Day 35 of 40 Days of Prayer

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-24

Meditation: I was adopted when I was an infant. I don’t recall a moment when I realized I was adopted; it was just something I knew. It was also something my parents celebrated. They made sure that I knew it didn’t make me less of their child but that I was a special part of the family just like my brothers and sisters were all special, unique parts of our family.

In reality, we are ALL adopted. God has adopted us into His family. Ephesians 1:4-6 says “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…” We did not come into God’s family by chance. He chose us. He searched for us and bought us at a great price. We are heirs to His kingdom. We are His children.

Blood is an important part of families as well. Now, for the first time ever I have someone who is related to me by blood in my new daughter, Addison. God adopted us through the blood of his son. To me, there is something special about families being formed not only by blood but by choice and by love. My parent’s chose me and chose to give me the privileges of being a part of their family. As people who have been adopted by God we should work to understand what it means to have the privilege of being adopted by God, of being a part of His family. That changes our identity. We have a place in the kingdom of heaven as heirs of the King. We have been adopted by the God of Creation.

-Shiloh Jones

Prayer: Abba, Father, you have loved us, not because of what we have done, but because it is your essence to love. The price you paid for us was staggering, and we know that we are not worthy of that precious gift. So all we can do is bow before your great love, and give our lives to you in return. Thank you for rescuing us, adopting us, and for making us to be a bride for your son.

Day 34 of 40 Days of Prayer

Scripture: Psalm 103:17-18

Mediation:

“I really don’t have much of a story”

This summer on the mission trip I worked with a Baptist minister who shared his story with me. He then asked what my story is. I refrained from my “I don’t really have much of a story” line. I told him I had grown up with God. I’ve never known life without Him. I told him my parents and grandparents and great grandparents love God. AND I AM SO THANKFUL!

The truth of Psalm 103:17-18 came through loud and clear and I thank God for the blessings I have received and my children are receiving because of those in my family who have been faithful.

But from everlasting to everlasting

The Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

And his righteousness with their children’s children –

With those who keep his covenant and

remember to obey his precepts.

There is motivation in knowing we have a part in the blessing our descendants will receive. His love is with those who fear Him, His righteousness with their children’s children . It has been easier for me to make decisions, to keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts, based on what God wants from/for me because I have seen the fruit of living according to His will in the lives of those who have gone before me. I have been strengthened in unbearable times because I have seen His faithfulness when they have leaned on Him in unbearable times. I have seen the delight and joy of living in the freedom of obedience. The blessing of the self-discipline of commitment to His word is obvious to me. I have no doubt that God hears my prayers just as he does Grandma’s.

Oh, how I want His righteousness to be with my children’s children!

-Connie Monsees

Prayer: Father you have seen every generation from the beginning with Adam & Eve, to that child that will be born the moment before your trumpet sounds to bring everything to your purpose. We know that we are but a moment in history, yet you planned for us to be in this time, in this place, and with this family. Help us to understand that the 'shortness' of our own moment doesn't imply insignificance, but rather help us to make the most of this moment by passing on your righteousness, truth and love to our children and grandchildren. This moment in time, our 'story' can have an eternal significance when we walk with you, and show others the way. Lead us, help us to follow you, and to lead the next generation to love you.

Day 33 of 40 Days of Prayer

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Meditation: New babies: There is nothing like it in the world. A time of mixed emotions; excitement and apprehension are just two of a myriad of feelings that come over new parents. But there is no doubt that there have ever been thoughts and feelings felt quite like those that Joseph and Mary must have felt when Jesus was born. There is no way they could have fully grasped what that new addition to their family was going to mean. And not just to them, but to the whole world.
There has never been another baby like Jesus, but still, every new life brings with it new hope for the future. The next time you're in the presence of a baby, look closely, with the eyes of faith, and imagine what that child might do for God. Then offer your prayer and blessing upon that child.

Prayer: God, we are amazed, that you would put so much potential into the most fragile of packages. Give us the courage and wisdom to guide these children in the ways you have chosen. Let us receive them into our lives as the treasure they are from you.

Day 32 of 40 Days of Prayer

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-12

Meditation: Home for the Holidays; it is a powerful desire in us. We want to be in that special place where we know we're safe, loved; the place we belong. And there's nothing wrong with that. And I hope that is where you will be this year. But we need to remember there is a place even better than being home, and that is wherever God is.

Prayer: Father, help us to really believe that one day in your courts is better than a thousand days anywhere else we could imagine. Help us to live as citizens of heaven.

Day 31 of 40 Days of Prayer

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Meditation: My Daddy! When I think about my daddy and who he was, these things came to mind: he was a hard worker, he was trustworthy, honest, and funny, he was the story teller of the family, and he was very content.

He was content with what he had. He made "enough" money to spend time with his family; he was always at all of our ball games, we went on vacations every summer, we always went to church together, and he liked the "home' he and my mom made. He would rather be there than anywhere else. He always had the biggest and best garden since I can remember. He loved sharing it with everyone. It gave him such joy to give someone tomatoes, peppers, squash, potatoes, or whatever was in season. He and my mom would can beans, squash relish, salsa, jelly and give it away - oh the joy he got by sharing it all.

I can remember asking him on his birthday or Christmas, “What do you want?” He'd say, “Nothing; don't' get me anything.” Well I finally started listening throughout the year to the things he would talk about. One year when we lived in New Jersey we took him to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. He loved baseball and really enjoyed going there. (That also made my day; I was so happy to see the pleasure he got in going there.) Another year John and the boy's took him to The Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. He loved that probably most of all because he got to go with John, Chad and Kyle. It made his day when we would just call to say hello and I love you. It's not the ‘stuff’ we remember, it's the experiences and times together.

I just wanted to remind us all to make a memory with the ones you love. I really don't think any of us need more stuff but we do need to feel loved and cherished! I know I felt that by my daddy and I believe he felt that way by me.

-Leisa Wheeler

Prayer: Father, I confess that the worlds stuff has too strong of a hold on me. I need help letting go. Teach me to value relationships and people more than things. Help me to store up true treasures in heaven rather than trying to accumulate more things here.

Day 30 of 40 Days of Prayer

Scripture: Hebrews 11

Meditation: It is so hard for us to not define reality by what we see happening to us today. The 'Hall of the Faithful' contains the list of those who lived in the moment, but weren't held hostage by it. They were able to see reality as that which God was unfolding beyond the edges of their physical vision. Faith sees the future that God has prepared for us.

Prayer: God you are the hero of our souls. Thank you for giving us examples of faith to imitate. Help us to be able to see with the eyes of faith what you are doing in our lives, and to know what you have prepared for us in the future. Remind us that we weren't made for what we see here on this earth.

Day 29 of 40 Days of Prayer

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-8

Meditation: It is said that, "talk is cheap", sometimes talk can even be counter-productive! There are some people in our lives, who's hearts are not open to the message of the gospel. The temptation sometimes is just to talk longer or louder, but God understands that this will just result in their heels being dug in even deeper against the truth. But what if... what if instead of preaching the gospel, we model the gospel? To our children, our spouses, or anyone else with a heart closed to the gospel, let us learn to live before them in a spirit of love, service and humility.

Prayer: Thank you God for not pushing us too hard to accept you. Thank you for showing us your love and inviting us to come to you. Help us to show the same wisdom toward those we love. Teach us to show the power of the gospel in our daily lives so that people will see your love for them and be drawn to you.