This material was developed for a special period of prayer in my local congregation in Bayfield, Colorado, as we prepared for the arrival of our new preaching minister and his wife.

The material can be adapted to any situation in which special prayers are in order.

The 40 days begins on a Sunday during a worship assembly and continues daily through 40 days in which members of the congregation either gather at specific locations for prayer or in their homes with their families.

May God bless your prayers!

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Have Elder/Leader serve as the Master of Ceremonies, that is, call the assembly to worship and lead the service!

Encourage the men (insist!) that they stay with the topic and keep their prayers to the point and short. Long all inclusive prayers will break up the emphases and flow of thought.

Have announcements at the end of the service.

Opening Prayer – Elder/Leader– Prayer of special thanks to God for the congregation, for the spiritual home God has provided for us.

Opening Hymn – Song Leader- A hymn of thanksgiving, possibly Oh! Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

Lord’s Supper – Leader- Focus on thanksgiving for God’s Great love and the gift of Jesus. Keep the lesson and prayer within the topic outlined, that is thanksgiving for God’s great love.

Sermon Lesson for Day One – Sunday Led by Elder of other Minister

1. As a congregation and as individuals we are about to enter a special period of prayer as we prepare for the arrival of (new minister and wife) and our new ministry with them.

2. God has richly blessed this congregation over the past seventeen years as (previous minister and wife) ministered with us.

3. We seek God’s rich blessings as we enter a new period of ministry at (Congregation).

4. We believe God led (new minister and wife) to us after much prayer that he would find us a minister who would continue the rich heritage of this congregation.

5. We will be praying that our (ministry team) will develop into a powerful team as they lead us in ministry, and that together with the ministry of our elders and deacons we will be spiritually strengthened.

6. We have chosen to call this period of spiritual preparation 40 Days With Moses for 40 days of spiritual preparation in Scripture is a powerful symbol of spiritual strength and blessing.
   
   40 days represents a period of intense spiritual or religious experience.

7. At Gen 7:4 and the following chapter we read of God bringing a flood on the earth in Noah’s day to cleanse it and prepare for a new spiritual beginning for his creation. "For in seven days I will send rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground."
8. Later at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry he was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to prepare him for the serious spiritual battle and temptation by Satan. Lk 4:1, 2, ^"And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit ^2 for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil."
   Mk 1:13, "And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him."
9. At Acts 1:3 we read of Jesus commissioning his apostles. During the period following his resurrection for 40 days he prepared his disciples for this mission, ‘In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, ^2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ^3 To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. ^4 And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, ^5 for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."’

1. At Exodus 24:18 we read that Moses went up into Mt Sinai to receive instructions from God,  "And Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights."
2. During this period Israel sinned and built the golden calf which resulted in Moses breaking the two tables of stone on which God had written the ten commandments. God refused to go with Israel into the promised land. Moses prayed three prayers in which he interceded for Israel. God "relented" and said he would accompany Moses and Israel into the promised land. This reminds one of the statement in James 5:16, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects."
3. We are going to be praying that God will go with us into this year and bless us as a congregation in the ministry of (new minister and wife).

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Prayer: Pray that we not be like the religious people of Jesus day who were blind to Jesus. Pray that Jesus might open our eyes to spiritual riches we have in him and God. Pray for insight into his word and purpose for our lives and the life of the congregation in (community).

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Scriptures: Mk 1:35-39; Luke 6:12; Luke 22:39.

This is one of the great prayer texts of the New Testament. But is also one of the most abused or misunderstood! We must first set it briefly in its proper context. It comes at the conclusion of James’ letter and summarizes much of the wisdom and practical emphases of the letter. James encourages prayers for several aspects of Christian living. 1) Suffering in general, 2) joy, 3) illness, and 4) sin and forgiveness. The anointing with oil is ceremonial and part of the Jewish culture associated with prayer and spiritual needs. In true Jewish custom James encourages calling on the elders of the church to lead in prayer. The major point of the discussion is on the power of prayer offered in faith, that is in the proper relationship with God and Jesus. Using the relationship of Elijah with God James stressed that the prayer of a righteous person has great power in its working. This does not mean that God will always do what we ask or want, but stresses that God hears our prayers and in his own will and way answers those prayers. We must be willing to wait patiently for God knowing that he has heard and will act in our behalf in the best and most appropriate way. We pray in hope, faith, and confidence and leave the rest to God to sort out. Being a righteous God he will do what is best and right.

Pray that God will help us in our prayer concerns and that he will act in our best interests. Pray that he will increase our faith and help us to understand his will. Pray that God will help us to live close to him and Jesus (that is in the right way or simply an attitude of righteousness. Righteousness does not mean living perfectly or always getting it right, but means living in t a right relationship with god and Jesus and their will for us.) Pray that in our new ministry with Ray and Sandy that we will be empowered by God to bring glory to him and Jesus in our work and ministry in (congregation) and in our mission efforts. Pray that he will bring joy to our church life and ministry and witness for him.

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Scripture: Matt 6:5-15 and Luke 11:1-4.

Both of these two Scriptures deal with what we commonly call the Lord’s prayer. In Luke he explains that Jesus’ disciples had asked him to teach them to pray. Matthew sets this in the context of the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus taught his disciples the meaning of discipleship. Disciples do not make a show of prayer as was the practice of many of the Jews. Jesus taught them to pray privately. This does not mean that we should not pray in public as in worship, but it does stress that we should not make a show of prayer. Since this prayer instruction was given by Jesus to Jewish disciples I want to place the prayer in the context of Jewish understanding. The prayer is based on common prayer practices of Jews especially the prayers of the Synagogue. The prayer begins with praise of God and his holiness and extends to the spiritual needs of the ones praying. We tend to focus our prayers on our physical needs as in praying for the healing of those who are sick and in need of physical help. This is fine, but our prayers should focus more on our spiritual needs and spiritual food. The phrase "give is our daily bread" is difficult to translate from the Greek but should stress our daily spiritual needs for spiritual food or "bread". This is how a Jewish disciple would have thought.

Prayer: "God we praise you and your holy name (being). We praise you for your great power in heaven and on earth. We ask that your will and reign (kingdom) will be experienced in our lives and world just as they are experienced in heaven. Please strengthen us daily with spiritual food that we may live to bring you glory in our lives and community. Please protect us from sin and evil and lead us in the way you would have us go and live. Please lead us in the way of righteousness. Please forgive us when we fail you and sin (our spiritual debts) and help us to forgive those who act in ways that we do not like or appreciate."

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Scripture: Psalm 139. This is a psalm of praise to God for His greatness. It is in 4 sections. 1) Praise God for his omniscience. He know everything, even the innermost portions of our heart – he has searched us and knows our heart and thoughts and knows all about us. His knowledge is too wonderful for our comprehension. 2) He is omnipresent – He is everywhere. You cannot escape from his presence which is encouraging as well as sobering! Wherever we are he is able to lead us because he has already been there and is there. 3) He is the powerful God of creation. He knew us before we were born. His thoughts are precious to us – we want to hear his thoughts! 4) Concluding thoughts – a prayer for the ungodly, those who do not know God. A prayer that God would search us, guide us, and lead us in the way to everlasting life.

Prayer: Praise God for his great knowledge and power. Praise him for having created us and for brining us into his family. Thanks him for his salvation in Jesus and ask that he always lead us into a deeper relationship with him. Pray that God will lead the congregation into greater strength and blessings as we prepare for (new minister) arrival and new ministry with us. Pray that the congregation will be faithful to Jesus and his word and purpose for the congregation. Pray that God who knows all about us will reveal to us and lead us into areas where we need strengthening.

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Day 32 – Wednesday Devotional - Scripture and Prayer

Focus praising God for his faithfulness.

Songs: Sing two songs praising God for his salvation and greatness.

Scripture: Psalm 138. Matt 6:25-33. Read the whole Psalm and Matt 6:25-33 to the congregation. In this psalm David acknowledges and praises God for his faithfulness. He sings God’s praises. Twice (vss. 2 and 8) David praises God for his faithful and steadfast love which endures forever. He acknowledges that God is high yet in spite of this he remembers the lowly.

Prayer: Praise God who is holy and righteous, and the sovereign ruler of the world. Praise him for the fact that he has not forgotten us who do not deserve his love and attention and yet he has saved us. Thank him for the way he has led this congregation in the past and pray that we will continue to let him lead us into righteousness in the future. Pray that he will help us not to focus our lives on the physical but rather on his will and reign in our lives.

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Scriptures: Psalm 148 and 149:1-6, we know Psalm 148 well since we sing it fairly regularly!

Hymn: "Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore Him!" Either read this hymn or of there are enough singers present, sing it together!

Prayer: Praise and thank God for the greatness and majesty of his creation. Acknowledge our finite weakness and nature on comparison to his awesome nature.

Confess our weakness and sins and ask for his forgiveness and strength. Pray for his extended grace to reach into our lives and help us to be the people he would have us be.

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Scripture: Rev 5:6-14. This great text is what Revelation, and life, are all about! It reveals that Jesus holds the key to God’s plan of salvation and for redeeming his creation. Jesus is worthy (vs. 9) because he died for us and has made God’s plan a reality. He is worthy of all praise. Note vss. 12, 13. John lists seven reasons for praising Jesus; his power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. All heaven joins in the hymn of praise to Jesus.

Prayer: Praise and thank God for his great plan of salvation and for the fact that he has saved us by his grace through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Thank Jesus for his faithfulness which came at an awful price. Acknowledge that Jesus is the king of God’s kingdom and of our lives. Pray that we may learn from Jesus’ example of faithfulness to be as faithful to God’s purpose as was Jesus. Pray that our lives will bring glory, honor, and blessing to Jesus and that we may in turn receive power, might, and wisdom in our lives in order to overcome Satan and sin. Pray that we like Jesus my become instruments of God’s great plan of salvation and that through our ministry God and Jesus will be praised in all creation.

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Scripture: Psalm 147. A psalm of praise for God’s mighty works and grace. Vss. 1-6 - The psalmist praises God for his mighty works in history that result in God’s people’s salvation. Think of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, and how god worked through them to bring about his purpose of salvation. Vss. 7-11 - The psalmist then praises God who is the sustainer of life. Think about Israel in the wilderness. Think about and praise God for the gift his Holy Spirit he has given to us to comfort and strengthen us daily. Pray that we might grow in grace and spiritual strength. Vss. 12-20 – Israel (God’s people, this would refer to us, the church, today) is encouraged to praise God for the strength and peace he brings to us into our lives (through Jesus). The psalmist is grateful for God’s word and the power of that word. Thank God that he has given us his word, that he has spoken to us, that he loves us enough to communicate with us and guide us to eternal life. Pray that we might be faithful to God’s word.

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Comment to the Congregation: Elder/Leader - Today we are thinking of the many of our family and congregation who are struggling with illness or other personal problems. We are also thinking about those in our military or services who are protecting our nation from harm. Pray that God will look kindly (be compassionate) on us and provide us with the kind of help, strength, and protection he feels are appropriate to our needs. Pray for comfort and healing for our sick and strength for those who feel the need for help.

Prayer: Suggestions: Ask Elder/Leader to lead a prayer for our young people in the congregation and the community of Bayfield and Ignacio. Ask Elder/Leader to lead special prayer for our military, Elder/Leader for those who are hurting spiritually and emotionally, and Elder/Leader to pray especially for (those who are sick), and others who are struggling with health problems.

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Scripture: Lk 11:5-13; "keep on asking…seeking…knocking…," Gen 32:24-30, "And Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. ^25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and Jacob’s thigh was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. ^26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." ^27 And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." ^28 Then he said, "Your name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." ^29 Then Jacob asked him, "Tell me, I pray, your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. ^30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved."

This is a strange passage of Scripture! Who is this man that Jacob wrestles with? We simply do not know! But he is a man of mystery because when Jacob asks him for his name he does not giver it! Hos 12:4 implies that he was an angel and goes on to include God in this story! How can Jacob assume he has seen God face to face because he wrestled with this man? Jacob’s name was changed to Israel which means "he who strives with God." So what is going on here? The point is that Jacob would not give up in his striving with God. He would not let God go! This sort of reminds us of Job who in spite of all his suffering would not give up on God. Jesus said we should not give up on God but keep on asking, seeking, and knocking.

Prayer: Pray that God will give us the kind of faith that will keep us going even when things do not look so good. Pray that we might be strong in our faith and faithfulness, that we do not quit on God and his purpose for us. Pray for the strength to "strive with God" in prayer knowing that he will do what is best for us even if we do not know what this might be. Pray that our name might be changed to something like "God is with us" simply because it is apparent from our lives, conviction, faith, and steadfast hope that God is with us.

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Scripture: 1 Thess 1:2-10. In his greeting and prayer to the Thessalonian Christians Paul commends them for their remarkable growth. At the time of writing this letter these Christians had been Christians for only a few months! Paul attributes their growth to their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast hope in Jesus. They had become imitators of Paul and of Jesus in their resolve to not give up in suffering. They had turned away from their former lives (idolatry) to serving a living God. They were waiting expectantly for Jesus coming.

Prayer: Pray that our works of faith, labors of love, and steadfast hope in Jesus would continue to grow and mature, especially under the teaching and ministry of (ministry team). Pray that it will be apparent to all that our lives have changed and that we have turned from our past lives (controlled by the world, hence a form of worldly idolatry) to actively serving a true and living God. Pray for our newer and younger members that they would grow in their faith, love, and hope in Jesus.

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Scripture: Have someone who can read well reads these Scriptures during the devotional, Heb 3:1-6; 4:14-16; 13:8. The writer of the letter we call Hebrews encourages his readers never to give up on their faith in God and Jesus. Too often we let the pressures of the world creep in and push our faith almost outside our lives. We need to keep our faith and lives fixed on Jesus, our high priest, who is always there for us, and always the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Prayer: Have different men lead in special prayers. Pray for our elders, deacons, ministers, and special servants (secretaries, bible class teachers, custodians). Pray for our young people. Pray for our older folk. Pray that we never loose sight of Jesus and allow things to come before him in our lives.

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Scripture: 2 Thess 1:3-10. Paul commends the Thessalonian Christians for their steady growth and love for one another. He prays that they may grow to be worthy of the kingdom (reign of God and Jesus in their lives). He reminds them that we all will suffer different problems but encourages them not to give up. He reminds them that those of the tough point that those who do not obey the gospel will be lost. This should sober us and challenge us to pray for the lost and those who have never heard the gospel or who have heard it and have not responded.

Prayer: Pray that we as a congregation will continue to grow in our faith, in our commitment to Jesus and his purpose, and in our in our community, nation, and world who desperately need to come to Jesus.

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Scripture: Psalm 123, 124, 150. These are psalms of thanksgiving to God for delivering (saving) us. Psalm 150 sums up the message of the Psalms, praise to God for his great love (steadfast love – mentioned over 150 times in the Psalms), his great power in our lives, and simply just for being God.

Prayers: Have people mention how God has worked on their lives. Have the elders pray and give thanks to God for his working in the lives of our for the congregation. Have (minister/Leader) pray for our elders and for their ministry of leading the congregation as God’s shepherds.

Close by singing and reading the Doxology: Song: "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost…" Phil 4:20 "To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Pet 5:11, "To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Jude 1:24, 25, ^ "Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, ^25 to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen."