-22
Focus Verse:
“And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (v. 21).
Listening to God:
”You may feel that you are alone, but you are not. Do not let the clamor of the world and the raging of your own spirit drown out the voice of my Spirit within you. You need to listen for me the most when situations are tense and competing voices are loud. As you begin to feel overwhelmed, take time out and let me do my work in you. Here is my promise, and I do not lie: “in returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength” (v. 15).
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Genesis 1:1-25
Focus Verse:
“The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters” (v. 2).
Listening to God:
”In the beginning, my Spirit moved across the dark watery chaos bringing light and order. I can still do this for you today. You may think your situation is totally out of control and beyond help. Or maybe someone else’s chaotic life is causing you pain. You may be so immersed in the chaos that you cannot even find words to pray. Don’t worry about that. You don’t need to tell me what to do. Instead, invite my Spirit to come in and move in the midst of the disorder and pain. I can do more than you could ever ask or imagine.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Matthew 13:31-33
Focus Verse:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it is grown it is the greatest of shrubs” (vs. 31, 32).
Listening to God:
”You tend to despise small things. This is a mistake. The idea that nothing is worth anything unless it is big is one of the Adversary’s lies. This false idea keeps you discouraged and hampers my ability to work through you. When you engage faithfully in the small things I call you to do, I use them for my larger purposes. A word or two spoken at my urging can change a person’s life. A small gift of time or attention can rescue someone from hopelessness. You may not always see the results, but trust me to use your small faithfulness to bring in my kingdom.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
Luke 14:15-24
Focus Verse:
“Come; for everything is ready now. But they all alike began to make excuses” (vv. 17, 18).
Listening to God:
”I have prepared wonderful things for you—a veritable feast of blessings and joys. Why don’t you show up to claim them? You keep busy with your “to-do list’ and put me last on the agenda. I, however, continue to invite. Try putting the to-do list aside for a while and spend time with me. My greatest gifts are given to those who do this. I can make it all go so much better than you ever dreamed. As you rest in my presence, I will give you everything you need.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.
Scripture:
2 Kings 6:8-17
Focus Verse:
“Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them” (v. 16).
Listening to God:
”You are never alone or outnumbered. Remember how I promised ‘I will be with you always?’ Always means right now. It also means tomorrow and every day to come. No matter how powerful your Adversary seems, the armies of heaven are more powerful. I loose those armies to accompany my children on their way in this world. Nothing can defeat you while you hold my hand and rest in me. It’s not about how strong you are; it’s about how much you trust me. Trust in me with all your heart, and I will bring you through.”
Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.
Write or say your own prayer.
