40 Days of Prayer
Starting on Sunday, September 25th, we are asking our church to participate in 40 Days of Prayer focusing on our Elder Selection Process.
Find a place of quiet and solitude, turn off your phone, and spend a few moments removing any distractions and noise in your life.
Week 1: Prayer Guide
Read slowly Matthew 6:9-13
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
Reflection:
God’s character is often revealed in his name. What are some names you have for God where God has shown God-self to you?
In what ways do you practice God’s holiness in your life? How do you demonstrate God is hallowed in your life?
Envision God’s will done in this elder selection process, and describe what you see.
Unforgiveness can be such a great barrier to doing God’s will; pray for God to reveal any areas where you and others may still harbor unforgiveness.
Jesus teaches us to ask for God’s leading away from temptations, pray in this moment for God to lead us, and shepherd us in this elder selection so that God’s will is done.
Week 2: Prayer Guide
Read slowly Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.
Reflection:
What tradition formed and informed your theology (spiritual beliefs about God)? Reflect on your spiritual journey and ask yourself if the spiritual opinion of your household or others close to you had any effect in shaping your spiritual beliefs.
Do you have someone in your life from whom you draw spiritual strength?
Have you ever considered those who engage in the “ministry of prayer and ministry of the word” as gifted by Christ to do what they do?
What are your thoughts on God’s plan of maturing the saints as found in Ephesians 4 above?
Do you ever struggle with seeing spiritual leaders as called and chosen by God? How might your answer impact the way you feel about spiritual leadership?
Will you be willing to trust and believe for God’s best at the New Braunfels Church of Christ? Feel welcome to share your thoughts with others and pray together.
As we pray for new leaders moving forward, pray for leaders full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and of an honest report.
Praise God for the all the ways he has led us so far and praise him for the leaders he used to lead us.