Innholdsfortegnelse for August/September 2022 i 60 Days of Prayer

IN THE ABOVE verse, the servant’s eyes are opened to another realm, and he sees God’s mighty army protecting them. As your faith grows, your “spiritual vision” will become more transparent, and you will be able to clearly see God working in your life and the lives of those around you. Lord, help us to have spiritual eyes so we may see Your wondrous works.…

LIFE IS AN exciting adventure. As much as we want to believe that we can know what tomorrow, or even next month, will bring, the truth is there is no guarantee that what we plan will happen. The only thing we can truly be sure of is that God watches over us, helping us through life’s ups and downs. He guides us to see the beauty in the present. Dear Lord, Your promise is unchangeable. Because of You, I can feel safe on this glorious, unpredictable journey.…

TAKE A MOMENT and reflect on the wonder and joy of childhood. Do you still approach the beauty of the world, the sunrises and flowers, with joyful abandon? God is your Father. He longs for you to accept His gentle reassurance that no matter what questions or concerns are pressing on your heart, you can awaken the spark of joy that lives inside you. Heavenly Father, when I am feeling burdened by the weight of responsibilities, remind me to lean on You, for You are my Father and I am Your child.…

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE power that a small gesture of kindness can bring to the world. When you feel the nudge to reach out to someone, pray on their behalf or encourage them with a compliment, don’t hold back. You may never know what your light does for someone who desperately needs it. But God knows. Light of the World, guide me to be a beacon of Your love, brightening another’s day.…

HAVE YOU EVER been called to a goal, and yet the doors of opportunity refuse to open? Are you tempted to quit? Pray. Ask God to help you understand why He has placed this passion in your heart. If you feel that He is encouraging you to keep at it, ask Him to help you see the lessons you are learning along the way. Heavenly Father, help me to be patient, to see the value in trying my best even when the results are slow. No matter how many times I may fall, I will always get up and keep going.…

THE NEXT TIME you are worried about something, remember that Jesus’ perfect love can cast out your fear. The same God that created the vastness of the universe lives inside you. Focus on His wonderous and mysterious presence as the center and foundation of your being. Lord, I know that the hope of glory lives inside me and I have nothing to fear!…

NO SITUATION IS ever helpless. God isn’t limited to the laws of the world or confined by the laws of nature. When something seems impossible, this verse is encouraging you to believe that anything is possible, anything can truly happen. Lord Jesus, I have faith that You can move mountains. I have the faith to pray impossible prayers.…

LIFE HAS A way of surprising us with events that catch us off guard or plans that turn out differently than our expectations. When you feel upset or disappointed, turn to Him and trust His goodness. It’s been said that life’s disappointments can become divine appointments—important times that lead us to strengthen our connection with God. Lord, help me to see Your goodness when I am feeling lost and upset. Lead me to let go of my misguided expectations for Your plans.…

AUTHOR C.S. LEWIS wrote, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” We are all spiritual beings with a desire from within for something greater. Reaching out to God and developing a relationship with Him fills your day, and your life, with meaning. Heavenly Father, earthly blessings are wonderful, but only Your love can truly satisfy me.…

JESUS PUBLICLY PRAYED to benefit those around Him and foster their faith. He wanted others to witness Lazarus coming back to life, proof of God’s sovereign power. He wanted to prove, without a doubt, that God hears and answers prayers. Do you share your experience of answered prayers with others? Heavenly Father, may the answered prayers of believers reach those who need a boost of faith.…

IT’S BEEN MORE than two decades since we experienced the devastating tragedy of September 11th. Reflect on the healing that has come since that day and the power of knowing that God has been with us, helping us through the pain and anguish of destruction and guiding us to be good to one another. Dear Lord, on this solemn anniversary, we give thanks for Your presence in our time of need and remember all those affected by this tragedy. We pray for healing, harmony, peace and serenity.…

GOD’S WORD HAS the power to transform your life. Follow His instructions and you will grow and change in ways you never imagined! When you open your heart and let His Word in, you will experience the most powerful force of mankind. Lord, the power of Your Word is an incredible force that holds me steady and encourages me.…

WHEN YOU NEED to make an important decision, start the process by turning to God. State the situation and be still, wait and listen. He often speaks in whispers. Perhaps He will send a friend to help you discern what you need to do, or He will nudge you onto the right path. To become wise, seek His wisdom and live according to His Word. Heavenly Father, fill my mind with Your wisdom and give me the courage to follow Your instructions, even if they differ from my thinking.…

WHEN JESUS ENCOUNTERED a man possessed by darkness, He spoke to the demons and drove them away. The man wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus told him to return and tell others of his experience. Jesus not only transformed the man, but changed his tragic life story to a message of hope and love. Lord God, You have made miracles in my life too! Guide me where and when to share my testimony with others.…

DORCAS WAS A faithful follower of Christ. When she died, her friends called Peter and showed him the beautiful garments she had made for the widows. Peter was moved by her life’s work and prayed at her bedside. Miraculously, Dorcus was brought back to life! Dorcas devoted her life to serving God, and God gave her back her life. Lord, my greatest purpose is to serve You faithfully by being of service to others.…

DO YOU FOLLOW Jesus’ example and strive to forgive others and release grudges you have against those who have harmed you? By opening your heart to forgiveness, you heal the hurt that lives inside you, and can draw closer to God, the true source of joy and love. Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of forgiveness, which sets me free from the pain of the past and opens up a future that is filled with Your glory.…

HAVE YOU EVER been faced with a challenging decision that you prayed about? Then, after moving ahead, you worry about whether or not you’ve made the right choice? Perhaps the road ahead is more difficult than you thought, and you fear you’ve made a mistake. If this happens, rely on your faith. Persist in prayer, and ask Jesus to clear your thinking and light the path ahead. Heavenly Father, You will keep me in perfect peace because I trust You.…

JESUS TEACHES THAT the most effective leaders are not the most bold or courageous. The best leaders are motivated by serving others; they see people in need and look for ways to help them. How can you be a compassionate leader among your loved ones? Dear God, may we all lead by serving others and working for the greater good of all.…

HAVE YOU BEEN in a situation where you made a decision based on fear? When you live your life letting worry or panic control you, you aren’t free. Instead, focus on God’s goodness. His love can help you stand up to whatever is causing you anxiety. With Him by your side, there is nothing to fear. Lord, because of You I can live my life confidently, boldly making the right choices.…

NO DOUBT ABOUT it, aging can be difficult. If you fall into the trap of feeling as if your best days are behind you, remind yourself that you are being renewed day by day. You are extraordinary, today, right now. Priceless in the eyes of God. Embrace your worth! Lord, help me to age gracefully—to live hopefully, looking forward to the blessings ahead.…

IT CAN BE impossible to hear God’s voice when you are listening to your own voice whisper words of discouragement or confusion. When you are unable to quiet your mind, ask the Holy Spirit to help remove the background noise so you can tune into His instructions. Heavenly Father, silence the chatter in my mind so that I can clearly hear Your Word.…

IRISH POET JOSEPH M. Scriven penned the words, “Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!” This ultimately became the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Today recognize the gift your unique relationship with God truly is! Dear Lord, as I grow closer to You, every aspect of my life bears witness to Your unfailing love.…

DEVELOPING A DAILY habit of recognizing things you are thankful for is vital for your spiritual health. When you appreciate the good things, you feel hopeful about the future. Even in tough times, when challenges seem overwhelming—if you look closely, you can find God’s blessings. Lord, I am content with what I have and trust You to take care of the future.…

GOD GIVES GRACE to the humble. Ask Him to help you release whatever prideful qualities are holding you back: seeking attention from others, judging friends and loved ones and feeling superior to them or feeling upset when you aren’t recognized for an accomplishment. Lord, help me understand what it truly means to lead a humble life. How You see me is all that matters.…

JAMES AND JOHN were given the nicknames Sons of Thunder by Jesus, as they were brothers known for their fiery temperaments. Yet by the end of their lives, they were redeemed—beloved by those around them, completely transformed by the power of Jesus. God can do the same for you! Father in Heaven, smooth my rough edges. Help me be a peacemaker.…

GUIDEPOSTS FOUNDER, NORMAN Vincent Peale, said, “Always in the darkness, watching over you, is your Heavenly Father. His angels are keeping watch, banishing all fears.” Reflect on the intensity of God’s loving care for you. Trust that He sends His heavenly messengers to guide and protect you. My Loving God, thank You for sending angels to light my way and keep me safe.…

GOD HAS PROMISED to provide for your every need. Yet some of us allow greed, laziness or doubt to keep us from rightfully accepting His gifts. If you follow His instructions, you will experience the very best that God has for you. Lord, thank You for understanding me—and my shortcomings—and loving me anyway.…

THE ABOVE TRANSLATION captures the statement that timing is everything. You can do everything right and somehow things just don’t work out. A key to success is trusting His timing and His will. Even Jesus told His mother and the disciples that His time had not yet come. Dear God, I am waiting patiently for You to direct my next steps. What should I do right now?…

THE SYRIAN LEADER Naaman suffered from leprosy and had his doubts that he could be healed by the prophet Elisha’s simple instructions to bathe in the Jordan River. Yet he listened to the urging of his servants, followed the directions and was healed. God’s message—His answer—is often simple. Are you overlooking a nudge because it seems too simple? Lord, I hope my own foolish doubts don’t get in the way of following Your plan.…

THE DISCIPLES MET with Jesus shortly before His ascension. They worshiped Him as the risen Savior, yet they were unsure of how to respond to Him. Sometimes you may also feel unsure about how to respond to Him. When your prayers seem unanswered, or when you doubt His presence, know that this uncertainty is part of your growing faith journey. He knows what you are going through. Father God, help me share my heart with You fully and honestly.…

THE PROPHET JEREMIAH was punished and imprisoned for sharing God’s message. Yet, he was faithful and obedient, following God’s instructions and completing his life’s mission. To those around him, he was most likely judged as a failure. Reflect on how man often measures success using different standards than God’s. Almighty God, give me strength when I am under pressure so that I can faithfully serve You.…

THE HOLY SPIRIT can help you decipher the deepest mysteries of Jesus’ teaching. When you are perplexed by the meaning of Scripture, humbly look to Jesus and His Spirit, and ask for help in comprehending difficult passages. Trust that you are receiving the message you need to hear. Lord, You know me better than I know myself. I praise You for Your infinite wisdom.…

TRUSTING GOD WHEN things aren’t going your way can be very challenging. In the above passage, Saul felt that he was running out of time. Impatient and worried, he acted against God’s will and suffered the consequences. The next time you are experiencing a waiting period, don’t let your impatience overpower your desire to please God. Heavenly Father, help me keep the faith and follow Your instructions no matter how difficult it might be.…

SOME PEOPLE MAKE the mistake of believing contentment and inner peace are dependent upon things out of reach. Instead of falling into this trap, reflect on the blessings you have right now. Begin with the simple and obvious: You are breathing, you have a relationship with God, the sky is gorgeous. Smile. Contentment and inner peace are right here, within you, right now. Lord, when I feel restless, remind me that You have given me the freedom to be content and live righteously, right here and now.…

SOME CHRISTIANS SEE the sand dollar as a symbol of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection. In addition to the outer markings, the inside holds five pieces that are shaped like tiny white doves—representing the gospel of peace. God has filled the world with many treasures for us to find. Today, look and take notice of His work. Heavenly Father, I praise You for the many beautiful ways You convey Your message.…

IN THE ABOVE verse, Jesus seems displeased with His followers. Despite witnessing miracles, they still had doubts. Yet Jesus continued to heal and answer prayers. When you have doubts, focus on this Scripture and know that even the disciples questioned their faith—and Jesus continued to answer their prayers. Dear Lord, thank You for understanding the “unbelieving and perverse generation” and for teaching us how to pray in spite of our shortcomings.…

FORGIVING OTHERS IS an ongoing challenge. Perhaps there is someone in your life who pushes your buttons or is difficult to have a relationship with. God asks us to mirror the love He has for each of us, forgiving us as often as needed. Strive to be as generous with your love. Heavenly Father, help me to let go of anger and resentment and forgive those who have wronged me.…

WHEN THE ISRAELITES were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army, they cried out to the Lord and feared they had made a terrible mistake by leaving Egypt. Soon they discovered the blessing of going forward despite all doubts. When you feel ensnared in a situation, press forward and trust that God will make a way. Lord, when You call me to do something bigger than I feel I can handle, help me remember that You are working through me.…

CHARLES SPURGEON SAID, “Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.” This is the upside to adversity. Not only do challenges reveal our character—they help us strengthen it. Only when you are navigating a difficult situation do you realize how strong and resilient you truly are. Lord, tough times have been a great teacher to me. I am grateful that Your strength is my light leading me forward.…

THIS GLORIOUS VERSE is perfect to turn to when you feel as if you’re in over your head. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that Jesus can calm even the most frightening storms. Have faith and be patient. You can be steady even in the roughest waters when you recognize that Jesus is at the helm. Lord, because of You, I can have peace during the storms of life.…

IT’S BEEN SAID that just when you are tempted to give up comes the exact moment when the tides will turn in your favor. When you are thinking about quitting something, instead focus on God’s promise that He will never leave you. He is faithful, and by focusing on His steadfast promise to never let you go, you will gain the fortitude to finish. Lord, when I am struggling, pick me up and encourage me to keep going.…

GOD WANTS US to serve all people. Follow Jesus’ model of love where He ministered to everyone who needed His help. Regardless of status, He cared for lepers and people possessed by demons. Jesus taught that the most revered people are not those at the top of the social ladder, but the most humble. Merciful God, show me where I can make an impact by helping someone who needs to feel Your love.…

THE PHRASE, “AND it came to pass” is found more than 400 times in the Bible. When you need encouragement, focus on God and trust that He will bring you through the hard times. What you are experiencing is temporary. It will pass, and life will go on. Look for His hand and trust that better days are ahead. Lord, thank You for reminding me that no matter what I am going through, this too shall pass!…

THE UNNAMED WIDOW who Elijah asked for food had given up hope. She had nothing left, and yet she shared what little she had with him. Her act of obedience and generosity is an example of how we should serve others. God rewards those who respond to His calls courageously and unselfishly. Often, helping others is the key to restoring our own hope. Heavenly Father, help me to give as freely as You give.…

OSWALD CHAMBERS IS quoted as saying, “We are at this moment as close to God as we really choose to be.” Celebrate making your relationship with Him a priority. Plugging into His word and taking time to share your innermost thoughts and concerns enhances every aspect of your life. Almighty God, thank You for showering me with blessings and giving me everything I need to serve You.…