21 Days of Prayer - Day # 9, January 17, 2022 "My Faith"

Day 9  January 17, 2022

Prayer Focus: Great Faith - MY Faith

1 Thessalonians 3:2,10 (NIV)  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ….. (v.10)  Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

The question for us to ponder in prayer is, “Lord, what is lacking in my faith?”

What is lacking in my faith?

Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith as Satan desired to sift him but Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith.

Luke 22:31-32      31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

The Apostle Paul instructs to look deeply at our own faith:

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

What does God want for you?

Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Your Purpose and to make a difference?

What is lacking in my faith?

Some questions to ask ourselves

1. Am I worshiping God intimately?

2. Am I connecting with others consistently?

3. Am I developing my gifts faithfully?

4. Am I ministering to others passionately?

If you want your faith to grow and not lack, it’s going to require a step. You will have to do something.

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

What step do I need to take?  My faith step was stepping out and starting Better Life Church in Newaygo.

James 2:20-24  (NLT) 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[a] He was even called the friend of God.[b] 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

21 Days of Prayer - Day #7, January 15, 2022 Prayer for 2022

Day 7  January 15, 2022

Prayer Focus: Faith for 2022

Having a faith that has a target. A faith that sees something.

What language does God speak? Dreams and visions.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Faith is Sure and Certain

Opposite of faith is unsure and not certain.

What are you believing for 2022?  If you’re uncertain, you lack faith.  

Today I want you to get certain.

Vague prayers get vague answers.

Clear prayers, sure prayers, certain prayers get clear answers. 

We need to “spoke” the unspoken prayer request. 

James 4:2 (NIV)2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

Over 20x the Bible says we should ask.  

How to get a specific, sure, clear goal for your faith?

1. Be Passionate.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

2. Be Persistent.

Keep on praying and don’t give up. You will reap.

Galatians 6:9 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

3. Be Precise.

Pray for my family to be healthy, strong, and serving God. Get as specific as you can.

George Mueller the great 19th century evangelist, who was famous for specific prayers with specific answers - all dated.

4. Be positive!

“If it be thy will.”  But it’s already in His word, it is His will.

Mark 11:24 (NIV) 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

5. Be Praiseful.

He will do it!

Phil 4:6-7 (NIV) 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I am thankful before I submit my requests and after.

21 Days of Prayer Day #6 January 14, 2022 - Faith That Is Tenacious

Day 6  January 14, 2022

Prayer Focus: Faith That Is Tenacious

If you are discouraged or have given up on praying for something. You’ve settled. You have said “it is what it is.”  Let’s fight against this in Jesus’ name and believe again in Jesus’ name.

No matter how bad something might be, let’s persist and fight in prayer for God’s blessing and healing and favor.

One of two places where Jesus credits a person with great faith. Jesus was interacting with the woman but was also teaching his disciples.

Matthew 15:21-28 (NIV)

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus leaves a Jewish area (Galilee) to go to a Gentile area (Tyre/Sidon).

As she prays, Jesus doesn’t answer.  This is her first “no”.  (At this point, many of us would just go away and accept this).  The woman doesn’t stop here at this first “no.”

HIs disciples want to have her sent away. As she persists, outside voices try to discourage her.  We often receive outside voices that tell us “no, don’t go there, don’t bother Jesus). That’s a second “no” she receives from the outside voices.  

Jesus lets her know He was sent to the lost house of Israel. This is a third “no” she gets. (Remember He’s teaching His disciples). We know He is for her, loves her and is for the Gentiles but He says He’s for the house of Israel. She refuses to give up after 3 nos.

She persisted, kneeling and said “Lord, Help me.”  Jesus lets her know that He its not right to give the children’s food to the dogs.  Jesus gives her a 4th no right from Jesus.  This is a point in which others might give up.

But she persists with her reply to Jesus and Jesus says “You Have Great Faith.” She received her miracle.  She got her miracle because she would not let up or give up.

1. Tenacious Faith Doesn’t Give up

In Luke’s gospel there is a woman that comes before a judge and literally wears him out. He then gave her what she asked for.

2. Tenacious Faith Opens the door for miracles.

Luke 15. Friends carry a man on a mat through a roof.  Their collective faith made a difference. That’s why it’s so important to pray for people.

3. Tenacious Faith Makes a Difference for others.

Mark 5. A woman with a flow of blood, would not give up and wanted just to touch Jesus. 

4. Tenacious Faith Draws Us Closer to Jesus. 

So let’s not take “no” for an answer. Let’s keep praying in Jesus name, persisting, fighting and asking for that miracle you are believing God for.