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A letter from your pastor,
NOTES
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It's a new year, and that means it's a new opportunity to FOCUS our attention on
God. Please join us for 42 Days of FOCUS, a church wide fast to sharpen our
FOCUS on God, both as a church body and in our individual lives.
What's a fast? A fast is a period of abstinence from food or activities. During a
spiritual fast, we turn our focus toward God in our prayers and thoughts. When we
deny the things our bodies crave, it helps to free us from distractions. Then
we're able to seek God with our whole heart and begin to understand his will for
us more clearly.
What has a hold on you more than God? It's something we all need to take a
look at. During this time of prayer and fasting, we will enter into an intense
FOCUS of seeking God when our flesh desires something else. As we deny
ourselves of whatever has its grip on us, may we spend that time seeking the
Lord in Bible Study, Prayer, and Meditation.
Whenever a fast is recorded in Scripture, it is followed by a season of growth and
blessing. And as you will discover over the next few weeks, your commitment to
fast will usher in some of the greatest opportunities to take hold of the blessings of
God. That is what we are most excited about. And we look forward with anticipation
to all of the great things God is going to do in the life of our church and in your
life as well. So as we join together as a church family, let's take the next 42 days
to prepare ourselves for what God has prepared for all of us in 2013.
Forever Christ’s
Jesse Curney, III
Sr. Pastor New Mercies Christian Church
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NOTES
Table Of Contents
Topic
Fasting
• What To Expect During The Fast
• Managing Your Schedule While Fasting
• Breaking The Fast
• Fasting Schedule
Page #
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Week 1 - Learning To Pray
February 17 - 23, 2013
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Week 2 - The Model Prayer
February 24 - March 2, 2013
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Week 3 - personal renewal
March 3 - 9, 2013
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Week 4 - Renewal in the body of christ
March 10 - 16, 2013
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Week 5 - renewal in our nation & world
March 17 - 23, 2013
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Holy Week
• History Of Holy / Passion Week
• Events Of Holy / Passion Week
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Week 6 - Jesus’ seven last words
March 24 - 30, 2013
March 27 - Resurrecting Praise Concert, 7pm
March 29 - Good Friday Service, 7pm
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Prayer In action
• Significant Prayers In The Bible
• Results Of Prayer
• Things That Hinder Prayer
• Additional Scripture On Prayer
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FASTING
Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14
1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37,
Nehemiah 9:1-3
When fasting you will find yourself being humbled. You will discover more time to
pray and seek God's face. And as He leads you to recognize and repent of
unconfessed sin, you will experience special blessings from God.
• Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament
eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods.
Jesus fasted 40 days and said to His followers, "when” you fast, not “if” you
fast.
• Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and
result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
• Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm
35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."
• Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition,
resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
• The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will
become more meaningful to you!
• Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal
experience.
• Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make
you a channel of revival to others.
• Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of 2
Chronicles 7:14 - 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.
During a fast, focus is critical. You will become painfully aware of how noisy,
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Paul For the Ephesians - Ephesians 3:14-21
Paul For the Philippians - Philippians 1:9-11
Paul For the Colossians - Colossians 1:9-17
Results Of Prayer
• God Hears Prayers - 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Results of Prayer
- James 5:16, Psalm 56:9, Luke 11:10 (Refers to the Holy Spirit)
John 14:13, 1 John 5:14,15, James 1:5, Philippians 4:6,7
Things That Hinder Prayer
• Doubt - James 1:6-8
• Unbelief - Hebrews 3:12,13
• Unforgiveness - Mark 11:25,26
• Practice of Sin - Isaiah 59:1,2
• Selfish Motives - James 4:3
Additional Scripture on Prayer
• Where can we pray?
- Where did Jesus say to pray? - Matthew 6:6
- Where did Jesus go? - Matthew 14:23
- Where does prayer take place in these scriptures? - Mark 1:35, Acts
16:25, 1 Timothy 2:8
• How do we pray?
- We must seek God with - Deuteronomy 4:29
• What attitude should we have in prayer?
- Luke 18:13,14
- Psalm 34:15,17
- Proverb 15:8
- Psalm 32:6
• What can cause our prayers to go unanswered?
- Proverbs 21:13
- Psalms 66:18
- Proverbs 28:9
- Proverbs 1:24,25,28
• Examples of when to pray:
- Daniel 6:10
- Psalms 55:16,17
- Mark 1:35
- Luke 6:12
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Hezekiah - 2 Kings 20
Jacob’s Deliverance From Essau - Genesis 32:9-12
Jacob At Peniel - Genesis 32:24-30
Jehoshaphat For Deliverance - 2 Chronicles 20
Moses Intercession For His People - Exodus 32:11-13 32:31-32
Moses Intercession For Miriam - Numbers 12:13
Moses and the Lord - Exodus 33:12-13 Exodus 33:18
Moses - Exodus 33:15,16
Moses & Promise Land - Deuteronomy 3:24-29
Moses & Israel - Deuteronomy 9:26-29
Moses' 40 Day Prayer - Deuteronomy 9:18-20; 9:25-29
Nehemiah's Prayer & Fasting - Nehemiah 1:3-11
Nehemiah and Israel Prayer & Fasting - Nehemiah 9:1
Samson - Judges 16:28
Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom - 1 Kings 3:6-9
Solomon's Prayer to Dedicate the Temple - 1 Kings 8:23-61
Significant Prayers In The Bible - NT
Jesus Temptation & Fasting - Matthew 4:1
Jesus Praying in the Wilderness - Matthew 6:6
Jesus to the Father - John 12:27-28
Jesus Prayer of Thanksgiving - Matthew 11:25-26
Jesus Prayer for Lazarus - John 11:41-42
Jesus High Priestly - Prayer John 17
Jesus in Gethsemane - Matthew 26:39 & 42
Jesus at the Cross - Luke 23:34, 46 and Matthew 27:46
Apostles For Divine Direction - Acts 1:24,25
Apostles & Believer’s Prayer - Acts 4:24-31
Stephen for His Murderers - Acts 7:60
Paul His First Plea - Acts 9:6
Cornelius Prayer & Fasting - Acts 10:30-31
Early Church Praying & Fasting for Paul & Barnabas - Acts 13:1-3
Paul For the Corinthians - 2 Corinthians 13:7
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chaotic and cluttered your world is. This is because fasting will force you to slow
down. The following practical principles will assist and encourage you to fast
with the least number of distractions:
1. Tell the least number of people possible that you are fasting
Fasting is an exciting event and it is easy to tell everyone that you are on a
fast, especially when you begin to experience the incredible benefits.
Keeping your fast between you and God will help you stay focused in times
of temptation.
2. Feast on the Word and meditate
Just think of all those lost hours of time spent on radio, television and
newspapers. During your fast, make a diet adjustment: saturate yourself in
His Word. Use every available means possible – tapes, books, videos,
Christian television, but most of all, the Bible.
3. Get alone with God
Fasting and solitude have always gone hand in hand. Jesus was led by the
Holy Spirit, away from the crowds and into the desert. (Luke 5:15)
4. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential during a fast. The last thing you need
during the difficult part of your fast is to be tired and overworked. Fasting is
worth the investment of time and energy, and that requires a balance of rest.
5. Drink
Drink plenty of water. Distilled water is most beneficial, but filtered and purified water also work well.
What to expect during the fact
Expect some physical discomforts because of the detoxification process,
especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains and
dizziness. Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches, but it is
part of the detoxification process. Physical annoyances may also include
weariness, tiredness and sleepiness.
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Managing Your Schedule While Fasting
The first is physical. Throughout your fast, you may feel somewhat weaker than
normal. During the first few days, you may feel tired and irritable. Lightening
your workload and cutting down on strenuous exercise would be a very good
idea to maintain your health and your morale.
The second reason is spiritual. Fasting is not just denying yourself food. It is
exchanging the needs of the physical body for those of the spiritual. Long times
of prayer and reading God's Word will be very essential if you are to enter into a
more intimate communion with God to maintain your fast to its completion. While
fasting, if you dissipate your energy on numerous errands or busy-work to the
neglect of spending special time with God, you will starve both physically and
spiritually. You will find yourself becoming discouraged and frustrated with your
fast instead of being benefited and uplifted and blessed. I don't want that to
happen to you.
The more time you spend with God in fellowship, worship, and adoration of Him,
and the more you read and meditate upon His Word, the greater your effectiveness
will be in prayer and the more meaningful your fast will be. So I encourage you to
arrange your schedule accordingly!
Breaking the fast
Breakthroughs often come after a fast, not during it. Do not listen to the lie that nothing
is happening. It is our conviction that every fast done in faith will be rewarded.
Break the fast slowly over several days with fruit juice or light soups. On a light juice
fast or a water fast, your digestive system shuts down. This can be dangerous if
you eat too much too soon. Break the fast with several days of diluted, nonacidic juice, then regular juice, followed by fruit and vegetables.
fasting schedule
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going to the Father" (Romans16:28). Jesus practiced what He preached:
"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends" (John 15:13).
What do you need to release into God’s hands? Have you been trying to control
outcomes and other people? Let them go. Release them into the hands of your
loving father. Are you concerned about your future? Your past? Are you confused
about your present situation? Are you struggling emotionally? Spiritually?
Relationally? Physically? Surrender all to God.
PRAYER IN ACTION
Significant Prayers In The Bible - OT
Abraham’s Intercession for Sodom & Gomorrah - Genesis 18:23-33
Daniel's Prayer - Daniel 9:4-19
David's Prayer for Protection - Psalm 3
David’s Prayer for Favor - Psalm 4
David’s Prayer for Guidance - Psalm 5
David’s Prayer for Mercy - Psalm 6
David’s Prayer from Persecution - Psalm 7
David’s Prayer for God’s Help - Psalm 13
David’s Prayer - Psalm 23
David’s Prayer For Trust - Psalm 25
David's Prayer & Fasting - Psalm 35
David’s Prayer For Forgiveness - Psalm 51
Elijah's Prayer for the Widow’s Son - 1 Kings 17:20-22
Elijah's Prayer at Mt. Carmel - 1 Kings 18:36-39
Elisha’s Prayer - 2 Kings 6:15-18
Esther and the Nation of Israel Prayer & Fasting - Esther 4 & 5
Ezra Prayer & Fasting - 8:21-23
Hannah's Prayer for a Child - 1 Samuel 1:10-12
Hannah's Prayer of Thanksgiving - 1 Samuel 2:1-10
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the end, and it is He who handed over His Spirit. One should not miss the
double entendre here, for this may also be interpreted as His death brought
forth the Holy Spirit.
What needs finishing in your life? What have you begun, but not completed?
What is God’s calling for you – his unique mission? Are you following it? If not,
what stands in the way? What parts of you are still “under construction?” Be patient with others, they are still under construction too. “Be patient with me. God is
not finished with me yet.”
Day 7 - "Father, into thy hands I commit
my spirit."
Luke 23:46
The seventh Word of Jesus is from the Gospel of Luke, and is directed to the
Father in Heaven, just before He dies. Jesus recalls Psalm 31:5 - "Into thy
hands I commend my Spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God."
Luke repeatedly pleads Jesus' innocence: with Pilate (Luke 23:4, 14-15, 22),
through Dismas (by legend), the criminal (Luke 23:41), and immediately
after His death with the centurion" "Now when the centurion saw what had
taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent"
(Luke 23:47).
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Jesus fulfilled His mission: "They are justified by his grace as a gift, through
the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an
expiation by his blood, to be received by Faith" (Romans 3:24-25). The
relationship of Jesus to the Father is revealed in the Gospel of John, for He
remarked, "The Father and I are one" (Romans10:30), and again, at the Last
Supper: "Do you not believe I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The
words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells
in me is doing his works" (Romans 14:10). And He can return: "I came from
the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and
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By all means, consult your doctor before you begin your fast. When you are
assured that you are in good health, you are ready to begin your fast. This is a
graduating fast each week we are adding a new sacrifice until Resurrection Sunday.
Week 1 - Abstain from Coffee or other
caffeine drinks
Beginning Sunday, February 17 - we will remove any beverage containing
caffeine, from our diets. This includes coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, etc.
Week 2 - Abstain From Sweets
After 6:00pm on Monday, February 25 we will eliminate any sweets from our
lifestyles. If you view it as a dessert then it is a “sweet”-sugar free and no fat items included.
Week 3 - Abstain from Bread and Pasta
As of 6:00pm on Monday, March 4 we will eliminate bread and pasta from our
diets.
Week 4 - Abstain from RED Meat
At 6:00pm on Monday, March 11 we will eliminate red meat from our diets. This
means no beef, lamb, or pork.
Week 5 - Abstain from ALL meat
At 6:00pm on Monday, March 18 we will eliminate chicken, turkey, and fish from
our diet.
Week 6 - Abstain from solid food
At 6:00pm on Monday, March 25 all solid food will be eliminated from our diet.
We will end the fast immediately after Morning worship on Resurrection Sunday.
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Week 1 - Learning To Pray
Abstain from Coffee or other caffeine drinks
The Bible talks about many types of prayer. Knowing which prayer to pray and
when to pray it is very important to our prayer life. Prayer is a form of
communication, a way of talking to God. Not all prayers are the same, however.
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalms 145:18
Day 1 – What Is Prayer
Hebrews 4:14-16, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 62:8, Acts 4:23-33, Mark 11:24
Have you struggled with prayer? Does prayer seem like an exercise in eloquent
speech that you just don't possess? The Bible has a lot to say about prayer.
Prayer is not a mysterious practice reserved only for clergy and the religiously
devout. Prayer is simply communicating with God—listening and talking to him.
Believers can pray from the heart, freely, spontaneously, and in their own words.
If prayer is a difficult area for you, learn these basics principles of prayer and
how to apply them in your life.
Prayer is much more than words. It is an expression of the heart toward God. It
is an experience, a relationship - not an activity. As a child of God, you are
invited to come boldly before His throne.
• What does the Bible have to say about prayer? - 1 Kings 8:45 / Knees,
Exodus 4:31 / Bowing, 2 Chronicles 20:18; Matthew 26:39 / On their faces
before God, 1 Kings 8:22 / Standing
You may pray with your eyes opened or closed, quietly or out loud—however
you are most comfortable and least distracted.
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Jesus completely lives the human experience as we do, and by doing so,
frees us from the clutches of sin.
Admit your deep despair and loneliness. Where and when do you feel rejected
and forsaken? This prayer comes from Psalm 22. Remind yourself that Psalm 23
follows immediately. We are never alone. In the darkest valley, God is with us.
Day 5 - "I thirst!"
John 19:28
The fifth Word of Jesus is His only human expression of His physical
suffering. Jesus is now in shock. The wounds inflicted upon him in the
scourging, the crowning with thorns, and the nailing upon the cross are now
taking their toll, especially after losing blood on the three-hour walk through
the city of Jerusalem to Golgotha on the Way of the Cross.
I Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,
having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were
healed.
What is your deep seated thirst? What do you think you need to survive? Thirst
for praise? Thirst for acceptance? Thirst for significance? Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
day 6 - "It is finished!"
John 19:30
The sixth Word is Jesus' recognition that His suffering is over and his task is
completed. Jesus is obedient to the Father and gives His love for mankind by
redeeming us with His death on the Cross.
When Jesus died, He "handed over" the Spirit. Jesus remained in control to
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Once again, a sword pierces Mary's soul: we are reminded of the prediction
of Simeon at the Temple (Luke 2:35). There are four at the foot of the cross,
Mary his Mother, John, the disciple whom he loved, Mary of Cleopas, his
mother's sister, and Mary Magdalene. He addresses his third word to Mary
and John, the only eye-witness of the Gospel writers.
But again Jesus rises above the occasion, and his concerns are for the ones
that love him. The good son that He is, Jesus is concerned about taking
care of his mother. In fact, this passage offers proof that Jesus was the only
child of Mary, because if he did have brothers or sisters, they would have
provided for her. But Jesus looks to John to care for her.
Are you so consumed with your own pain that you are neglecting those closest
you? What do your dearest loved ones need from you? Do you know how they’re
doing? Pray for them. Love them deeply. Show them your concern.
Day 4 - “My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34
This was the only expression of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.
Both Gospels related that it was in the ninth hour, after 3 hours of darkness,
that Jesus cried out this fourth Word. The ninth hour was three o'clock in
Palestine. After the fourth Word, Mark related with a horrible sense of finality,
"And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last" (Mark 15:37).
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One is struck by the anguished tone of this expression in contrast to the first
three words of Jesus. This cry is from the painful heart of the human Jesus
who must feel deserted by His Father and the Holy Spirit, not to mention his
earthly companions the Apostles. As if to emphasize his loneliness, Mark
even has his loved ones "looking from afar," not close to him as in the Gospel
of John. Jesus feels separated from his Father.
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Communication is a vital element in any successful relationship, including our
relationship with God. He wants us to communicate with Him about our cares
and concerns. He desires that we talk to Him about every area of our lives. This
communication with God is called prayer.
Day 2 – How To Pray
Psalm 145:18, Matthew 6:5-7, 21:22, Philippians 4:6
Since prayer is communication between two persons, it can also be described
as a dialogue.
- Prayer is the privilege of believers. - John 3:22-23
- We relate to God like children to a father. - Ephesians 2:4-8, I Peter 5:7
- God wants to hear what we say. - Psalms 62:8, 65:2, Proverbs 15:8
- God delights in and longs for our fellowship. - Ps. 27:8, Jh. 4:23, Prov. 15:8
- We can talk to God about anything. - Matthew 7:7, John 16:24
- Prayer can keep us from sin. - Matthew 26:41
• Should I use eloquent words? - Matthew 6:7, Ecclesiastes 5:2
Your prayers need not be wordy or impressive in speech.
• Why should I pray? - Zechariah 13:9, John 15:7, Matthew 26:41, Luke
18:1, Ephesians 6:18, Matthew 7:7, 1 Timothy 2:8
Prayer develops our relationship with God. If we never speak to our spouse/parents/confidants or never listen our relationships will quickly deteriorate. It is the
same way with God. Prayer—communicating with God—helps us grow closer
and more intimately connected with God. One of the simplest reasons to spend
time in prayer is because the Lord instructed us to pray. Obedience is a natural
by-product of discipleship.
• What if I don't know how to pray? - Romans 8:26-27
The Holy Spirit will help you in prayer when you don't know how to pray.
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• What do I need to begin my successful prayer life?
- A humble heart - 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Wholeheartedness - Jeremiah 29:13
- Faith - Mark 11:24
- Righteousness - James 5:16
- Obedience - 1 John 3:22
Day 3 - Prayer of Supplication
Luke 11: 9 - 13, James 5: 17-18, 1 Kings 8: 37-40, 54 – 55, 1 Sam. 12:23
• What does the prayer of supplication involve?
• What adjustments do we need to make in our life if we are to take up the
prayer of supplication?
Supplication means to petition or entreat someone for something. A passionate
zeal and hunger fuels the prayer of supplication. Jesus wants us to seek his
riches. This is where the prayer of supplication comes in. It is a prayer that all
Christians should regularly engage in. Ask God to give you a hunger to seek his
face. Notice that in the above three scriptures people were seeking (or asked to
seek) for something specific which meant a lot to them.
• Do you desire to know God's will for your life? The prayer of supplication
can sometimes lead us into fasting. Nehemiah 1: 1-6
Day 4 - Prayer of Intercession
Genesis 18: 22 – 33 / Abraham, 1 Kings 18: 41 – 46 / Elijah, 2 Kings 4: 32-36 /
Elisha, Acts 12: 1 – 18 / The early church
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• What is the prayer of intercession?
• Who can get involved in the prayer of intercession?
• What effects does the prayer of intercession have?
• What is the difference between the prayer of supplication and intercession?
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Day 2 - "Truly, I say to you, today you
will be with me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43
Now it is not just the religious leaders or the soldiers that mock Jesus, but
even one of the criminals, a downward progression of mockery. But the
criminal on the right speaks up for Jesus, explaining the two criminals are
receiving their just due, whereas "this man has done nothing wrong." Then,
turning to Jesus, he asks, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your
kingdom" (Luke 23:42). What wonderful faith this repentant sinner has in
Jesus - far more than the doubting Thomas, one of his own Apostles.
Ignoring his own suffering, Jesus mercifully responds with His second word.
The second word again is about forgiveness, this time directed to a sinner.
Just as the first word, this Biblical expression again is found only in the
Gospel of Luke. Jesus shows his Divinity by opening heaven for a repentant
sinner - such generosity to a man that only asked to be remembered!
Who is lost, broken and hurting? Pray for those who are suffering from their own
decisions. Rather than judge them, love them. Remember we all need grace,
and our past mistakes do not necessarily dictate our future. Focus on the life
beyond this life, and how God’s love draws us to where we need to be. Trust
those who are wandering to God’s care.
Day 3 - He said to his mother, "Woman,
behold your son!" Then he said
to the disciple, "Behold your
mother!"
John 19:26-27
Jesus and Mary are together again, at the beginning of his ministry in Cana
and now at the end of his public ministry at the foot of the Cross. What
sorrow must fill her heart, to see her Son mocked, tortured, and crucified.
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Jesus is looking down from the cross just after he was crucified between two
criminals. He sees the soldiers who have mocked him, scourged him and tortured him, and who have just nailed him to the cross. He probably remembers
those who have sentenced him - Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate,
and Herod. But is he not also thinking of his Apostles and companions who have
deserted him, to Peter who has denied him three times, to the fickle crowd, who
only days before praised him on his entrance to Jerusalem, and then days later
chose him over Barabbas to be crucified?
Is he also thinking of us, who daily forget him in our lives?
Does he react angrily? No! At the height of his physical suffering, his love
prevails and He asks His Father to forgive them!
Right up to his final hours on earth, Jesus preaches forgiveness. He teaches
forgiveness in the Lord's prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
those who trespass against us" (Matthew 6:12). When asked by Peter, how
many times should we forgive someone, Jesus answers seventy times seven
(Matthew 18:21-22). At the Last Supper, Jesus explains his crucifixion to his
Apostles when he tells them to drink of the cup: "Drink of it, all of you; for this is
my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of
sins" (Matthew 26:27-28). He forgives the paralytic at Capernaum (Mark 2:5),
and the adulteress caught in the act and about to be stoned (John 8:1-11).
And even following his Resurrection, his first act is to commission his disciples
to forgive: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are
forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:22-23).
Are you holding bitterness and resentment in your heart? Who has wronged
you? Are you struggling to forgive? If you can’t bring yourself to forgive them,
ask God to do the forgiving for you. Forgiveness is for our own benefit. Carrying
resentment is like swallowing poison and hoping the other person will die.
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To intercede means to plead or mediate on behalf of another person. Jesus is
interceding for us (Hebrews 7: 25) so is the Holy Spirit praying for us and
through us as we pray in the Spirit. (Romans 8: 26 - 27).
When we take it upon ourselves to pray earnestly for other people, we enter into
the realm of intercession. To enter into intercession we must have a heart that
really loves the Lord and cares about the things God cares about.
Day 5 - Prayer of Faith
Mark 11:12 - 14, Mark 11: 20 - 25, Lke 7: 1 - 10, James 5: 13 - 18, Matt 9: 18 - 26
• What does the prayer of faith involve?
• How much faith do we need to receive from God?
• What are the hindrances to the prayer of faith?
• What is the relationship between the Word of God and the prayer of faith?
• What is the difference between the prayer of faith and supplication?
The prayer of faith is rooted in our confidence on God's Word. The woman with
the issue of blood (Matthew 9) knew that touching Jesus would get her healed.
Her faith gave her the strength to press through the crowd. When you are sure
that what you are praying for is God's will for you, the prayer of faith can be
employed. Unforgiveness (Mark 11: 25) and doubt (James 1: 5-8) are the two
greatest hindrances to the prayer of faith.
Where the prayer of supplication is seeking God's will, the prayer of faith is
knowing God's will, praying it and receiving it from Him.
Day 6 - Prayer of Agreement
Genesis 11: 1-9, Matthew 18: 19-20, Exodus 17: 8-13, Psalm 133: 1-3,
Acts 4:23, Hebrews 10: 24-25
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• What is the prayer of agreement?
• Why is the prayer of agreement so powerful?
• How can we get involved in the prayer of agreement?
• Do we have to be together to stand in agreement?
The prayer of agreement is when two or more people come together and agree
with one another and with the Word of God that something specific will be done
(Genesis 11: 1-9).
God has given power and authority to the Church and when we stand together
in unity we can see more of God's power released (Matthew 28: 16-20). Unity is
standing together with one purpose, sharing a joint vision and trusting God's
Word to be fulfilled. We need to appreciate the power of unity if we are to see
God's power released.
Day 7 - Prayer of Praise & Thanksgiving
Psalm 100, Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 149:4-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:15-19, Ps. 135:1-3
• What effect can praise and thanksgiving have on negative situations?
• How can praise and worship take the place of prayer and bring about
answered prayers?
• What hinders us from praising God as much as we should?
Praise and thanksgiving brings us into the presence of God. When we praise
God in the mist of seemingly negative situations we are affirming our faith in
Him. This pleases God and helps our faith.
In prayers of praise and thanksgiving, we praise the greatness of God, and we
acknowledge our dependence on Him in all things.
When we meditate on how great He is, we become transformed into His likeness
as we are face to face with Him.
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by 60 feet long and 4 inches thick in the Temple of Jesus’ day. These
dimensions would dispel the myth that someone just ripped it in two. The veil
was torn apart to show that people had direct access to God. Jesus’
statements before the cross, introduced his disciples to the idea of being at
one with God. Now everyone could go directly to God. It looks as though they
kept making the veil thicker to have a greater degree of separation from God.
Romans 8:38- 39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor
principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height
nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love
of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Burial in tomb. Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56,
John 19:38-42
Saturday
• Sealing of tomb, guard set. Matthew 27:62-66
• After the Sabbath (6:00 p.m.), Mary Magdalene and others purchase spices to
anoint the body. Mark 16:1
Easter Sunday
• The empty tomb. Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:2-8, Luke 24:1-8, John 20:1-10
• An angel met Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" (perhaps Mary, the mother
of James and John) at the tomb to tell them that Jesus was risen from the dead.
Mark 16:9-11, John 20:11-18
• Report of the guard. Matthew 28:11-15
WEEK 6 - Seven Last Words
Abstain from all solid foods
Day 1 - "Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do."
Luke 23:34
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• Naming of betrayer. Matthew 26:21-25, Mark 14:18-21, Luke 22:21-23,
John 13:21-30
• Instituting of Lord's Supper. Matthew 26:26-29 , Mark14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20
• Foretelling of Peter's denial. Matthew 26:33-34, Mark14:27-31, Luke 22:32-34,
John 13:37-38
• Jesus prayer in Gethsemane. Matthew 26:30,36-46, Mark, 14:26, 32-42,
Luke 22:39-46, John 18:1
• Betrayal and arrest. Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53,
John 18:2-12
Good Friday
• Peter's Denial. Matthew 26:69-74, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-65, John 18:25-27
• Judas hangs himself (Acts 1:16-20). Matthew 27:3-10
• Before Pilate. Matthew 27:2,11-14, Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:1-5, John18:28-38
With Jesus being a Galilean, Pilate feared taking action since Galilee was
out of his jurisdiction. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas. Herod could easily
have saved Jesus. He wanted Jesus to perform a miracle or two and answer
his questions, but Jesus didn’t do or say anything. Herod’s guards dressed
him in a purple robe, pushed a crown of thorns into his head. They hit and
spit on Jesus before leading him back to Pilate.
• Roman soldiers took Him to Golgotha, (the place of the skull), where He was
crucified. Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:21-41, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:17-37
• Seven Last Sayings of Jesus. Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34, Luke 23:34,43, 46,
John 19:26-28, 30
• Darkness, earthquake / Veil of the Temple is torn. Matthew 27:50-54, Mark
15:33,38, Luke 23:44,45. When the prototype of the first temple was built, the
tent of meeting, they hung a curtain to separate the Holy of Holies where the
Ten Commandments were in the ark. It was believed that God stayed in this
area of the temple. Once a year, the high priest would go into the Holy of
Holies. The veil represented a self-imposed separation. It went from being 15
feet wide by 15 feet long with a linen veil in the time of Moses to 20 feet wide
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Week 2 - THE MODEL PRayer
Abstain from sweets
Take time to focus on a single line of the Lord’s Prayer each day.
Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4
DAY 1 - Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Meditate on scriptures that focus on the majesty and power of God. Don’t hurry.
Kneel in awe of our Creator.
• Genesis 2:7 —And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living
being.
• Exodus 3:14 —And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said,
“Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
• 1 Samuel 2:1-2 —And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the
Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, because I
rejoice in Your salvation. “No one is Holy like the Lord, for there is none
besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.
• Psalm 18:2 —The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my
salvation, my stronghold.
Acknowledge that God has unique plans for you. May you see your special gifts
and contributions through God’s eyes.
Day 2 - Thy kingdom come, thy will be
done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Think about the individuals and groups that serve in God’s kingdom. Give
yourself to God’s will.
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• Matthew 6:33 —But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.
• Matthew 13:44 —Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a
field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all
that he has and buys that field.
• Luke 17:20-21 —Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the
kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of
God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See
there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
• Nehemiah 9:6 —You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the
heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the
seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven
worships You.
Focus on your place in the kingdom of God. Ask God to clarify your personal
vision and mission. Write it down, place it where you can see, return to it often
and MOVE FORWARD!
Day 3 - Give us this day our daily bread.
Remember that sustenance, daily manna, comes from our heavenly father.
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• Matthew 7:7-11 —“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives;
he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks
for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how
to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in
Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
• Philippians 4:19 —And my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 —Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and
the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is
Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all.
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temple. If you only earn a penny a day, that's highway robbery. Jesus' anger
was directed against those who made it impossible for simple people to
worship in the House of God. In the noise and business of buying and
selling, prayer was impossible.
Tuesday
• Fig tree withered. Matthew 21:20-22, Mark 11:20-26
• Jesus preached and taught in Jerusalem.
- Jesus' authority is challenged. Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33,
Luke 20:1-8
- Rejection of Christ by Jews. John 12:37-50
- Jesus foretells destruction of the Temple. Matthew 24:1-2, Mark 13:1-2,
Luke 21:5-6
- Conspiracy of chief priests and Judas. Matthew 26:1-5,14-16,
Mark 14:1,2,10,11, Luke 22:1-6
This was the last day of Jesus' public ministry and his last day in the Temple. He
arrived early in the city and didn't leave for Bethany until late that night.
WEDNESDAY
The record is silent.
Thursday
• Washing the feet of the disciples. John 13:1-20
A lesson in true greatness. Love is always willing to serve. Jesus was purifying
their footsteps.
• Jesus celebrated the Feast of the Passover, instituting the Sacrament of Holy
Communion. Matthew 26:17-35, Mark 14:12-31, Mark 22:7-38, Luke13-1.
After the supper, Jesus and His disciples went to Gethsemane to pray, where
He was arrested by the Temple guard and taken to an illegal night session of
the Jewish court, the Sanhedrin.
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"said unto them that sold doves, “Take these things hence; make not my Father's
house an house of merchandise." (John 2:16) That statement has a ring of the
following Scripture and they should get the message.
Isa 56:7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My
house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifice will be accepted on My
altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Jer 7:11 Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves
in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the Lord.
There were two types of trading taking place:
• Money changing - Every Jew had to pay a temple tax of one half-shekel.
This could be paid before going to Jerusalem. A month before Passover,
booths were set up in the towns for early payment. After a certain date, it
had to be paid at the temple. It's similar to buying tickets in advance for a
lower price than buying them the day of the event for a higher price.
This tax had to be paid in certain currency, although for general purposes,
all kinds of currencies were equally valid in Palestine. The money changers
exchanged unsuitable currency for correct currency for a price.
• Selling of doves - For most visits to the Temple you were required to bring
an offering. Women needed to sacrifice doves for purification after childbirth. Likewise lepers when they needed the priests to attest to their healing.
Animals cost a lot less outside the Temple. All sacrificed animals had to be
without blemish. The official inspectors for the Temple usually rejected
anything purchased outside the Temple and would send people to one of
their booths to buy an unblemished offering. A pair of doves could cost as
little as four cents outside the Temple and as much as 75 cents inside the
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Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is
power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all.
• Psalm 73:25 —Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon
earth that I desire besides You.
Ask God to supply your needs--spiritual, physical, and financial. Ask Him to
bless you with the resources to be able to bless others.
Day 4 - And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass
against us
Admit sins to the Father. Ask God to forgive us when we fail.
• Luke 6:41-42 —And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your
brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you
yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First
remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove
the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
• Psalm 103:10-12 —He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high
above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as
the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
• Mark 11:25 —“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything
against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you
your trespasses.
• 1 John 1:10 —If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and
His word is not in us.
Pray for friends and family; pray for enemies.
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Day 5 - And lead us not into temptation,
Think about being IN the world but not OF the world.
• Matthew 26:41 —Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
• Philippians 4:8 —Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever
things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any
virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
• Luke 21:33 —Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no
means pass away.
• James 4:17 —Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does
not do it, to him it is sin.
Ask God to make you vibrant, fully alive, focused, Spirit-led, and stead
fast to your mission.
Day 6 - But deliver us from evil.
Think about what it means to be delivered from sin. Focus on your original
redemption experience which saved you from evil.
• James 4:7 —Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from
you.
• John 16:33 —These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.”
• Psalm 23:4 —Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort
me.
• Proverbs 3:7 —Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart
from evil.
Ask God to keep your heart centered on Jesus.
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crowds of people covered the streets ahead of Him with their cloaks and with
palm branches. Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19
- Riding on a colt was a statement of meekness. The people expected the
Messiah to arrive more majestically. In short, it was the meekness of majesty,
which was manifested, entering the city with royal authority.
- The date of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem corresponds with the tenth
day of Nisan - the day on which the paschal lamb was chosen for sacrifice
and separated from the flock for the Passover meal later in the week.
- The palm branches were used not only to wave in praise and jubilation, but
also to keep the dust settled by placing them on the ground since people
were out in force to sing "Hosanna in the highest --- peace in heaven and
glory in the highest."
- Jesus planned his entry as a counter procession to the Roman entry on the
West side of the city. Jesus entered from the East.
Monday
• Barren fig tree cursed. Matthew 21:18-19, Mark 11:12-14
• Jesus chased the money-changers out of the Temple. Matthew 21:12-17,
Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48
• Jesus and His disciples returned to Bethany.
Before he joined battle with men He sought the presence of God. It was only
because each day He faced God that He could face men with such courage."
At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, he whipped the money changers out of the
temple to present himself as the Messiah. It was appropriate for him to take such
authority and first cleanse the temple of those who, under the guise of being
God's chief priests, made God's house one of merchandising. It was even more
appropriate at the close of his career, when he entered the city as a king and
publicly claimed authority. The first cleansing was for teaching and warning; the
second cleansing was for symbolic judgment. This was part of prophecy. Jesus
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pay for the sins of His people. Passion Week is described in Matthew chapters
21-27; Mark chapters 11-15; Luke chapters 19-23; and John chapters 12-19.
Passion Week begins with the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday on the back of a
colt as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9.
Passion Week contained several memorable events. Jesus cleansed the Temple
for the second time (Luke 19:45-46), then disputed with the Pharisees regarding
His authority. Then He gave His Olivet Discourse on the end times and taught
many things, including the signs of His second coming. Jesus ate His Last Supper
with His disciples in the upper room (Luke 22:7-38), then went to the garden of
Gethsemane to pray as He waited for His hour to come. It was here that Jesus,
having been betrayed by Judas, was arrested and taken to several sham trials
before the chief priests, Pontius Pilate, and Herod (Luke 22:54-23:25).
Following the trials, Jesus was scourged at the hands of the Roman soldiers,
then was forced to carry His own instrument of execution (the Cross) through the
streets of Jerusalem along what is known as the Via Dolorosa (way of sorrows).
Jesus was then crucified at Golgotha on the day before the Sabbath, was buried
and remained in the tomb until Sunday, the day after the Sabbath, and then
gloriously resurrected.
It is referred to as Passion Week because in that time, Jesus Christ truly revealed
His passion for us in the suffering He willingly went through on our behalf. What
should our attitude be during Passion Week? We should be passionate in our
worship of Jesus and in our proclamation of His Gospel! As He suffered for us, so
should we be willing to suffer for the cause of following Him and proclaiming the
message of His death and resurrection.
DAY 7 - For thine is the kingdom, the
power and the glory, forever, and
ever. Amen.
Focus on the eternal permanence of God and His one and only begotten Son.
• Psalm 145:10-13 —All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your
saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and
talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and
the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting
kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
• Matthew 25:34 —Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come,
you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world:
• John 11:40 —Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would
believe you would see the glory of God?”
• Luke 1:37 —“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Ask God to reveal His plans for your destiny and stand in agreement with He
who considers you friend and say AMEN!
Week 3 - Personal Renewal
Abstain from bread and pasta
Standing in the gap for yourself. You will be confessing your sins, asking God to
bring cleansing, guidance and strength for change. During these seven days
you will be evaluating your life and relationship with Christ.
Day 1 – Lovelessness
Revelations 2:4-5
EVENTS OF HOLY/passion WEEK
Isa. 1 & 40:28-31; Tit. 3:3-7; Col. 3:8-10; Ps. 51:10; Rom. 12:2-3
Palm Sunday
• Accompanied by His disciples, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, while
We all remember the first moments of our first love; we were captivated by every
thought of the one to whom, our affections flowed. Putting on our best behavior,
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doing everything to get and stay in their attentive focus, talking, dreaming and
thinking about them all day, everyday. But something happens after a while, the
wonder and amazement of those first moments begin to fade and we take the
ones we love for granted instead, turning our attention to other pursuits (i.e. our
job, new friends, kids, etc.) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area forgiveness
and I your life where you’ve turned from your initial passion and love of God so
that you can receive cleansing and set your focus completely upon Jesus Christ
and seeking His kingdom.
Day 2 - Compromise
Revelations 2:14 - 15
Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom.3:3-4; Gal. 1:7-8; Col. 2:8; 2Tim. 3:1-9; 2 Pet. 2:13-21
As we see many of today’s news events pointing towards the Middle East and
specifically, the Holy Land of Israel, we must fix our eyes even more upon Jesus.
The Bible is full of prophecy surrounding Jerusalem and the entire Holy Land.
The Church must come together in faith and love against the forces of destruction.
It is our responsibility as God’s children to surrender ourselves before the Lord in
prayer, asking Him for peace and revival in Israel, and praying for Israel’s safety
and security against the forces which threatens to destroy her. Lift up our
leaders an ask God to guide them in their decisions concerning Israel, and that
he will have His way in that land.
Day 7 - Missionaries & Laborers
Matthew 9:37-38
Acts 13:1-3, 26-28 & 21:37-22:21; 2Tim. 3:16-17; Matt. 10:29; Prov. 3:5-7 & 21:1
Jesus and the writers of both our Old & New Testaments warned us that there
would be teachers, philosophers, ideas, and arguments that present themselves
against the Word of God. Where we sometimes go wrong is in thinking that
these things will be blatant in their attempts to lead us astray. However, the devil
is much more clever than that; rather then blatantly opposing God’s Word, he will
entice us into compromise with widely accepted ideas which cause us to relax
our moral views on issues I which the Bible takes a clear stand. Invite the Holy
Spirit to search your heart for any area of compromise; any way of thinking and
any unbelief that you may have that is contrary to God’s Word. Allow His
cleansing power to burn away your imperfections causing His light to shine even
more clearly through you.
HOLY/passion WEEK
Day 3 - Worldliness
Revelations 2:20-21
Prov. 4:23; Matt. 15:16-20; 2Cor. 10:3-5; Col. 2:8; Deut. 7:26 & 8:18; Gal. 5:19-24
We must always be careful about those things that come into our lives to
deceive you and divide our thinking. The word “worldliness,” for most, brings to
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Jesus taught us to plead with God that He might call, equip and send laborers
into the harvest. There is a lost and dying world waiting to hear the gospel. Yet,
it can only happen if there are people who are willing to go out and proclaim the
gospel to the nations. It is our responsibility to ask God to raise up new laborers
and to pray for those who are already laying down their lives to evangelize the
world. Ask God to raise up those who have a deep, intimate relationship with
Him, mold them into powerful witnesses of Christ and remove anything that
would hinder them in their service of Him. Ask Him to also burden believes to
support those who are called to missions; move upon their hearts to give
generously, joyously and sacrificially to cause of the gospel across the world.
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HISTORY OF HOLY/passion WEEK
Passion Week (also known as Holy Week) is the time from Palm Sunday through
Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday). Also included within Passion Week are
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Passion week is so named
because of the passion with which Jesus willingly went to the cross in order to
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Day 4 - Mercy
Isaiah 65:1-2
Dan. 2:21; Ps. 103:13, 17 & 111:4; Ex. 33:19; Hos. 2:23; Isa. 60:10; Eph. 2:4; Rom. 2:4
Our society and world has greatly degenerated with each passing year, removing
the traditional acknowledgement of God from public places and public forums,
deeming those who hold to the precepts of God, redefining the meaning of family,
tolerating the corruption of morality even among its leaders and ignoring the
consequences, the judgment of God as seen in natural disasters and in the
removal of His sovereign hand of protection. We have polluted the land with the
blood of the unborn. Morally, America has never sunk so low. Only the mercy of
the Almighty God can save us from ourselves. The time is critical. We must cry
out to God for mercy on our nation and our world; we cannot be guilty of not
calling upon His name and asking for help.
Day 5 - Idolatry
2 Timothy 3:1-4
Ex. 20:3, 32:4; Deut. 8:19; 1Sam. 15:23; Dan. 5:23; Col. 3:5; 1Jhn 5:21
Idolatry comes in many forms and isn’t only a statue or image that we worship
as a ‘god.’ Idolatry is anything that we place above God as a priority in our lives
and minds such as money, success, entertainment, pleasure or pride. There’s
certainly nothing wrong with having a favorite hobby or sports team. The sin
occurs when those things come before God in their lives. Far too many people in
our country and in the world have no room for God in their lives because their
focus is on the things of this world instead of the things of God. Ask God to
reveal the idols in your life and to tear down the idols that prevent His people
from honoring His first.
Day 6 - Israel
Psalms 122:6
Ps. 25:22; Jel 3:16; Jer. 33:9; Eph. 1:18; Prov. 16:7; Eze. 34:25-27
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mind images of sex, drugs, and music. While these things can certainly be an
outward reflection of an inward heart turned toward the world, perhaps the most
subtle and damaging form of worldliness comes when we allow our culture to
define our values. When money, power and status cloud our definition of
success. When we think our job is our security. When we seek first a career, a
mate or material object rather than seeking first the kingdom of Heaven. Ask the
Holy Spirit to cleanse you of the idols in your life. You can tell whether or not
something has taken priority over God in your life by how much time you spend
with it, or thinking about it.
Day 4 - Complacency
Revelations 3:1b-3
Hos. 13:5-6, Jas. 4:17; 1Kgs 11:1-4; 2Tim. 4:2; 1Pet. 5:8; Zeph. 1:12; Amos 6:1; 1 Cor. 16:13
Complacency is a sickness in today’s world, especially; too often we become
comfortable and self-satisfied because everything seems fine in our life and
we’re happy and comfortable. It’s this very comfort that puts us at the greatest
risk. When we are in need, we take God seriously an seek him for guidance,
strength and wisdom. But when we are fed, comfortable and prosperous, it’s
easy to become complacent about God. It’s a wise person who remembers that
no matter what the circumstances in life God is with us daily in times of both
need and prosperity. Seek the Holy Spirit’s revelation of areas in your life in
which you’ve become complacent.
Day 5 - Faithfulness
Revelations 3:10-11
Matt. 25:1-13; Josh. 24:14; 2Kgs 20:3; Ps. 26:3, 85:10 & 119:30; Lk. 16:10; Gal. 5:22; 1Tim. 1:12
The type of faithfulness that God measures each of us by is simple: Do we
believe Him and keep His Word? This is a faithfulness that says, “ I’m willing to
lose it all for your sake,” and, “I believe your Word and promise above what my
current circumstances look like.” As simple as that sounds, our faithful
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confidence in God will be tested; as our trials increase and the battle grows
more intense, our flesh can become weary. When we’re weary, we allow fear,
anger and doubt to creep in causing us to lose our childlike faith in God and
instead, turn to questioning and caution when it comes to promise. Ask the Holy
Spirit to show you areas that you have let go to your faithfulness to God and
relied on your own strength and understanding. Repent in these areas and
return to a childlike faith in God, your faithful Father.
Day 6 - Lukewarnness
Revelations 3:15-17
Phil. 3:13 & 14; 2Tim. 4:6-8; Matt. 5:3; Rom. 6: Prov. 13:7; Mk 10:24; Lk. 1:53 & 6:24
If you a coffee or tea drinker you understand that it’s either good really hot or
really cold, but if you drink it lukewarm, it tastes terrible. The greatest danger
facing each of us is being lukewarm in our faith - choosing to be indifferent to
the commands of Christ, yet remaining in the church pew. We suffer from a
great malady, those who call themselves Christians based on “going to church,”
“being raised in a Christian home,” or “being baptized when they were young.”
A lukewarm Christian is very hard to distinguish from the world, often passing off
pop-psychology or positive thinking for real relationship with Christ Jesus. Ask
the Holy Spirit to reveal the condition of your heart and guide you out of “middleof-the-road” Christianity towards a burning passion for serving Him.
Day 7 - Endurance
Hebrews 12:1
Ps. 37:9; Lk. 8:15; Rom 5:1-5 & 8:18-25; 1Tim 6:11-12; Jas. 1:2-4 & 5:10-11; 2 Pt. 1:2-8; 1Thes. 1:2-3
It’s easy to run a race when you’re energized, well trained and have just the right
clothing and shoes. What about when you’re tired and jut don’t feel like it, or you
haven’t trained enough or don’t have the right gear? The difference is you’d
probably finish the first race, but you give up - exhausted – on the second. I this
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to reveal where we aren’t participating and to make us one so that the earth can
be enlightened with His glory.
Day 2 - Leadership
I Timothy 2:1-3
Rom. 13:1-6; Isa. 96:7; Prov. 15:34 & 21:1; Jer. 29:7; Matt. 18:19-20; Ps. 20
God gives us clear instruction in the Word to pray for our leaders and those in
authority over us. We never want our leaders to fail because they aren’t properly
covered in prayer and protection. Often we spend more time complaining about
what our leader have been doing/not doing then we spend in time regarding
them. In America, we have the right to question the decisions of our leaders,
but as Christians, that should never be done in a disrespectful manner or while
neglecting our call to prayer. Everyone in authority over us – in our government,
our church, our community and our family – needs our prayers for strength and
wisdom so that we might have peace and salvation as a nation.
Day 3 - Unity
John 17:21
Eph. 4:1-3 & 10-13; Phil. 2:1; Col. 2:2; 1Cor. 12:12-26; Rom. 6:4-5 & 15:5-6
It is no small thing for believers to be one in heart, mind and ambition. Unity is
based on love, grace, patience and humility – maturing as individuals so that we
can esteem other as greater than ourselves. No small task, for sure, but we
have to remember what Jesus did for us to bring us all together because He
knew we would need one another. The whole body working together in unity
regardless of religious differences, cultural differences or economic differences
glorifies God and builds the kingdom. We need each other, and this is why we
are instructed to be patient, speak the truth in love, bear with one another, think
of ourselves in humility and understand that grace has been poured out in
Christ. We do this so that the world will believe in Jesus – because we look like
him. If we truly desire unity, love is the place we must start.
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Word, we find God’s plans to bring His followers to a place of renewal and recovery
so that His work can continue on the earth until He returns. It’s time to stand
together and believe for a widespread, heartfelt repentance in the Body of Christ
and a renewed hunger for righteousness and personal holiness. God promises
that the latter will be greater than the former, so let’s believe Him for a restoration of
His Spirit and manifestation of His miraculous power that far exceeds that of the
church of Acts – because that’s what HE promises us! Ask that God would restore
the five-fold ministry in these latter days so that the Body of Christ may be built up
and prepared for the works of service.
verse, Paul is warning us that the trails and testing of life will slow us down if we
don’t spend this time energizing ourselves though faith. Additionally, if we carry
sin around it will easily trip us up and weight us down. Ask the Holy Spirit to he’ll
guide you in renewing your strength through the Word and in prayer. Also ask
him to reveal any sin in your life so that those weights can be removed.
Week 5 - Renewal in Our
Nation & World
Standing in the gap for the Body of Christ. You will be confessing your sins of
God’s people – asking God to bring healing, boldness and a new outpouring of
His Spirit to His Church.
Abstain from all meat
Standing in the gap for our nation & for the world. Like Daniel, Nehemiah and
other, you will be confessing the sins of our land; asking God to bring cleansing.
When a nation turns away from God, it is a serious thing. The church is the only
body in the earth that can stand before God and appeal to His mercy.
Day 1 - Participation
Ephesians 4:15-16
Jas. 1:27; Rom. 12:1-2 & 11-13; 1Thes. 5:14; Col. 3:1; 1Thes. 4:1; Tit. 2:1; 1Pet. 1:13
Too often, we treat Christianity as a spectator sport with a few players doing all
of the work while everyone else stands on the sidelines cheering them on. But
our faith is not a football game; it’s the hope of the world for salvation and every
one of is needed so that the “other parts grow” and the whole body is healthy.
As believers, we’ve all been given the gift of the Holy Spirit so that we can
complete the work of the ministry. When everyone isn’t doing their part, the
whole body suffers. But with each one doing our part the whole body grows up
and reflects the righteous character of Jesus Christ. This is the goal of our
Christian life and what God has in mind for His Church in the last days. Ask God
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Week 4 - Renewal in the
Body of Christ
Abstain from red meat
Day 1 - Preparation
Matthew 25:1-13
Prov. 6:6-11 & 22:3; 1Thes. 5:3; Jas. 1:22-24, 4:13, 16-17 & 5:1; Mrk. 13:18-20, 37; 1Pet. 1:17-19
The warning of the ten virgins came after Jesus’ disciples requested to know
what sign would signal our Lord’s coming at the end of the age. Jesus spoke to
them about the last days. He made it clear that the end would not come immediately,
but only after considerable time and trouble. Our Lord issued various warnings
because during these troubled times there would be many who would seek to
turn men’s attention and affections away from Jesus, the true Messiah. It is with
this understanding that we are instructed to always stay alert, in continual
preparation for our Lord’s coming. Jesus is warning us to not be like the unwise
virgins who had no oil for their lamps at the Bridegroom’s arrival. Ask God the
strengthen His Church during the times of trouble, that we would stand strong
and be ready, even in the midst of persecution.
Day 2 - Holiness
Leviticus 20:26
Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8; Jer. 1:5; 2Cor. 7:1 & 14; Heb. 12:14; 2Tim. 2:20-22
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In a time when the very foundations of our nation are being shaken, it is
essential for the Body of Christ to walk in holiness. Holiness is a “setting apart”
or “consecration” of God’s people for the world. However, in many cases, the
Church is difficult to distinguish from the world around it – living by the
standards of culture rather than by the standards of the Word. Pray for the Body
of Christ that we might return to holiness before God. Not simply pious outward
activity, rather, the imprint of God’s holy love expressed through unwavering
faith, the truthfulness of the Word, kindness, justice, mercy and generosity.
However, much of the Church has become anesthetized to its need for revival,
so distracted by the demands of ‘doing’ ministry that our ears are often tuned
more to the voices of those around us than to the Spirit within us. Although our
faith is in Jesus, we’ve grown complacent and cold towards the disciplines
required for a church to be alive in Christ, with a heart for the gospel and a love
for a lost and dying world. Ask God to remove any obstacles that would hinder
the Body of Christ from experiencing genuine
revival and a renewed spirit of evangelism.
Day 3 - New Wineskins
Matthew 9:17
Day 5 - Worship
John 4:23-24
Ps. 32:8, 37:5 & 23, 48:14; Jer. 1:7, 10:23, 29:11; Phil. 4:11-13; Prov. 1:33 & 3:5; Isa. 48:17 & 58:11
Jas. 4:6-8; Jer. 10:23; Phil. 2:5; Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:2; 1Cor. 6:20; Ps. 89:7; Mrk 7:6; Heb.
12:28-29; 1Pet. 1:15-16
An old wineskin is hardened and cracks easily when new wine is put into it; as
the new wine ferments and expands, it runs out of room due to the old wineskin’s
inability to be flexible. The Body of Christ must be willing to be flexible as the
pressure of our changing world demands that we expand to include new ways
of thinking and reaching those who are lost. In a rapidly changing global
environment, our old ways are not going to be as effective as they once were.
We must learn how to be Spirit-led and Spirit-formed so that we don’t camp out
in any one-way of doing ministry. Ask God to release a new wind of Spirit upon
the church to guide His Church in the right direction. Pray that the Church has an
open ear and willing heart to understand and take action in the Spirit’s direction.
Day 4 - Revival
Psalm 85:6
Ps. 19:12-14; 1Jn 2:3-6 & 4:1-3; Jas. 1:22-24; Matt. 28:18-20; 2Cor. 5:10; Rom. 9:1-3
Revival is an awakening of our relationship with God that motivates us to place
him first: First in our thoughts, first in our time, first in our activities, first in the
way we spend our money. Out of love, we make him a priority in our lives.
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The purpose of our worship is to glorify, honor, praise, exalt and please God.
Worship demonstrates our adoration and loyalty to God for his grace in
providing us a way to escape the bondage of sin, so we can have the salvation
He so much wants to give us. True worship is an act of humility that must be
done from the heart and according to God’s Word. As we worship God in spirit
and in truth, we acknowledge His holiness and our own unworthiness. This type
of worship not only honors God, but it edifies and strengthens us. We become
more like the object of our admiration; developing the traits of a Holy God. Ask
the Holy Spirit to unleash a new wind of worship upon His Church; piercing our
hearts with a fresh understanding of holiness and humility that we might be true
worshipers.
Day 6 - Restoration
Acts 3:19-20
Isa. 59:11-12; Acts 2:37-38, 42; Matt. 3:11, 5:6 & 19:27; Heb. 3:2 & 13:8; Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:11-12
The Body of Christ today is not healthy. But there is much room for hope; God’s Word
reveals His plans for a complete spiritual restoration for His Church. Throughout the
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