Daily Prayer Emphasis
Day 1: Thanksgiving and Praise
Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ”
Prayer Focus: We thank God for His faithfulness to our church and for how He has blessed us with the resources needed to carry out His work. Today we praise Him for the generosity of His people and for His provision that allows the Gospel to move forward. As we reflect on all that God has done, we give Him glory for doing immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine. We thank Him not only for past blessings, but for His continued faithfulness in the year ahead.
“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ”
Prayer Focus: We thank God for His faithfulness to our church and for how He has blessed us with the resources needed to carry out His work. Today we praise Him for the generosity of His people and for His provision that allows the Gospel to move forward. As we reflect on all that God has done, we give Him glory for doing immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine. We thank Him not only for past blessings, but for His continued faithfulness in the year ahead.
Day 2: Surrendering the Year to the Lord
Scripture: Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established. ”
Prayer Focus: Today we surrender this year fully to the Lord. We place our calendars, goals, relationships, ministries, and the unknowns into His hands. We ask God to establish His plans over our lives and our church. Pray for clarity, obedience, and trust as we begin this year fully dependent on Him.
“Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established. ”
Prayer Focus: Today we surrender this year fully to the Lord. We place our calendars, goals, relationships, ministries, and the unknowns into His hands. We ask God to establish His plans over our lives and our church. Pray for clarity, obedience, and trust as we begin this year fully dependent on Him.
Day 3: Repentance and Renewal
Scripture: Psalm 51:10
“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ”
Prayer Focus: Before asking God to work through us, we ask Him to work in us. Today we confess sin, release distractions, and seek spiritual renewal. Pray for clean hearts, restored joy, and a renewed desire for God’s presence. Ask the Lord to remove anything in your life that hinders intimacy with Him.
“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ”
Prayer Focus: Before asking God to work through us, we ask Him to work in us. Today we confess sin, release distractions, and seek spiritual renewal. Pray for clean hearts, restored joy, and a renewed desire for God’s presence. Ask the Lord to remove anything in your life that hinders intimacy with Him.
Day 4: Unity in the Church
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3
“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Prayer Focus: We pray for unity within our church family. Ask God to cultivate humility, patience, forgiveness, and love among our people and leaders. Pray that division would have no foothold, and that our unity would be a powerful testimony to the Gospel in our community.
“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Prayer Focus: We pray for unity within our church family. Ask God to cultivate humility, patience, forgiveness, and love among our people and leaders. Pray that division would have no foothold, and that our unity would be a powerful testimony to the Gospel in our community.
Day 5: Mission of the Church
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6–7
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
Prayer Focus: We lift up the church plant in Columbia, Missouri. We pray specifically for Jacob Simmons, the lead pastor, asking God to give him wisdom, endurance, and joy as he leads this new work. We pray for the core team and for every person who will be reached through this church. We ask God to provide an effective building or meeting place where the Gospel can be proclaimed, and community can be built.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
Prayer Focus: We lift up the church plant in Columbia, Missouri. We pray specifically for Jacob Simmons, the lead pastor, asking God to give him wisdom, endurance, and joy as he leads this new work. We pray for the core team and for every person who will be reached through this church. We ask God to provide an effective building or meeting place where the Gospel can be proclaimed, and community can be built.
Day 6: Boldness in Sharing the Gospel
Scripture: Acts 4:29
“And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, ”
Prayer Focus: Pray for boldness to share the Gospel in everyday life. Ask God to open doors for conversations, soften hearts, and give us courage to speak the truth in love. Pray for salvation for friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors. While also praying you would listen to the Holy Spirit and share boldly.
“And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, ”
Prayer Focus: Pray for boldness to share the Gospel in everyday life. Ask God to open doors for conversations, soften hearts, and give us courage to speak the truth in love. Pray for salvation for friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors. While also praying you would listen to the Holy Spirit and share boldly.
Day 7: Revival and God’s Glory
Scripture: Habakkuk 3:2
“Lord, I have heard the report about you; Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds. Revive your work in these years; make it known in these years. In your wrath remember mercy! ”
Prayer Focus: We close by praying for revival in our hearts, our church, and our community. Ask God to move in power, awaken spiritual hunger, and draw people to salvation. Pray that everything we do this year would bring glory to God and make the name of Jesus known.
“Lord, I have heard the report about you; Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds. Revive your work in these years; make it known in these years. In your wrath remember mercy! ”
Prayer Focus: We close by praying for revival in our hearts, our church, and our community. Ask God to move in power, awaken spiritual hunger, and draw people to salvation. Pray that everything we do this year would bring glory to God and make the name of Jesus known.
What is a fast?
Fasting is a spiritual discipline in which a person voluntarily abstains food (or certain types of food), drink, or certain activities (social media, wireless devices, computers, TV, etc) for a specific period to focus and substitute that with prayer, seeking God’s guidance, and deepening their relationship with Him.
Focus on God
Abstain from food
Substitute eating with prayer and study
Taste and see that God is good
Focus on God
Abstain from food
Substitute eating with prayer and study
Taste and see that God is good
Why should we fast?
First and foremost, it should be done to draw us near to God. It will also enable us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God.
- Express Repentance and Return to God
- Strengthen Prayer
- Discover God’s Will
- Express Grief
- Seek Deliverance or Protection
- Express Concern for the Work of God
- Obedience and Answer God’s Call
Where do we see corporate fasting take place?
Esther 4:16 - Esther asks her people to fast for her before she goes to the king.
Joel 2:13-16 - God’s people were called to fast and gather to return to the Lord.
Jonah 3:6-10 - King of Nineveh called for a fast for his people after Jonah’s warning
1 Samuel 7:5-6 - Samuel gathered Israel they fasted and confessed their sin against God.
Nehemiah 9:1 - The Israelites gathered, fasted, and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.
Ezra 8:21-23 - Ezra called the people together to fast, humble themselves before God, and ask him for a safe journey.
Acts 13:1-3 - The church at Antioch fasted prior to sending out Saul and Barnabas.
Joel 2:13-16 - God’s people were called to fast and gather to return to the Lord.
Jonah 3:6-10 - King of Nineveh called for a fast for his people after Jonah’s warning
1 Samuel 7:5-6 - Samuel gathered Israel they fasted and confessed their sin against God.
Nehemiah 9:1 - The Israelites gathered, fasted, and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.
Ezra 8:21-23 - Ezra called the people together to fast, humble themselves before God, and ask him for a safe journey.
Acts 13:1-3 - The church at Antioch fasted prior to sending out Saul and Barnabas.
How do I choose what type of fast?
Selective Fast
This type of fast involves removing specific things from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the “Daniel Fast”. The Daniel Fast removes meats, bread, sweets and replaces that with water, juice, fruits and vegetables.
Partial Fast
This is when you fast all food for a set specific time throughout the day. For example, you may decide to fast from sunrise to sunset and eat food only in the evenings.
Refocus Fast
This fast is a great option if you have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you can’t fast from food due to life circumstances. For example, you might stop the use of technology (social media), cut out nonessential foods (sweets).
This type of fast involves removing specific things from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the “Daniel Fast”. The Daniel Fast removes meats, bread, sweets and replaces that with water, juice, fruits and vegetables.
Partial Fast
This is when you fast all food for a set specific time throughout the day. For example, you may decide to fast from sunrise to sunset and eat food only in the evenings.
Refocus Fast
This fast is a great option if you have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you can’t fast from food due to life circumstances. For example, you might stop the use of technology (social media), cut out nonessential foods (sweets).