15–DAY PRAYER GUIDE - New Life Christian Center › Prayer_Guide.pdf · Prayer Guide a part of your daily routine. Imagine…what God can do in you when you spend time with Him!

15–DAY PRAYER GUIDE

[This is what is possible when we place our faith in God]

Dear New Life Family,

I’m asking every person who calls New Life home to do three things in considering your part in this Imagine journey… to pray, listen, and obey. My hope is that this guide will help you pray and listen to God, so you’ll knowhow you should obey. I encourage you to make this 15-Day Prayer Guide a part of your daily routine. Imagine…what Godcan do in you when you spend time with Him!

Here are some ideas to help you make the most of this prayer guide.

1. Select a time that best fits your lifestyle and schedule.

2. Choose a special place that’s free from distractions.

3. Follow the plan daily in your 15-Day Prayer Guide, along with your Bible reading.

4. If you miss a day, don’t stop…just pick up the next day where you left off.

Just IMAGINE what God can do!

Pastor Dave

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us . . . ” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRAYER GUIDEThe purpose of this prayer guide is to prepare you for the Imagine sermon series. Each daily devotion is divided into five parts: Read, Meditate, Reflect, Pray and Apply. Each part will strengthen and encourage your relationship with God and help you understand your part in this journey.

READRead the entire selected Bible passage.

MEDITATEThink about the key verse:

REFLECTRead the commentary that explains each day’s chosen Bible passage. Ask yourself how the Bible passage applies to your life.

PRAYCommunicate with God every day. Ask Him to reveal to you how He wants you to participate in this sermon series.

APPLYAs you work through each day’s devotion, write down in the space provided any thoughts or ideas that apply to your growth as a follower of Christ and to your involvement in the “Imagine” journey.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

OUR HOPE

WEEK 1 [day 1]

READ: Ephesians 3:20-21“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen”

MEDITATE: What does God want to do in your life? How does He accomplish this? Where does he want to accomplish this?

REFLECT: God has the power and ability to do far more abundantly than we can even imagine, through the power that lives in all who are in Christ.

PRAY: Father, help me to experience You doing more than I could think or imagine during this “Imagine” series. I ask you to do amazing things in our church and in our community. Do such a mighty work in our midst that it is undeniable whose power is at work so that You may receive all the glory.

APPLY: How can I apply these verses personally to my life today?

WEEK 1 [day 2]

READ: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

MEDITATE: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

REFLECT: Gods greatest blessing for you is Jesus. He wants you to know Him and be known by Him. Begin your prayer time today asking God to reveal His will to you, to show you His wisdom, and to give you a mind like Christ.

PRAY: Thank you, God, that You love me and You sent Jesus. I love You, God. Reveal to me what You have prepared for me and our church. Please give me wisdom today like Yours and a pure heart like Your Son, Jesus. APPLY: What would this verse look like if you intentionally pursued more of Jesus each day? What would our church look like if each one of us did this?

WEEK 1 [day 3]

READ: Hebrews 11:1, 6

MEDITATE: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

REFLECT: God wants His church to live by faith and not by sight. God responds to faith, which is the confidence that He is willing to use His power to answer our prayers.

PRAY: Father, my prayer is that New Life Christian Center will be a people of faith, so that Your work and Your will be done. I pray that we will please You today as we seek to live more and more by faith and not by what we feel.

APPLY: Where do you need to live by faith today?

WEEK 1 [day 4]

READ: Colossians 1:3-14

MEDITATE: “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all it’s truth.” Colossians 1: 6

REFLECT: The Good News of the Gospel is bearing fruit and growing to this very day all over the world. God invites us to partner with Him in seeing His Kingdom advance. What an awesome privilege to be part of an eternal movement of Jesus love and forgiveness.

PRAY: God, I want to join You today in the work you are doing around me. I want to invest my time, talent and treasures in those things that are going to advance your Gospel. APPLY: Look for where God is at work today around you and join Him.

WEEK 1 [day 5]

READ: Romans 8

MEDITATE: “But hope that is seen is no hope at all.” Romans 8:24

REFLECT: The “Imagine” series is about placing our hope in the only hope, Jesus Christ! Too often, our hope is placed in the tangible things of this life. God and His Word will never fade away. It makes sense to invest our best in those things that will outlast us.

PRAY: Father, You are our only hope. You are the only hope for this hurting and broken world. You are the reason for this campaign. I trust that You will meet every need I have. Nothing can separate me from the hope I have in You.

APPLY: How can you live as a person of hope today?

WEEK 1 REFLECTIONS

What has God been showing you during this first week of the “Imagine” series.

Take a few moments and jot down your discoveries below:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

OUR IMPACT

WEEK 2 [day 1]

READ: Matthew 9:36-37

MEDITATE: “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few...’”

REFLECT: Jesus saw the world in light of its need for Him. He saw the brokenness of people, the destiny of those outside of a relationship with Him. He understood the human condition. This reality stirred His emotions and motivated His mission.

PRAY: Father, help me to today to see the multitudes around me that need a touch from You. Help me to see people in light of eternity. Open my heart and my eyes to those you put in my path that are hurting and need Jesus.

APPLY: Whom is God bringing to mind that needs a touch from Him today?

WEEK 2 [day 2]

READ: Acts 16:16-34

MEDITATE: “He was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God . . . he and his whole family.” Acts 16:32

REFLECT: It is exciting to see baptisms take place in our services. It is especially a joy to see entire families make that commitment to God. An interesting trend today is that parents are following their children to church. It is the children who are inviting their parents to church. One of the possibilities of our campus expansion is to help more families find the joy of knowing Jesus. When we make Jesus the center of our family, forgiveness is practiced, wounds are healed and relationships are restored.

PRAY: Father, you know the names of every family that our future ministries will touch. Please make New Life Christian Center a safe place for families to find your love, forgiveness and grace.

APPLY: What family can you invite to become part of our family at New Life?

WEEK 2 [day 3]

READ: Ephesians 4:1-3

MEDITATE: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3

REFLECT: What would happen if we really said, “yes” to all that God has for us? What if we lived a life worthy of our calling? Imagine what God could accomplish in and through us. Imagine the lives that would be changed and transformed as we walk in obedience, love and unity.

PRAY: God help me to live a life worthy of the calling that You have given me. Help me to walk in humility, gentleness and patience today so that people will see Jesus in me and want a relationship with You.

APPLY: What area of your life do you need to surrender to God today?

WEEK 2 [day 4]

READ: Ephesians 4:11-13

MEDITATE: “…to prepare God’s people for works of service. So that the body of Christ may be built up.“ Ephesians 4:12

REFLECT: Think back and remember someone who made a difference in your life. Somehow they went the “extra mile” and challenged you just a little more or they made the extra effort to help you really see your potential. No doubt, you are still grateful today for that servant leader. A major aspect of the church is all about building up God’s people so they can make a serious impact in this world.

PRAY: Father, thank You for sending special people into my life to help shape me and help me grow to be more like Jesus. Help our church to be an effective “equipping center” so that we can love people one step closer to Jesus.

APPLY: Where do you need to be more equipped in your life in order to be more like Jesus?

WEEK 2 [day 5]

READ: Matthew 28:16-20

MEDITATE: “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19

REFLECT: In Stanislaus County, 514,453 people currently reside. In Merced County, there are 255,793 people. There is almost ¾ of million people within a 30-minute drive from our church who need to hear about Jesus and His love. Many of those people have never experienced the love of Jesus in a local church. We have a tremendous opportunity expand our reach and disciple people.

PRAY: Lord, help us to be a church that genuinely cares about making disciples. Empower us so that we will be a light in this dark world, offering hope and peace through the name of Your Son, Jesus.

APPLY: Who lives near you that you can begin praying they discover a personal relationship with Jesus?

WEEK 2 REFLECTIONS

What has God been showing you during this second week of the “Imagine” series.

Take a few moments and jot down your discoveries below:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

OUR FUTURE

WEEK 3 [day 1]

READ: Psalm 78:1-7 MEDITATE: “We will tell to the coming generations the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.” Psalm 78:4

RELFECT: It’s been said that Christianity is one generation from extinction. If we do not pass along to the next generations who God is and the glorious deeds He has done, those who come after us may not have a foundation to build upon. We have an awesome opportunity before us to share with our children “Look what God has done!”

PRAY: Lord, help us to be a church that continually declares your faithful love to the coming generations. God they are not the future church they are the church today and we need to teach them who You are and what You have done.

APPLY: What child comes to mind today that you can share with him or her about God’s glorious deeds?

WEEK 3 [day 2]

READ: Matthew 6:19-24

MEDITATE: “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20

REFLECT: Buildings do not change people’s lives, but what happens inside of them does. While a building is a temporary facility, the purpose for it is to make an eternal impact. It makes sense to invest in what has eternal value.

PRAY: God please help us to be a church that keeps our focus on You and what matters most. Your Word says, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Today help me to live for eternity. Help me to make an eternal impact for You.

APPLY: How can you invest in eternity today?

WEEK 3 [day 3]

READ: John 17:20-25 MEDITATE: ”My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” John 17:20-21

RELFECT: In the verses above Jesus prays for you and me. His heart and mind are not just on his immediate followers but also on those who will be reached by their message. God’s heart is always to include more people in His family. The“Imagine” journey is not just a time to think about our own needs but to think about those who will be reached by our investment.

PRAY: God would you use me today to share your message of Good News with someone who needs you today? God I pray that through the “Imagine” journey many will be reached for you. Help me LORD to walk in your ways today so that people will see Jesus in me.

APPLY: How can you walk today in unity with Jesus and others?

WEEK 3 [day 4]

READ: 2 Corinthians 9

MEDITATE: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

REFLECT: God takes pleasure in those who cheerfully give when the opportunity arises. Although everything belongs to God and He needs nothing, He desires to see the joyful attitude of your heart toward giving. God has met our deepest needs by giving Christ, His Son. God’s generosity, sets the pattern for our generosity.

PRAY: Heavenly Father, impress upon my heart, through Your Spirit, what my part needs to be in the “Imagine” journey. I desire to give generously because I want to be pleasing to You. Even though I can’t see how You will use my gift, I know it will reap eternal rewards. God, thank you for allowing me to make the greatest investment of my life.

APPLY: What is God laying on your heart to give towards his incredible opportunity?

WEEK 3 [day 5]

READ: Revelation 7:9-16 MEDITATE: “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice; Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10

RELFECT: I’ve read the end of the biblical account and WE WIN! We are on a winning team. This team consists of people from every nation, tribe people and language. Someday we will gather together before Jesus and worship Him in heaven. Imagine the lives that will be change for eternity because of your generosity.

PRAY: God I look forward to that day when we stand before your throne with those who you have rescued and worship you for all You have done. Help me LORD today to be used by You to bring someone to heaven with me.

APPLY: What do you look forward to most about heaven?

WEEK 3 REFLECTIONS

What has God been showing you during this third week of the “Imagine” series.

Take a few moments and jot down your discoveries below:

IMAGINE a church where each person can live and experience freedom…true freedom that allows us to be all that God intended us to be.

IMAGINE a church where love and grace are lived out. In fact, love and grace become the cornerstone of all we do.

IMAGINE a church where evangelism happens almost on accident. Rather than being afraid or timid about sharing our faith…we simply can't help but share what Christ has done in us and invite others to come join us.

IMAGINE a church where students are growing confident in their faith. They know and understand the Bible and they live pure and committed lives. They are not driven by culture, but instead are the beginning of a spiritual revolution that changes our schools and community. These students are fully engaged in ministry both in the church and in the world. They are not the church and leaders of tomorrow, but are the church of “right now.”

IMAGINE a church where compassion for the hurting and broken runs so deep that we will do whatever it takes to meet needs in Jesus name.

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