Over the next forty days, we will use this site to post the prayers for each of the forty days.  These prayers mimic those found in the Forty Days of Prayer booklet, and give you another way to access these prayers.  We’ve discovered people, outside of our church, in other cities and states, who want to join us in these prayers.  This seemed like the easiest way to make these prayers available.  In time, this blog site may expand to offer you more information.  Use this site now, though, to invite others to pray with us!

The format for the following is straightforward.  Each day we will post a passage from the Word of God, a brief meditation thought, and then a prayer.  These passages, thoughts, and prayers, are the exact duplicates of what is contained in our prayer books.

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Commitment — All or Nothing

What is your definition of commitment?  What does that word mean to you?  If you were to choose an example of commitment as a model, who or what would you chose?

We understand the importance of commitment to a marriage vow.  It is very discouraging when we see couples break their commitment to each other and to their families.

In an economy such as ours today, we know the vital importance of being committed to our jobs and places of employment.  With so many unemployed in our country, the job market has become extremely competitive.  Coming in early and staying late, volunteering for additional work or special projects are some ways to show commitment to your jobs.

Doesn’t the call to follow Christ require dedication and commitment?  How do you feel about those who have a half-hearted commitment to Jesus and His church?  The more important question to ask, “How does God feel about a half-hearted commitment to His Son?”

The challenge of the first eight days of prayer is to examine our commitment to following Christ.  What does it mean to you?  If God acted like a coach, would He keep me on the team or dismiss me from the team for lack of commitment and dedication?

Living a God-centered life requires a huge level of commitment.  For Jesus, it is all or nothing!  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it,” (Matthew 16:24, 25)

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Day One of the Forty Days of Prayer (January 2, 2011)

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NIV)
“Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts.”

Meditation Thought:  Being God-Centered means everything revoles around Him.  EVERYTHING!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, there is no God like You!  I pray to have You Lord of my life.  It is so easy for me to let the distractions of life and the cultural call of our world to keep me from being focused on Your will for my  life.  Give me strength to re-examine my walk with You, and to seek to make You the center of my life.  I pray that I will learn what it means to have Your “commandments on my heart.”  I pray for You to be the Lord of my life.  I pray that my life will be lived in worship to You.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.