Indholdsfortegnelse for June/July 2019 i 60 Days of Prayer

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2 (ESV) DID YOU KNOW that you have direct access to Jesus’ infinite wisdom and understanding? Instead of complaining to Him, ask for His counsel. Be still, get quiet and listen. Wait. Breathe. Trust His answer. Heavenly Father, no matter what situation I face, I know I can persevere because of You. REFLECTIONS…

How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide your face from me? Psalm 13:1 (NIV) WHEN YOU ARE feeling weary and burdened about a challenge in your life, it’s okay to question God, like Daniel did, and ask, “How long?” Bring your struggles and doubts to Him in prayer—and hopefully, like David your questions will be transformed into praise. Heavenly Father, help me to see that You are always with me. In my darkest hours fill me with Your light. REFLECTIONS…

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV) DO YOU KNOW who you want to be? Perhaps you haven’t asked yourself that question since you were a child, but the fact remains, the person you are and the person you are becoming is developed by the simple every day choices you make. Take a moment and reflect on who you want to become. Heavenly Father, help me grow into the person I am here to become. REFLECTIONS…

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 2 Corinthians 8:11 (NIV) DO YOU NEED a little bit of inspiration to help you reach your goals? Take heart! Although Jesus calls us to endure, He also promises to work in and through us. “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Heavenly Father, inspire me to carry on prayerfully as I work toward reaching my goals. REFLECTIONS…

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. Malachi 3:3 (NIV) WHEN YOU FEEL alone, turn to God. Use your loneliness as a tool to refine your spirit. Allow God to help you let go of self-centered thoughts and look toward His grace. Forgive whatever circumstance has you feeling lonely and reach out to experience the blessing of His love. Dear Lord, You are love; when I concentrate on building my relationship with You, all my worldly relationships fall into place. REFLECTIONS…

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV) SOME DAYS DESPITE being aware of God’s many blessings—health, family, a roof over your head—you might still feel a little down. The remedy is simple. Look for a simple gift: the sunrise, someone’s laughter, a flower peeking out from the sidewalk and let yourself feel truly grateful for having noticed it. Heavenly Father, Giver of all good gifts, thank You for the many ways You bless me. REFLECTIONS…

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV) IF YOU FIND yourself thinking negatively or being pessimistic about a situation, say this verse slowly. Take each word into your heart. Contemplate the vast peace of God, flowing through you, guarding your heart, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones and leaving you calm and relaxed. Heavenly Father, because of You and Your word, unhealthy thoughts lose the power to control me. REFLECTIONS…

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14 (NIV) WHEN YOU PRAY in Jesus’ name, center your awareness on Him and do your best to align your will with His. Think of the prayer as if it is coming from God and shape your petition so that you are praying for His will and not your own. Heavenly Father, align my desires with Your will and let Your will be done through me. REFLECTIONS…

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (ESV) THE BIBLE IS filled with different people praying the amazing prayer, “Here I am Lord. Send me.” Have you dared to pray this prayer? Of course it requires deep devotion and a bold courageous heart—but its benefits are amazing! Be prepared to have your life changed by His grace and instruction. Dear Lord, Here I am. Send me! REFLECTIONS…

Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25 (CEB) ARE YOU A chronic worrier? Do you agonize over big things and little things no matter how hard you try? If so, take Jesus’ words to heart. He tells you not to worry. Worry is a choice you have power over. Instead of feeding your anxiety, focus your trust on Him. Dear God, I give You my worries so that You may give me Your peace. REFLECTIONS…

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 (NLT) IT’S BEEN SAID that man plans and God laughs, but it can be upsetting when it happens to you. Trust is the key to keeping your chin up when your best plans and the future you had mapped out suddenly take a sharp, unexpected detour. Only God knows what tomorrow holds. By developing a strong faith, you can confidently walk wherever God calls you to go. Lord, I’m doing my best to be faithful and flexible, to follow Your lead anywhere it takes me. REFLECTIONS…

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) TODAY, TREAT YOURSELF! Spend at least ten minutes nurturing yourself, whether it be drinking a cup of tea, relaxing in the sun, do something nice just for you. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. A life-well lived. Look forward to the blessings that will unfold in the day ahead. Dear Lord, sometimes I forget to care for myself. Help me remember that I am important in Your eyes and should be important in my own. REFLECTIONS…

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. John 4:23 (NIV) IF YOUR MIND wanders while you are having quiet time with God, instead of getting upset or frustrated, take it as an opportunity to learn to let go of your distracting thought and give it to God. Release stray thoughts as they come and know that you are practicing being in His presence. Heavenly Father, I release my distracting thoughts to You. REFLECTIONS…

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. Galatians 5:22 (MSG) WHEN YOU LIVE God’s way, He plants and cultivates fruit into your life. Beautiful blessings—inspiration, endurance, empathy, serenity—will grace your days. And God’s love will flow through you to others easily and naturally. Heavenly Father, help me remove habits or thoughts that prevent me from living Your way. REFLECTIONS…

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 (NRSV) WANT TO MAKE a life-changing choice right now? Choose to trust Jesus. Lay your worry at His feet and pray for Him to help you get through whatever situation is on your mind. Give up fear and accept the peace He offers. Dear Lord, I know in my heart You are in control. Help me to remember to choose Your peace over my worries. REFLECTIONS…

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 (NIV) DO YOU FEEL passionate about your faith? Strive for the kind of longing for the Lord of the psalmist who wrote, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2 NKJV) Pray that your desire to be close to Him will continue to grow. Heavenly Father, ignite true passion for fulfilling my purpose. REFLECTIONS…

Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43 (NASB) IN THIS VERSE, Joseph of Arimathea bravely stepped out of the shadows and aligned himself with Jesus. Although he did not know what the future held, he did not let fear or doubt paralyze him. While other disciples remained quiet, he declared his love for Jesus. Dear Lord, I have nothing to doubt or fear when I act with courage and faith, and worship with love. REFLECTIONS…

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV) DO YOU BELIEVE infinite depths of God’s power? God can do anything. The strength of that statement lives inside you, deep in your heart. Dare to live the highest level, knowing that you are sustained and strengthened by Him. Heavenly Father, I believe you can do all things. Help me to stop relying entirely on myself and my solutions, but instead turn to You, the One who can make all things possible. REFLECTIONS…

They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to Him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him. 1 Chronicles 5:20 (NIV) GOD HAS GIVEN you instruments of faith: prayer, unselfishness and love that will guide you through any problem. When you live your life guided by faith and doing what is best for a greater purpose, then everything else falls into place. You will no longer struggle with what to do, or what to believe—you will simple live in God’s grace. Dear God, when I let go of myself and see my life from a spiritual perspective, I live fully and freely. REFLECTIONS…

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (NIV) ARE YOU STILL struggling with trusting God with your worries? Be patient. It can take self-discipline and practice in recognizing fear and focusing on your faith instead. Build up your belief in knowing that God will take care of you. No matter what happens, God will help you. Everything will be okay. Lord, help me to grow my faith, nurture my sense of well-being and know deep in my heart that You will take care of me. REFLECTIONS…

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV) THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, there are dozens of verses with the words, “but God.” Each is a testament of His power to intervene and make the impossible, possible, to give strength where there was weakness. If you find yourself making excuses in your life, thinking, I want to do this, but… add God to your statement invite His power to overcome your doubt. Lord, sometimes I feel powerless, but then I remember You are with me. You make all things possible. REFLECTIONS…

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Your laws. I hold fast to Your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of Your commands, for You have broadened my understanding. Psalm 119:30-32 (NIV) TODAY, AS WE celebrate Independence Day, reflect on the many blessings God has showered upon us as a nation. Give thanks for those who have sacrificed in the past and serve in the present to protect freedom, and pray for peace among nations and all people. Lord, make us worthy of Your gift of freedom. REFLECTIONS…

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 (KJV) SOMETIMES STRESS AND responsibilities and can take up all your time. Don’t get caught in the trap of running from place to place without spending too much time thinking about where you are going and why. Take a moment and reflect. Review your priorities and ask God for insight and guidance. Are you in the center of His will or have you let other things crowd Him out? Dear Lord, align my life with Your purpose. REFLECTIONS…

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (ESV) DR. NORMAN VINCENT Peale said if you want to make a new start in your life put this verse in your mind and center your thoughts on it every day. Repeat, “I am the light of the world. Follow me and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” Heavenly Father, help me to see You as the One who walks with me, blessing my day and guiding me to live my life meaningfully. REFLECTIONS…

Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that You, Lord, are God, and that You are turning their hearts back again. 1 Kings 18:37 (NIV) WHEN ELIJAH WAS afraid and hiding in a cave, God’s voice came as a gentle whisper encouraging him to continue on. Do you hear God’s whispers in your life? A good way to tune your ear to His guidance is to take several moments throughout the day, be still and focus on Him. Invite Him into your heart. Heavenly Father, help me to be quiet so that I hear Your whispers. REFLECTIONS…

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) TO KNOW JESUS is to live a life of joy. When you follow His path, you have the glory of feeling His joy. Of course, life has its ups and downs but because of Him, you can feel His love and His presence during the tough times. He is your shield. He is your joy! Heavenly Father, You are my reason to celebrate! REFLECTIONS…

Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in Your eyes, give me a sign that it is really You talking to me.” Judges 6:17 (NIV) THE BIBLE IS filled with God’s messages of reassurance. If you are struggling to hear God’s voice, turn to prayer and reading His word. You’ll experience Scripture that speaks to your heart and confirms that He is with you. Heavenly Father, wherever I go I know You are there. Thank You for listening and answering my prayers. REFLECTIONS…

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. Genesis 9:16 (NIV) MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT the Bible, God gives visible signs to help people remember His promises. The rainbow is a breathtaking symbol of God’s blessing and a stunning reminder of the triumph of mercy and the victory of grace. Heavenly Father, thank You for the many reminders You send to show me I am blessed. REFLECTIONS…

Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. Psalm 119:98 (NIV) MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE IS a helpful way to fight temptation. When you know God’s Word and can apply it to your life, you are better able to protect your heart, your spirit and your values. By committing to read the Bible consistently you can surrender your personal wants for His will. Heavenly Father, help me to put Your Word first in every decision I make and prayerfully move forward trusting You to guide me as I go. REFLECTIONS…

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. Psalm 25:5 (NIV) ARE YOU LIVING a life of truth? Perhaps you are making excuses about something you did, or have been less than honest about a situation. If anything comes to mind, repeat the above verse. Allow the truth of His Word to enter into your mind, body and soul. Feel the relief of truth that sets you free. Lord, when I diligently seek You with all my heart, You guide me in Your truth. REFLECTIONS…

So He told them, “Let your net down on the right side of your boat, and you will catch some fish.” John 21: 6 (CEV) SOME OF THE most amazing miracles Jesus performed demonstrated His power over nature—from the miraculous catch of fish to walking on water. Each miracle carried a lesson and fulfilled a pressing need. Each had a great purpose, to direct our focus on Jesus, His ministry and His word. Heavenly Father, Maker of Miracles, anything is possible because of You. REFLECTIONS…

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) SOMETIMES LIFE CAN be too complicated to understand. When you feel knocked down or confused by a situation call upon God and He will bless you with His infinite wisdom. He offers a way to discover “unsearchable things” that can only be known by knowing Him. Only He has answers to indecipherable problems. Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me discover unsearchable things. REFLECTIONS…

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. Psalm 4:7 (ESV) UNCERTAINTY, LIKE CHANGE, is a word that makes most people uncomfortable. We want to know what is coming and often make the mistake of thinking we can’t relax or be joyful if we don’t know what tomorrow brings. Trusting God is the cure to fearing the unknown. When your faith is strong you can celebrate right now, trusting the future is in His hands. Heavenly Father, my joy doesn’t depend on my circumstances, it depends on You. REFLECTIONS…

I am the light of the world. John 9:5 (NIV) DR. NORMAN VINCENT Peale once said: “Darkness is powerless before the onslaught of light. And so it is with death. We have allowed ourselves to think of it as a dark door, when actually it is a rainbow bridge spanning the gulf between two worlds.” When you are grieving, turn to the Bible, God is with you. Lord, when I can’t feel Your presence, when I feel I can’t even pray, I still know in my heart that You know my troubles. You feel my despair. You will help me through my grief. REFLECTIONS…

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:25–27 (NLT) ARE THERE PARTS of the Bible you’ve been avoiding because they seem too difficult to understand? Instead of skipping Scripture that has you puzzled, turn to a confusing passage and ask God to reveal His truth to you. Pray for Him to show Himself in the words. Heavenly Father, I know You want to explain Yourself to me. Speak to my heart. Reveal Your…

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) WHEN YOU ARE going through a difficult time, turn to the above verse. God is strong. He will see you through the hard times. Reach out to Him for guidance. Trust that He will empower you with His strength. Heavenly Father, calm my anxious thoughts and bring me clarity of faith; assure me that everything is unfolding according to Your divine plan. REFLECTIONS…

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 (NIV) IS SOMETHING BOTHERING you? The secret to healing past hurts or future worries is to let God’s grace flow in. Yet as easy as it sounds, “letting God” is one of the hardest things to do. Loosen your grasp of forcing the outcome that you want and know that those things that you cannot handle, God can. He is with you now and wants to help. Open up and let Him in. Dear Lord, help me let go and let You take over. You are my very present help! REFLECTIONS…

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) IT’S NOT EASY feeling thankful when you are aggravated by setbacks. No matter what you face, one thing remains the same—God. He is with you through life’s big and small problems. Thank Him for being there and trust Him to see you through. Lord, help turn my complaints into praise. Praise for You! REFLECTIONS…

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 (ESV) DR. NORMAN VINCENT Peale said, “Did it ever occur to you that you do not really own a thing, not a single thing? You are entrusted by the Lord according to your own ability to handle some of His goods for awhile. If you use things selfishly for yourself, you will probably lose them and you will certainly lose the values that would come to you if you would use them for God. “ Heavenly Father, free me of selfish thoughts and deeds. REFLECTIONS…

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9:22 (NIV) WHEN YOU PUT your trust in God, life can dramatically change in a moment. Like the above verse and again in Matthew 17:18, God’s healing can take place instantly, in a moment’s time. If you are going through a hard time, reflect on His grace and His ability to answer your prayers in an instant. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your healing love, which strengthens me and gives me peace. REFLECTIONS…

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE SPENT another two months, growing your faith, getting closer to God and making your spiritual life a priority. Celebrate your time well-spent and know that God came so that You could have a life of purpose and joy. Dear God, today I celebrate Your goodness and strength and the thrilling life of purpose I have by following You. REFLECTIONS…