It’s time for our yearly 40 day prayer challenge together! This is one of my favorite practices of the year, and I’m so excited to see what the Lord has in store for everyone in our group as we pray big prayers and seek the Lord together.

We began this in 2020, seeking to come together in love and encouragement during an uncertain, tumultuous time. We cannot follow Christ alone, and there are things God will only do for us through each other. And so we join together, seeking Him as One Body.

This will be our seventh time coming together in faith, devoting this time to prayer. Every year, I’ve heard incredible stories from you of how the Lord moved in your lives during this dedicated time. We’ve seen people reconciled, marriages and relationships renewed, families reunited, businesses and jobs recovered. We’ve seen provision from unexpected places, and stagnant, stale faiths reignited. And we’ve seen people accept the love of God and have a peace, a true shalom, that they didn’t know was possible. The “flashier” moves of God are no more a miracle than hearing that still small voice, the quiet movement in our hearts that cries out, Abba, Father.  God is always faithful. He is a good Father who loves to surprise and delight His children! We cannot outgive God. Whether it’s money or possessions, time or love, patience or forgiveness, God will give more. The measure we choose, He measures back to us, pressed down shaken together, and running over onto us (Luke 6:38).

And so we enter this time together full of hope and expectation that God will move in our lives in just the way we need. We stand in prayer together, for every person here, that this may be a time of refreshing in God’s presence, and that we’ll not be the same on day 40 as we are today. May we be transformed more and more into Christ’s likeness.

Along with our prayer focus, we’ll be spending time together in the Bible. Several times, we’ve focused on the Gospels. Two years ago, we focused on some essential spiritual practices that were such a blessing with a lasting impact. This year, we’ll select a passage from the same reading list that believers worldwide are using right now. So we’ll spend time in the Psalms, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. There’s something remarkable about millions of believers, all over the world, focusing on the same things together, as one Body. And the world could really use the Church walking in unity together with Jesus. May we, and the world, be transformed by how we follow Jesus in love.

Just like last year, I’ll share the passage, some thoughts, and ways we can focus on the text prayerfully.

I’m excited to spend time with the Lord, and together with you, in passages that millions of believers are also reading and praying each day! And I pray the Lord is glorified in our time together.

Let’s begin with prayer:

Father, we consecrate this time with you, today and over the entire 46 days. Help us draw closer to you and glorify you in this time. We ask for your Spirit to guide us each day. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see what you are doing in our lives. Open our minds and our hearts to your insight, understanding, and opportunity for us. We ask you to move mightily in the lives of everyone in this challenge, and we ask for abundant blessings to be poured into the laps of everyone here. Father, protect all the families, relationships, homes, and work during this time as we seek you together. Build bonds of love and unity for all here, as we seek to know you more and become more like Jesus each day. Let us be examples of your love to all we encounter.  In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen ♥

I’m so excited for you and for all the Lord will do in you and through you during this time. I can’t wait to begin.

On to Day 1!