The 23 Days of Prayer Challenge is intended to help us focus our heart & mind on God as we enter this new year. Whether you have a great prayer life or no prayer life at all, this challenge is a powerful way to start 2023!
We'll end our 23 days of prayer with a Worship Night on Friday, January 27 at 6:30pm!
ONE
Follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook to get the daily prayer topic on our stories
TWO
Set aside time each day for reading the Bible and praying. A daily prayer list has been provided below for you to follow along with us. Invite your family or friends to join you and check in with each other throughout the 23 days.
THREE
Join us on Friday, January 27 at 6:30pm for a WORSHIP NIGHT! We'll come together and celebrate all that God has done during our 23 days of prayer and be expectant of what He will do the rest of the year.
One of the most important disciplines you can develop to become more like Christ is Bible reading. We encourage you to read the Scriptures you'll find each day and journal what you sense God is showing you.
Below are the daily prayer topics you can pray along with us over this challenge. The topics are broken down by our "4 C's of Spiritual Growth". Whether you have a great prayer life or no prayer life at all, this challenge is a powerful way to start 2023!
Day 1 – Pray for God to teach you how to pray (Matthew 6:9-14, Psalm 18:6, & Ephesians 6:18)
Here are two ways you can pray:
- Use the acronym PRAY: Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield to help guide you. Write what you sense God is showing you in a journal.
- Praise: What can you thank God for in regard to the prompt of the day and what you read? How else can you thank God today?
- Repent: In regard to the scripture you read and the prayer subject, what are sins or struggles in your faith and life you need to share with God? Perhaps you know you have not had time for God, or are struggling to love others well. Share those with Him in the confidence of His grace and love for you.
- Ask: In regard to the topic for the day and the scripture read, ask God for help in whatever areas you feel you need His leading. Share your needs with God.
- Yield: After spending some time praying, be quiet. Listen with your spirit to the scriptures you read. What do you feel God is showing you or wanting to impress upon you today? You are highly encouraged to journal what you sense.
- The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-14. Read line by line, pausing in between to add your own prayers and listen to what God may be saying to you.
COMMUNITY
Day 2 – Pray for unity in the church and the world (John 17)
- Pray for:
- Our church leadership (Overseers, staff, ministry leaders)
- Redeemer’s Latino
Day 3 – Pray to find peace in your heart, mind and life through community with others (Philippians 4:4-7)
Day 4 – Pray for any pain in your life and pray for the pain in the lives of others (Psalm 88)
- Pray for:
- Those in our church who are struggling or sick
- Teens who are part of our teen outreach
Day 5 – Pray for humility in your life (Ephesians 4:1-6, Luke 18:9-14)
CONNECTION TO GOD
Day 6 – Pray for your trust in God to grow (Prov 3:5-6, Psalm 9:10, 19:7, 28:7, 31:14, 37:3)
- What area of your life do you sense God is asking you to trust Him more?
Day 7 – Pray that you will live by faith and that your faith will grow (2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11)
Day 8 – Pray for the Spirit’s presence and activity in your life (John 14:15-31)
Day 9 – Pray for God’s grace and help with stress (Matthew 6:25-34)
Day 10 – Pray for when life has you scared (Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 5:11, Romans 8:31-39)
Day 11 – Pray to know and experience God’s love deeper (1 John 4:7-21)
- Pray for new believers to hear the Gospel & also experience God’s love
Day 12 – Offer prayers of adoration and praise to God (Psalm 145)
COMPASSION & SERVICE
Day 13 – Pray that God will lead you to selfless living (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 20:20-28)
Day 14 – Pray for justice in the world (Luke 18:1-10, Luke 4:16-21)
- Pray for our global partners in Furaha, Africa; Costa Rica; Haiti
Day 15 – Pray for the poor, oppressed, and marginalized (Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 58:1-14, Amos 5:21-24)
- Pray for:
- Those living in The Faith House
- Those we serve through the Community Resource Network
Day 16 – Pray to embody true faith (James 1:19-27)
Day 17 – Pray for God to shape your life to be more Christlike (Matthew 5:1-12; Philippians 2:1-11)
- How would God ask you to respond to these readings?
CALLING
Day 18 – Pray to be sent by Christ into your community and the world (Matthew 9:35-10:4)
- What are some ways God may be asking you to use your gifts & skills to serve others?
Day 19 – Pray for who you need to reach out to & check in on to encourage them in faith (Luke 5:17-26, Mark 3: 31-35)
Day 20 – Pray for your work or school & how God can use you where you are (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Day 21 – Pray for where God wants to use your in our church and/or Serve Reedley (Acts 2:37-47, Acts 9:26-31, 1 Peter 2:1-10)
FASTING
Day 22 - Ask for God to speak to you through these scriptures (Matthew 6:16-18; Psalm 35:13)
Day 23 - Ask for God to speak to you through these scriptures (read assigned scriptures from sermon - TBA)
ABOUT FASTING:
Fasting is a practice with a long history amongst God’s people. Spiritual fasting entails setting aside activities as well as reducing the intake of food and replacing these activities with the exercise of prayer and a focus on spiritual concerns. The New Testament word which is translated “fasting” literally means one who has not eaten, one who is empty. We empty ourselves in the short-term so that we can go to God, to depend on Him, and be filled by God and His word.
During this time, as you get hungry, spend time in prayer and scripture and ask God to show you how he would have you depend on Him more. When we fast, we are placing all of our hunger and senses on God’s word to us and how he might want to speak and lead us into these coming days and months of our lives.