Good morning Gems!!!
I can't believe it! We have two days left before we begin the 40 day prayer challenge. This is going to be an intentional prayer challenge that will change my life in many ways. I am so excited for this! I am also nervous about this challenge.
Why I'm excited?
I'm excited for this challenge because I've been feeling the push to pray more, to spend more intentional quality time with God and to learn more about prayer for the past year, but I never did anything about it. I know (intercessory) prayer will be one of my powerful gifts once I get past some barriers and really embrace it. To break those barriers I need to grow in my own personal prayer life.
Why I'm nervous?
I'm nervous because I know this isn't going to be an easy journey. I know God is going to say some things I don't want to hear and even deny me some things in order for me to come to full capacity with my prayer life and faith walk. I know this is going to force me to be more vulnerable and open than I've ever been. I know this is going to have me frustrated and in tears. I know this is going to pull me away from some habits (good and bad). It's going to change me and though I want the change I am still nervous about it.
My expectations...
I am expecting God to show up and reveal Himself to me over the course of the 40 days. I am expecting for me to completely open myself to Him. I am expecting a new heart posture. I am expecting to walk away with a better understanding of prayer. I am expecting to be able to pray with a bit more confidence and be a little bit more bolder with verbal prayer. I am expecting to WANT to pray every single moment once this challenge is over.
Preparation...
Now is the time to prepare your mind and space for this challenge. The challenge itself should take no more than 20-30 mins a day. Make sure you have the following set for March 1st:
A quiet space is needed so that you can pray and read your Bible without distraction. The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:6 -
A journal should be with you so that you can answer the prompt, write out your prayer, write down your thoughts or even write down what you hear from God. Journaling will keep you focused and intentional and allow you to get your thoughts and emotions down on paper and not just jumbled in your mind.
A Bible is essential for reading the scripture of the day, praying scripture over yourself or maybe even letting God speak to you through a scripture He plants in your heart. It can be a study Bible, journaling Bible or the most basic Bible. As long as there is a Bible present.
Ambiance is one of those things that's not essential, but it helps to keep you motivated. For me I like to light candles, play soft nature sounds and keep the lighting in my room dim. It helps me to stay calm during my time and comfortable. I may even pull out my yoga mat to sit on. It's all up to you and your preference.
The biggest tip that I can give to you, especially if you're doing this early in the morning or late at night...STAY OFF THE BED! Get out of your bedroom if you can. You will struggle with feeling tired. If you are in your room, pray that you remain focused and that you don't get tired.
WARNING: During this challenge you will find that you may be uncomfortable and not know what to pray about it. That is okay. Even if you have to sit in silence or just cry, stick to praying!
If you haven't already seen my post on the books and "tools" I'll be using for this challenge check it out this post!
Are you joining in? What are you most excited about? Are you nervous about this challenge? What are you expecting to get out of this challenge?
I pray you are ready to embark on this journey with me!
Blessings,I can't believe it! We have two days left before we begin the 40 day prayer challenge. This is going to be an intentional prayer challenge that will change my life in many ways. I am so excited for this! I am also nervous about this challenge.
I'm excited for this challenge because I've been feeling the push to pray more, to spend more intentional quality time with God and to learn more about prayer for the past year, but I never did anything about it. I know (intercessory) prayer will be one of my powerful gifts once I get past some barriers and really embrace it. To break those barriers I need to grow in my own personal prayer life.
Why I'm nervous?
I'm nervous because I know this isn't going to be an easy journey. I know God is going to say some things I don't want to hear and even deny me some things in order for me to come to full capacity with my prayer life and faith walk. I know this is going to force me to be more vulnerable and open than I've ever been. I know this is going to have me frustrated and in tears. I know this is going to pull me away from some habits (good and bad). It's going to change me and though I want the change I am still nervous about it.
My expectations...
I am expecting God to show up and reveal Himself to me over the course of the 40 days. I am expecting for me to completely open myself to Him. I am expecting a new heart posture. I am expecting to walk away with a better understanding of prayer. I am expecting to be able to pray with a bit more confidence and be a little bit more bolder with verbal prayer. I am expecting to WANT to pray every single moment once this challenge is over.
Preparation...
Now is the time to prepare your mind and space for this challenge. The challenge itself should take no more than 20-30 mins a day. Make sure you have the following set for March 1st:
- A quiet space
- A set time
- A journal to write your prayers and thoughts
- A Bible
- Set the ambiance
A quiet space is needed so that you can pray and read your Bible without distraction. The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:6 -
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.Make sure the place you pray is away from others, if possible. You want minimal distractions so that you can focus on praying and truly being with God. That includes putting your phone either on silent, do not disturb and turning off your notifications for your time of prayer -- I'd even say keep your phone in separate room or away from you at this time.
A journal should be with you so that you can answer the prompt, write out your prayer, write down your thoughts or even write down what you hear from God. Journaling will keep you focused and intentional and allow you to get your thoughts and emotions down on paper and not just jumbled in your mind.
A Bible is essential for reading the scripture of the day, praying scripture over yourself or maybe even letting God speak to you through a scripture He plants in your heart. It can be a study Bible, journaling Bible or the most basic Bible. As long as there is a Bible present.
Ambiance is one of those things that's not essential, but it helps to keep you motivated. For me I like to light candles, play soft nature sounds and keep the lighting in my room dim. It helps me to stay calm during my time and comfortable. I may even pull out my yoga mat to sit on. It's all up to you and your preference.
The biggest tip that I can give to you, especially if you're doing this early in the morning or late at night...STAY OFF THE BED! Get out of your bedroom if you can. You will struggle with feeling tired. If you are in your room, pray that you remain focused and that you don't get tired.
WARNING: During this challenge you will find that you may be uncomfortable and not know what to pray about it. That is okay. Even if you have to sit in silence or just cry, stick to praying!
If you haven't already seen my post on the books and "tools" I'll be using for this challenge check it out this post!
Are you joining in? What are you most excited about? Are you nervous about this challenge? What are you expecting to get out of this challenge?
I pray you are ready to embark on this journey with me!
ReplyDeleteI'm late but I dobhsvr done of the items and I'll start April 1st
Sorry for the late response! I pray you enjoyed the challenge.
Delete
ReplyDeleteI'm late but I dobhsvr done of the items and I'll start April 1st