Dear Praying Friends,
I help with the prayer ministry at our church and I have a heart to see EVERY CHURCH become a House of Prayer. In June 2023, I started posting daily Bible and prayer prompts and I feel I should continue this month. But I feel that I should offer these encouragements in prayer beyond the prayer ministry in my own church. We are the Church together and there is power in prayer! I hope that you will join me in prayers of agreement this month as we pray “Kingdom First” prayers. (Matthew 6:33) The world is getting darker and darker, but we know that Jesus is Lord and that He has already gained victory over the forces of darkness. Let’s continue to ask Him to show us His glory, as we pray together this month! Blessings~Gina
Saturday & Sunday, July 1 & 2, 2023: Read Matthew 6:33
Prayer “Starter”: Take some time to rest this weekend. While doing this, ask the Lord how you can seek His Kingdom FIRST in all of your life adventures. SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE SEEK YOUR KINGDOM FIRST!
Think/Journal/apply: If you are keeping a journal, write down thoughts that are prompted by your prayers for “Kingdom First” attitudes. Is there a step that you can take to apply these thoughts?
As you have time: Worship Song for this weekend: Seek First the Kingdom
Monday, July 3, 2023: Read 1 Chronicles 16:11
Prayer Pointer: “God has a plan for His Church upon earth. But alas! We too often make our plan, and we think that we know what ought to be done. We ask God first to bless our feeble efforts, instead of absolutely refusing to go unless God go before us.” ~Andrew Murray
Prayer “Starter”: Lord, forgive me for where I have not been seeking Your plans over my own. Help me to surrender my life for Your use and to keep on praying for Your Kingdom to come and Your will to be done in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD, as we seek YOUR KINGDOM FIRST!
Think/Journal/Apply: Where are you relying on your own strength and not the Lord’s strength?
As you have time: Read Praying Kingdom Prayers(75 Spiritual Qualities and Blessings to Pray)
Tuesday, July 4, 2023: Read 2 Chronicles 7:14
Prayer Pointer: Today we celebrate the day that the Declaration of Independence was ratified in 1776. America is 247 years old today. Many of us long for revival in America, but 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us that revival really begins with God’s people. As you pray for our Nation today, let’s pray that we will all seek God’s plans and purposes.
Prayer “Starter”: Lord, help every Christian to humbly seek You and to turn from sinful ways. Let us truly be the “light of the world” to those in our cities, states, and Nation. Move powerfully within Your Church across America empowering us to fulfill Your Great Commission. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD, as we SEEK YOUR KINGDOM FIRST!
Think/Journal/Apply: Do you see yourself as one of His people? How does 2 Chronicles 7:14 speak to you?
As you have time: Worship Song for Today: 2 Chronicles 7:14 Song
Wednesday, July 5, 2023: Read James 1:5 & 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Prayer Pointer: “Mark it down. God never turns away the honest seeker. Go to God with your questions. You may not find all the answers, but in finding God, you know the One who does.” ~Max Lucado in Walking with the Savior
Prayer “Starter”: from Max Lucado in God’s Inspirational Promise Book We pray, O Father, that in the hours when we find ourselves in the dungeons of doubt, that you will hear our questions. Forgive us for demanding that you answer our questions as we want them answered. Decrease our doubt; increase our faith. (add your own prayers). SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD, as we SEEK YOUR KINGDOM FIRST!
Think/Journal/Apply: Are you facing fears about the future or doubts about God’s goodness? Talk to Him!
As you have time: Read The Key to Relieving Your Fear
Thursday, July 6, 2023: Read Matthew 6:15 KJV
Prayer Pointer: ” When we pray the words of this doxology, we not only acknowledge God’s power; we are also making a statement of faith: ‘Because yours is the kingdom, the power, the glory, O God, I know that you are with me and hear my prayer. I know that you are able to provide for our daily needs. I know that you can rescue us from evil. I know that you forgive the debts that imprison us, freeing us to spread that forgiveness to others.'” Adam Hamilton in The Lord’s Prayer, The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught
Prayer “Starter”: Lord, help me to seek Your Kingdom, not build my own. Teach Your Church throughout the earth to be Kingdom-minded. Help us to care about what You care about and empower us to tell others of the wonders of Your Kingdom. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD, as we SEEK YOUR KINGDOM FIRST!
Think, Journal, apply: Where would you like to be more Kingdom-minded? Ask the Lord for help.
As you have time: Worship Song for Today: The More I Seek You
Friday, July 7, 2023: Read Psalm 5:11-12
Prayer “Starter”: Lord, please show me what it means to take refuge in You. I want to rejoice in You! I want the praise of Your Holy Name to be upon my lips. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD, as WE SEEK YOUR KINGDOM FIRST!
Think/journal/apply: Write down some places where you have experienced God’s protection.
As you have time: Worship Song for today: Refuge
Saturday & Sunday, July 8 & 9, 2023: Read Matthew 6:33
Take some time this weekend to “catch up” on posts and to rest. Revisit your past prayer life this week, noting where the Lord is growing you into a Kingdom prayer warrior! Blessings, Gina
Rhythms of Grace 