40 Days of Prayer by Tim Logan

(July 22 - August 30)

What would happen if we awoke each day with a new passion to see God's Glory - a passion to talk to the Lord in prayer and be transformed? We are in the midst of 40 days of prayer. This provides us the opportunity to grow that passion each day as we read prayer thoughts from members of our family. We have the opportunity to go to our Father, not with our wish list or complaints, but to talk to Him and allow Him to reveal Himself to us.

Prayer is the medium that God uses to transform us. It is both fellowship and communication with God. God is drawn to prayer, and He delights in our talking to Him. Through prayer, He releases His blessings in our lives. Christ's disciples requested of Him, “Lord teach us to pray.” They saw something they desired in His communication with the Father, and they wanted to pray in the same manner.

Real prayer is life-changing and allows our will to be given over to God. Since God desires that His house be known as a “House of Prayer,” we must persevere as we seek His answers. Our prayers should not be mere exercises but a continual part of our life. To “pray without ceasing” is to continually offer up prayer in your heart to God as you walk daily with Him.

We see from His words in Matthew 6:16 that Jesus expects his followers to fast as part of their discipleship walk. I would like as many of us as possible to choose a regular time to accompany our prayers with fasting. In His teaching, Jesus makes the assumption that we will do this. My prayer is that this will be a season of surrendering and of growing closer to our God.

Everyone has a packet of prayer cards and the opportunity to approach the Father daily. On August 28-29, we will collectively go before the Father in a 24-hour prayer vigil. May God bless us in our journey.