Day 20

Pride Will Take us Down

            A few years ago God called me to plant a new church. Starting a new church from the ground up was a great challenge, but I knew this was God’s plan for my life. Unfortunately, I knew nothing about starting a new church, so I started seeking some advice from some experts, people who were leaders in the field. I did get some great and valuable advice from many of them. However, I could not believe some of the things I was hearing from some. They started talking about having the right worship team that would give pleasing performances, and saying that I needed to preach ear-pleasing sermons that wouldn’t make lost people feel uncomfortable; that we needed to look only for people who looked like us, acted like us, and talked like us; and that our building needed to be appealing to the eye whereas to draw people in. We needed to do all of these things that are appealing to the senses. They told me that those things would draw the crowd in. And, I was under the impression that it was God who added to the number of the church. I wonder where I came up with that silly idea? Maybe in Acts 2:47?

            This may buck everything we have ever been taught about church growth, but I’m not interested in drawing crowds. A good concert promoter can draw in a big crowd to almost any venue, but what has he done for their souls? I’m not interested in drawing in the crowd for performances. I’m interested in the power of God poured out for the purpose of our being sent out, just as it was on the day of Pentecost. Yet, we have become so prideful in our performances that we have not made room for the power of God to move in our midst. Sure, I desire to see our buildings full of people every Sunday because I know every soul represented is a soul that God loved enough to send His Son to die for. However, if they come in for our performance, their ears will be temporarily tickled. But if they come because of the power of God, their lives will be transformed for eternity. Acts 2:43 says of the first church, “everyone kept feeling a sense of awe.” Their sense of awe was over the power of God, not the performance of man.

            Regardless of how talented or persuading we may be, God will not bless the efforts of man that are centered around glorifying man. God will only bless submission to His lordship that brings honor and glory unto Him. Just as Joshua stood before the “Captain of the host of the Lord” Joshua asked in Joshua 5:13, “Are you for us or for our advisories.” His simple response in the next verse was “No.” God is not for men; man is to be for God. The only way to be used of God is when we humble ourselves before Him.

            James 4:6 tells us that “God opposes the proud.” If therefore, I am being prideful, arrogant, or self sufficient, I am in conflict with God. In Luke 18 Jesus was telling parables on the subject of prayer. In verse 11 & 12 He said “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ The Pharisee was basically telling God, “Hey, God You ought to be proud to have someone like me on Your side.” Notice however, that Jesus said he “was praying this to himself.” God wasn’t about to receive such an arrogant, self-centered, and self-serving prayer. He opposes the proud.

            Proverbs 16:18 tells us, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Satan is the greatest example of this. When we think of Satan, we think of him as a gruesome, demonic being that has nothing beautiful or glorious within his being. That is a true picture of who he is today. However, before the fall he was beautiful. Before the fall his name was Lucifer, which means “brilliant one” or “shining one.” He was spectacular to look at. However, that is not who he is today. We view him in distaste today because of his pride. Ezekiel 28:17 says, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, that they may see you.” Isaiah 14 tells of how Satan tried to dethrone God and exalt himself above God. Due to the devil’s pride, God humbled him.

            The beauty that God gave to Satan caused pride and rebellion to come into his life. Instead of giving glory to the creator, Satan tried to find glory within himself. As a result, he was cast out of heaven, and eventually he will be eternally humbled. I Corinthians 10:12 says, “therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” If we are standing on the rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ, we are standing firm. However, if we are standing in our own strength, we will fall. God has given us all gifts and talents of many sorts. However, those are to be used to bring Him glory and not to bring ourselves glory. When they produce pride in our lives to glorify and magnify ourselves, we too will fall.

Day 20 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that God would reveal prideful attitudes of self-sufficiency and bring about repentance.
• Pray that the church would never put their hope in man and their hope would be in God alone.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total obedience.
• Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total dependency on Him.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 19

The Congregation of the Called

God has created us to be a sociable people. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake “assembling” with one another. An interesting fact is that the word “church” is not found anywhere in the Greek New Testament to describe a building or a location. The word that is used in the Greek New Testament is ecclesia which translated is assembling or congregation If, therefore, the “church” is in fact the assembly or the congregation, it is then in no way, shape, or form a building, an address, or a location. It is the people of God gathered together for the purpose of worshiping and serving God. If we then refuse to participate in “church” we then are refusing to live in obedience to the scripture previously mentioned, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some.” We are forsaking assembling or congregating with other believes as God has commanded us too. Again, we have been so bold as to tell God “No.”

One of the necessities of congregating with other believers is that we are there to help strengthen one another. We fellowship for the purpose of helping one another carry loads we cannot carry on our own. Just prior to the Word of God telling us not to forsake assembling with one another, Hebrews 10:24 says, “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” Just after that verse the Word of God tells us not to forsake assembling together. Then again just after God’s Word tells us not to forsake assembling together, Hebrews 10:25 says, “But encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” I believe one of the great purposes of God’s people assembling together is clear. We need to draw strength from one another, encourage one another, stimulate one another for good deeds, and love one another.  

If the church is not living up to this standard then the church is in rebellion against God and needs to repent. Jesus said that through this standard we would be a witness to the world when He said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” If the church is busy backbiting, fussing, fighting, and arguing, it dishonors God and leaves a distasteful reputation of the church in the community. 

Acts 2 tells us some amazing things about the first century church. Verse 42 tells us that they had all things in common, and verse 47 tells us that they had favor with the community. Even though they were of greatly diverse backgrounds, they had all things in common because they were all focused on Jesus. They also had a good reputation in the community due to the fact that they were pursuing God’s plans and not their own. They humbled themselves before the Lord; and through their humility, the Lord was glorified. Are we glorifying the Lord with our actions?

One of my most proud moments of the church was just after Hurricane Katrina. The eye of the storm passed right over the church and the community I was pastoring in south Mississippi. We stocked up on supplies like we were told to in preparation for the hurricane. However, we, like most others, prepared only for a few days, not realizing it would be weeks before we would see again any resemblance of a grocery store. We could drive to other towns, but the closest gas that was available was at least seventy-five miles away. What little gas we had was rationed for the generators.

It didn’t take long to figure out that Uncle Sam and Red Cross were not prepared either. The church was a Red Cross shelter, but all we received from them was a roll of toilet paper, a box of mosquito repellent, and some registration forms. I’m not fussing. No one, myself included, was prepared for such a catastrophe. The U.S. had never seen anything like this before. However, God was not overwhelmed. In a very short amount of time, the church (God’s assembly) started showing up from California to Maine and everywhere in-between! They brought food, baby supplies, toiletries, and everything you could ever imagine. God used it all. We set up the church's gymnasium as a distribution center, giving away all we had. I shed more tears of joy that week as we saw grown men crying when we gave them something as simple as water, mothers overwhelmed when giving them diapers, and children overjoyed when giving them toys. I was amazed as so many people with so many needs poured into the church. I saw people that had previously told me that they would never step foot in a church, come. By the way, they continued to come!

Through the tragedy and chaos of Katrina we saw the church being the church. Our sanctuary lay in ruin; yet, our church was more of a church in that time than they had ever been while sitting in that sanctuary. I hate the death and destruction that Katrina caused but would trade nothing for the privilege of seeing God’s people rise to the occasion. But the question then arises: Why do we wait for tragedy to strike to rise up to the occasion? This world is in constant chaos. The devil is the constant and present destroyer. Imagine a world where the church, the assembly of God, the congregation of the called, would continually rise to the occasion and be the church. Katrina brought about the realization of physical needs. As I write this, years after Katrina, the church is still tending to those physical needs.

The constant chaos and destruction the devil is placing on this world, however, is a spiritual devastation. A devastation that leaves a wake of destruction far worse than Katrina, or any other physical disaster, ever could. Why does the church not rise to the occasion in spiritual matters with such urgency as they do with physical matters? I believe it’s due to pride in our hearts that says, “They got themselves in this mess; they need to get themselves out of it.” It’s not because we don’t see it because we do. It is in our faces everyday; and if we don’t see it, it is because we choose not to see. When we say they deserve what they get, we fail to realize we could not get ourselves out of the mess we made of our lives through our sins and rebellion against God; neither can they. I promise you; we don’t want what we deserve! Are we so prideful as to think that we are better than they or that they deserve what they get, yet we do not? Stephen told the religious leaders of his day in Acts 7:51, “you men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit.” Has this become who we are today? 

If we as the assembly of God (the congregation of His called) run to this world with urgency in our hearts ministering to their spiritual needs and hurts, they then will come to the realization of the true and biblical nature of the church. Most importantly they will turn to the Lord. Remember, Jesus was asked by the prideful of heart why He was eating with sinners. He said in Mark 2:17, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” I personally thank God for that.

As I close each service of the local church I pastor and just before we walk out of the door to our building, I ask a simple question, “What time is it?” They then respond, “It’s time to be the church.” From time to time I then ask, “Why do I ask that question?” Someone will then respond with something like, “Once we walk out of those doors, we don’t cease being God’s people.” We need to constantly be reminded that the church isn’t a building; it is the congregation of the called. We walk humbly before God and men while ministering boldly in that name that is above every other name, the name of Jesus. We have pridefully become lost within the walls of our buildings that we call the church, making it all about us. However, God has called us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19.20). Are we again telling God no?  

Day 19 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that God would reveal prideful attitudes of self-sufficiency and bring about repentance.
• Pray that the church would never put their hope in man and their hope would be in God alone.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total obedience.
• Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total dependency on Him.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 18

The Sin of Self-Sufficiency

            I was raised on military bases with both my mother and father serving in the United States Air Force. I was constantly surrounded with symbols and acts of patriotism that instilled a great sense of pride for our nation and continues to fill my heart to this day. With that in mind, I have also come to the great conviction that this nation that I love has acted in great arrogance toward God. We have become arrogant toward God not in word but in action, the action of self-sufficiency. Our national motto says, “In God We Trust;” yet, we say with our actions, “in self we trust.” When we take control and remove God from the equation, we stand in the power of our own self-sufficiency, which truly is no power at all. We must understand that we have only two choices: either we fully trust Him or we don’t trust Him at all. God said in Isaiah 42:8 that He will not share His glory with another. I once saw a bumper sticker that said “God is my co-pilot” If He is our co-pilot, we are in the wrong seat. God needs no co-pilot. For the most part, the church in America has removed God from the driver’s seat and taken hold of the wheel as well. And we wonder why we are so far off the path that God has chosen for us.

            Long ago I stopped listening to many “Christian” radio stations because it seemed as though they lost their purpose of promoting the creator for their plan of pushing politicians. I am a social conservative; therefore, I will vote for and support like-minded people that run for office. I encourage all Christians to do the same. With that being said, I know beyond a shadow of doubt that there is not a single politician in this world (regardless of how socially conservative or how intellectually superior they may be) that will bring about revival in this country. We can have an on-fire, born-again believer in the Oval Office, in every seat in the senate as well as congress along with every state level position across this land; and that alone would not bring about a spiritual awakening. That’s neither their job nor their responsibility. Christians need to repent of their political idolatry and their mindsets that if we get the right people in the right political positions we will have peace and prosperity. We need to repent and turn to and trust in God as a nation just as our forefathers did. Our faith and trust in God, not man, is what made this a great nation. Psalm 127:1, says “unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain those who build it.” Morality cannot be legislated nor mandated. It can only be initiated through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

            Let me be clear on this: Christians should support candidates that uphold moral convictions that line up with the truth of God’s Word. I also support the idea of Christians themselves running for political office. There is an attack on morality and family values in our nation, and the devil is certainly using Washington, D. C. for his purposes. We need to stand firm against his schemes and his lies. However, we don’t put our trust in mortal men. We put our trust in Almighty God. God has chosen the church-and only the church-to demonstrate His power and glory in this world. 

            However, we are not seeing God move in America as we know He is able to. We must understand that it is not due to things going on in Washington, D. C. It is due to the fact that the American church has become arrogant and full of self-sufficient pride. Of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, Jesus was the harshest toward the Church of Laodicea. He said to them in Revelation 3:17, “Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” The American church today believes that they are rich and in need of nothing yet they do not know as they sit in their multimillion dollar stained-glassed compounds that they are wretched and poor and blind and naked. We have become rich and in need of nothing, including Jesus; so we trust in our own power regardless of the fact that Jesus has clearly said that apart from Him we can do nothing.

            Consider how we view the education of our vocational ministers in our American churches. I am in full support of education. I believe that everyone should pursue as much education as they possibly can. However, we have made the level of education for our vocational ministers a prerequisite of whether or not God can work in their lives. When I was first called into the ministry, I was told by a Director of Missions of a Baptist association that I would never pastor in “his” association until I had a Ph.D. or at the very least a Doctorate of Ministry. For some reason I thought it was God who called ministers into churches. Silly me! When a vocational minister pursues education, he must ask himself, “Am I here to gain tools to enhance the ministry to which God has called me?” or “Am I hear to get a degree that will eventually lead me to a larger church?” I have always been of the opinion if a pastor desires a larger church more that he desires work hard in God’s power to make the church he is currently at a larger church rather than using the smaller churches as stepping stones to reach the so called pinnacle of ministerial success, “The Large Church.”

I have met many a prideful preacher who within a few minutes after introductions tells the story of their level of education; yet, they never share about the power of God that has worked in their lives. I have also met many very humble and godly ministers with very extensive education through whom God has done wonders within their lives. However, we often forget about men like D. L. Moody who could hardly read or write when God called him to preach. Yet, God used Him to be one of the greatest evangelists of all time. Have we overlooked the men God called of whom Paul spoke in I Corinthians 1:26, 27, “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.” I believe it is well past time that we once again trust in the power of God rather than the ability of men.

            We are fortunate enough to live in an age today where the church has the most educated ministers in its history. I personally think that is wonderful. Again, I’m all for education. However, if we have the most educated ministers than ever before one would think the church would be more educated than ever before. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Our churches have become full of biblically illiterate members that haven’t a clue of biblical truths. Unlike the dark ages when God’s word was kept from the public today we have an unlimited inventory of Bible studies, devotionals, commentaries, and many other wonderful tools that help us study God’s Word right at our fingertips. Yet we don’t utilize them. Why put forth effort when we have educated ministers that will do it for us?

            We believe we are rich and in need of nothing. The members of our churches do not need to put forth any effort because they will just hire a “minister” to do it. They will hire someone to work with everyone from the senior adults all the way down to working with the children in the nursery. I know that God has used many mega churches in great ways, but I also believe that many people leave the small churches flocking to the larger churches where they can blend in so they will not be asked nor expected to actually do anything. They have a minister that will do it. As a vocational minister, I obviously believe there is a place for vocational ministry. However, according to the Bible in Ephesians 4:12, the primary role of pastors and teachers are “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” I stand amazed at the arrogance and pride of the church today that has been so bold as to tell God, “No, we won’t work for Your service to help build up the body of Christ. No, God, we don’t want to be equipped. 

Day 18 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that God would reveal prideful attitudes of self-sufficiency and bring about repentance.
• Pray that the church would never put their hope in man and their hope would be in God alone.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total obedience.
• Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total dependency on Him.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 17

Humility for His Honor

“Humble themselves”

Defining Humility

            Many people have a false idea of what humility actually is. They get a picture of a groveling beggar who is unwilling to lift his head in public, ashamed of who he is. Although I am ashamed of things I have done in my past, when I humble myself before the Lord, I am not ashamed of who I am; and I hold my head up high. The Bible says in Romans 8:37, “we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” People also get the idea that humble people are weak. However, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29 that He is humble, and He certainly is not weak.

            To be humble is to be void of pride and arrogance in your life. If you are humble and you know you are, then, my friend, you are by no means humble. Humility isn’t something you do; it is someone you are. Humility is a natural character that flows out from you without thought or conscious effort. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for humility. Humility isn’t natural for us. We need to work on it by denying the flesh and seeking God. However, a truly humble person walks, talks, breathes, and flows in humility as a natural part of who they are just as Christ did. That’s where God desires us to be. Peter said in I Peter 5:5, “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

            A humble person is one who always puts others first. His needs can wait. Her desires aren’t pressing. His wants are outweighed by the needs of the others. Serving God requires serving people. The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:8 that Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” We find in Jesus the perfect example of humility-One who was strong enough to put Himself to the side for the greater good of those whom He served. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The arrogant and prideful feel as though the world owes them and therefore should serve them. This attitude is most certainly not a Christ-like attitude.

            Humility is also the realization that we are not self-sufficient. We so desperately need God for every area in our lives. The scriptures are clear that through Christ we can do all things, but apart from Him we can do nothing. Matthew 14:22-33 gives the account when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. They weren’t sure if it was actually Jesus or just a ghost. Put yourself in their sandals for a moment. You would be confused as well. Peter said “Lord, if it is You command me to come to You on the water,” and Jesus said, “come.” Peter then stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. As long as Peter’s focus was on Jesus, He could walk on the water; but once he lost focus, He began to sink. 

            We find two amazing things about this story. First, as long as Peter’s focus was on Jesus, He could walk on the water. Therefore, as long as we stay focused on Jesus, we can do anything. Secondly, once Peter started to sink Jesus rescued him. Jesus didn’t say “He lost focus so I’m gonna just let that fool drown.” We need the Lord when we are strong, and we need the Lord when we are weak. Paul, speaking of his humility before God said, in II Corinthians 12:10 “When I am week, then I am strong.” God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses. Humility is finding strength in God despite our weakness, as well as leaning on Him despite our strength.

Day 17 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that God would reveal prideful attitudes of self-sufficiency and bring about repentance.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total obedience.
• Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total dependency on Him.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 16

To God be the Glory.

            God told Solomon who the spiritual condition of the world rested upon: “If My people who are called by My name.” If we do what God has called us to (in total trust in His power and might), we will see God reclaim the land unto Himself. God has given us spiritual weapons that are not of this world but are “divinely powerful.” (II Corinthians 10:4). He has given us His authority. (Matthew 20:18). He has given us the power of His Holy Spirit, (Acts 1:8), and He has given us His very presence. (Matthew 28:20). Therefore, we are without excuse when we fail to do what God has called us to do. However, when we choose to utilize the great blessings God has given, we will see God moving mightily.

Now remember that when God moves mightily, He is the one who deserves the glory. We have no power, strength or wisdom on our own. We must remember who we are, God’s people called by His name. Zachariah 4:6 says, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” We are not mighty but our God is All Mighty. We have no power but our God is All Powerful. We have no wisdom but our God is All Knowing. When we choose to die to ourselves and come alive to the power of God, we give God permission to use us. God doesn’t need our permission; however, He will not work through us without it. Jesus said “apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). God used Paul in a phenomenal way; yet, it was Paul who said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” In other words, he was saying my life is no longer about me; it’s all about the Christ who had redeemed me.

            When we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we have entered into the family of God. God’s family is a powerful family not because of who the family is, but from whom the family derives its name. When someone is in a powerful and influential family he or she recognizes the responsibilities that come along with being a member of that family. If a person acts dishonorably, he or she not only dishonors themselves but they dishonor the family name. If a person acts in an honorable way he or she gives honor to the family name. God said in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another.” We live for His glory and not our own. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” The world will see the works that we do; yet; those works should point them to the Father and not ourselves.

            Jesus said something astounding in John 14:12-14. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” Wow! Jesus said even greater works we will do if we believe in Him. This text of scripture is often taken out of context and misinterpreted. Taking the whole of John 14, we see that Jesus was teaching that He and the Father are one. When you see Him you see the Father. Everything Jesus does or says is as a result of the oneness He has with the Father. With that in mind, Jesus said when we believe in Him even greater things will we do. It won’t be because we are greater than He is, but because we are working in oneness with Him for the purpose of continuing His work on this earth which in turn brings glory to the Father. When we as the people of God (called by His name) work in unity and oneness with Christ, the power and the abilities of God are unlimited and unimaginable. So I challenge you as a man or woman of God, stand up in His power, walk in His might, and magnify His name. Let’s reclaim this land for His honor. He is worthy, and the salvation of this world is worth it.

Day 16 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Submit yourself to the Lord as a vessel for His glory.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that all Christians will understand the depth of their salvation and as a result surrender to total service unto God.
• Pray that church will understand, and stand up to its calling.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that our churches will be a shining light upon the hill.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that all Christians would take seriously their role as royal ambassadors and live a life of fulfilling the ministry of reconciliation.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 15

Ambassadors for Christ

            Not only does the Bible teach that we are a “Royal Priesthood” in Christ, but it also says in II Corinthians 5:20 that we are “Ambassadors for Christ.” As priests we represent mankind to God; as ambassadors for Christ we represent God to mankind. As priests we lift the needs up toward God; as ambassadors we allow the Glory of God to flow down to us and through us for man to see-not to see who we are but to see who God is. Paul said in II Corinthians 5:20, “therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us.” To be an ambassador is a high honor and a great privilege.

            When King Solomon was praying to the Lord in the dedication of the temple, he asked God to look not only upon them but also on the foreigner who would pray to God, “so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel.” (II Chronicles 6:33). God’s heart has always been that all of His creation would turn to Him and trust in Him. The temple was a testimony of the power and the presence of God in the midst of His people. Today through Christ the New Testament teaches us that our bodies are now the Temple of God, II Corinthians 6:19. God chooses to reside in us today through His Spirit for the same reasons He chose to reside in the Temple amongst the nation of Israel. One of the main reasons is so that the lost people of the world may know Him through His presence within us. As an ambassador, we do not promote our own agenda or our own plans or even our own ideas. Everything we do points to the one of whom we represent. We have the great advantage as ambassadors of Christ; for the God whom we represent dwells within us.

            As Christians we are in this world but are not of this world. We are foreigners in a foreign land. This world is naturally hostile toward the things of God; yet, we are called to represent God in this hostile world. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 3:12, “indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” When we simply try to blend in with the world and not allow Christ to shine through us, we not only dishonor the Lord; but we also do this world an injustice. The world thinks that their way of living is okay, that they are on the right track, and that they have everything figured out. However, they will never find peace, joy or any sense of contentment in what this world has to offer. I believe that God has put a natural void in the heart of every man that longs for God, and that void cannot be filled by anything else. When the people of the world see the joy, the peace, and the sense of satisfaction in the lives of a Christian, they are then confronted with the realization that something is missing in their lives.

            We have already discussed that the church is the only institution upon this earth through which God has chosen to work. Whether operating in our priestly role or ministering in our role as ambassadors, we work through the central headquarters of the church. The church is a spiritual embassy of the Kingdom of God. It is strategically placed in the local level all throughout the world to minister to the people who are members of its kingdom while living in this foreign land. However, God’s embassy has another purpose as well. As the ambassadors of Christ represent the Lord in this hostile land, many come to the realization that the world of which they are citizens is destroying them, consuming their very lives and devouring everything they are. The embassy of the Kingdom of God offers to them spiritual asylum found only in Christ. It offers them a transfer in citizenship from a citizen of this world, of which Satan is in control, to a citizenship in God’s kingdom. Jesus said in John 10:10, “the thief (devil) comes only to steal kill and destroy; but I have come to give you life and to give it to you abundantly.”

            In II Corinthians 5, just prior to Paul saying we are ambassadors for Christ, he talked about the ministry of reconciliation. To reconcile with someone is to end a conflict with them. The world is in conflict with God. James said in James 4:4, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” The world is under the control of the devil; yet, God’s desire is to redeem everyone from the bondage of this world and the control of Satan. Jesus said to his disciples in John 15:18, 19, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” The whole purpose of the cross is to redeem people out of the world and into God’s grace-from being a foe to being family.

            The plan and purpose of God is clear. It is to reconcile this world unto Himself. God chooses to use the church for that plan. We must understand that the church is not a building, a location, or an address. It is God’s people assembled together. For the first 300 years of Christianity, there were no “church” buildings. They met in houses or other public places. Is it, therefore, sinful to have buildings? Of course not. However, I do believe that many of the children of God today have become lost in their buildings and have forgotten the fact that God’s heart is to reconcile this world unto Himself. Some things need to be done in our buildings. However, if we refuse (as God’s children and as God’s church) to participate in the ministry of reconciliation, we have then become rebellious and sinful. This idea of opening the front doors of the building and saying to the community “Ya’ll come” doesn’t work. The reason why it doesn’t work is because that wasn’t God’s design. Jesus said, “Go”.  (Matthew 28:19). Paul stated this great purpose of the church in Ephesians 3:10: “so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” We cannot be ambassadors while residing in our own land.

Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” I believe we have not been the witnesses that Jesus said “we shall be” because the power of the Holy Spirit has not come upon us. The power of the Holy Spirit has not come upon us because we have been playing church rather than earnestly seeking God as we should. We choose to play by our own rules rather than follow God’s. However, when we begin to pray and earnestly seek God as we should and live in obedience to Him; God will allow the power of the Holy Spirit to fall down upon us. When the power of the Holy Spirit falls, we will be so compelled to be God’s witnesses that no power on earth or in the spiritual realm will be able to stop us. We can debate as to what the signs of someone being filled with the spirit are, but one thing is clear when you read through the book of Acts. People who are filled with God’s spirit are being witnesses for Jesus. They are being ambassadors for Christ.

Day 15 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that all Christians will understand the depth of their salvation and as a result surrender to total service unto God.
• Pray that church will understand, and stand up to its calling.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that our churches will be a shining light upon the hill.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that all Christians would take seriously their role as royal ambassadors and live a life of fulfilling the ministry of reconciliation.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
• Pray for the safety, protection, and influence of Christians who are being persecuted. 

Day 14

A Royal Priesthood

            The more we understand the Gospel, the more we understand that the good news of God keeps getting better and better. We have already concluded that God has saved us even though we are unworthy and that He has called us into a calling that is set aside for His purpose-a calling for which He will provide our every need. Those two glorious gifts are worthy of our uttermost dedication and service to God, but that is not the end of the good news. As we continue to search the scriptures, we find that through Christ, God has adopted us as His very own children and that we have become joint heirs in Christ Jesus. The Bible says in Romans 8:14-17, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Many times in scripture Paul called himself a “bond-servant of Christ.”A bond-servant is a willing servant. God has not called us to serve Him as His unwilling slaves. He has called us to serve Him as His child.

            As the good news continues to get better and better, we understand more of who God is and who we are because of Him. Jesus is not just royalty; He is the King of Kings. Because we are adopted sons and daughters of God and joint heirs in Christ Jesus, God has allowed us to join in the blessings of being a part of His royal family. In Christ we are royalty. Peter says of those who are a part of the family. I Peter 2:9, 10 says, “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” He calls us a “Royal Priesthood.”

            Many times in the New Testament believers are referred to as priests. This doctrine is called the “priesthood of the believer.” Some would argue that being a priest is for a select few that are called. However, the Word of God clearly teaches that whoever has accepted Jesus Christ’s work of salvation and has then been adopted into the family of God is a priest. A priest has many roles and responsibilities. However, they can all be summed up into one main purpose. A priest is to represent mankind to God. One of the greatest ways that believers can represent mankind to God is to pray for them. The topic of prayer will be discussed in greater detail in the fourth chapter; however, God expects His people who are called by His name to pray. Jesus is our High Priest, and we see Him many times in the gospels praying for his disciples as seen in John 17. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 1:3 that he thanks God for him as he mentions him in his prayers.

            As the priests of God serving mankind on behalf of God, we should have a great burden for the lost and hurting. Many times I pray asking God to give me the compassion Jesus has-the compassion that calls out with a broken heart as Jesus did in Matthew 23:37 as He said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” Despite the wickedness of their ways, Jesus still loved them and desperately desired to see them repent and turn to His salvation. With the same heart we are also called to cry out to the Father with a broken heart on behalf of the lost condition of this world. I dare say that the bulk of our prayers should be directed to praying for the redemption of the wretched.

            As a result of our saving relationship with Jesus Christ the Bible teaches that all believers have direct access to the throne of God. (See Hebrews 4:16). James 5:16 tells us, “that the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” As we have already discussed, we have no righteousness of our own. However, for those who have trusted in Christ as their savior, we have a righteousness that is found in Him. (Romans 3:22). As we lift up our voices to God, we are also encouraged with the great news that Jesus is the mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5). So what does all of this mean? It simply means that through Christ we have direct access to the throne of the Father. The righteousness that is found in Christ is perfect righteousness; therefore the prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much. Our prayers through Christ are powerful.

            Have you ever been told (or even thought to yourself) that someone is too far gone? As I stood at the graveside of my mother, I tried to give the pastor who just finished preaching her funeral some money for his time and effort. He graciously declined, but upon my persistence he told to me if I really wanted to give the money, then I should come to church that Sunday and put it in the offering plate. I agreed and began to walk away. He then grabbed my arm to turn me back around and spoke these words to me, “Rusty I’m going to pray for you until you turn your life over to Jesus.” At that time in my life, I was a drug addict who was consumed with anger, rage, hatred, and bitterness. Not only was I a drug addict, I also considered myself to be an atheist. As he spoke those words to me I shrugged it off like it was nothing. Fifty-six day later I accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord over my life. We are never too far gone, and there is great power in prayer-if we pray.

Day 14 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that all Christians will understand the depth of their salvation and as a result surrender to total service unto God.
• Pray that church will understand, and stand up to its calling.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that our churches will be a shining light upon the hill.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
• Pray for the safety, protection, and influence of Christians who are being persecuted. 

Day 13

Saved with a Holy Calling.

            One of the difficulties we often have is understanding how totally depraved we are apart from Christ.  We often think that we are deserving of the gifts and the blessings of God. However, the Word of God says in Isaiah 64:6, “our righteousness is as filthy rags.” Our righteousness is the best we can give, and it alone is not enough. The Bible also says in Ephesians 2:3, “by nature we are children of wrath.” The word of God gives a very bleak picture of the nature of man. Every man, woman, and child that has ever lived upon this earth has made a conscious choice at some point in their lives to rebel and sin against God. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”

            The Bible also tells us that God requires death as the payment for our sins. (Romans 6:23). Death had to be paid as a penalty of sin, but praise be to God that I Corinthians 15:3 tells us, “Christ died for our sins.” We should have paid the penalty for our sins but Jesus stood in our place. Although we have turned our backs on Him time after time, God loves us enough to send us His son to become sin for us. II Corinthians 5:21 says, “He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Due to this great sacrifice, John said in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” No one is worthy of this great gift of sacrifice. We deserve death and hell; yet, God gives us grace by giving us His Son.

            With this grace in mind, Paul said in Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” He is urging us, because of the mercy of God, to give ourselves entirely to Himself as a living and holy sacrifice. God doesn’t want dead sacrifices. He desires living sacrifices that are set apart for His own purposes. If we truly understand the mercies of God and the great grace that God has bestowed upon us, we will have no problem serving Him. The mercies of God have purchased us from sin, death, and hell and have reconciled us into a right relationship with Him. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” (Ephesians 2:4).

            As the Apostle Paul began to write his second letter to young Timothy, he knew his life was going to end soon. He was imprisoned and about to be executed because of his faith in Jesus and his faithful service to Jesus. With this in mind, Paul wrote these words to Timothy in II Timothy 1:8, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.” Now, anyone else would have said, “Are you out of your mind? You are about to die and you want me to come join with you in suffering!” What reason would Timothy have in joining with Paul in suffering? Why would he continue to walk down this path of service and loyalty to Jesus when this is the very path that has Paul where he is? Paul answered that question in the very next verse when he said, “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” I will serve Him for no other reason than that I am saved by His wonderful grace.

            What an honor and a privilege to serve God. When God saves us, He calls us; however, we must also understand that when He calls us, He equips us. When we are called by God, we are not our own, we are His! The bible says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Through Christ we are called to good works. By the hand of God we are shaped, formed, and fitted to fulfill them. God may not have called you to be a pastor or an evangelist or to go to a foreign mission field, but you are called nonetheless. The calling He has placed upon your life may be done in a manner where no one in the world may ever be aware of it. However, it is still a glorious and honorable calling. If we were to be called upon by a king or dignitary of this world to render service, we would consider it an honor. We, however, have been called by the King of Kings. What a glorious honor; for He has saved us and called us with a holy calling.

Day 13 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that all Christians will understand the depth of their salvation and as a result surrender to total service unto God.
• Pray that church will understand, and stand up to its calling.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that our churches will be a shining light upon the hill.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
• Pray for the safety, protection, and influence of Christians who are being persecuted. 

Day 12

Saved with a Holy Calling

“And My People who are called by My name”

Who’s Responsible?

      As I sit down to write this, I am mindful of the moral collapse that is plaguing our nation. Inner city crime has spread to small towns and communities all across America, drugs have become an epidemic problem that virtually every family in America is dealing with, and sexual perversions of every kind have become socially acceptable. We pick up video cameras and idly watch while people are murdered, raped, and beaten instead of lending a helping hand and then use the video as a form of entertainment. Just a few weeks ago in a neighboring community, the police averted a planned school shooting that could have ended in great tragedy just as so many already have.

      When the tragedies come we ask, “Who is to blame?” and “Who’s responsible for this great tragedy?” We first start pointing our fingers at the parents saying they are to blame, then to the schools noting that they should have had better security or should have been more aware of their student’s activities. We even want to pass the blame on the guns themselves, desiring to sue the gun manufacturers. We say we need better laws or better politicians who will write better laws. Christians love to pass the blame onto the ACLU and those “liberal” activist judges. “They have kicked prayer out of school,” we say. But are we praying at home with our children? We fuss saying, “They have removed God’s Word from the schools.” But are we teaching our children God’s Word at home? We want to pass the buck, but to whom has God given the responsibility?

      A passage of scripture I have often found intriguing is Mark 14:17-21. Jesus was having the last supper with His disciples when He said to them, “One of you will betray Me.” What I find so intriguing about this text of scripture is the fact that Peter didn’t say “I know it’s John; I never really trusted him all that much anyway.” Nor did John say, “no it has to be Matthew; you know he use to be a tax collector.” Instead, each one turned to Jesus asking, “Surly, not I.” They weren’t passing the blame; they just wanted to make sure they were staying in right relationship. One of the major downfalls of modern society is that we are unwilling to accept responsibility for our own actions. Instead, we want to find someone else to pin it on. It seems as though taking responsibility for your own actions has gone the way of the ancient word.

      However, when it comes to the spiritual condition of this world, there is only one institution to which God has granted power and authority-the power and authority to overcome the spiritual forces of wickedness and tear down the gates of hell. It is the church. Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, “all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” He then said in the next verse of the same chapter, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Out of the same breath that He said “I have all authority”, He said “Go”. In other words, we (the church) should go out into the world with the authority and the power of Jesus, making disciples who are followers of Jesus.

      Jesus also told the church in Matthew 16:19, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” If the power of God is not falling down upon this earth to change the heart of man and transform him into whom God so desires him to be, there is none other to blame than the church. The church is the only institution that God has chosen to work through. There is no other. Therefore, if the church is not fulfilling the callings that God has placed upon them, heaven will be bound. God did not say if the government, or if the school systems, or if the laws, or even if society gets right that He would heal the land. He said, “if my people who are called by My name.” God has given the call, He has given the authority, and He has given the power. We simply have to accept it and walk in it. 

      We are at a point today where the world has become hostile toward Christianity. We think that they simply don’t want to hear what we have to say, and that is the reasoning for their hostility. I submit to you the opposite. I believe the world today is hostile toward Christianity not because of our voice but because of our silence. Paul said in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power unto salvation.” We fail to remember the most phenomenal growth the church has ever experienced was in the first century. We know as well that this was a time when the world was the most hostile toward the Church. Therefore, I am not saying that if the church regains its voice the world will no longer be hostile toward it. On the contrary, the world will most likely be all the more hostile. However, their hostility will be lost in the power of God moving to save the masses. In other words, God will redirect the attention of the lost to His power rather than to the idle arguments of man. The church must stand up and be the church, regardless of the roars of the wicked.

Day 12 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Ask yourself why you serve God. If it’s not out of love, repent.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that church will understand, and stand up to its calling.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that our churches will be a shining light upon the hill.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the church would stand up to their calling and loose heaven on this earth.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray as a result that the plagues and pestilences in society will be reversed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 11

The Plagues and Pestilence

            When the church fails to be the church, it lays a wake of devastating consequence within society. It doesn’t take the most spiritually discerning individual to see that society is rapidly becoming hardened toward Christianity. I dare say that in the United States, a nation that was founded upon Judeo/Christian principles and has been known since its founding as a Christian nation is becoming increasingly hostile to true biblical Christianity. Sometimes we use the excuse, “These are the signs of the times”, or “Our nation is undergoing judgment.”

            There may be truth in both of those statements; however, I am firmly convinced the reason society is becoming increasingly hardened toward Christianity is for the simple fact that the church is not being the church. Paul urged the church in Ephesians 6:19, “and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”

            Paul’s simple request of the church was to pray for him as he proclaims the gospel. The sad reality is that Satan has convinced the majority of all Christians not to proclaim/share the gospel although the Bible clearly teaches that it is every Christian’s call and duty.  What is even more frightening is the fact that so few are willing to take the time to till the ground through the power of prayer for those who are sowing the seeds of the gospel. A prayerless church is a powerless church.

            In Matthew 13 we find Jesus telling the parable of the seed and the sower. Jesus tells of one who is casting seed everywhere he goes. As a farmer, he would be a bad steward of the seed. However Jesus tells us that the seed He speaks of is the Word of God. Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. In other words as you go, cast your seed everywhere and to everyone making disciples and teaching God’s Word. The result is not ours but God’s. We are simply being good stewards of the gospel seed, casting it as we go and leaving the result to God.

            Although the end result is God’s, Paul told the church of Ephesus to pray as he proclaims the gospel. The sower of the seed sowed seed on the roadside, on the rocky places, in the thorns, and on the good soil. As we begin to pray, we begin the process of tilling up the soil for the seed to be sown in the good soil.

            A farmer who does not prepare the soil prior to the sowing of the seed is not only foolish but also a bad steward of the seed. Every farmer knows that preparing the ground is the most vital element in producing a good crop. When the church fails to prepare the spiritual soil by refusing to pray, they are likewise foolishly being bad stewards of the gospel seed.  

            The stony, thistled spiritual soil of this modern day has proven difficult to sow the seed in. However this should encourage us all the more to pray. Our hearts should be so stirred with the compassion that Jesus had when He cried out to the stony-hearted inhabitants of Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”

            Untilled land unsown with the gospel seed that has the power unto salvation will only produce a crop of pestilence. The pestilence of sin plagues the unevangelized land leaving the citizens hopelessly lost to live out their lives in the immorality and the lusts of their flesh. So often we fuss about the ways of the unevangelized, but how should a lost person act other than as a lost person? “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14,15).

            The condition of the spiritual soil within the land is no doubt a direct result of the spiritual drought within our churches that has opened the door wide for the devourer leaving the land desolate for the pestilence of sin to settle in. We fuss about the immorality and sin that has plagued our society. Sexual perversions of all sorts have become the norm; families are being torn apart; and drugs, crime, violence, and overall disregard for humanity are now a part of daily life. However, the plague of sin is simply the symptom and not the cause. It is the fever that allows us to know our bodies are sick. Clearly, the biblical cause is the spiritual drought that has gripped so many of our churches. The time for revival is now! The fields are white unto harvest. Let’s stand up and reclaim this land in the name that is above all names, Jesus.

Day 11 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Ask yourself why you serve God. If it’s not out of love, repent.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God will seek the presence of God in their lives and their churches life.
• Pray that the people of God would hunger and thirst for Him and therefore, seek His face.
• Pray that our churches understand spiritual warfare and engage in it.
• Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that our churches will be a house of prayer.
• Pray that our churches will be a shining light upon the hill.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the church would stand up to their calling and loose heaven on this earth.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray as a result that the plagues and pestilences in society will be reversed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 10

The Destruction of the Devourer

            The reality is that we are at war-not a physical war but a spiritual war. Ephesians 6:12 tells us who the battle is against, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” It is a war that started in heaven as seen clearly in Isaiah 14 and was brought down to this earth resulting in the fall of man.

            This spiritual battle continues to this day and is fought for the souls of mankind. Satan found that he could not steal God’s glory and was greatly humbled for trying. Therefore, he will stop at nothing to blind mankind from seeing and responding to the glory of God through salvation. II Corinthians 4:3,4 says, “if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

            Satan’s strategy is threefold. First, he will do everything he can to prevent individuals from responding to the gospel. He will distract them in any way possible to prevent them from paying attention to or seeing the need of the gospel within their lives. Second, he will send false prophets to proclaim a false gospel deceiving people into the gates of hell. And third, he will stop at nothing to prevent the church from proclaiming the gospel message so people cannot hear.    

If a church has entered into the realm of spiritual drought, they will turn from being a gospel centered church to a self-seeking, self-honoring, and self-centered church. As a result, the church of spiritual drought has opened the door wide and rolled out the red carpet for the devourer to come and destroy. As far as Satan is concerned, a silent church is a successful church.

            In Matthew 16 we see Jesus telling His disciples that He is going to give the church the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said with those keys the church will have the ability to loose and bind things on earth and in heaven. Keys are symbols of authority. Jesus was teaching His disciples that He will give the church the authority of heaven and that the authority (gates) of hell could not stand up against it. 

            Immediately after Jesus shared these amazing truths to the disciples, Jesus began telling them what was about to happen to Him. Matthew 16:21 says, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.” Peter gladly accepted the message of authority and was even blessed by Jesus for responding to a revelation from the Father. However, Peter would have nothing to do with these teaching of Jesus. Matthew 16:22 shows Peters response. “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You”; Wow! Peter rebuked Jesus and said, “God forbid it” to the very plan of God. Jesus immediately let Peter know who he was speaking on behalf of as seen in verse 23, “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s”.

            How often do we say in our hearts (whether directly or indirectly): “I don’t care what God has said in His word; I’m simply not going to do it”. God has told us to go, give, teach, preach, pray, share, sacrifice, and love; yet, we continually tell God “no”. Why do we tell God no? We do so because we are not setting our minds on God’s interests but man’s, and we have played right into Satan’s hand.

            God has given to us the message to proclaim that is the “power of salvation to those who believe.” (Romans 1:16). He has also given to us the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8) along with the authority to loose heaven on earth. Yet we stand amazed at the lostness of this world through the deception and distraction of the devourer while we have at our disposal the divinely powerful weapons of God to utterly defeat him.

            Jesus said in John 4:35, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” When Jesus said that the fields are white unto harvest, He meant that if you do not harvest the field immediately, the field will be left to ruin. Clearly, the harvest is plentiful; yet, so many Christians idly sit by allowing the devourer to destroy the crop.

Day 10 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Ask yourself why you serve God. If it’s not out of love, repent.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God will seek the presence of God in their lives and their churches life.
• Pray that the people of God would hunger and thirst for Him and therefore, seek His face.
• Pray that our churches understand spiritual warfare and engage in it.
• Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that our churches will be a house of prayer.
• Pray that our churches will be a shining light upon the hill.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the church would stand up to their calling and loose heaven on this earth.
• Pray the church will understand the urgency.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 9

Spiritual Drought

The warning from Jesus to the church of Ephesus was simple: Repent or I will remove the golden lampstand from your midst. In Revelation 1, we find the beloved disciple, John, banished to the Island of Patmos as punishment for proclaiming the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. We find him in the Spirit worshiping the Lord on the Lord’s Day when Jesus appeared to Him with a voice as the “sound of a trumpet.” After hearing this demanding voice Revelation 1:12, 13 proclaims, “Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man” He saw Jesus standing in the midst of the lampstands.

With the symbolic portrait of Jesus in Revelation 1 we have to decipher the meaning behind the symbolism. However, in regards to the lampstands, Jesus gave us a full description. He says in Revelation 1:20, “the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” For Jesus to remove the lampstand from the church of Ephesus would then mean that Jesus removed the very fact that they are a true Holy Spirit-anointed church.   

I can’t help but to wonder how many meeting places there are in this world that have the name church on a sign just outside of their building. They function as a church. They call themselves a church. Others more than likely view them as churches. They are likely members of a denomination that have many true Holy Spirit-anointed churches within its ranks. However, they chose at some point in their history not to heed the warnings of Jesus and repent. For that reason, they gave the Holy Spirit an eviction notice because they are more in love with their ways than they are with God’s. It is not our place to judge churches as to whether or not they are true Holy Spirit-anointed churches. However, the frightening fact is that I believe the above stated scenario is played out in cities, towns, and communities all over the world. 

Drought brings about death, and death is the absence of life. This statement is simplistically elementary; yet for some reason we have such a difficult time comprehending this very truth in spiritual life. If there is no function, there is no life. God has created the church to function. He has created the church to worship Him, to evangelize the lost, and to actively engage in missions and ministry. If we are not a functioning church, are we truly a living church?

I am not making a moral argument for or against artificial life support. However, we need to understand that when dealing with the church, artificial life support is nonexistent. Jesus is the only life support the church needs. Anything else is false fire which is manmade, man centered, and insulting to a holy God. We think having exciting music or excellent orators or an abundance of wealth is a sign of God’s blessings; yet, Jesus said to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:17, “you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

Exciting music, excellent orators, and an abundance of wealth are wonderful things if they are Jesus centered and used for His glory. However, when we view these and things of the like as signs of life rather than the presence of the Lord in our midst, we are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. We stand in need of repentance. 

We have also fallen into the trap of thinking numbers, size, and finances are signs of the life and vitality of a church. An elephant void of vital signs is just as dead as a mouse in like condition. Likewise, a poor man is just as dead as a rich man when he breathes his last. Regardless of the size or wealth of the congregation, the true question is what is my church doing to have an impact for the kingdom of God in the name of and for the glory of Jesus Christ? Is my church functioning, is it moving, or is it simply existing? Jesus didn’t call us to simply exist; He called us to “go therefore”!

A church that is experiencing spiritual drought is not necessarily a dead church. Unresolved drought brings about death, but drought in and of itself is not death. It is a warning that the vital signs of the church are in critical condition and stand in need of action. If the church takes the appropriate action by repenting and turning back to Jesus, there will be revival. However, if the church refuses to respond to the looming reality of drought, death is inevitable.

I believe that God has given to us a great example of a healthy church in Acts 2:41-47. If our churches are healthy and vibrant, they should be devoted to the similar things that the first Christian church was devoted to. A church with the same devotion and passion as the first church is a healthy, vibrant church. However, if our churches are not lining up with the biblical model that God has given, we stand in need of repentance.

Before we move further I would like to give a warning. Often times we view a church that is dead or dying as a lost cause and lose hope for that church. We may then as vocational ministers of the church or as laymen have an inclination to jump ship and move to another church. I believe that this is one of the very reasons many of our churches are in such poor shape. Often pastors will stay at a church just long enough to discover that the church has problems only to go to another church to discover they too have problems. The problems are then left unattended and the church remains unhealthy and ineffective.

If churches were beyond hope, there would be no point in this study. The purpose of this study is not condemnation; it is for restoration leading to revival. Let us not forget that the same Jesus that called Lazarus from the tomb is the same Jesus that is working to restore our churches this present day. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).

            With this in mind let us set in our hearts and minds that we will be the light that shines on a hill and the salt that preserves the life of the church. As the old hymn says, “though no one join me I still will follow, no turning back, no turning back”. With humble hearts set on being the Lord’s servants, let’s set our goal to be the one who is “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord”. And though we may stand alone, let us be the one who stands in the gap! Let us not be a part of the problem but a tool of the Lord for a solution to the problem.

Day 9 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Ask yourself why you serve God. If it’s not out of love, repent.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God will seek the presence of God in their lives and their churches life.
• Pray that the people of God would hunger and thirst for Him and therefore, seek His face.
• Pray that the church as a whole would return to their first love.
• Pray that the people of God would be passionately in love with Jesus.
• Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that our churches will be a house of prayer.
• Pray that our churches will be shining bright lights on a hill.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 8

The Time for Repentance is Now!

In the second chapter of Revelation, Jesus praised the church of Ephesus for their perseverance in the midst of persecution, for staying true to the Word of God and opposing false teachers, and for standing strong in the name of Jesus. On the outside, the church of Ephesus looked like the perfect church. However, Jesus knew they had a deadly deficiency in their midst.

Jesus told the church of Ephesus that they are guilty of a great sin, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Revelation 2:4). They began their ministry with passion and love toward Jesus. Yet, somehow through the years, their labor of love for the Lord slipped into the tedious traditions of the church. Jesus warned them and called them into repentance of their improper motivations of service. Just as so many churches today have replaced their passion for programs and their zeal for the name of Jesus for self notoriety, the church of Ephesus fell from being a church with a driving passion for Jesus to a church coasting along in autopilot.  

Jesus told them that they needed to repent. Similar to God’s warning to Solomon, Jesus warned the church of Emphasis that if they did not repent, there would be serious consequences to pay. However, if they chose to repent by turning back to their zeal and love of Him, God’s glorious hand of blessing would remain upon them. God always gives us a choice. Clearly, His heart is for us to choose loving devotion to Him.  

Stop and ask yourself right now, “Why do I serve God?” Is it out of a natural overflow of the love you have toward Jesus? If not, you stand in need of repentance! How can so many people who sit in churches Sunday after Sunday not serve the Lord? The answer is simple; it is due to the fact that they don’t love Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me you will obey Me.” Put simply, the church that refuses to serve the Lord is a church that does not love the Lord. Jesus did not say “If you obey me you will demonstrate your love for Me”; that is legalism. His heart is that we serve Him out of the overflow of love we have for Him with gladness and gratitude.

Solomon, along with the nation of Israel, sought God out with their whole heart in total surrender to His Majesty and glory. God saw their heart-led motivations and, therefore, blessed them with His presence and anointing, assuring Solomon with His words, “I have heard your prayer.” The warning of II Chronicles 7:14 is simple: When you see these signs of spiritual drought, the destruction of the devourer, and the plagues and pestilence “remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.” (Revelation 2:5).

As God told Solomon to pay attention to the signs around him, we must understand that the physical signs of drought, devastation, and pestilence are merely signs that God’s hand of blessing has been removed. We must also understand that in the Old Testament God dealt with His people in a physical way. Today through the New Covenant that is found only in Christ, God deals with His people in the spirit. (See John 4:24). In the Old Testament God’s people went into physical war; today we are in a spiritual war. Nonetheless, we see physical results of this spiritual war.  

Today, America is obviously in a deep spiritual drought. Our churches are dry and void of life, passion, and power. This opens the door wide for the devourer, Satan himself, to come in and destroy churches, families, and entire communities. The community where I pastor has had years of church fights and splits that have left a spiritual void laying out the welcome mat for the devourer to come in and destroy. Today, our community is full of the pestilence of drugs, violence, and immoral sexuality that is just as devastating if not more devastating, than any pestilence this world has ever seen. These are all physical evidences of spiritual battles. They are all signs that something has gone drastically wrong, and Satan is winning the battle for souls.

As I look at the church today, I see signs of spiritual drought that is drowning our world in spiritual devastation. We have allowed the devourer to come in and bring devastating pestilence upon the very world God created and loves. We see it in preachers with no passion, deacons who are not dedicated, congregations clutching for control, churches who won’t console the contrite, and the word of God wavered by the ways of man. Our churches have become lodges and social clubs with privileged membership unwelcoming to the stranger. Pastors have become hirelings to do the work that no one else is willing to do “After all, that’s what we pay the preacher for.” The pulpit has become a place where a polluted gospel is preached as to not hurt anyone’s feelings. Dare we say that we are sinners, and there is a place called hell reserved for those who refuse to repent?  If the preacher were to preach the truths of hell, would it really matter? Even if we know our neighbor is hell-bound, do we really care, or at least care enough, to actually do anything about it? We fuss and complain about the wickedness of the world; yet, we hold the very keys to loose the power of God into this world. We have not lost that power; we have surrendered that power to the fleshly desires of man seeking glory for self rather than for God. The signs of spiritual drought are crying out before us, and God has given us the solution. However, we must accept the challenge God has given by doing things His way. We must repent and return to our first love, Jesus! 

Day 8 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Ask yourself why you serve God. If it’s not out of love, repent.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God will seek the presence of God in their lives and their churches life.
• Pray that the people of God would hunger and thirst for Him and therefore, seek His face.
• Pray that the church as a whole would return to their first love.
• Pray that the people of God would be passionately in love with Jesus.
• Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches will be a house of prayer.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 7

Seeing the Signs

“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people”

II Chronicles 7:13

Immediately after God told Solomon “I have heard your prayer, He gave Solomon warning signs to look for: If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people”, (II Chronicles 7:13). God was telling Solomon not to take His current approval of their worship of Him for granted. His warning was clear. Although His hand of blessing was upon them at this current time, there was no guarantee that the blessings would stay. 

God’s blessings are conditional and come with very clear warnings of the consequences of not following His directions. God does not say “let’s make a deal”. Nor does He invite us to the negotiating table. He clearly states His will in His word and gives us the choice of whether or not we will choose to accept His deal on His terms.

Somewhere in the course of modern church history we have come to the conclusion that we can simply do things our way and expect God’s blessings. Unfortunately for those of that persuasion the consistency of God’s Word greatly contradicts this notion. Have we forgotten that “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him”, (Hebrews 11:6)? Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Then he said in I Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily”. God’s heart is not for us to seek Him once and then forget about Him. His heart, and thus our heart, should be to seek the Lord daily.

Day 7 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Ask God to reveal and convict the church of sin.
• Pray that the church would see sin as God sees it.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God will see the spiritual drought and be burdened by it.
• Pray for the people of God that they would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray that the people of God would have a desire and stand in anticipation for God to pour out the fires of revival upon churches and a great awakening in our land.
• Pray that God’s people will seek the heart of God and desire His will and not their own.
• Pray that the people of God will seek the presence of God in their lives and their churches life.
• Ask God to align His people and prepare them for a mighty revival and a great awakening.
• Pray that the people of God would hunger and thirst for Him and therefore, seek His face.
• Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 6

Turn From Their Wicked Ways

            Solomon prayed in II Chronicles 6:22, 23, “If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath, and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this house, then hear from heaven and act and judge Your servants, punishing the wicked by bringing his way on his own head.” In other words, Solomon was asking God that if a wicked, unrepentant soul comes before God, then God should give him what he deserves. God just said He wants us to seek His face. However, the Bible is clear that God will hide his face from sinners. See (Deuteronomy 31:17, 18).

            All too often we make excuses for our sins. We think our sins are just little insignificant sins that are nothing compared to the people of this world, and we have the attitude that God overlooks the small stuff. However, Paul said in Romans 6:1, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Let me be abundantly clear; God is not, has never been, nor ever will be okay with sin-any sin. If we ever see yelling in writing, we see it in this verse when Paul says, “may it never be!” Paul said in this same chapter in verse 11, “consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to Christ Jesus.” When God said, “be holy therefore because I also am holy”, wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command.  

            A major excuse the devil gives to people for staying away from church is, “there are too many hypocrites in the church.” Now I know, as well as you, that if that excuse was gone, he would just find another one. However, THERE ARE too many hypocrites in the church. We get so bothered over the unredeemed and unchurched people acting the way they do when we have sin in our own camp. Jesus said in Matthew 7:3-5, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Here’s a clue: Lost people will act like lost people because they are lost people. However, Christians should act like Christians because they are Christians called by the name of God Almighty. Paul said in Ephesians 5:1-5, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

            We cannot expect God’s hand of blessing to be upon us if we are in rebellion against Him. To be friends with this world is to be in hostility toward God according to James 4:4. We allow the world to influence us and wonder why God’s hand of blessing is not upon us. In II Corinthians 3 Paul rebuked the church due to the fact that he wanted to give them meat to eat. Instead he gave them milk. Meat is food for the mature, while milk is the baby’s food. He said because of their fleshliness, he gave them milk. We need to grow up, become mature, remove all fleshliness from our lives, and live for God. Then and only then will His hand of blessing be upon us. “Then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

            Solomon understood that although God’s hand of blessing was upon them this day His continual hand of blessing was conditional. In Solomon’s prayer he asked of God, “If Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this house, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You have given to them and to their fathers.” Solomon was saying to God that when we see Your hand of blessing has been removed and we recognize it is due to our sins and we then repent, return to us Oh God, forgive our sins. 

            God answered Solomon when He told Solomon “I have heard your prayer”. God said, “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and 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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” I often stand amazed at the stubbornness of man. I am included in that number. We buck against God bull-headedly determined to do things our way. Then when things fall all to pieces, we say, “Where have You been God?” God hasn’t changed, nor has He moved. We try to make deals with God rejecting the fact that God has already said this is the deal. There is no compromise. There is no negotiation. There is no middle ground. There is only His way and His way is the only way.

            I also stand in amazement that when we finally come to the point of surrender and say to God, “I give up; I will do things your way”, a light bulb illuminates the dullness of our intellect; and we discover this is the right way. Then God’s hand of blessing, provision, and presence comes down upon us. The drought has turned into a deluge of deliverance, the devourer has been rebuked by the divine, and the pestilence has been replaced by His presence. I wonder sometimes if I stand alone in feeling like such a fool when I come to the realization that God’s hand has been there waiting for me the whole time. I just had to get me out of the way and allow God to be God.

Day 6 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Ask God to reveal and convict the church of sin.
• Pray that the church would see sin as God sees it.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray for the people of God that they would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray that the people of God would have a desire and stand in anticipation for God to pour out the fires of revival upon churches and a great awakening in our land.
• Pray that God’s people will seek the heart of God and desire His will and not their own.
• Pray that the people of God will seek the presence of God in their lives and their churches life.
• Ask God to align His people and prepare them for a mighty revival and a great awakening.
• Pray that the people of God would hunger and thirst for Him and therefore, seek His face.
• Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches will be a house of prayer.
• Pray that the people of God will be living representations of Jesus.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Seek My Face

            In Solomon’s prayer he asked God in verses 34 and 35, “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way You shall send them, and they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the house which I have built for Your name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.” Solomon was asking God to answer their prayers when they look towards His city and His house seeking Him. The Bible tells us in Daniel 6:10 that when Daniel prayed, he faced Jerusalem. The Psalmist also wrote in Psalms 5:7, “but as for me, by Your abundant loving-kindness I will enter Your house,
at (toward) Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.” The significance of facing the temple was to face the very presence of God. Today, we no longer worship God in the temple, we worship God in Spirit; therefore, we seek His presence in Spirit.

            Words of wisdom were spoken to Solomon many years prior to this great day by Solomon’s father, King David. He said to Solomon in I Chronicles 28:9, “If you seek Him, He will let you find Him.” David, the man after God’s own heart, was speaking to his son about God. God said that He wants us to seek His face. To seek one’s face is to know the person. God created us for the purpose of having a relationship with Him. He loves us and wants us to love Him back. He has not hidden His face from us. He has made Himself available. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

The greatest act of love ever committed was God sending His Son Jesus to the cross. The purpose in this is that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Sin cannot come into the presence of God because He is perfectly righteous and holy. However, God desires a relationship with us so much that He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. The Bible says in John 14:13, “This is love, that one would lay down his life for another.” Through the cross God has done everything necessary for us to have a relationship with Him. The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23, “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” For this reason alone we should be willing to respond to the Gospel laying down our lives in full pursuit of the fullness of God.

Growing up I was taught that when you speak to a person or they are speaking to you, you look the individual in the eye. If they are unwilling to look you in the eye, then they must be hiding something from you. Now that simply is the culture in which I was raised, and other cultures may think differently. However, God wants us to look Him in the eye. He wants us to seek His face because He has nothing to hide from us. He wants us to know Him. Psalm 31:16 says, “Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your loving-kindness.” I am thoroughly convinced that to know God is to love Him. Paul said in Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”

Day 5 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray for the people of God that they would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray that the people of God would have a desire and stand in anticipation for God to pour out the fires of revival upon churches and a great awakening in our land.
• Pray that God’s people will seek the heart of God and desire His will and not their own.
• Pray that the people of God will seek the presence of God in their lives and their churches life.
• Ask God to align His people and prepare them for a mighty revival and a great awakening.
• Pray that the people of God would hunger and thirst for Him and therefore, seek His face.
• Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches will be a house of prayer.
• Pray that the people of God will be living representations of Jesus.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Pray

Prayer is an act of worship as well as an act of humility. The Bible reminds us in I Peter 5:6, “therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” Prayer is also an act of faith. As we recognize that we are insufficient on our own, we also come to the realization that through faith there is One who is more than sufficient. Before God spoke the words to Solomon that “I have heard your prayer”, he bowed his knees to the God of Israel claiming the promises of God in full faith and assurance that God was hearing his prayer. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Hebrew 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God. Romans 12:3 also tells us, God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” In other words God has granted everyone some faith. But we must walk in that faith. II Corinthians 5:7 says, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” We must simply believe God. If God says He is going to do something, then we believe it. Romans 3:4 says, “Let God be found true though every man be found a liar.” With humility in mind we understand that we are in full dependence upon God and insufficient on our own. We then will pray in faith that God will supply our every need.   

            Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” He also said nine times within that same text of scripture that we need to abide in Him. True life comes only from abiding in Jesus. Abiding in Jesus is the point in life that we have completely died to ourselves and come totally alive to Christ. One of many ways we abide in Christ is through prayer. We find life, hope, healing, restoration, reconciliation, provision, direction, wisdom, and every form of blessing God has in store for us through the power of prayer. Jesus said if we seek, we will find; if we knock, the door will be open; and if we ask it will be given to us. How do we do this? We do this through the great gift of prayer that God has given to us!

            After God told Solomon that “I have heard your prayer” and after He gave him the formula for revival, God then said to Solomon in II Chronicles 7:15, “My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.” In other words, God is saying I’m waiting, and I’m watching, and I’m listening; now the rest is up to you. God heard Solomon’s previous prayer, and God answered Solomon’s previous prayer. But God wanted him to keep praying. Prayer strengthens our relationship with God. It strengthens our dependence upon God. God doesn’t just want us to pray when we are in need or we are in trouble. I Thessalonians 5:17, says to “pray without ceasing.” Abiding in Christ is not a switch we turn on and off. Christ is our life source. If you’re happy, tell the Lord. If you’re sad, tell the Lord. If you’re in need, tell the Lord. If you have abundance, praise the Lord.

            In the Gospels we see Jesus going into the temple many times. One of those times Jesus drove people out for making His house something God had not intended for it to be. Many times we have become guilty of making God’s house into something other than what He intended. Jesus said in Matthew 21:13, “It is written My house shall be a house of prayer, but you are making it a robbers den.” We emphasize missions and so we should; but that’s not what Jesus said. He said His house would be a house of prayer. We focus on preaching and teaching, and so we should; but that’s not what Jesus said. He said His house would be a house of prayer. Music gets much of the attention in ministry as well, and again it should. But that’s not what Jesus said; He said His house would be the house of prayer. Jesus said, “My house shall be a house of PRAYER.” Missions, evangelism, teaching, preaching, music, and many other things are very important; however, they are empowered by prayer. Have we made God’s house a house of prayer? Or are we making it into something God never intended?

Day 4 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray for the people of God that they would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray that the people of God would have a desire and stand in anticipation for God to pour out the fires of revival upon churches and a great awakening in our land.
• Pray that God’s people will seek the heart of God and desire His will and not their own.
• Ask God to align His people and prepare them for a mighty revival and a great awakening.
• Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches will be a house of prayer.
• Pray that the people of God will be living representations of Jesus.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 3

Humble Themselves

            Upon this day of dedication, King Solomon stood in the midst of his subjects, the very people over whom he had full authority and a people that had great respect and reverence for their mighty king. No other nation could rival the power and influence of Israel under Solomon’s leadership. Through Solomon, the wealth of Israel increased beyond anything it would ever see again. The kingdoms of the world came from near and far bearing gifts simply to wonder at his wisdom. A king of Solomon’s wealth, power, and influence had to bow his knee to no one; they bowed the knee to him.  

            However, upon this day the mighty king humbled himself in the presence of his people and bowed his knee to the King of Kings. To bow one’s knee to another is an act of humility-a sign of submission to one who is sovereign. Solomon recognized that all the power and prestige he had accumulated upon this earth was nothing compared to the power and prestige of God. He also recognized that he had no power or authority other than what God had granted him. To bow ones knee to another was a sign of recognition that the other was greater than oneself. In the presence of his people Solomon recognized the greatness of God.

            Worship is simply the recognition of who God is, followed by a response of the worshiper toward the character of God. This response can be acted upon in many ways. In the Old Testament the raising of one’s hands in worship was a common form of responding to God. The Psalmist wrote in Psalms 28:2, “Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.” Just before beginning his prayer, Solomon Spread out his hands toward heaven as an act of worship to his mighty God saying “O Lord the God of Israel, there is no god like You in heaven or on earth.” (II Chronicles 6:12-14)

            Lifting ones hand to another is a sign of surrender. It is recognition that I am not sufficient on my own, I can no longer fight the battle, I recognize your superiority, and I have surrendered myself to your authority.  It is like raising the white flag. Solomon was in total recognition that he did not have the skills, the power, or the wisdom to lead the people of Israel. Many times we think we are capable of standing on our own, but God’s Word reminds us in I Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” Jesus reminds us in John 15:5, Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Humility is the recognition of the fact that I am not nor will I ever be sufficient on my own; therefore, I must surrender to the sovereignty of God.

            God is not impressed with our outward actions. Outward actions must be motivated by our inward attitude. If our inward attitude is one of worship that spontaneously motivates outward actions this is acceptable worship. However, if our outward actions are a form of appeasement to God or even worse a demonstration before man to show we are holy or righteous God will have no part of that. That is a form of pride. But when our hearts are filled with the fullness and splendor of the nature and character of God and we spontaneously surrender to Him in an outward form of worship which disregards the presence or even the thought of man surrounding us, this is pleasing to God. It is not only an act of worship but an act of humility.

Day 3 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Ask God to reveal any hidden pride in our hearts so we can repent of it.
• Pray for the people of God that they would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray that the people of God would have a desire and stand in anticipation for God to pour out the fires of revival upon churches and a great awakening in our land.
• Pray that God’s people will seek the heart of God and desire His will and not their own.
• Ask God to align His people and prepare them for a mighty revival and a great awakening.
• Pray that the people of God will recognize and respond to the power and prestige of God.
• Pray that the people of God will live in humility before God.
• Pray that the fruit of our humility will be full dependency on God and obedience. 
• Pray that our worship won’t simply be outward manifestation but led of a heart in love and fully surrendered to an all powerful God.
• Pray that the people of God will be living representations of Jesus.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 2

My People Who are Called by My Name

King Solomon stood on a bronze stage in the midst of his people to dedicate the newly constructed Temple to God. The Temple was a demonstration to the nation of Israel and to the world that the one true God of glory had chosen them as a people and that his hand of anointing and blessing and provisions would be upon them. God was showing the world that they were His people and that He was their God. 

In II Samuel 7 God made a covenant with King David that one of his descendants would build for Him a permanent dwelling. Solomon was the one called to be the king of God’s people, those called by God’s very own name. God told Solomon, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice,” (II Chronicles 7:12). God also said, in verse 16 of the same chapter, “For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”

Solomon knew who he was a man-called by God. He knew the calling God had placed upon his life-to build the temple. He also knew and fully understood that this was not his plan in the making it was God’s plan. A plan that had been at work even before the light was commanded to illuminate the darkness of the earth that still laid formless and void. In Solomon’s prayer of dedication in II Chronicles 6:3-11, he repeated back to God the promises that he knew in faith would come to fulfillment long before the first stone of the temple had ever been laid.

Far too often we fall short of God’s glory because we fail to realize who God is, who we are and who God has called us to be. God said in His word in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD.” Apart from the scriptures how do we know the plans and promises God has declared and set aside for us? Apart from the scriptures, we become guilty of conforming God into our image and turning His calling into our personal desires.

Solomon knew the God of the Bible and the calling the God of the Bible placed upon him because he knew God’s word. Jesus said in John 14:14, “If you ask me anything in My name I will do it.” Wow! That is an awesome promise. However, this is a greatly misunderstood promise. Asking something in someone’s name means, that you represent the very nature and character of that individual. Asking something in Jesus name is to ask what honors, glorifies and reflects the very character of Jesus.

God said, “If My people who are called by My name.” That is the starting point. To be one called after one’s name is to be a living representation of the other. Jesus said in John 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life is to know God. God has given to us His word and the Power of His Holy Spirit to understand His word in order to know Him. We must search the scripture to discover who He is, who we are, and who He has called us to be. Apart from the knowledge of God’s word, we can never truly know God. If we don’t know Him, how then can we represent Him?

Solomon knew the day of the dedication of the temple was not about him. It was all about God. As he stood to offer the prayer to God, he represented God as the man called of God giving glory to the name of God. The Bible says in II Corinthians 5:20, “we are ambassadors for Christ.” If we truly want God’s hand of blessing upon our lives we must be willing to lose our life and come to the realization that it is not about us; it’s all about Him. It’s not about who we are; it’s about who He is. It’s not about what we want; it’s about discovering what He has already set in motion and getting on board with God’s plan. It’s about being God’s people called by His name. The prayer that God heard was a prayer with full intentions of honoring the very name and character of God. 

Day 2 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray for the people of God that they would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray that the people of God would have a desire and stand in anticipation for God to pour out the fires of revival upon churches and a great awakening in our land.
• Pray that God’s people will seek the heart of God and desire His will and not their own.
• Pray that God’s people will align themselves with Him that He will hear their prayers.
• Ask God to align His people and prepare them for a mighty revival and a great awakening.
• Ask God to reveal to you how He would have you serve Him. Seek Him for strength to live it out in obedience.
• Ask God to raise up His people to live in obedience to Him by serving Him in the capacity that He has called them to. Pray that they would know their calling.
• Pray that we would not conform God to our image and if we have that He would lead us into repentance.
• Pray that the people of God would know God’s word and stand on the principles of His word.
• Pray that the people of God will be living representations of Jesus.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation

The Prayer that God Heard

            A generation had passed since the promise of God came to King David that his son Solomon would build God’s Temple. With years of anticipation the people of God’s choosing, Israel, were gathered at the city of God’s choosing, Jerusalem, with the king of God’s choosing, Solomon, to celebrate the completion of the place of God’s choosing, the Temple. A place God said in II Chronicles 7:16, “For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”

            Great sacrifices were given during this dedication that lasted twenty-four days with 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep offered up to God. God showed up and consumed the first of the offerings in one of the most spectacular demonstrations of God’s glory seen in the entirety of God’s Word. Although God accepted this phenomenal offering, the offering is not what captured God’s heart. God honored the prayer that was offered up as a sacrifice on that day. At the conclusion of the prayer, God’s Shekinah Glory, the manifest presence of God, filled the Temple. 

            God told Solomon after the completion of the dedication, “I have heard your prayer.” (II Chronicles 7:12). In this chapter we will examine this prayer and ask ourselves: “What’s so special about this prayer?” Many people have told me through the years, “I don’t know how to pray”. Even the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, in Luke 11:1.  For this reason we search the scriptures to discover prayers that were offered up to God, particularly the prayers that God honors. That being said, these prayers offered up to God are not magic formulas or things we simply quote to conjure up the presence of God. They are tools to teach us what touches the heart of God so we too can pray with confidence that God hears our prayer.    

            God honors the attitude of prayer more than the words or actions themselves. God began to explain to Solomon that if Israel wanted to see the continual anointing of His hand upon them, they must do things His way. God told them to pay attention to the signs of His presence; and when they saw the evidence of His blessings and provisions being removed, He gave not only the greatest formula for revival but also the only formula for revival. God told Solomon in II Chronicles 7:14, that 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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

            Solomon’s prayer that day resulted in one of the most magnificent manifestations of God found in all the Word of God and set in motion the hand of God’s blessing falling on the nation of Israel for years to come as they sought the face of God. As we examine Solomon’s prayer, the prayer that God heard, we realize that everything God said He required for His hand of blessing to be upon His people in II Chronicles 7:14 is found within Solomon’s prayer. I believe that not only was God giving a formula for revival, but He was also giving His approval of Solomon’s prayer. As we look at the prayer that God heard, we will see II Chronicles 7:14 demonstrated in Solomon not only through his words but also through his actions and attitude.

Day 1 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sins or mindsets that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrances and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray for the people of God that they would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray that the people of God would have a desire and stand in anticipation for God to pour out the fires of revival upon churches and send a great awakening in our land.
• Pray that God’s people will seek the heart of God and desire His will and not their own.
• Pray that God’s people will align themselves with Him that He will hear their prayers.
• Ask God to align His people and prepare them for a mighty revival and a great awakening.
• Ask God to rise up leaders like Solomon that will lead the people for God’s glory.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
• Thank God for hearing you and thank Him in advance for answering these petitions.