sanctifying ourselves for the vision

“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
Greetings in the mighty and matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
It’s time once again to embark upon a deeper and more meaningful encounter
with the presence of God. I truly believe that we increase our capacity to realize
God's purpose as we clear away those things that hinder us. There's no doubt
that Satan's idea for us is one of distortion, distraction, and destruction. The
admonition in God’s word is that we “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your
adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour.” Our Fresh Power effort is one in which we intensely and intently set our
affections God through prayer. It is a time in which we allow the power of God,
by His spirit, to transform our minds. So I invite, encourage and even challenge
you to “Come Clean in 2016." It's time for us to apprehend that for which we've
been apprehended by God. We do so as we remember Hebrews 12:1, "
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…"
As we journey together our commitment to prayer and fasting should deepen
our love for God and turn us away from those vices that held us back from
spiritual growth in 2015. Let’s strive together this New Year and seek to grow
into faithful stewards and followers of Jesus Christ. Our growth as Christians is
to deny the worldly things and be determined in the spiritual things until little by
little, we begin to rise and bear the likeness of Jesus Christ for the Kingdom of
God.
The spiritual work that we do now, will bear fruit for eternal life. Let us pray
faithfully, fervently and sincerely for one another in love, for God's “new” vision
and direction for Emmanuel Baptist Church, for our city, for our nation, for our
leaders, and for the world.
Mercy Kept/Grace Amazed,
Pastor Kevin Lanier Pullam
Senior Pastor
Emmanuel Baptist Church
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
Guide to Fasting and Prayer
There is no specific command to fast. In the New Testament, it was expected that
fasting would be a part of the normal devotional life of the believer.
Matthew 6:16 “When you fast do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they
disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth; they have
received their reward in full.” Jesus expected that His followers would fast.
Matthew 9:15 “Jesus answered, How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn
while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken
from them; then they will fast.” Again, Jesus expected that His followers would
fast.
Fasting: Is to voluntarily go without food and water for a specific spiritual reason
and accompany the experience with prayer.
Four Types of Fasting Referred to in the Bible Are:
1. Normal Fasting – going without food for up to 40 days (Ex.34:28; Ezra 8:21,
23; Dan.6:18; Luke 2:37; Mark 2:18; Matt. 4:2; Acts 13:2‐3; 14‐23.
2. Partial Fasting – abstaining from certain foods (Daniel 10:3).
3. Absolute Fasting – going without food or water. This should be attempted
for no more than three days (Esther 4:16; this is very rare in the Bible).
4. Voluntary Group Fasting – called for a specific reason for a specific group of
people (1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Jonah 3:5).
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
Purpose of Fasting:
1. Fasting as a means of worship, which must be God‐centered, God‐intended, and
God‐ordained
2. Fasting as an expression of grief, distress, or repentance
3. Fasting as preparation for God’s guidance and renewal
4. Fasting to reveal the things that control us and hinder our intimacy with God
5. Fasting to remind us that we are sustained “by every word that proceeds from
the mouth of God”
6. Fasting to help keep our balance in life
Practice of Fasting:
1. Occasional Fasting – eat a light meal (fruit, vegetables, yogurt, etc.).
Skip 2‐3 meals, and drink a lot of water. Break the fast with fruit juices followed
by a light meal. Avoid oils, dressings, and starch for a couple of meals.
2. Regular Discipline of Fasting – begin slowly with a partial 24‐hour (2 meal) fast
once a week for several weeks. During this fasting time, drink fruit juices. After
succeeding with this for several weeks, move to a 36 hour (3 meals) fast. Break
these fasts with a light meal of fruit and vegetables.
3. Optional Fasting – if skipping meals is not possible, try fasting certain types of
food (sweets, soft drinks, etc.) or leisure activities such as music (except spiritual),
reading (except spiritual), sports, social media i.e. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube,
your iPhone, Android phone (unless necessary, etc.), computers (except for work)
you get the idea.
Points to Remember While Fasting:
 Monitor your inner attitudes and maintain a worshipful attitude.
 When you fast, remember Satan will oppose you. He does not give up ground
easily.
 Devote this fasting time to devotional activities.
 Remember that it can be challenging, but the rewards are great!
*If you have any health conditions, please seek the advice from your physician before beginning any corporate
food fast at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
Fresh Power Prayer Line
Join us each of the 40 days
@ 7:00 a.m.
Phone Number: (218) 339-8325
Code: 7777#
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
COVENANT
MY CAUSE OR REASON FOR FASTING
Emmanuel Church Corporate and Personal Cause listed below:
I believe that God is the only answer to e v e r y t h i n g c o n c e r n i n g m y
l i f e . I a l s o r e a l i z e t h a t prayer c o m b i n e d w i t h fasting is an
indication and sign to God of my utmost sincerity. Therefore, by faith I am fasting
because I need God to work in this matter. God being my strength and grace
being my basis, LORD, my signature below is between you and me. It represents
my vow to you to fast 40 Days beginning Wednesday, February 1 7 and
ending Sunday, Ma r c h 2 7 , 2016. It is my express desire to know you more
deeply and glorify your Holy Name.
Signature:
Today’s Date:
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 1 (February 17)
God, we consecrate our 40 day fast to You. We come before You in this season with
sincere desire that we will be renewed and restored. We come with the children of Israel in
mind as they anticipated crossing over into the promise. You instructed Joshua that they
sanctify the people in preparation for the crossing. Lord we lay aside the regular
distractions for a deeper communion with you. Be glorified in our efforts for these 40 days.
Scripture Meditation: “Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all Your heart, with
fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the
LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in
love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and
leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God?” Joel
2:12‐14 ESV
DAY 2 (February 18)
God you have laid before us the need to deny ourselves during this fast, to turn from worldly
goods, and take up our cross to daily follow You. We surrender our will, our desires and our
lives to You. We turn away from the trend and tendency of being a preference driven
people to be driven by Your purpose. We now commit: to fast, pray, study Your word,
worship You, invite other people to a life of discipleship, encourage our brothers and
sisters in their life of faith, serve those in need, and give joyfully of the gifts that You have
freely given us. Scripture Meditation: “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you,
for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world
offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our
achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who
does what pleases God will live forever.” 1 John 2:15‐17 NIV
DAY 3 (February 19)
Oh God, we lift up our Pastor, Kevin Lanier Pullam. We thank You for sending Him
nearly 5 years ago with a sense of servitude and vision for our future. We trust
that You have begun a good work in us, under his leadership, and will complete
it and bring glorious things to pass. Lord we ask that you will protect, provide
and prosper him as he obediently follows You. Bless him with a fresh anointing of
strength and power to preach the gospel with grace, clarity and fire. G i v e u s h e a r ts
t o f o l l o w h is l e ad er s h i p an d t r us t w ha t Y o u a r e do i n g in a n d t h r ou g h H i m
o n ou r b eh a lf . Scripture Meditation: “And I will give you shepherds after my own
heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 ESV; Exodus
33:13 ESV
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 4 (February 20)
Lord, we thank You for Lady La’Tonya Pullam. We are grateful for her kind
disposition and willing spirit. Please continue to bless her for the sacrifice she
makes for her husband, her family, this ministry and for Your kingdom. Please continue
to grant her peace, patience, protection, and prosperity as she serves as a wife, mother and
humble woman of God. Scripture Meditation: "The man who finds a wife finds a treasure
and receives favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22 ESV
DAY 5 (February 21)
God, we lift up our pastoral staff to You. May they wholeheartedly give their attention
to prayer and ministry of the word. Keep them above reproach, devoted to their
families, temperate, self‐controlled, respectable, hospitable and able to teach. Cause them
to be gentle and honest as they deal with people. Lord, grant us a sense of admiration and
respect for their authority and to cherish what they mean to us as a body. Scripture
Meditation: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor,
especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” 1 Tim. 5:17 ESV
DAY 6 (February 22)
God, we lift up our deacons to You. May they walk worthy of respect with sincere
hearts. Keep them from indulgence and greed. Help them keep hold of truth. May they
keep short accounts with You so that their conscience is clear. Bless their households
with peace and respect. Fill them with Your Spirit and let them operate in wisdom as
they carry out their responsibilities. Scripture Meditation: “Deacons likewise must be
dignified, not double‐ tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest
gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be
tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.” 1 Tim.
3:8‐10 ESV
DAY 7 (February 23)
God, we lift up the adults in our congregation to You. May we live worthy of Your call
on our lives. As we respond to that call, fulfill every purpose, every faith‐filled act of service
by Your power. May we be clothed in righteousness with hearts that sing for joy and
delight greatly in You. We want to walk with You, Jesus, dressed in white, adorned with
jewels. Scripture Meditation: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a
manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and
gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity
of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians. 4:1‐3 ESV
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 8 (February 24)
God, we lift up the children and youth in our congregation to You. May the little
ones remain humble examples of what we adults need to become in the kingdom. Let their
conduct always be pure and right with reputations that show that they remember You,
Creator God. Teach them to declare Your marvelous deeds. May they flee evil desires and
pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. Scripture Meditation: “Truly, I say to you,
unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew
18:3‐4 ESV
DAY 9 (February 25)
God, we lift up the senior members of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Thank you for every
gray hair attained by righteous living. We are blessed by their example and ability to train
us. Help us to be humbly submissive as we benefit from their wisdom and
understanding. Help them receive the strength and power you’ve promised to the weary
and weak. May they put their hope in You and be renewed in the process. Scripture
Meditation: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Prov. 16:31 ESV
DAY 10 (February 26)
Father, we lift up the lost members of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Let the Gospel be
presented to them not only through the sermon but also with power, the Holy Spirit and
deep conviction. Teach us to make the most of every opportunity to share Your salvation.
Help us to be the fragrance of Christ to them. We stand against the enemy and his
attempts to keep them blinded to Your truth. Scripture Meditation: “Walk in wisdom
toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious,
seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:5‐6 ESV
DAY 11 (February 27)
God, we lift up our worship leaders, dance ministry, musicians and choirs. Appoint
people to these positions who understand the splendor of Your holiness and praise You out
of that understanding. Help them lead us faithfully in thanks for Your enduring love.
Please use their praise to defeat the enemy. May they be the true worshipers You are
looking for who worship in spirit and in truth. Let them glory only in You, Jesus, so that they
put no confidence in their own flesh. Scripture Meditation: “All these were men who
were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the Lord, with
cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.” 1 Chronicles 26:6 ESV
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 12 (February 28)
God, we lift up the teachers and facilitators of Christian Education at Emmanuel
Baptist Church. May everyone who holds that position—pastors, Sunday school
teachers, small group leaders, guest speakers—rightly divide Your word of truth. Let
them admonish and teach with wisdom. Reveal the mysteries of Your word to them
and encourage them to speak those mysteries courageously and fearlessly. Let them speak
with a spirit of faith that springs from their relationship with You. Scripture Meditation: “Do
your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be
ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
DAY 13 (February 29)
God, we lift up our W.O.W. Women’s Ministry. We ask that you encourage the hearts of
our older women to train the younger in family issues. Teach our women to be virtuous—
women with gentle and quiet spirits who put their hope in You. Let this ministry produce
women who feel Your passion for them and who choose to spend time at Your feet. Train
them to contend the Gospel side by side with the men. Scripture Meditation: “Older
women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They
are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
to be self‐controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that
the word of God may not be reviled.” Titus 2:2‐5 ESV
DAY 14 (March 1)
God, we lift up our B . O . M . B . Men’s Ministry to You. Use this ministry to build our men
in their faith. Teach them to be in right relationship to You and each other, to love their wives
sacrificially and to instruct their children with patience. Encourage them to hold each other
accountable as they carry each other’s burdens. May they speak the truth in love to each other
even when it’s hard. Scripture Meditation: “But as for you, teach what accords with sound
doctrine. Older men are to be sober‐minded, dignified, self‐controlled, sound in faith, in
love, and in steadfastness.” Titus 2:1‐2 ESV
DAY 15 (March 2)
God, we lift up our F.I.Y.A. Youth Workers. Let these young men and women set an
example in their speech, life, love, faith and purity. Cause them to be strong,
alive‐in‐the‐Word overcomers. Help them to have discernment as they deal with the young
people in our church. Help them to notice any youth who lacks judgment so they can teach
them to value Your life‐giving principles. Pour out Your Spirit on them. Scripture Meditation:
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct,
in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to
exhortation, to teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:12‐13 ESV
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 16 (March 3)
God, we lift up the people who work behind the scenes at our church. Thank You for every
staff member, childcare worker, parking lot attendant, office volunteers, operations staff,
facility technician, etc. who has devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Bless them
for the obedience and generosity they have displayed—may You receive praise as a result!
Keep them in an attitude of humility that comes from wisdom and wholehearted service to You
rather than to be noticed by others. Scripture Meditation: “Now I urge you, brothers—you
know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have
devoted themselves to the service of the saints—be subject to such as these, and to every
fellow worker and laborer.” 1 Corinthians 16:15‐16 ESV
DAY 17 (March 4)
God, we lift up our Dalmatian children’s ministries to You. Create an atmosphere here that
encourages our children to find You. Let the teachers be careful to remind each child of the
marvelous things You have done. Cause everything they learn about You to become a part of
them forever. May they consistently choose life and blessing each day because of the training
they receive in our church. Keep them walking in the truth. Scripture Meditation: “Train up a
child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6 ESV
DAY 18 (March 5)
Lord, we lift up the prayer focus at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Make us into a house of
prayer. We desire to be clear‐minded and self‐controlled so that we can pray first, always,
continually and thankfully. May everyone recognize that this is Your desire for all and not just
a few. Use us to stand in the gap for others. Let there be a ministry of prayer among us that
is powerful and effective. Scripture Meditation: “And these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be
accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah
56:7 ESV
DAY 19 (March 6)
Lord, we lift up the spiritual temperature of our church. Revive us! Refine us so that we
burn hot for You. Give us singleness of heart and action so that we always fear You and follow
Your precepts. Pour out a spirit of Josiah on us so that we turn to You with our heart,
soul and strength. Open our minds to understand Your Word so that our hearts burn
within us. Scripture Meditation: And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The
words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “‘I know
your works: you are neither cold nor hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor
cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need
nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to
buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you
may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint
your eyes, so that you may see.” Revelation 3:14‐18 ESV
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 20 (March 7)
Lord, we lift up the issue of our willingness to be led by Your Spirit. Holy Spirit, show us
any way we are grieving, quenching or resisting You. Convict us and lead us to level
ground. Help us keep in step with You as we live by You. Reign in us so that we
experience Your freedom. Lead us into grace, life and peace. Scripture Meditation:
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level
ground!” Psalm 143:10 ESV
DAY 21 (March 8)
Lord, we lift up the use of spiritual gifts in our church. We eagerly desire spiritual gifts
that You’ve given for our common good. Help us understand the various gifts and how they
work. Teach us to use what we’ve received to serve others and faithfully administer Your
grace— whatever form that takes. Help us exercise our gifts in love. Remind us to keep
fanning into flame the gifts You’ve entrusted to us. Scripture Meditation: “Pursue love, and
earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV
DAY 22 (March 9)
Lord, we lift up our love for one another as a body. Help us purify ourselves by obeying the
truth so that our love for each other will be sincere, deep and from the heart. May our love
for one another prove that we are Your disciples. Give us a spirit of unity so that we may
glorify You with one heart and voice. Help us accept one another as we clothe ourselves in
love. Scripture Meditation: “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a
sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” 1 Peter 1:22 ESV
DAY 23 (March 10)
Lord, we lift up our church finances. May we sow generously into our church without
reluctance or compulsion. Make all grace abound so we have all we need for every good
work You’ve assigned us. Make us rich in ways that result in generosity on our part so You
will be praised. Keep reminding us of your promise to throw open the floodgates of heaven
and pour out blessing on all who bring the whole tithe into Your house. Scripture
Meditation: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of
heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke
the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the
field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:10‐11 ESV
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 24 (March 11)
Lord, we lift up our outreach and mission programs through Helping Hands Ministries.
Remind us to do good and share with others as a pleasing sacrifice to You. Keep us
outwardly focused so we don’t become self‐absorbed. Help us teach one another to be
faithful ministers of Your Son. Enable us to meet people wherever they have a need.
Help us minister faithfully as we proclaim the gospel so that the ones we reach might
become an acceptable offering to You. Scripture Meditation: “Do not neglect to do good and
to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 ESV
DAY 25 (March 12)
Lord, we lift up the single parents in our church. May they know You as father to the fatherless
and defender of widows! Let us be a real family to them when they are lonely. Show us ways to
include them and minister grace to them. Stir up practical ideas in us that show Your love and
care. Help them relax in Your grace and provision which is more than enough for every
weakness and need. Scripture Meditation: “And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said
to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them,
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he
said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother
and sister and mother.” Mark 3:32‐35 ESV
DAY 26 (March 13)
Lord, we lift up those who are hurting right now. May they come to know You as El Roi, the
God who sees them. For every situation of rejection, give them a sense of your presence.
Bind up the brokenhearted! In every area of bondage, set the captives free; in every case of
mourning, replace it with Your oil of gladness. Comfort them so that they will have a ministry of
comfort to others. Scripture Meditation: “So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to
her, You are a God of seeing,” for she said, Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”
Genesis 16:13 ESV
DAY 27 (March 14)
Lord, we lift up every one of us who struggles with besetting sin issues. Keep us from
the enemy’s scheme of condemnation. Grant us repentance so that we can escape the trap of
the evil one. Thank You that sin was done away with on the cross and that we are no longer
slaves to it. Help us to throw off everything that entangles—help us run the race with
perseverance. Scripture Meditation: “Search me, O God and know my heart; try me and
know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 23‐ 24 NIV)
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 28 (March 15)
Lord, we lift up our kingdom focus and priorities as a congregation. Give us ears to hear
what Your Spirit is saying to our church. Open our eyes to see things as You see them. Help us
move beyond issues of immediate need to pursuing Kingdom issues. Bring us to a place where
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is more than just words
we say. Scripture Meditation: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all
these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
DAY 29 (March 16)
Lord, we lift up our church growth to you. Add to our number daily through new converts. Birth
spiritual children through us. Let our actions win people over without words. Use us as your
agents to rescue people from darkness and bring them into Your Son’s kingdom. We long to be
worthy ambassadors in this ministry You have entrusted to us: that of proclaiming Your message
of reconciliation to a lost world. Scripture Meditation: “And day by day, attending the temple
together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and
generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their
number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46‐47 ESV
DAY 30 (March 17)
Father, we lift up our community, especially the surrounding neighborhood. Let us love our
neighbors as we love ourselves. May our concern for their needs override other things that take
our time and focus. Rebuild and restore areas that have been devastated in our city. Renew our
communities‐send Your peace and prosperity into this place where You’ve planted us. Bless
each individual home and family. Build each house from the inside out; watch over our city.
Scripture Meditation: Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give
it”—when you have it with you.” Proverbs 3:28 ESV
DAY 31 (March 18)
Lord, we lift up the churches in our city. Thank You for creating the body as one unit made up of
many parts. Help us understand the value of each part as You have arranged them. We confess
that we’ve minimized other parts. Forgive us, for we are all baptized by one Spirit into one
body. Help us to work at being one: concerned about one another—suffering with and rejoicing
with other congregations as appropriate. Scripture Meditation: “For just as the body is one and
has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with
Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—
and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12‐13 ESV
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 32 (March 19)
Lord, we lift up the churches in our nation. We humbly unite and confess as one people—
one church called by Your name—that we have sinned. We’ve operated out of acquired wealth
thinking we could do it on our own—but we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. We
seek Your face, O God! Thank You for hearing and forgiving us. We wait on You for the healing
of our land! Scripture Meditation: “If my people who are called by my name 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears
attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 7:14‐15 ESV
DAY 33 (March 20)
O God your glory is in the entire world. We commend this nation to Your merciful care, that,
being guided by Your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of
the United States, the Governor of this State, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to
know and to do Your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them
ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. Scripture
Meditation: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings
be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful
and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of
God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1‐4 ESV
DAY 34 (March 21)
God, we lift up our need for protection from the enemy. Protect and deliver us from the evil
one. Help us be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves as we deal with the wolves around
us. Show us how to test every spirit to see if they are from You. Help us recognize the enemy’s
disguises and schemes so that he won’t outwit us. Scripture Meditation: “Finally, be strong in
the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that You may be able
to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present
darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole
armor of God, that You may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand
firm.” Ephesians 6:10‐13 ESV
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 35 (March 22)
God, we pray that our members will not be anxious or fearful to move forward in the “new
vision” You have given to Pastor Pullam. Change is never easy but we know that You only have
plans for the good of each and every family and staff member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Help
us to stand still in our fears and know Your presence. Give a promise out of Your word to
each member to claim for our church. Scripture Meditation: “Moses answered the people, ‘Do
not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring You today... the
Lord will fight for You; You need only to be still.” Exodus 14: 13‐14 NIV
DAY 36 (March 23)
We thank You Father, for the love You have implanted in our hearts. Bless each marriage joined
as man and woman to love always and inspire each other to be kind in words, considerate of
feeling, and concerned for each other's needs and wishes. Restore those marriages that are
broken through the wiles, and schemes of the enemy. Teach us through Your word to be
understanding and forgiving in our weaknesses and failings. Increase our faith Lord to trust in
You as You guide our life and love here at Emmanuel Baptist Church and within our
communities with peace and happiness, that the marriages You joined together may be fruitful
for Your glory here and in eternity. Scripture Meditation: “And large crowds followed him, and
he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful
to divorce one's wife for any cause? He answered, Have You not read that he who
created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a
man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has
joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:2‐9 ESV
DAY 37 (March 24)
Father we pray for all surviving victims and families of violent crime, an end to
sex‐slave trading of children, abuse, and sexual harassment in our city, this nation and
the world. Comfort the elderly and children who have been abandoned. You are a Father
are a God of justice and we humbly ask that You take swift action against those who
commit heinous acts of violence or takes the life of another. We pray for our youth in
our churches and communities who experience bullying and violence from their peers,
strangers, and family members in their schools, neighborhoods, and homes. We pray that
each of us may learn to follow Your example in truth, and love, and walk humbly with You
and before You O God. Scripture Meditation: “Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me
from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.” Psalm
140:1‐2 NIV
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“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God
DAY 38 (March 25)
Father we pray for our Media Ministry volunteers and staff as they seek to enhance
our methods in getting the word out through audio, video, internet, television
and radio broadcast. We pray that You will bless all who serve faithfully. It is our
desire is to obey the command from Jesus Christ and to be salt and light to the
world with the gospel. May we continue to reach the unsaved and hurting for Your
glory. Scripture Meditation: “And he said to them, Go into all the world and
proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15 ESV
DAY 39 (March 26)
God, we lift up the bereaved families today. May Your love surround them right
now, in the Name of Jesus. May Your Word bring comfort to hurting hearts and
peace to troubled minds who has lost a spouse, relative, loved one or friend. May
their mourning be turned into gladness and their weeping into joy. Scripture
Meditation: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without
sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15‐16 ESV
DAY 40 (March 27)
Almighty God, You have given us grace to bring our prayers to You, and You
promised that when two or three agree together in Your name You will grant
their requests. Fulfill now, Lord, our desires and prayers, as may be best for us.
Grant us in this world knowledge of Your truth, and in the world to come life
everlasting. Amen. Chrysostom's Prayer (modified), based on Matthew 18:19‐20
“SANCTIFYING OURSELVES FOR THE VISION”
40 Days With God