“Not by might nor by power,

but by My Spirit says the Lord.”

Zechariah 4:6

7 Day

Prayer

Guide

No program or ministry of the church pleases God if we, members of his family,

fail to cover it in prayer. It’s in our prayer life that we recognize our need and his

capabilities and blessings.

We offer this simple 7 Day Prayer Guide as a foundational basis for our

“Beyond 18.8” campaign. Here are a few suggestions for its use:

Use the guide as a daily devotional for yourself or for your family.

Set aside a time and place free from distractions.

Trust in the power of the Word to be God’s voice in clarifying your role in the

“Beyond 18.8” campaign.

On the weekend of May 4/5, every member will be asked to prayerfully respond

with their 3-year commitment to the work of God in this place. This commitment

will not only enable us to better serve you, but it will also be a legacy established

for future generations.

My prayer is that of Scripture:

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you

need and plenty left over to share with others.” Corinthians 9:8 NLT

Praying, serving and walking together with you,

This prayer guide is a spiritual tool to prepare our congregation for the upcoming

campaign, “Beyond 18.8.”

Each daily devotion is divided into five parts: Read, Meditate, Reflect, Pray and

Apply. Each part will strengthen your relationship with God and help you

understand his challenge for you in this campaign.

Read: Read the entire selected Bible passage.

Meditate: Think about the key verse.

Reflect: Read the reflective thought that explains each day’s chosen

Bible passage. Ask yourself how the passage applies to

your life.

Pray: Communicate with God every day. Ask Him to reveal

to you how he wants you to participate in the campaign.

Apply: As you work through each day’s devotion, write down

in the space provided any thoughts or ideas that apply

to your own growth as a follower of Christ and to your

involvement in the “Beyond 18.8” campaign.

Meditate:

“Go and make disciples of all nations. . .” Matthew 28:19

Reflect:

This verse is foundational as to why we exist. It’s Jesus’ “Great Commission” for

this church. Over 50% of the people in our communities have no personal faith

connection to him. Opportunities are everywhere. Programs cover all

generations. Our building has. . . is. . . and must continue to be a God-given place

through which believers are encouraged and non-believers are invited.

Pray:

Lord, help us be a church that cares about all people. Though we come from

different backgrounds and cultures, don’t let these differences hinder the

Gospel, but rather may your Spirit unite us so that the love and care of the

crucified and risen Christ is extended to all people.

Apply:

What are the ways I can live out this Scripture?

Day 1 Read Matthew 28:16-20

Meditate:

“Make the most of every opportunity.” Colossians 4:5

Reflect:

Every day God opens up “doors of opportunity.” Opportunities to speak a word,

touch a life, make a sacrifice, grow in faith so that others will be blessed by and

through us. Our “Beyond 18.8” campaign is one of those opportunities to

leave a legacy—to join with others—to invest in our future as we commit

ourselves to this community and serve its people.

Pray:

Lord thank you for the blessings of the past, the challenges of the present, and

the opportunities you will open up for us as we expand our facility and share

your love in our neighborhoods.

Apply:

List some blessings you’ve received from this church and ways you can be used

by God in the future.

Day 2 Read Colossians 4:5

Meditate:

“. . .to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may

be built up.” Ephesians 4:12

Reflect:

Making a difference. Used by God. Prepared to serve. From one generation to

the next, God amazingly provides people, resources and places (like churches) to

share his love with the world. You’ve been served, instructed and encouraged

through this place called Faith Lutheran. What a special gift!

Pray:

Lord, thank you for the special people, programs and ministry I’ve received

through this congregation. Keep challenging us to be an effective “training place”

to meet the needs of every generation.

Apply:

How have the gifts you’ve received been used to help others?

Day 3 Read Ephesians 4:11-13

Meditate:

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen

is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

Reflect:

What a waste if, in our living, we spend little time focused on that which is

eternal. Yes, we live on this earth, work here, accumulate things and enjoy what

we’ve been given! But disconnect our life from the Giver—fail to make sacrificial

investments in eternal things—and it’s a sure sign we need to refocus!

Pray:

Lord, open my eyes! Enable me to see you more clearly in my daily life. Place in

my heart a desire to experience what it means to be “fully devoted to you.”

Help me invest wisely in that which brings a smile to your face.

Apply:

What part of my life (time, abilities, possessions, finances) am I holding back

from God?

Day 4 Read 2 Corinthians: 4

Meditate:

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through

his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through

faith.” Ephesians 3:16-17

Reflect:

To the extent that “Christ dwells in our hearts,” so too will this community see

the reflection of Christ from these facilities at 37635 Dequindre. Our “faith-walk”

speaks volumes. Our belief, when put into practice, makes this building and

property much more than just brick and mortar, sports fields and 18.8 acres! Our

growth in faith is tested when we face challenges that seem greater than our

capabilities.

Pray:

Lord, my thankfulness always falls short of your blessings. May I ever be amazed

at your grace and open for growth in my faith. Unify us as we face challenges,

always knowing that “greater are you in us than he who is in the world.”

Apply:

What’s my biggest fear in facing a “giving commitment”?

Day 5 Read Ephesians 3:14-19

Meditate:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. . .”

2 Corinthians 9:6

Reflect:

There’s no question that God takes pleasure in those who cheerfully give when

the opportunity arises. It’s then that the gift comes from the heart. Although

everything belongs to him, he in no way forces us to be generous. Instead he

says, “Look at my generosity toward you! Model what you see in me!”

Pray:

Lord, forgive me when I’ve been less than generous, less than cheerful, less than

obedient in the stewardship of my life. May a new desire be placed in my heart

to live up to the full potential of my giving, so that others may be as blessed as I

have been blessed.

Apply:

Do I need to learn anything from God’s generosity?

Day 6 Read 2 Corinthians: 9

Meditate:

“Now to him who is able. . . ” Ephesians 3:20

Reflect:

Yes! He is able! He can do that which goes well beyond your imagination. Your

investment can be used by him to feed and serve people in miraculous ways,

just as Jesus fed 5,000 the loaves of bread and fish. This promise has not and will

not change from generation to generation!

Pray:

Lord, I see in your Word promises in Christ throughout all generations. Promises

connected to my life. . . my faith. . . my giving. . . my committing to be a part of

the “immeasurably more” you will display in this campaign. As we “walk

together by faith” may we be an advertisement of his faithfulness.

Apply:

What “more” is God expecting of me?

Day 7 Read Ephesians 3:20-21

Meditate:

After completing this prayer guide, set aside one evening to determine God’s

will concerning your 3-year commitment to the “Beyond 18.8” campaign.

Meet as a family (if applicable) or with an accountability partner to discern God’s

leading. Talk about the sacrifices you could make in order to invest in God’s

work through this campaign. Be sure to include every family member so each

has the opportunity to experience the joy of giving sacrificially to God.

Read and discuss the following Bible passages:

▪ Matthew 6:19-21 ▪ 1 Timothy 6:17-19 ▪ Luke 6:38 Let each family member pray, thanking and praising God and asking his direction

and help in making a decision according to his will. Decide as a family what will

be given and write it down on the commitment card.

Close with a prayer of commitment, asking God to provide for your family as you

step out in faith and to enable you to experience joy in your giving. Thank him

for what he has done and for what he will do.

Please bring your commitment card to worship services on Commitment

Weekend , May 4/5.

One Evening Week of April 28

“Now to him who is able to do

immeasurably more than all we ask

or imagine, according to the power

that is at work within us, to him be

glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

throughout all generations,

forever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21

Faith Lutheran Church

37635 Dequindre • Troy • MI 48083

248-689-4664 www.faithtroy.org