Prayer Challenge

30-WEEK Prayer Challenge

WEEK 1: THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:14). We all have a best friend, or someone we are closest to. Chances are that person is one of the people we talk to the most. You can’t have a close relationship with someone with whom you don’t communicate. The same goes for God. How can we be close to God if we don’t talk to Him? How can we have a relationship with Jesus if there is no communication? The truth is: You can’t! Prayer is our way of talking to God. In order for us to have a close relationship with Him, we have to be in constant communication. He wants to hear from us, and we need to talk to Him. To start, choose a specific time to pray every day. Perhaps your first prayer could be “Lord, I ask for Your help and Your power to assist me in faithfully praying throughout the next 30 days.”

WEEK 2: THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER
Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27). We need to pray because we need God. A lot of times we think we can do everything on our own, but we can’t. God wants us to share with Him our desires and dreams. He wants to hear about where we need help and where we have succeeded. God wants to be there to help us. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” When we ask for His help, He wants to be there for us. In your prayer time, think about each part of your life: your relationships, school, your talents and hobbies, your health, and your future. Spend time today thanking God for the unique life situation in which He’s placed you.

WEEK 3: THE COMMAND TO PRAY
"And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (Luke 18:1). We pray because it helps us connect to God. We pray because we need God. We also pray because God has commanded us to pray. Prayer is a way for us to show our obedience to God. It is a way for us to show God that we love and trust Him. In Philippians 4:6, the Bible says “. . . in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” He tells us to make all of our requests to Him in prayer. God tells us to pray because He wants to answer our prayers. He wants us to have peace and joy that we can only reach through our prayers to Him. Do you talk to God regularly through prayer? When was the last time you prayed? What keeps you from praying more? In your prayer time today, ask God to give you the desire to pray more.

These weekly challenges are meant to encourage you in your prayer life. Consider reading each challenge each day before your prayer time.

"And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned." (Nehemiah 1:5–6). The better we know someone, the more likely we are to open up and share everything with him or her. If you don’t know God, why would you want to tell Him all your wants and your troubles? Nehemiah is going through a rough time, but he shows us through his prayer that he knows God is powerful and in control. He knows God loves him. We can get to know God, too, through His Word, and through our prayers. God shows us who He is through our prayers. While we talk to Him, He is responding. The more we pray, the better we can know God. In your prayer time today, ask God to teach you more about Himself. Ask God to show you who He really is. You can even start writing down your prayers, so that you can see how He is working in your life

"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee." (Psalm 143:8). These days we seem to focus greatly on getting things done. We have school, sports, cheer, dance, band, church, friends, family, and everything else that keeps us busy. We don’t always take time to stop and really listen to God. Most of the time, when we pray, we tell God what we want. We don’t realize when we pray, God speaks to us. It’s not always a booming voice from heaven. He moves and speaks in our heart. He changes our desires and guides our actions. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” When we take the time to listen to God, He moves in our lives in amazing ways. Today, take time to listen for God. Ask Him to make you want what He wants.