Praying Hands
JOIN US FOR A 40-DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE
EXPERIENCE A GREATER CONNECTION WITH GOD AS WELL AS A DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR PRAYER
40 days of prayer
Praying Hands
JOIN US FOR A 40-DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE
EXPERIENCE A GREATER CONNECTION WITH GOD AS WELL AS A DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR PRAYER
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. “
LVC Focus: Abiding in Christ
• Pray that our lives will remain connected “in Jesus”, faithful and focused on Him
• Pray any hinderance to our relationship with Jesus will be eliminated
• Pray that LVC will bear much fruit (transformed lives) for the kingdom of Jesus
Hebrews 13:17
“Obey your spiritual leaders and be willing to do what they say. For their work is to watch over your souls, and God will judge them on how well they do this. Give them reason to report joyfully about you to the Lord and not with sorrow, for then you will suffer for it too.”
LVC Ministry Focus: Elders (John Czech, June Sather, Joe Prillwitz, Paul Ashwood)
• Pray for God to protect our leaders from the attacks of Satan
• Pray they walk humbly and faithfully with God
• Pray they have wisdom and courage to lead LVC as they obey God’s Word
• Pray the congregation will joyfully follow leadership as leadership obediently follows Christ
Daniel 9:18
“Oh my God, listen to me and hear my request . . .We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.”
LVC Focus: Need for God
• Pray that LVC recognizes the constant need for God in every person and ministry
• Pray there is an urgency to our prayers knowing we are at God’s mercy
• Thank the Lord for His mercy, understanding we do not get what we deserve
1 Corinthians 12:25
“…have equal concern for each other.”
LVC Ministry Focus: Congregational Care Ministry - Director June Sather
• Pray for our “shut ins” and those unable to physically attend our Sunday gatherings
• Pray for physical and mental strength and spiritual faithfulness to the Lord Jesus
• Pray for the development of the Care Team and wisdom to carry our the meeting of needs.
• Pray God would give us a greater awareness and a deeper compassion for those around us.
Romans 12:3-8
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do you think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
LVC Focus: Serving One Another
• Pray for “sober judgment” of ourselves, thinking accurately of ourselves
• Pray for unity at LVC, serving one another in love
• Pray members of LVC will discover and develop the spiritual giftedness God gave them
• Pray each member realizes their value to God and to His kingdom work
• Pray God provides LVC members with a servant heart sand humility
1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
LVC Ministry Focus: Youth - Directors Pastor John (J Money) and Alison Czech (A Team)
• Pray for the spiritual growth of each 6th -12 grader, that the group would grow in size
• Pray new kids would feel welcomed, that friendships would be deep and lasting
• Pray the kids experience God in their own way and know they are loved by God
• Pray our kids are examples of Jesus in their schools
Romans 12:9-13
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
LVC Focus: Spiritual Vitality
• Pray LVC would be loving and truthful in their relationships
• Pray we love what is good and hate what is evil
• Pray for zeal as we serve God and others
• Pray we are devoted to one another, sharing with others in need
Matthew 10:42
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
LVC Ministry Focus: Hospitality - Director Carol Menke
• Pray Carol and her team continue to have an amazing positive attitude on Sunday am.
• Pray the hospitality team will grow
• Pray for positive, helpful connections and conversation during “Coffee hour”
Exodus 20: 12
“Honor your father and your mother…”
LVC Focus: Following the 5th Commandment
• Pray that no matter our stage in life or the age of our parents we would honor them
• Pray for those who have experienced trauma/abuse by their parents
• Pray that parents would have wisdom to raise their children according to Scripture
• Pray for reconciliation between parents and children estranged
Deuteronomy 6: 5-7
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
LVC Ministry Focus: Family Life Ministry - Director Kelly Czech
• Pray for the families of LVC, God would be at the “core” of all their relationships
• Pray for our nursery children and elementary children
• Pray for the families of Hudson, Covid-19 has caused many issues related to isolation, education and mental health
• Pray for a new director by this fall who has a passionate love for Jesus and has a heart for families. Pray they are gifted administrators and communicators of God’s love
Romans 12: 14
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…”
LVC Focus: Blessing Others
• Pray for those who are against the Gospel, that they are blessed by God and turn to Him
• Pray that our response to those who disagree with the Gospel would be patient and loving
• Pray we would weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice
• Pray we would be ready to handle persecution that comes our way
Romans 12: 14
“…Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn…”
LVC Ministry Focus: Those impacted by the recent pandemic and other illnesses
• Pray for all who are mourning the loss of a loved one, either recently or in the last few years.
• Pray for healing for those who have developed depression as a result of their loss.
• Pray for all those who are so down, that they are considering taking their own life, pray
that they will be comforted, pray that they will find hope, love and a reason to live.
• Pray LVC will comfort those who are struggling with physical and mental issues
Luke 10:1-5
“After this the Lord appointed seventy two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to go. He told them, "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest field.”
LVC Focus: Outreach
• Pray to God for opportunities to get to know your neighbors, as you walk past your neighbors houses, pray a blessing over their houses.
• Pray for open doors to share with those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus
• Pray we have an understanding that we are commissioned to reach the lost
• Pray the Lord of the harvest will send out more workers into the harvest
Matthew 5: 13-16
“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
LVC Focus: Light and Salt in the World
• Pray LVC understands that we are the “salt of the earth” to our neighbors, leading lives that are attractive to others.
• Pray to God that your house will become a house of prayer, that will impact your street.
• Pray the people of Hudson will see LVC’s good works and be drawn to Jesus
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
LVC Focus: Healing to our Culture
• Pray God’s people humble themselves and seek God’ face
• Pray God’s people repent and turn from wicked ways
• Pray God’s people will seek forgiveness of sin
• Pray God heals our culture, through repentance and coming to Jesus
2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
LVC Focus: Adult Education- Director Dr. Paul Norby
• Pray the Gospel will be clearly heard at LVC and people will respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit
• Pray for the Leadership of the Life Groups
• Pray for the Sunday morning teaching on the book of Acts, for clear understanding and application
• Pray for participation within our Life Groups
• For Adults to grow in grace, knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ
Psalm 96:9
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness…”
LVC Focus: Praise Team - Director Chris Ashwood
• Pray for creative ideas amongst the Praise Team
• Pray the praise team remains focused on our motive: Serve and Please Jesus
• Pray the praise team grows in their faith and walk with Jesus
• Pray for the patience and excellence of the team as several “moving parts” are involved in a Sunday gathering, music, cameras, sound, slides etc….
• Pray for more people to join the team, especially the younger generation
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
LVC Focus: Loving the Lost
• Pray we have eyes opened to the lost and perishing all around us
• Pray we recognize what is stake in our mission: eternal life
• Pray we are thankful for our own salvation and motivated to share with others
• Pray God uses His Word to open minds and soften hearts to the Gospel
Romans 12: 1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
LVC
Focus: Living Sacrifices
•
Pray
for everyone to offer themselves to God as living sacrifice, daily dying to
self
• Pray that our attitude would be “not my will Lord, but yours be done”
• Pray our goal is to be pleasing to God in all aspects of our lives
Romans 13: 1
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
LVC Focus: Governing Authorities
• Pray for our local government officials, mayor, school boards
• Pray for our police officers and their safety
• Pray for our regional governments (Wisconsin, Minnesota)
• Pray for our national government -President, Senate, Congress
Isaiah 6:1-7
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were the seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and the thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me! I cried. " I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty."
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
LVC Focus: Holiness
• Pray LVC would see the Lord as King, Holy, high and lifted up!
• Pray LVC would be quick to confess sin and forgive the sins of others
• Pray LVC would live Holy and godly lives
Ephesians 4:15
“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”
LVC Focus: Church Communication Director - Kacie Paine
• Pray Kacie has ongoing wisdom of what and how much communication is needed
• Pray Kacie has the patience and guidance to deal with website, software & database issues and updates
• Pray Kacie has wisdom to communicate with those outside the church about our church
• Pray a blessing on Kacie, husband Eric and her children Preslee and Xander
Acts 2:42-47
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together and had everything in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
LVC Focus: Being the Church
• Pray LVC would continually follow the teaching of the Bible
• Pray LVC would generous with their time, talents and their treasure
• Pray LVC is sensitive to the needs of the body of Christ and the lost
• Pray LVC will grow in health and in numbers
Joshua 1:8-9
“Do not let Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
LVC Focus: Obedience to God’s Word
• Pray LVC will be careful to obey all that God commands to do
• Pray LVC would remember the Lord God is with them as they obey
• Pray LVC would not be fearful but courageous in the Lord
• Pray LVC would continually encourage one another
James 4:1-6
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on pleasures….But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:" God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
LVC Focus: Unity in the Church
• Pray LVC would walk humbly and selflessly before God and others
• Pray LVC would guard against any infighting or division
• Pray LVC would and evil desires that would blind us to the cares and needs of others
• Pray LVC would ask for forgiveness for any selfish attitudes or actions
Ephesians 4:11-13
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”
LVC Focus: Lead Pastor, John Czech
• Pray Pastor John continually walks humbly before God
• Pray Pastor John is filled with the Spirit of God to lead and guide him
• Pray Pastor John hears the Spirit of God in preparation of messages
• Pray Pastor John walks in holiness before God
• Pray Pastor John has joy in leading and guiding LVC
Colossians 1:9-12
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
LVC Focus: Living a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way
Pray LVC will honor the Lord in our lifestyles
Pray LVC will grow in knowledge of the Lord’s will and submit to it
Pray LVC will bear fruit in transformed lives
Pray LVC will collectively grow in our knowledge of God and His Word
Pray LVC will experience deep joy in doing God’s will and the realization of their divine inheritance
Colossians 1:15-18
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”
LVC Focus: The Supremacy of Jesus Christ
• Pray LVC worships Jesus as the one who is before All and over ALL
• Pray LVC worships Jesus as creator and sustainer of ALL things
• Pray LVC surrenders to Jesus and the one who is supreme over ALL things seen and unseen
John 9:29-39
“We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” The (formerly blind) man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said,“For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
LVC Focus: Spiritual Blindness
• Pray LVC rejoices in Jesus opening our eyes to see Him and the truth of the gospel
• Pray LVC follows the example of the blind man by “believing and worshipping Jesus”
• Pray for those who are still spiritually blinded that they too might have their minds opened to truth about Jesus Christ
John 10:9-16
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
LVC Focus: Jesus as Shepherd
Pray for anyone at LVC who as of yet has not walked through the “gate” (Jesus) for salvation
Pray LVC would experience life in Jesus to the fullest
Pray LVC would know the voice of Jesus and follow it Pray for the sheep who are not yet in the “sheep pen” that they might come to know Jesus
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
"Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
LVC Focus: Believing in Jesus Promises Eternal Life
Pray LVC will trust in the sadness of death to remember and believe Jesus is life.
Pray LVC will have confidence and hope that they will never die spiritually.
Pray LVC will share with others who are not confident in this truth that Jesus is the resurrection and life Pray LVC will live in light of the truth of eternal life, thankful, joyful humble, sharing
John 12:1-3
"Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
LVC Focus: Sacrificing for Jesus
Pray LVC understands there is no sacrifice we can make for Jesus (Time, Talents, Treasure), that is too great to make for Him
Pray LVC would be willing to give their very best to Jesus in every area of their lives
Pray LVC would create a beautiful fragrance for all to experience through their sacrifices
John 11: 41-44
“So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
LVC Focus: Removing the grave clothes
Pray for those unbelievers who are or will be attending LVC at Easter that they may hear the voice of Jesus calling them from the dead. Pray for those who are unbelievers that they would come out of their “graves” and into a new life in Jesus. Pray LVC would assist in the removal of the “grave clothes” of all who come to know Jesus, helping them “let go” into their new life
John 12:46-50
“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know His commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
LVC Focus: The Light of the World
Thank the Lord for being the light of the world and being the light of our soul
Pray for family and friends who still remain in the darkness that they may come to the light
Pray LVC would be the light of Jesus in Hudson and surrounding communities.
Matthew 26: 26-29
“Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
LVC Focus: Overwhelming Gift
Pray LVC lives in light of the sacrifice and gift Jesus gave to us at the cross-forgiveness of sin
Pray LVC recognizes how blessed we are to recognize the broken body and blood of Jesus
Pray for those who are not yet followers that they may “take and eat and drink” of Jesus
John 18:33-38
“Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”What is truth?” retorted Pilate.”
LVC Focus: Truth
Pray LVC that God’s Kingdom and our home is not of this world
Pray LVC continually worships Jesus as King surrendering to His authority
Pray LVC is grateful to know the truth and humble to live in it
John 13:13-17
“When He had finished washing their feet, He put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
LVC Focus: Blessed to be a blessing
Pray LVC understands we are to follow Jesus’ example of serving one another
Pray LVC understands serving includes starting and finishing our tasks
Pray LVC understands that blessing from God is based on obeying God
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us! But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
LVC Focus: Getting into Paradise
Pray LVC has a true sense of the “fear of God”
Pray LVC has the humility to admit sin and ask Jesus for forgiveness
Pray LVC will know individually they will hear from Jesus “I will be with you in Paradise.”
Colossians 1:13,14
“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
LVC Focus: Rescued!
Pray LVC understands the magnitude of being rescued from the kingdom of darkness
Pray LVC will rejoice in our spiritual freedom
Pray LVC rejoice to be a part of the kingdom of the Son!
Matthew 28:1-6
"Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.“He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”
LVC Focus: Christ Resurrected!
Praise God for the truth and power of the resurrection
Praise God that because of the resurrection death has no ultimate power over us
Praise God that the resurrection proved who Jesus claimed to be: God!
Pray LVC will live and rejoice in the power of the resurrection on a daily basis
Pray for our family, friends and acquaintances that yet do not believe
40 Days of Prayer
Throughout history God has called His people to a deeper spiritual experience and renewed commitment to live totally for Him. Abraham received the invitation to walk closely with God and to live a life of faithfulness. Moses had this experience through a powerful wilderness encounter, as well as a daily experience as he led God’s people out of captivity. The call to revival and reformation has been issued through prophets like Elijah and kings like Josiah. John the Baptist called for spiritual revival and reformation of lifestyle as he anticipated the coming of the Lord Jesus. The disciples were led to this experience, and it opened the door to receive the Holy Spirit in its fullness for the proclamation of the Gospel.
Just as they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the gospel to the nations, were are tasked with the same mission. (Matt. 28:18-20)
The disciples were instructed by Jesus to stay in Jerusalem to pray and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came to cleanse and empower this brand new church in Jerusalem.
In a very similar way, the church today is called to pray, we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit to accomplish the very same mission God gave to the first disciples.
With that as a backdrop, the leadership of Living Vine church is calling and encouraging the Living Vine congregation to participate in 40 days of prayer. Starting March 1 and concluding on Easter morning April 9.
You may ask, ‘why 40 days?’ Because the number 40 is a significant number in the Bible.
The world wide flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights, Moses lived 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the desert, spent 40 days up on Mt. Sinai and the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, you guessed it 40 years!
Jonah preached to Ninevah for 40 days, Elijah fasted for 40 days, and before starting His public ministry Jesus prayed/fasted in the wilderness for 40 days.
40 is a number God has used to bring about profound change and impact.
Starting Wednesday March 1, we are asking of God in a more focused way to bring about change, in our own hearts, our community and culture and a readiness for Him to work in us and through us to bring major impact.
Beside the focused prayer in our Sunday morning gathering there will be available (hard copies and the LVC website) daily prayer requests, daily Scripture and a specific focus.
We are also going to hold a special prayer time on March 26 at 4:00pm (2 weeks before Easter) to pray as a congregation.
This will be a time of thanksgiving, sharing and overall seeking God’s face for His Spirit to fall afresh on us.