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Praying Together – While We Are Apart
There is so much we cannot do during lockdown… but we can still pray. This 40 days of
prayer is an invitation to pray together with the confidence that God is still at work and with
the expectation that He will bring spiritual renewal. This booklet is designed to add to your
current prayer life, not replace it. So please do keep on praying for the other things on your
heart as well.
In this booklet you will find.
A daily bible verse or quote to inspire you.
A point of praise or thanksgiving. Gratitude is a vital aspect of prayer.
A prayer point for yourself and the Church.
An encouragement to pray for three not-yet-Christian friends.
Weekly Life Group prompts to help your group pray together.
Praying for your not-yet-Christian friends is a core element of this 40 days of prayer. If you
cannot identify three not-yet-Christian friends or family, ask that God would show you who
you should be praying for. We have chosen to identify people as “not-yet-Christian” to
encourage a sense of expectation that they can actually become Christians in the future.
I am praying for these Not-yet-Christians over this 40 Days;
1) ____________________________________
2) ____________________________________
3) ____________________________________
Day 1 - Sunday 15 August
‘Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.’
Ephesians 5:18
Thank and praise God for the promise of the ongoing power and presence of the Holy Spirit
for you and all His people.
Pray Holy Spirit come. Ask for God to fill you afresh with His Holy Spirit today. Ask Him to
fill and renew His Church at Wyong and that He would give you and the church a fresh love
and excitement for Him.
Pray for the not-yet-Christian people you are committed to praying for over this 40 days.
Day 2 - Monday 16 August “There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God
and advance the kingdom of Christ as by prayer.” Jonathan Edwards
Thank God for someone who has helped you grow as a follower of Jesus.
Pray about the spiritual battle. Ask that God would deliver us from all evil.
Pray “Your kingdom come” for your not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 3 - Tuesday 17 August
‘Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.’
Read it for yourself at Luke 18:1-8
Give thanks that God has not given up on you.
Pray that faith and increased prayer would rise in your life and in the Church.
Pray for three not-yet-Christians.
Day 4 - Wednesday 18 August
‘You can do more than pray after you have prayed. But you cannot do more than pray until you
have prayed.’ John Bunyan
Give thanks that God knows the worst about you and still loves you enough to send Christ
to die for you.
Ask that God would reveal to you and to our Church powerful ways to show God’s love to
others.
Pray that your three not-yet-Christians friends would experience God’s love.
Day 5 - Thursday 19 August
‘Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in
our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.’ Habakkuk 3:2
Give thanks for the truth about Jesus and how he has made it known to you. Ask Him to
help you grow in the truth.
Pray that God would help you and the Church be more effective in sharing His truth with
those around us.
Pray that God would open the eyes of your three not-yet-Christian friends to His truth.
Day 6 - Friday 20 August
Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!
Matthew 4:19
Give thanks that Jesus still invites people to follow him.
Pray that God would move in you and the Church to make us better at inviting people to
follow Jesus.
Pray for the blessing and salvation of your three not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 7 - Saturday 21 August
‘Faith, in relation to prayer, can be described as follows: it is the willingness to act on God’s Word
with complete abandonment and total trust... When you pray, begin to exercise the muscles of your
faith by committing yourself more and more to what God has promised you in his Word.’
Selwyn Hughes
Spend some time identifying at least three things to thank God for today.
Ask that God’s will would be done in your life, in our church, across Baptist churches and
across the earth.
Pray for each of your three not-yet-Christian friends by name. Pray “your kingdom come,
your will be done” for them.
Life Group Prompt - Week One
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and
tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not
faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31
What do you find encouraging or challenging in these verses?
In what ways would people in your group like to find new strength?
Pray for each other.
Pray that God would bring new strength and spiritual freshness to the Church.
Day 8 - Sunday 22 August
The Church after Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out: ‘They devoted themselves to the
apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’ Acts 2:42
Give thanks for the assured presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Pray Holy Spirit come. Ask for revival and renewal in your life and our communities, asking
God to move by His Spirit to draw people to Himself, to see disciples made and lives
transformed.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction to your three not-yet-Christians friends.
Day 9 - Monday 23 August
‘Jesus said, ‘When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard
because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before
you ask him.’ Matthew 6:7-8
Give thanks for your favorite place. It might be a beach or park or somewhere else. Give
thanks to God who gives us every good and perfect gift.
Pray for a renewed commitment to prayer both individually and together, and for a culture
of prayer and seeking God to underpin all we do at Wyong and across Baptist Churches.
Pray for the salvation of your three not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 10 - Tuesday 24 August
Jesus said, ‘This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:9-13
Thank God for Christian leaders who have blessed you by their teaching & leadership.
Mediate on Matthew 6:9-13 (above). Turn it into a prayer for the Church and others you
know.
Keep praying for your not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 11 - Wednesday 25 August
John prays for Gaius: ‘ Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well
with you, even as your soul is getting along well.’ 3 John 2
Give thanks for those who have prayed for you over the years.
One of the ways we can show God’s love for people is to pray for them. Pray the prayer
above from 3 John for a friend and for the Andersons serving in central Australia.
Pray for God’s blessing in the personal lives of your three not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 12 - Thursday 26 August
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to
my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:31-32
Give thanks to God for His word.
Pray that you may know more of the freedom of God’s truth and that you and the church
would be anointed to effectively share that truth.
Ask God to lead your not-yet-Christian friends to freedom in Christ Jesus.
Day 13 - Friday 27 August
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a
believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. 1 Peter 3:15-16
Give thanks for God’s grace. While we were still sinners Christ died for us.
Turn 1 Peter 3:15-16 (above) into a prayer today.
Keep praying for your not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 14 - Saturday 28 August
‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in
Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Give thanks for all the Churches where you have been blessed in your life so far.
Pray for relational strength and unity amongst the churches and affiliated groups in our
Baptist movement as we seek to fulfil God’s mission together. Pray for unity and joy at
Wyong Baptist.
Pray “Your Kingdome Come” for your not-yet-Christian three.
Life Group Prompt - Week Two Perseverance is an important element of faith and prayer (Luke 18).
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you find difficult about faith as defined in Hebrews 11:1?
What are you hoping and praying for that you cannot yet see?
Pray for each other. Pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit for the Church.
Day 15 - Sunday 29 August
Paul’s Prayer Request: ‘Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that
whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the
mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly
as I should.’ Ephesians 6:18-20
Spend some time just praising God for who He is and all he has done in Christ.
Pray Holy Spirit come. Pray for more of the Holy Spirit in our prayer lives and for a greater
love and excitement for God.
Thank God that he hears your prayers for your not-yet-Christian friends
Day 16 – Monday 30 August
‘Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love or
reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers. Like an intercontinental missile,
you can aim prayer at a person’s heart whether you are ten feet or 10,000 miles away.’
Rick Warren
Give thanks for those serving God on Mission around the world
Pray God’s blessing and protection on David and Caz serving and their work in South East
Asia.
Keep praying for your three not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 17 - Tuesday 31 August
‘Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree
planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its
leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Give thanks for those serving in other places. Today pray for the Houston Family serving in
Africa.
Pray for the Intentional growth and development of leaders at Wyong Baptist and across
our movement, and that God would raise up workers for the harvest both locally and
overseas (Matthew 9:38)
Keep praying for your not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 18 - Wednesday 1 September
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil
behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God
through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Give thanks for God’s kindness to you. Give thanks for his mercy and that he has not given
up on you.
Read Ephesians 4:31-32 (above) Ask God to show you any bitterness in your life. One of
the great ways we can show God’s love is to be forgiving and gracious in actions and
words. Pray that for yourself and the Church.
As you pray for your not-yet-Christian friends today remember that God loves them even
more than you do.
Day 19 - Thursday 2nd September
A Psalm of David: ‘Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to
you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my
refuge, a strong tower against the foe.’ Psalm 61:1-3
Thank God for the truth of His strength.
Pray that God would help you live in the security of his truth and share it with others.
Thank God that He listens to our prayers.
Day 20 - Friday 3rd September
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are
few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his
fields.” Matthew 9:36-37
Give thanks for those who God used to invite you to follow Jesus.
Pray that the Church would overflow with compassion for those who don’t know Jesus and
that God would send “workers into the fields.”
You have now been praying for three not-yet-Christian friends for 20 days. Just rest in
God. Tell God those names again and leave them with Him as if at the alter.
Day 21 - Saturday 4 September
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,
committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.’ Acts 14:23
Give thanks for three practical things God has given you.
Pray for our Church’s Elders & Pastor; Beth, Brett, Ian, Jamie, Josh, Kirsten, Peter, Ros.
Pray they would be strengthened and renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Pray for your 3 not-yet-Christian friends.
Life Group Prompt - Week Three Read Rick Warren’s quote again.
Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love or reject
our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers. Like an intercontinental missile, you
can aim prayer at a person’s heart whether you are ten feet or 10,000 miles away.’
What do you think of the quote from Rick Warren?
Who would you like to pray for today? Whose heart are you asking God to change?
Pray for each other and for spiritual renewal for the Church and that we could see spiritual
victory in our lives and the Church.
Day 22 - Sunday 5 September
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Give thanks that God does not grow weary. He is not overcome by your circumstances.
Pray Holy Spirit come. Turn Isaiah 40:31 into a prayer for you and the Church. Pray for the
renewing work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name.
Keep praying for your three not-yet- Christian Friends.
Day 23 - Monday 6 September
A Prayer of Daniel:
‘ Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with
favour on your desolate sanctuary... We do not make requests of you because we are righteous,
but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act!’
Daniel 9:17-19
Remember a time when you have clearly experienced answered prayer. Give thanks.
Pray for a continually renewed commitment to prayer both individually and together, and for
a culture of prayer and seeking God to underpin all we do.
Pray for your three Friends.
Day 24 - Tuesday 7 September
‘ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have
one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin. Let us then approach the
throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
time of need.’ Hebrews 4:15-16
Spend a few minutes reading and meditating on the bible verse above. Let it lead you to
prayers of thanksgiving and praise.
Pray for intentional spiritual growth and development of Children and youth. Pray by name
for a child or young person you know.
Keep praying for the spiritual transformation of your three not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 25 - Wednesday 8 September
Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the
clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.
Psalm 36:5-6
Give thanks for God’s love for all people and that in his love one day he will bring justice for
the oppressed.
Pray for the poor and those without Justice in Australia and around the world. Ask that God
would help us be better at showing His love to the poor.
Pray God would open the eyes of your three not-yet-Christian friends to the reality of His
love.
Day 26 - Thursday 9 September
Jesus prays for His Followers
“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the
world, I am sending them into the world.” John 17:17-18
Give thanks that God is making you holy through his truth at work in your life.
Jesus has shared God’s truth, now ask Him to help us share it with those around us.
Ask that God would open the eyes of those you are praying for that they may know His
truth.
Day 27 - Friday 10 September
‘I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone
– for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and
holiness.’ 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Give thanks for the relative peace we are blessed with in Australia. Pray for a country that
desperately needs peaceful government and for our state Premier and PM.
Pray that God would give us more opportunities to invite people to follow Jesus and that He
would give us the strength, wisdom and courage to make the most of those opportunities.
Pray for your three not-yet Christian friends
Day 28 - Saturday 11 September
‘Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient
in affliction, faithful in prayer.’ Romans 12:11-12
Give thanks for hope.
Pray God’s Kingdom to come in justice and compassion in our church, community and our
wider society (Micah 6:8)
Pray for mercy for the three not-yet-Christian people you are praying for.
Life Group Prompt - Week Four Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient
in affliction, faithful in prayer.’ Romans 12:11-12
What kinds of things can steal your zeal or spiritual fervor?
What do you need most right now, Joy in hope, patients in affliction or faithfulness in
prayer?
Pray for each other and for fresh spiritual zeal and fervor for the Church. Pray the Spirit
would grow our love for God.
Day 29 - Sunday 12 September
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are
different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the
same God who does the work in all of us. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Give thanks that God can use each of us, no matter who we are, as we trust Him.
Pray Holy Spirit come. Ask for a fresh filling of the Church in Wyong and across our Baptist
family of Churches. Pray people would use their Spiritual gifts for God’s glory.
Keep praying for your not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 30 - Monday 13 September
‘O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the
heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.’ Psalm 8:1-2
Today give thanks for some aspect of creation you appreciate.
Pray for revival and renewal in our lives and our communities, asking God to move by His
Spirit to draw people to Himself, to see disciples made and lives transformed.
Keep praying for three not-yet-Christians.
Day 31 - Tuesday 14 September
Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians:
‘I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 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 3:14-17a
Give thanks for a good friend. Pray for God’s blessing on them today.
Pray for the intentional growth and development of leaders in my church and across our
movement. Pray for leaders in Wyong’s youth and Children’s ministries.
Pray for your three not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 32 - Wednesday 15 September
‘God loves the guileless soul even when in his ignorance he is actually guilty of rashness in prayer.
The Lord can soon cure his ignorance, but for insincerity no cure is known.’ A. W. Tozer
Give thanks that God works for the good of those who love Him.
Pray God would strengthen a sincere love in you and the Church for other Christians and
those who don’t know Christ.
Pray for blessing over your three not-yet-Christian friends and their families
Day 33 - Thursday 16 September
‘And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the
saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love
that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.’
Ephesians 317b-19
Give thanks for the love of Christ for you and the world.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would refresh you and the church in such a way as to reveal and
display the dimensions of the love of Christ Jesus.
Pray God would open the eyes of your three not-yet-Christian friends to the reality of who
He is.
Day 34 - Friday 17 September
‘What a man is alone on his knees before God, that he is, and no more.’
Robert Murray M’Cheyne
Find three things about our Church to give thanks for.
Pray for relational strength and unity amongst the churches and in our Church so that we
might more effectively invite people to follow Jesus. Pray victory in the spiritual battle.
Keep praying for faith in your not-yet Christian friends.
Day 35 - Saturday 18 September
‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his
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
Give thanks for the many Baptist Churches being planted and renewed across NSW &
ACT.
Pray that Wyong Baptist Church and all churches in our Baptist movement and across the
Central Coast would be continually renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would move in the lives of your not-yet Christian friends and lead
them to repentance and faith.
Life Group Prompt - Week Five ‘And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the
saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love
that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.’
Ephesians 317b-19
What comes to mind when you think about the Love of Christ?
Pray for each other. Particularly that each one in your group would have a greater
knowledge and experience of the love of Christ.
Pray that the Church would be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Day 36 - Sunday 19 September
After the first Church had been threatened with persecution they prayed:
“After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they
preached the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
Give thanks for those who have gone out across the world boldly like David & Caz (SE
Asia), the Houston’s (Africa) and the Andersons (central Aus.)
Pray Holy Spirit come. Ask that the Lord would give you and His Church a fresh filling of the
Holy Spirit and fresh boldness.
Pray for your three not-yet Christian friends.
Day 37 - Monday 20 September
‘I want people everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” 2 Timothy 2:8
Give thanks for those who have prayed for you over the years.
Pray for a culture of unity and Spirit filled prayer at Wyong Baptist and across Baptist
Churches. Pray that we would not give Satan a foothold.
Pray for each of your three not-yet-Christian friends.
Day 38 - Tuesday 21 September
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, blind will see, that the oppressed will be
set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue
looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been
fulfilled this very day!” Luke 4:18-23
Give thanks for Christians who have brought the good news to you.
Pray that our Church and Churches across the coast would have fresh anointing to bring
Good news to the poor.
Ask for salvation for the people you have been praying for.
Day 39 - Wednesday 22 September
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us
strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run
with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the
champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews12:1-2
Give thanks that God wins in the end and he is always with us.
Ask that God would give you and the church a fresh love and excitement for Him. Pray that
God would lead us to repent of sin that so easily trips us up.
Pray for your three not-yet- Christian friends.
Day 40 - Thursday 23 September
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on
earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I
have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Give thanks that God has heard all our prayers over this 40 days. Give thanks that Jesus
has all authority. Pray his victory would be seen in every part of your life and the Church.
Pray for an increased realisation of Christ’s presence in your life and the Church and an
increased effectiveness in making disciples.
Commit the three people who you have been praying for to God.
Life Group Prompt - Week Six “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and
tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not
faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31
We read Isaiah 40:29-31 in the first week of this 40 days of prayer. Do you read it any
differently 5 weeks on?
Some in the group need to fly or run for others right now it’s just about keeping on walking.
Pray for each other.
Ask the Holy Spirt to lead you and spend some time praying for new God given strength for
the Church. Holy Spirit come!