40 Days of Prayer- Daily Thoughts
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Day 1
If I will not forgive when I have been forgiven, then the cross has not changed me, nor the resurrection been understood.
-Give forgiveness to someone as a gift to God-
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Day 2
If I will offer no mercy except for myself, and give only when it is deserved, have I truly understood the debt forgiven me with the cross of Christ?
-Give mercy to someone as a thanksgiving gift to God-
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If I live with a critical spirit, does the resurrected Christ live within me? If He does, is He critical of me? Does He want me to look at others as He does me?
-Give someone a word of encouragement rather than a complaint-
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Day 4
Do I have the joy of Jesus deep down within my heart, or is it only when my circumstances are good? Joy is a choice, no matter what life gives.
-Choose joy today, and allow it to season your words-
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Day 5
If Jesus conquered the cross and He left His grave, then why do I keep Him nailed to the cross with my bondage to sin? Let His resurrected life set me free.
-Choose to live with a new identity in Christ-
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Day 6
If I give my goods to the poor and have not love, what does it accomplish? Loves conquers all.
-Give a gift to someone in need, but best of all tell this person that Jesus loves them and so do you. They need this more than the gift-
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Day 7
If I do not know what came before me, do I know how to go forward? Jesus paved the way for our life. Will we walk on His path, or will we try to forge on without Him?
-Be a God seeker. It is the smartest thing you will ever do-
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Day 8
If I will not nurture and protect my soul, is it because I do not know the value placed on it by the One who redeemed it?
"I came to give life-life in all its fullness"
Jesus
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Day 9
If I will not seek when its offered, or look when it wants to be discovered, what earthen treasure will I seek and find that is greater than Heaven's Treasure that could be mine?
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Jesus
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Day 10
If I harbor anger and bitterness in my soul, can I stand before Christ and condemn another person, while remembering what He has done for me?
"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?"
Jesus
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Day 11
If I stay chained to bad choices and old habits, do I understand the freedom that was bought and paid for me. Break every chain.
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Jesus
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Day 12
Am I a peacemaker that this world needs, or I do I join the anger divisiveness of popular opinion? Do I make a difference where it is needed?
"God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." Jesus
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Day 13
Are my words a welcome seasoning, or are they offensive? Do I speak with love and encouragement, or with agitation and criticism?
"And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them."
Apostle Paul
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Day 14
Do I live with a thankful spirit? Are my prayers driven by my thankfulness?
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."Psalms 100:4
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Day 15
If I don't live with a perspective that overrides the cares of the world, do I understand that victory is found in the resurrected Christ?
When Jesus said, "I have overcome the world," He was speaking to you and me. Let Him overcome those things in your life that are out of your control.
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Day 16
If I do not feel special or significant, is it because I do not know or see myself as God’s child? Would it help to know that He identifies me in His “royal priesthood” and He has a special plan for me?”
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
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Day 17
If I do as Jesus asked and pray for laborers for the harvest, do I understand that He was asking people for thousands of years to pray for me? Am I willing to be an answer to their prayers?
And he (Jesus) said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Luke 10:2 ESV)
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Day 18
Do I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me? Why not? Ask for His strength. He is willing to get involved.
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NLT)
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Day 19
Do I bless others even if they do not deserve it, or do I measure my favor based only on their merit? If I do only give them what they deserve, then I do not understand the immeasurable grace given to me, and I cannot fathom the depth of my own unworthiness.
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18: 9
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Day 20
How do I value myself? Do I see myself as a failure or success only by the world’s value system? If so, I do not understand the price paid on my behalf, nor do I value the resurrected Christ who lives within me.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)
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Day 21
How do I see my world around me? Am I really concerned for my family, my neighbors, my friends, or even my enemies? Do I view these people through the tears of Christ that knows and is concerned for their needs, or do I have no concern for them? Pray for the gift of tears so we can understand the mission and the sacrifice of the cross, and to understand the tears Jesus shed for us.
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” (Psalms 126:4-6 NIV)
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Day 22
There is an old saying that asks a question: “If I were being tried for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?” What would be your answer?
“By their fruit you will recognize them.”
Jesus
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Day 23
Has Jesus over promised, or has He been under believed? Is the Gospel over stated, or is it under appreciated? Have you accepted all that is offered, or only what is acceptable?
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Jesus
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Day 24
If my joy is circumstantial is it joy, or is it only happiness? Happiness is manmade. But joy is God made. I must put my hope in my JOY GIVER to have His joy, then circumstances do not control me.
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!” (Psalms 43:5 NLT)
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Day 25
If I am anxious, am I really trusting? If I am trusting, will I be anxious? Anxiety happens when I try to change something I cannot control. I must entrust my fear to Him who is willing and able to control that which I cannot.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)
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Day 26
If I see a person in need and choose not to help, is it because I do not have, or I do not understand that I can be the hands and feet of Jesus to this person? Have I forgotten my own desperate need for Jesus and how He has helped me?
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ (Matthew 25:44-45 NIV)
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Day 27
An idol is anything that comes before God and me. Do I have anything that steals my love and my attention from my intimate walk with Christ?
"You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you.” (Deuteronomy 6:14 NASB)
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Day 28
Do I feel neglected, abused, put down and never lifted up? Do I feel that no one cares, and there is no one willing to shield me from my storms? If there is, am I willing to enter the care offered me?
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus
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Day 29
Do I feel “thirsty” for more in life that I’m not finding? Will I open up and take what is being offered to me? Ask and receive.
“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”
Jesus
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Day 30
Do I hold a grudge, or a root of bitterness toward anyone? If so I do not have the heart of Christ leading me. If I want my freedom from the bondage that bitterness brings, then I must follow Jesus’ way out of it.
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
Jesus
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Day 31
Do I see the “joy of the Lord” to be the joy He gives me, or the joy I bring to Him? Maybe its time to make it my goal to live my life to bring Him joy and trust Him with my needs, for He has given me every reason to want to please Him?
And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"
Nehemiah 8:10
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