40 Days of Prayer: Week 1
I want us to take the 6 weeks (7/24-8/28) leading up to the Fall semester to pray as a church. This is Week One. As well, every Tuesday morning, I will lead a time of prayer at the church office (910 Collier St, Suite 200, Fort Worth, TX 76102), from 7-8am. I would love for you to join me.
We Confess our Dependence on Jesus
This week in our 40 Days of Prayer together we will confess our dependence on Jesus. At The Paradox Church we speak of being Joyful Worshippers who practice joyful repentance. We were made to depend on God for life and joy and everything—and repentance is the act of faith of turning back to him again in dependence for all things.On my recent sabbatical, I was reminded of my dependence on God. I am not in control. God does not need me. In fact, in rest and recreation I’m proclaiming that I’m not in charge of the universe, Jesus is.Confess your dependence on Jesus this week. He is always faithful to meet us where we are.
Example Prayers:
Based on PRDX365 reading (Psalms 55-61; Isaiah 8-14)
Tuesday you can confess your anguished heart (Ps. 55:4) or fear (v5). On Wednesday we can depend on God to count our tears (Ps. 56:8). On Thursday we can confess our dependence on God for mercy and as our refuge (Ps. 57:1). And so on. In Isaiah chapters 8-14 we can rejoice that the promised Savior has come—Jesus did rescue us—and we so desperately need him.
Prayer Tips:
As you read your bible or just consider God’s promises and your need, depending on where you are in your heart you can:• Praise - Thank God for what he has provided. Praise him for his faithfulness.• Ask - Ask God to provide. Cling to his promises and faithfulness and ask your Father boldly.• Lament - Cry out to God. Wonder why he is delaying. Confess your doubt. He hears you and loves you.• Intercede - Ask God if there is someone in the church he wants you to encourage specifically. Wait. Listen.
More Info on 40 Days of Prayer:
Seasons of intentional prayer, where we posture ourselves before Jesus in expectant dependency, are important for any church—I believe this is a necessity for our church family at this time. Prayer is the practice of being in His presence and receiving His blessings—doing nothing, in complete dependence on Jesus.Each week we will pray about one of three overarching themes: Affections for Jesus, Love for Others, and Wisdom for our Church. As we work toward planting churches, maturing as a church, and growing in our dependence on the Holy Spirit, we need to start the Fall off with intentional time of prayer. Here’s what we will pray for specifically each week:Affections for Jesus• Week 1 - We Confess our Dependence on Jesus• Week 2 - We Need to Know the Love of Christ for UsLove for Others• Week 3 - Call us to Love Others Through Hospitality• Week 4 - Call us to Proclaim you Through Bold EvangelismWisdom for our Church• Week 5 - Our Hope is in the Spirit to Give us Wisdom• Week 6 - Our Trust is in you for FavorOur 40 Days of Prayer will coincide with PRDX365, our daily bible reading plan—so if you haven’t jumped in or have fallen out of rhythm with your reading, jump back on! Each week we’ll post a blog with the theme we will be praying about, along with some examples of what those prayers could look like. As you do your daily PRDX365 reading, and throughout the day, together as a church we can “present our requests to God.”As well, every Tuesday morning, I will lead a time of prayer at the church office (910 Collier St, Suite 200, Fort Worth, TX 76102), from 7-8am. I would love for you to join me.