Day 7 - Lament - North Way Christian Community

North Way Christian Community - PA

Day 7 - Lament

January 7, 2024 • Stephanie Andrews • Psalm 71:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16–17

The prayer type today is lament, and the prompt is for those in legacy stage of life. We will use the prayer of lament as we encourage seasoned believers to keep serving God, no matter the circumstances.

Remember that lament is an honest place and a way to bring our real hearts to God. In later seasons of life, it may be easier to focus on what we can no longer do instead of what we are still called to do. Sometimes growing older brings challenging feelings and new ways of seeing yourself and your life. Here are a few:

· The body ages. All that comes with this reality.

· After years of giving, some may be tempted to believe they get to receive now.

· Sometimes as we get older, we feel less useful and may give away our purpose to younger people.

· False mindsets can occur. Here’s one: “Our best days were in the past.”

· Life can take its toll, and some would prefer just to rest and do their own thing.

Enter into a time of lament on behalf of those in the legacy stage of life. Specifically bring to mind those that you know personally and ask God to comfort their places of pain and fear. If you are in the legacy season, it’s ok to be honest about how you feel. Naming and experiencing your painful places is part of the process of healing.

True Biblical lament, however, always ends in praise. Begin to turn your prayer towards hope as you pray the following Scriptures for those same people to remember the truth and the purpose of their season.

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” (Psalm 71:18)

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary afflictions are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor 4:16-17).

Day 14 - Surrender

January 14, 2024 • Grace Keller

The prayer type today is surrender, and the prompt is for singles. We will pray that all of us, especially singles, will be able to yield to truth as revealed in the Word over false mindsets. Let’s Pray: Lord, we all have trouble at times surrendering to Your ways over our own. Culture teaches us to choose what feels right to us instead of what is objectively true according to Your Word. Our flesh often willingly agrees. This is especially challenging for our single friends who battle things like dating, financial responsibilities, and feeling isolated in a world that caters to families. We pray for all single people right now, and especially these (speak out the names of singles you know), to embrace Biblical truth in all areas of life and resist the temptation to create their own truth based on feelings. We pray for surrendered hearts that will allow You to shape each one according to Your purposes and plans. We also surrender our own desire to create truth according to our own understanding and feelings. We yield to You, Father, even when it’s hard or when we don’t understand Your ways. We trust You with our lives and the lives of those we’re praying for today. Prayer of Surrender as a daily posture: “Lord I surrender my whole life to you, the past, the present, and the future. I surrender to your tender care for my body, my mind, my soul, and my whole life by relinquishing my rights to be Lord over my own destiny.” (Unknown author)

Day 13 - Silence

January 13, 2024 • Adam Farrell • Psalm 46:10

The prayer type today is silence, and the prompt is for married couples. We will spend time quieting our soul in order to just be with God and trust Him to care for marriages today. Bring the following thoughts and prayers to God on behalf of married couples and trust Him to hold and handle each of these needs. Lord, would You help all those who are married to give up the “rights” to those things they feel entitled to? Help them to embrace sacrifice over selfishness in the following areas: · Elevate the needs of their spouse over their own desires · Dying to their own comforts for the sake of their spouse or family. · Saving money for something the other wants to do instead of spending on their own desires · Remaining faithful to their spouse no matter the temptation · Saying something kind instead of picking a fight or being critical · Being committed to honesty, vulnerability, and communication in their home Spend 5-10 minutes in a still, silent posture. When distractions come, just acknowledge them and refocus on being still. When you are ready, pray the following: Lord, we use this time of silence to be near You and to trust these marriages to You. We believe that You will speak to them and shift hearts where necessary. We know that You are the only one that can soften hearts and reveal areas of challenge. Thank You for working on their behalf today. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Day 12 - Prophetic Prayer

January 12, 2024 • Amy Miller • Proverbs 2:1–5, Jeremiah 33:3

The prayer type today is prophetic prayer, and the prompt is for those who are divorced. We will listen for encouragement from God as we pray for all those who have been divorced. We bring this prayer to the Lord, and then we’ll listen for His voice. Lord, would You help all of those who have lived through the pain of divorce to fight against the urge to build walls to protect themselves from being hurt. Help them to see that these walls are not only keeping people out but keeping You at a distance too. Jesus, help them begin to tear down walls and begin to trust again so that they are free to love and be loved. Today, I pray specifically for ___________ (a divorced person that you know). Lord, I ask for a word of encouragement and love to speak to him/her. Pause and wait until you sense something from God. Here’s the KEY! It’s not fully prophetic until you speak it out. Use that word to build someone up today and let them know you’re praying and that God sees them too! This is a great type of prayer to practice often to cultivate an ear for God’s voice. Ask Him to speak something to you today too about the walls that you may be building. “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:1-5) “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3)