21 Days of Prayer - Day #4 August 9, 2023 Posture of Prayer

Day 4 -Wednesday- August 9, 2023-- Prayer Focus - Prayer Posture

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NIV)

16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

This really embodies 21 Days of Prayer. We are turning to the Lord. We’re letting the things of earth grow dim. When we do, the veil is taken away, meaning we see more things more clearly. (clarity, vision, dreams and purpose)

When God shows up - there is freedom. Anything can happen. Nothing outweighs the name of Jesus. Light gets rid of darkness and then there is transformation.

What does it mean to turn to the Lord? What has to be done?  That means we need to turn away from things.  

In everything we do, then we need a posture of repentance (to turn). Not just a physical turn (abstinence)  but mentally turning the way we think about things - Romans 12:2 “transformed by the renewing of our minds.”

2 Timothy 2:25 (NIV)  25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

Every prayer service has two things - we want to touch heaven (touch his heart) and we need to confront hell.  Our prayer life needs this as well.  

In every situation we have to:

Renounce the Lie

Let’s get rid of “stinking” thinking or faulty thinking. We need to take our stand and renounce all lies.

2 Cor. 4:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

The devil is defeated but he retains a little dominion. He’s the Father of lies. He disguises himself. But whatever he brings to us.. We actively confront the devil.

Announce the Truth

Let’s announce the truth. We bring truth to every situation.

John 8:31-32 (NIV) 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The truth will set us free. We experience this freedom when we abide in His Word.

No matter how I feel, if it disagrees with God’s word, my feelings are wrong and God’s word is truth.

I just need to announce that my worth comes from God. That’s my identity in Christ.

Renounce the lies and Announce the truth.

Renounce gratifying the flesh.  Announce that I’m bought by God and that my body is the temple.

I renounce fear but announce I have a spirit of love and a sound mind.

So our posture of repentance is to Renounce LIES and to Announce Truth

21 Days of Prayer - Day #3, August 8, 2023 "The Crucified Life"

Day 3 -Tuesday- August 8, 2023-- Prayer Focus - The Crucified Life

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:22-25

The Crucified Life - To Live Well and Finish Strong

1. Crucify my flesh.

Kill those flesh desires that I want that are not from God. 

Feed the spirit desires that are from God.

Like those moments when we don’t want to get up and do what we should

(getting more sleep or checking out watching things we should not)

John 6:38 (NIV) 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to 

do the will of him who sent me.

Matthew 26:39 (NIV) 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground 

and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as 

I will, but as you will.”

2. I Surrender My Will

We have to surrender our will. Lay it down and crucify it. 

Jesus set the example. He didn’t want to go to the cross (in his flesh) but he did.

God’s will for my life is better than my will for my life.

God’s will for your life is exactly what you would choose if you could see the 

future.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of 

God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to 

God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of 

this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be 

able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3. Offer my life

I offer you any and every day for God.

Less of me and more of you.

Use me, send me, show me. I am yours - Use me.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners 

run,but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Say no to your flesh. Surrender your will!

Living the crucified life is so much more powerful than the physical/athletic world.

Holy Spirit you take over. You take the lead. I crucify my flesh and make it submit 

to the Holy Spirit.  

The Holy Spirit doesn’t make me better than you, He makes me better than ME.

I crucify my flesh, I surrender my will and I offer my life.

“Those living the crucified life do not seek place or wealth, fame or high positions. 

Rather they want to know God and to be where Jesus is. Only to know Christ. That is all.”  - A.W. Tozer

21 Days of Prayer - Day # 2 August 7, 2023 Prayer Focus - Return Your Hearts

Day 2 -Monday- August 7, 2023-- Prayer Focus - Return to the Lord

Joel 1:14 (NIV) 

Declare a holy fast;  call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders  and all who live in the 

Land to the house of the Lord your God,   and cry out to the Lord.

Joel 2:12-13 (NIV) 

“Even now,” declares the Lord,  “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love,  and he relents from sending calamity.

Don’t tear your clothes, tear your heart.

Joel 2:28-29 (NIV)

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will 

Prophesy,   your old men will dream dreams,   your young men will see visions.

29 Even on my servants, both men and women,   I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

Joel 3:13-14 (NIV)

Swing the sickle,  for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes,  for the winepress 

is full  and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!” 14  Multitudes, multitudes
  in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near  in the valley of decision.

There are people ready to make a decision. It is harvest time.

Declare our dependence on God.

Return with your hearts. I need God. 

Reignite the Spirit’s fire in me.

Put the fire of God back in me (dreams, visions, prophecy, revival)

Pray for the lost.

Jude verses 20-22

20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Be merciful to those who doubt. (Jude). Snatch them from the fire. 

Go find people heading toward hell and snatch them from it. Point them to Jesus.

Either through personal story/testimony or by inviting to a church service.

Pray over fall and upcoming harvest and series of messages: What’s The Point?, At the 

Movies and our Thanksgiving and Christmas services.