DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

Welcome to 21 Days of Prayer. My wife, Lydia, and I are excited to see what God is about to do in your life through this time of prayer and devotion! Our hope is for you to develop a whole new way of spending time with God. As we lean into His word, we believe you will see your life change in amazing ways.

This last year was a very reflective year as it marked thirty one years of Lydia and I being planted as the lead pastors of New Life Church. This year we began, as a church, to go back to the basics and journey through a Year in the Bible together. We have read together daily as we go through scriptures from our daily reading as one body. It’s not just reading God’s word that helps us to grow deeper in our relationship with Christ, it’s also our prayer lives. As we’ve looked back on our journey, one thing that is so prevalent, is the power of prayer. It has been a standard of our church to make prayer our first response - never allowing it to be a last resort, no matter the situation.

Now, understanding the necessity of prayer is not the only thing you need in a life led by faith. In order for prayer to become a part of our lives, it needs to become something we look forward to doing. Throughout these years of ministry, I have become convinced that most people don’t engage in prayer simply because they have never been taught how to pray.

Over the next 21 days, this devotional guide will teach you how to pray, reignite your prayer life, draw you closer to God, or maybe all three. Using the S.O.A.P acrostic breakdown on the next page, together we will journey deeper into our prayers each week. During this time, you’ll discover the beauty of daily conversation with God and how His presence can change your life.

Whether you are learning how to pray or are a seasoned vet, we are excited to see where these 21 Days of Prayer take our church!

Your Friends,James & Lydia Ranger

You’ll need three items to S.O.A.P each day: a bible, a pen, and your journal.

S: ScriptureOpen your bible to your reading for the day. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O: ObservationWhat do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

A: ApplicationPersonalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P: PrayerThis can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or even a prayer for greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say.

DAY 1

Scripture:But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Nehemiah 4:9

Observation:Nehemiah had a job to do, a calling to fulfill. He faced ridicule and even the threat of violence from his enemies. The people he led were discouraged and afraid. We see in this chapter that Nehemiah’s first response when he encountered the plans of his enemies was simple: he prayed. He prayed first, putting himself and his people under God’s protection before he made any plans or took any action. From that place of peace he was able to lead wisely, and encourage his people to remember God’s greatness (v. 14) and continue in the task set before them to do.

Application:How easy it is to be so focused on our problems that we forget to first lay them down in prayer. Nehemiah demonstrates for us the order and balance of prayer and action. God cares about you and every problem you face. Invite Him in to every situation, and watch as His peace transforms your life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you. Thank you for caring about me and every situation I face, big or small. Help me to be like Nehemiah, submitting every obstacle to you first, and for being able to act from a place of peace and with wisdom that only comes from you. Show me the areas in my life where I’m trying to solve things on my own.

NOTES:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DAY 2

Scripture:What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Observation:God is greater than any leader or nation. He can frustrate the plans of even the most powerful people. How awesome it is when his favor is on a nation, and when they seek him.

Application:Let’s put aside political party lines, and pray for our nation and government! If we all individually started seeking the Lord for things far greater than ourselves, what would we see him do?

Prayer:Father, I lift up our nation. I ask that you would give those in authority the wisdom and the courage to make decisions that align with your will. I pray for peace, and that they would understand that you are God. I ask that you would soften the heart of our nation to you again. I also pray for other nations, that we would see a revival movement around our world of people who want to follow you.

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DAY 3

Scripture:We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:20-21

Observation:God is worthy of our trust. He asks us to actively choose to put our hope in him. We can be confident that in all things, he is faithful to help us and protect us. Because we know that he will never fail us or forsake us, we have access to joy beyond our circumstances and can respond with praise.

Application:You have access to the one who sees all and knows all, and he loves you fiercely. Practice today taking every worry, every negative thought, and laying it down before Jesus. Replace that narrative in your mind with the truth of this Psalm. God is for you. He is your shield, and you can trust him. Today, most of our students and teachers return to school. Let’s step into this new school year with the confident hope that God has got every stress and fear covered, and be the joy filled people that he’s called us to be.

Prayer:Thank you, God, for being my help and my shield. Show me any areas in my life where I need to put my hope in you. I pray specifically for the students and teachers returning to school. Let your protection be on them, and let them reflect your love and your peace to their campuses.

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DAY 4

Scripture:Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.Psalm 34:8-9

Observation:Did you know that the Bible talks about fear more than 300 times? We are told over and over to fear the Lord, and then the Lord tells us over and over not to fear man/our enemies/our lack/etc. Fear of the Lord, understanding that God is so much bigger than anything we face on this earth, puts all other fear in its place.

Application:The same God that is more powerful than any entity in the universe is the God who cares about your every need and fear. You can confidently walk through this day, and boldly claim the victory that is yours through Christ over any obstacle you face.

Prayer:God I thank you that I can run to you and find safety. I thank you for providing for all of my needs. I thank you that I no longer have to fear, because I know that you are greater than anything I will face.

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DAY 5

Scripture:There were 468 descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem—all outstanding men. Nehemiah 11:6

Observation:This is a simple verse, easy to pass by. But the sentiment is profound. Perez was long gone, but he left a legacy. Another translation describes the men as “valiant.” Generations after his passing, and his family was still honoring the Lord. It would have taken great courage and faith for them to return to Jerusalem after the wall was rebuilt, and Nehemiah was obviously impressed by them. If we dig deeper into the genealogy here, we find that Perez’s legacy didn’t stop at this reference - Jesus himself descended from Perez’s family line.

Application:What legacy will you leave? Whether you’re raising children or not, you set an example for others to see. What impact is your life having on those who look up to you?

Prayer:Lord, help me to leave a legacy that honors you. Help me to stay on the path you have for my life, and love those along the way well. Help me to be a person of great faith, and let my faith be the springboard for the faith of those you’ve entrusted to me.

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DAY 6

Scripture:Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. Proverbs 21:17

Observation:We are promised over and over in the Bible that God will provide. He loves to give good gifts to his children. This verse is speaking to a deeper issue than possessing material things - it’s speaking to our heart pursuits. Are we focused on chasing what feels good in the moment? Are we investing our time and efforts in material things? Or will we be wise and pursue the things and plans of God.

Application:God wants your heart. He wants you to trust him, and be willing to lay down the temporary wants of this world. Are there things that you’re pursuing or holding onto that may be getting in the way of God’s best for your life?

Prayer:Lord, thank you for blessing me with so many good things. Thank you for wanting to provide for me! I ask Lord that if there are things I’m pursuing that are getting in the way of your plans for my life, that you bring them to mind now. I lay them down, and ask you to help put them in the right perspective.

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DAY 7

Scripture:And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:17

Observation:Esther was an orphan and an exile in a foreign land. She was a woman in a culture that did not regard women highly. But God often works through the most unlikely of candidates. He perfectly positions Esther and gives her the favor that she’ll need to be the tool through which God intends to rescue the Jewish people.

Application:God qualifies the unqualified. Ask the Lord today if there are areas in your life where you’ve laid a dream down, or discounted a Holy Spirit prompting, because you didn’t feel like God could use you. He has great plans for your life!

Prayer:Lord, I thank you for seeing me and knowing me even better than I know myself. Thank you for wanting to do your good works through me. Show me how to be obedient. I surrender to you Lord.

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END OF WEEK 01

Congratulations! You have made it through the first seven days of our 21 day journey. Over the past week, we have gotten to know God and His gift for us, how He is wanting to grow our faith, and how He wants to teach us to put our problems in His hands. I hope you are enjoying this daily time with Our Maker.

As we move into this next week, the prayer section of your daily devotion will be blank. This is intentional so don’t worry. The reason we did this is to turn your time with God into a daily habit.

Classical Greek philosopher Socrates, known as the founder of Western philosophy, once said, “The soul, like the body, accepts by practice whatever habit one wishes it to contact.” In a less philosophical way, just as a gym membership can change our body - a daily conversation with God can change our souls.

This week, lean into this development. Jot down your prayer each day and just be you. Remember, this can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or even a prayer for greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say.

Your Friend,Pastor James

DAY 8

Scripture:Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21

Observation:Righteousness is one of the chief characteristics of God. He is always good, he is always right. We will never be perfect, but if we would seek to be more like God in his righteousness and his kindness first, it will put all of our other pursuits into the right perspective.

Application:Ask God to show you today times where you can put into practice kindness and righteousness. Ask him to show you if there are other pursuits in your life that are getting in the way of that.

Prayer:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTES:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DAY 9

Scripture:Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Observation:These verses paint a very different picture of love than what comes naturally to us, and what’s modeled in our culture. Love is selfless. Love makes the decision to put the other person first.

Application:Are there parts of this scripture that challenge you? Do you see areas in your relationships or maybe even your marriage where you could apply the principles laid out here?

Prayer:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 10

Scripture:The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24

Observation:God is with you every step of the way. He delights in you! Even when you mess up, he is still there to catch you. He won’t let you fall away.

Application:Be encouraged today! God is with you in every detail of your day. Don’t be discouraged if you feel like you’re in a “stumble” season; focus on his tremendous, never-ending love for you. He will lead you through it if you will just turn your eyes to him.

Prayer:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 11

Scripture:Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Observation:We are all given gifts to serve the body. We shouldn’tneglect using these gifts for the betterment and building up of those around us. But we also must exercise self control and be orderly in how we employ our gifts.

Application:Ask the Lord to show you how to use the gifts he’s given you to honor him, and to build up those around you.

Prayer:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTES:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DAY 12

Scripture: You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together. You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care. Job 10:10-12

Observation:You were made purposefully and intentionally. God has had his hand on your life since before you were even conceived. You were made with purpose, and you are wanted and loved.

Application: Let’s walk into our day reminded that we are marvelously made. Let’s worship the One who’s known us and cared for us since before we were born!

Prayer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 13

Scripture: So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Observation:God has called you to be strong in your faith, and solid in your hope. Faith isn’t passive - it elicits an active response. You were saved by grace and not by works, but that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have work that he’s specifically set for you to do! He wants to work through you, both for your growth and to further his kingdom.

Application: What are some areas of your life where you need to take a more active approach to your faith? Are there areas where God has called you to step out and serve that you haven’t yet?

Prayer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 14

Scripture: He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3

Observation:God is doing a new work in you. He is always working on your behalf, and you always have a reason to sing. Let your life reflect his goodness so that others can see and trust him too!

Application: Are there areas in your life that you’ve shut off from the Lord, because you don’t believe that he’ll show up there for you? Ask him to reveal them, and let him in! He wants to give you a new song to sing.

Prayer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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END OF WEEK 02

END OF WEEK 02:I commend the commitment you’ve given to the past 14 days. As we move into the last week of 21 Days of Prayer, I believe we will deepen the habit of talking to our Heavenly Father. My hope, as your pastor, is that each day of this journey you would encounter new discoveries that will change the way you pray. When you change the way you pray, everything changes. No matter how dark and hopeless a situation might seem, don’t stop praying, keep pressing in, your breakthrough is a prayer away and it will be worth it.

An American radio speaker and author, dealing mostly with the subjects of human character development,Earl Nightingale said, “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.” A deep relationship with God is the goal, and it is by far worth it. The plans of God are only revealed in the presence of God. So, keep praying.

This devotional guide challenged you last week as we left part of your devotional guide blank. Now, this week you will see two sections blank. Over the last two week’s, God has been walking side by side with you, developing your habit. He will not leave you, but He does want to stretch you and grow you so that it may change you.

Your Friend, James

DAY 15

Scripture:He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4

Observation:God runs to us, not away from us, when we’re hurt and facing hard things. He is present, he listens to us, grieves with us, and encourages us when we’re down. Even his correction is filled with love and kindness. He leads by example, showing us how to do life with one another.

Application: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 16

Scripture: It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Observation:God believes in you! He saved you and gave you his Holy Spirit as the promise that he will complete the work that he’s started in you. He wants you to grow, and you can depend on him to help you do it!

Application: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 17

Scripture: But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8

Observation:God pours out his never ending love on us all day long. We can’t earn it, but we can respond to it. We can worship him for all that he has done, and for all that we know he will do again.

Application: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 18

Scripture: The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Observation:We can’t out give God. He is generosity itself. What an awesome opportunity we have when we get to share with others what God has so graciously blessed us with. Generosity isn’t about the amount, it’s about the heart and the willingness to be the tool he uses to show others his love and provision.

Application: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 19

Scripture: Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. Proverbs 22:11

Observation:Wisdom is crucial for excellence and success, both in our relationships and jobs. We should all seek to live with a pure heart, free from pride, bitterness, and selfishness. When we manage our heart well, careful and grace filled speech flows out naturally.

Application: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 20

Scripture: For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18a

Observation:The size of our troubles shrink when we look at them through the lens of eternity.

Application: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DAY 21

Scripture: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Observation:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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21 DAY'S OF PRAYER CAMPUS GATHERINGS

Northwest Campus: 1300 Jewetta AveWhen: Wednesday's, August 14, 21 & 28Time: 7:00pm

Southwest Campus: 4201 Stine RoadWhen: Wednesday's, August 14, 21 & 28Time: 7:00pm Terrace Campus: 710 Terrace WayWhen: Wednesday's, August 14, 21 & 28Time: 6:30pm