PRAY21 Day 1 · 2017. 2. 17. · everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven

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PRAY21 Day 1

Lectio Divina - Sacred Reading. It is a slow contemplative form of praying the scriptures.

To help us pray God’s word we will use three simple guiding questions.

What do you want me to see? (Notice the words or concepts that strike you)

o Slowly read the passage.

o Silent reflection, practice listening to God (Try 1 minute)

Who do you want me to be? (How does this passage apply to you personally?)

o Read the passage again.


What is the action for me? (How should I respond to the passage?)

o Read passage a third time.


Scripture reading:

Mark 9:30-35 (NIV) They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone

to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son

of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he

will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

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33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you

arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about

who was the greatest.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the

very last, and the servant of all.”

Closing Prayer

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You. So draw my heart,

Guide my mind, Fill my imagination,

Rule over my will and body, That I may be more aware and responsive to You,

Full of Your life and love, strength and peace, For your glory and the good of all, including myself. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 2

Read (Lectio): Listen for the word or the phrase that is addressed to you. Today we will explore with more depth the guiding question “What do you want me to see?” Begin to read the passage slowly, pausing between phrases and sentences. Take your time. You may read silently, or you may find it helpful to read the passage aloud, allowing the words to echo and resonate, sink in and settle into your heart. As you read, listen for a word or phrase that strikes you or catches your attention. Allow a moment of silence, repeating that word or phrase softly to yourself, pondering it and savoring it as though pondering the words of a loved one. This is the word that is meant for you. Be content to listen simply and openly, without judging of analyzing. – Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms

Prayer to Receive the Gospel Lord, prepare me to receive your living word. Implant it within me to take root and bear fruit for this day and all the days to come.

Scripture Reading

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Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV) “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can

it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Closing Prayer Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You. So draw my heart, Guide my mind, Fill my imagination, Rule over my will and body, That I may be more aware and responsive to You,

Full of Your life and love, strength and peace,

For Your glory and the good of all, including myself. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 3

Reflect (Meditatio): How is my life touched by this reading? Today we will explore with more depth the guiding question “Who do you want me to be?”

Read the passage of scripture and listen for the way this passage connects with your life. Allow

several moments of silence following this reading, and explore thoughts, perceptions and sensory impressions. Imagine yourself in the passage. Ask yourself, Where am I in this scene? What do I hear as I imagine myself in the story or hear these words addressed specifically to me? How do the dynamics of this story connect with my own life experience? – Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms Prayer to Receive the Gospel Lord, prepare me to receive your living word. Implant it within me to take root and bear fruit

for this day and all the days to come.

Scripture Reading

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Mark 2:1-12 (NIV) A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard

that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to

him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then

lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen

anything like this!”

Closing Prayer

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You. So draw my heart, Guide my mind, Fill my imagination, Rule over my will and body, That I may be more aware and responsive to You, Full of Your life and love, strength and peace, For Your glory and the good of all, including myself. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 4

Respond (Oratio): What is my response to God based on what I have read and encountered?

Today we will explore with more depth the guiding question, “What is the action for me?”

Read the passage, listening for your own deepest and truest response. In silence after the reading, allow your prayer to flow spontaneously from your heart as fully and as truly as you

can. Enter into a personal dialogue with God. Share with Him the feelings the text aroused, feelings such as love, joy, sorrow, anger, repentance, desire, need, or conviction. Pay attention

to any sense that God is inviting you to act or to respond in some way to the word you have

heard. You may find it helpful to write down what you discover. – Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms

Prayer to Receive the Gospel

Lord, prepare me to receive your living word. Implant it within me to take root and bear fruit for this day and all the days to come.

Scripture Reading

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more

than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

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and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can

any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not

labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is

thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the

pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Closing Prayer Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You. So draw my heart,

Guide my mind,

Fill my imagination, Rule over my will and body,

That I may be more aware and responsive to You, Full of Your life and love, strength and peace, For Your glory and the good of all, including myself. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 5

Resolve (Incarnatio): Live out the word of God.

Begin with a moment of silence. Read the selected passage slowly. Reflect on what you have heard from God in your readings this week. As you emerge from personal encounter with God to life in the company of others, resolve to carry His word with you and to live it out in the context of daily life and activity. As you continue to listen to God throughout the day, you will be led deeper and deeper into God’s purpose for you in the world in which you live. – Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms

Prayer to Receive the Gospel Lord, prepare me to receive your living word. Implant it within me to take root and bear fruit

for this day and all the days to come.

Scripture Reading Matthew 7:24-29 (NIV) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them

into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had

its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put

them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great

crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,

29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

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Closing Prayer Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You.

So draw my heart, Guide my mind,



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PRAY21 Day 6

Rest (Contemplatio): Rest in the Word of God.

Begin with a moment of silence. Read the selected passage slowly. You are invited to release and return to a place of rest in God. You have heard from God and given your response this week, so now you can move into a time of waiting and resting in God’s presence. This is a posture of total surrender and abandon to the great Lover of your soul. – Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms After the reading and prayer of surrender, give yourself permission to spend an extended

amount of time with God in silence (30 minutes to an hour or whatever is comfortable to you).

Prayer to Receive the Psalm Lord, prepare me to receive your living word. Allow me to be still, wait, and rest in your

presence. Allow me to simply be and breathe.

Scripture Reading Psalm 131:1-2 (NIV) My heart is not proud, LORD,

my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child I am content.

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Surrendering the Day/Week Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I trust that you have been at work

and will continue to be at work until the final restoration of all things.

So, I surrender this day, this week to You and its concerns. Let deep rest and restoration come upon me, I pray.

In Christ, I bless you and all people. And in Christ, I rest. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 7

Praise: Joyfully thank and adore God, celebrate His goodness and grace.

“The fact is there is nothing that we are doing that God could not raise up a stone in the field to do for him. The realization of this puts us in our true place. Though, lest we get too knocked down by such a realization of our insignificance, let me hasten to add that there is one thing that we alone can give God… and that is our personal love. No one else can give God our personal love. This is our great significance.” – M. Basil Pennington, Finding Grace at the Center Read the selected passage with energy! Take a moment to notice and express gratitude for how

you experienced Father, Son, and Spirit last week and today.

After the reading and prayer of praise, give yourself permission to spend time expressing your love for God. Sing a song, hymn, or spiritual song to Him. Listen to Christian radio or make a

playlist. Gather with the church today to praise Him in community.

Prayer to Receive the Psalm Lord, prepare me to receive your living word.

What we receive from You through Your word may we return to You with interest in praise.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 145:1-13, 21 (NIV) I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you

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and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;

his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another;

they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

and I will meditate on your wonderful works. i 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The LORD is good to all;

he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you.

11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations… 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Prayer of Praise Father of mercy, your love embraces everyone

and through the resurrection of your Son you call us all into your wonderful light.

Dispel our darkness and make us a people with one heart and one voice, forever singing your praise, in Jesus, the Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 8

Breath Prayers: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The attentive life is about breathing and being still. You will make far less mistakes and be slower to act impulsively if you will focus on your breathing. As you learn to work a prayer phrase into your breathing you will move from being a victim to your thoughts and anxieties and instead bear witness to them.

As you recite the breath prayers you may choose as you inhale to say, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,” and as you exhale say, “have mercy on me, a sinner.” You can also choose to recite the

prayers only as you exhale (We receive your mercy).

Spend a moment of silence between prayers.

Invocation Lord, we ask you now to calm our thoughts, emotions, and bodies as we prepare to be still

before you. We turn this day and all its cares to you now.

Breath Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (repeat slowly,

mostly silently)

Pray of Cleansing

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Our gracious Father, through the blood of Christ

we ask that you would have mercy. By your Holy Spirit, cleanse us from all that soils

our relationship with You, others, and ourselves; and perfect your image within us we pray.

Breath Prayer: We receive your mercy. (repeat slowly, mostly silently)

Closing Prayer May Christ our Lord, by the power of his resurrection have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 9

Breath Prayers: “Holy Spirit, reign on me.”

“Prayer is the movement of the Holy Spirit in the human heart through which God reaches out and embraces human beings. It is a duet of love in which the action of the Spirit inspires and sustains us in the darkness of faith. It is an inward call from Christ who dwells within the depths of the human soul, and who longs to be known and loved there.” – Simon Sleeman, The Glenstal Book of Prayer: A Benedictine Prayer Book The attentive life is about breathing and being still.

You will make far less mistakes and be slower to act impulsively if you will focus on your breathing.


As you recite the breath prayers you may choose as you inhale to say, “Holy Spirit,” and as you

exhale say, “reign on me.” You can also choose to recite the prayers only as you exhale (We receive your Spirit).

Invocation Lord, we ask you now to calm our thoughts, emotions,

and bodies as we prepare to be still before you. We invite Your Holy Spirit to manifest Himself in our lives today.

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Breath Prayer: Holy Spirit, reign on me. (repeat slowly, mostly silently)

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Breath Prayer: We receive your Spirit. (repeat slowly, mostly silently) Closing Prayer Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 10

Breath Prayers: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

You will be far less anxious when you focus on your breathing.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 56:3-4

The attentive life is about breathing and being still.


As you recite the breath prayers you may choose as you inhale to say, “When I am afraid,” and as you exhale say, “I put my trust in you.” You can also choose to recite the prayers only as you

exhale (We receive your courage).

Invocation Lord, we ask you now to calm our thoughts, emotions,

and bodies as we prepare to be still before you. We invite you to dispel our fears and fill us with your love. Breath Prayer: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (repeat slowly, mostly silently)

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Prayer to Receive Courage Eternal Father, use our fear as a vehicle

to take us into a deeper relationship with You. Turn our anxieties from obstacles to aids.

As we are drawn deeper into You and You deeper into us, may we find the courage that only You can give.

The courage to trust in You. Breath Prayer: We receive your courage. (repeat slowly, mostly silently) Closing Prayer Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 11

Breath Prayers: “Not as I will, but as You will.”

You can hear God’s will more clearly when you focus on your breathing – be still.

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible,

may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” - Jesus, Matthew 26:38-39


As you recite the breath prayers you may choose as you inhale to say, “Not as I will,” and as you exhale say, “but as you will.” You can also choose to recite the prayers only as you exhale (Your

will be done).

Our Lord’s Prayer Our Father in the heavens, May Your name and glory be revealed today. May Your kingdom come,

And Your will be done, On earth as in the heavens. We look to you to give us what we need today. Forgive our sins and cancel our debts,

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Enabling us to do the same for others.

Protect us from all forms of evil and harm, Deliver us from the evil one.

You are Good, You are King, and You are Glorious. This is how it is and how it always will be. Amen.

Breath Prayer: Not as I will, but as you will. (repeat slowly, mostly silently)

Prayer to Receive His Will Eternal Father, may our heart’s desire match Your will. Renew our minds to test and approve Your good, pleasing and perfect will. Breath Prayer: Your will be done. (repeat slowly, mostly silently) Closing Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now,

and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 12

Breath Prayers: “Here I am, send me.” God can use you for His purpose when you are attentive to His presence – be still and be sent. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

As you recite the breath prayers you may choose as you inhale to say, “Here I am,” and as you exhale say, “send me.” You can also choose to recite the prayers only as you exhale ( I receive your commands). Our Lord’s Prayer Our Father in the heavens, May Your name and glory be revealed today.

May Your kingdom come, And Your will be done,

On earth as in the heavens. We look to you to give us what we need today.

Forgive our sins and cancel our debts, Enabling us to do the same for others.

Protect us from all forms of evil and harm, Deliver us from the evil one.

You are Good, You are King, and You are Glorious.

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This is how it is and how it always will be. Amen.

Breath Prayer: Here I am, send me. (repeat slowly, mostly silently)

Prayer to Receive His Mission

Eternal Father, set us free to be signs of Your grace to those who are lost and to those who are hurting.

Send us in Your name to serve You and glorify You forever. Breath Prayer: I receive your commands. (repeat slowly, mostly silently) Closing Prayer Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 13

Rest: Rest in the Will of God.

Begin with a moment of silence. Read the selected passage slowly.

You are invited to release and return to a place of rest in God. You have heard from God and given your response this week, so now you can move into a time of waiting and resting in God’s presence. This is a posture of total surrender and abandon to the great Lover of your soul. – Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms After the reading and prayer of surrender, give yourself permission to spend an extended amount of time with God in silence (30 minutes to an hour or whatever is comfortable to you).

Prayer to Receive the Psalm Lord, prepare me to receive your living word. Allow me to be still, wait, and rest in your

presence. Allow me to simply be and breathe.

Scripture Reading Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

my hope comes from Him.

Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.

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Trust in Him at all times, you people;

pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV)

Surrendering the Day/Week Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I trust that you have been at work

and will continue to be at work until the final restoration of all things. So, I surrender this day, this week to You and its concerns. Let deep rest and restoration come upon me, I pray. In Christ, I bless You and all people. And in Christ, I rest. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 14


“The fact is there is nothing that we are doing that God could not raise up a stone in the field to

do for him. The realization of this puts us in our true place. Though, lest we get too knocked down by such a realization of our insignificance, let me hasten to add that there is one thing

that we alone can give God… and that is our personal love. No one else can give God our personal love. This is our great significance.” – M. Basil Pennington, Finding Grace at the

Center

Read the selected passage with energy! Take a moment to notice and express gratitude for how you experienced Father, Son, and Spirit last week and today.

After the reading and prayer of praise, give yourself permission to spend time expressing your

love for God. Sing a song, hymn, or spiritual song to Him. Listen to Christian radio or make a playlist. Gather with the church today to praise Him in community.

Prayer to Receive the Psalm Lord, prepare me to receive your living word. What we receive from You through Your word may we return to You with interest in praise.

Scripture Reading 1 Praise the LORD.

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Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 150

Prayer of Praise

Father of mercy, your love embraces everyone and through the resurrection of your Son you call us all into your wonderful light. Dispel our darkness and make us a people with one heart and one voice, forever singing your praise, in Jesus, the Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 15

Requests (Petitions): Make your requests known to God. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with

thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Take a moment to notice and express gratitude for how you experienced Father, Son, and Spirit

last week and today. Take time in between prayers and afterward for silence. Prayer of Thanksgiving Lord, we thank You for the gift of life, For the beauty and gifts of creation, For all the blessings of the new covenant that

come to us through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

Petition We hold before you people for whom we care and for those in need.

(Pause to let their faces emerge within you.) Express Your love and care for them, which exceeds ours.

Comfort, heal strengthen and shield them, reminding them of Your love.

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Closing Prayer Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You.

So draw my heart, Guide my mind,



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PRAY21 Day 16

Requests (Petitions): Make your requests known to God. Intercessory prayer is more about recognizing that we do not know how to pray for others – or ourselves for that matter – but the Holy Spirit knows.

Take a moment to notice and express gratitude for how you experienced Father, Son, and Spirit last week and today.

Take time in between prayers and afterward for silence.

Prayer of Thanksgiving Lord, we thank You for the gift of life,

For the beauty and gifts of creation, For all the blessings of the new covenant that

come to us through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Reading “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to

you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he

asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who

ask him! Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV)

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Petition Eternal Father, heighten the awareness for our own needs

And the needs of others. (Pause to let these needs emerge within you.)

Thank you for the gifts of compassion and empathy. Express Your love and care for those we hold before You.

Comfort, heal, strengthen and shield them, reminding them of Your love. Closing Prayer Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You. So draw my heart, Guide my mind, Fill my imagination, Rule over my will and body,

That I may be more aware and responsive to You,

Full of Your life and love, strength and peace, For Your glory and the good of all, including myself. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 17

Requests (Petitions): Make your requests known to God.

Intercessory prayer is more about recognizing that we do not know how to pray for others – or

ourselves for that matter – but the Holy Spirit knows.

Take a moment to notice and express gratitude for how you experienced Father, Son, and Spirit yesterday and today.

Take time in between prayers and afterward for silence. Prayer of Thanksgiving Lord, we thank You for the gift of life, For the beauty and gifts of creation,

For all the blessings of the new covenant that come to us through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Scripture Reading

For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every 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. And

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, 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 3:14-19 (NIV)

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Petition Eternal Father, may Paul’s prayer to the Ephesian church be answered in us.

(Pause to let Paul’s requests illuminate within you. Re-read the passage if necessary.) Strengthen us with power through the Spirit.

Christ live in our hearts, Empower us to grasp, know, and be filled will the fullness of Your

love for us and the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Closing Prayer Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You. So draw my heart, Guide my mind, Fill my imagination, Rule over my will and body,



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PRAY21 Day 18

Requests (Petitions): Make your requests known to God. Intercessory prayer is more about recognizing that we do not know how to pray for others – or

ourselves for that matter – but the Holy Spirit knows.

Take a moment to notice and express gratitude for how you experienced Father, Son, and Spirit yesterday and today.

Take time in between prayers and afterward for silence. Prayer of Thanksgiving Lord, we thank You for the gift of life, For the beauty and gifts of creation, For all the blessings of the new covenant that come to us through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Reading

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Acts 4:29 (NIV)

Petition Eternal Father, make us bold.

Fill our hearts with an explosive, bold, and dynamic love For You and for others.

Make us proud of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and never ashamed

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(Pause to allow God to reveal areas in your life where you need to be bold.)

May we speak Your word with boldness in the name of Jesus Through the power of your Spirit.

Closing Prayer

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You. So draw my heart,

Guide my mind, Fill my imagination, Rule over my will and body, That I may be more aware and responsive to You, Full of Your life and love, strength and peace, For Your glory and the good of all, including myself. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 19

Requests (Petitions): Make your requests known to God.

Intercessory prayer is more about recognizing that we do not know how to pray for others – or ourselves for that matter – but the Holy Spirit knows.

Take a moment to notice and express gratitude for how you experienced Father, Son, and Spirit

yesterday and today. Take time in between prayers and afterward for silence. Prayer of Thanksgiving Lord, we thank You for the gift of life,

For the beauty and gifts of creation, For all the blessings of the new covenant that come to us through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Reading

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person

well; the Lord will raise them up. James 5:14-15 (NIV) Petition Eternal Father, heal the sick.

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We hold before You people for whom we care and

For those in need. We pray for those facing the onset of serious illness

And for those caring for their loved ones. (Pause to allow God to reveal their faces within you.)

Lord, in Your kindness be with those in poor health and poor spirit. Bring them the help of Your comfort, restoration, and healing

– full healing; mind, body, and soul. Closing Prayer Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I want to move through this day in union with You. So draw my heart, Guide my mind, Fill my imagination, Rule over my will and body,



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PRAY21 Day 20

Rest (Contemplatio): Rest in the Word of God.

Begin with a moment of silence. Read the selected passage slowly.

You are invited to release and return to a place of rest in God. You have heard from God and

given your response this week, so now you can move into a time of waiting and resting in God’s presence. This is a posture of total surrender and abandon to the great Lover of your soul.

– Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms

After the reading and prayer of surrender, give yourself permission to spend an extended

amount of time with God in silence (30 minutes to an hour or whatever is comfortable to you).


Allow me to be still, wait, and rest in your presence. Allow me to simply be and breathe.

Scripture Reading My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty;

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I do not concern myself with great matters

or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself,

I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:1-2 (NIV)

Surrendering the Day/Week

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I trust that you have been at work and will continue to be at work until the final restoration of all things. So, I surrender this day, this week to You and its concerns. Let deep rest and restoration come upon me, I pray. In Christ, I bless you and all people. And in Christ, I rest. Amen.

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PRAY21 Day 21


“The fact is there is nothing that we are doing that God could not raise up a stone in the field to do for him. The realization of this puts us in our true place. Though, lest we get too knocked down by such a realization of our insignificance, let me hasten to add that there is one thing that we alone can give God… and that is our personal love. No one else can give God our personal love. This is our great significance.” – M. Basil Pennington, Finding Grace at the Center Read the selected passage with energy! Take a moment to notice and express gratitude for how

you experienced Father, Son, and Spirit last week and today.

After the reading and prayer of praise, give yourself permission to spend time expressing your love for God. Sing a song, hymn, or spiritual song to Him. Listen to Christian radio or make a

playlist. Gather with the church today to praise Him in community.


What we receive from You through Your word may we return to You with interest in praise.

Scripture Reading

Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart

in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

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Great are the works of the LORD;

they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds,

and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered;

the LORD is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him;

he remembers his covenant forever. Psalm 111:1-5 (NIV) Prayer of Praise Father of mercy, Your love embraces everyone and through the resurrection of your Son You call us all into Your wonderful light. Dispel our darkness and make us a people with one heart and one voice, forever singing Your praise,

in Jesus, the Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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PRAY21 Thank You

Thank you for participating in Pray21. We hope that this daily exercise was a blessing for you and your household. We also hope that it helped you to develop a rhythm of prayer and

introduced you to new prayer practices.

We encourage you to “Pray as you can, not as you ought,” meaning that any attempt to pray is better than no attempt at prayer. If you forget to pray or find it difficult use Pray21 as a

resource to remember your disciplines. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Begin again. Benediction (My prayer for you)

Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive You, Intelligence to understand You,

Diligence to seek You, Patience to wait for You,

Vision to behold You, A heart to meditate upon You, A life to proclaim You; Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Who lives with You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen In Christ’s love,

Jovan Barrington, Senior Minister - Littleton Church of Christ

[email protected]

http://www.littletonchurch.org/

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

PRAY21 Day 1 · 2017. 2. 17. · everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven