40 Days of Prayer: Day 33

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 30, Day 33):

Acts 5:5-11

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.  Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

            Pray that we are accountable to each other.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 32

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 29, Day 32):

Acts 5:3-4

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t

the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

Pray against sin and the work of the devil.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 31

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 28, Day 31):

            Acts 5:1-2

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

            Pray that pride and competition may be kept out of our church efforts.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 30

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 27, Day 30):

 Acts 4:36-37

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),  sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Pray that our actions may have postive effects.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 29

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 26, Day 29):

Acts 4:34-35

that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Pray for generosity.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 28

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 24, Day 28):

Acts 4:33

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all

Pray for grace.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 27

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 23, Day 27):

Acts 4:32

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

Pray for unity.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 26

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 22, Day 26):

Acts 4:27-31

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.  They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

 Pray for boldness to do things we have not done before.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 25

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 21, Day 25):

Acts 4:23-26

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.  When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.  You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

   “‘Why do the nations rage
   and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
   and the rulers band together
against the Lord
   and against his anointed one.

Pray that we commit every circumstance to be a matter of prayer.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 24

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Yesterday (Mar. 20, Day 24):

Acts 4:13-22

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.  So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.  “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.  But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!  As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

            Pray that we may boldly proclaim the name of Jesus.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 23

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 19, Day 23):

Acts 4:5-12

The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!  If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,  then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  Jesus is

   “‘the stone you builders rejected,
   which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

           

            Pray that when persecuted we may still stand for Jesus.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 22

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 17, Day 22):

Acts 4:1-4

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.  They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.  But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

Pray that we are open and available for God to use us in whatever way.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 21

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 16, Day 21):

Acts 3:17-26

“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.  But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.  For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.  Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’

 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days.  And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Pray that we acknowledge the miracles God works around us on a daily basis and give praise to God.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 20

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 15, Day 20):

Acts 3:11-16

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.  When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.  You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.  By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

Pray that we are listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 19

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 14, Day 19):

Acts 3:9-10

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Pray for life changing moments.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 18

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 13, Day 18):

Acts 3:6-8

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Pray for a time of refreshing – where our crippled bodies are healed and we are free to worship.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 17

*** I was not able to post this message  yesterday, so I am posting two today one for yesterday and the one for today.  ***

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 12, Day 17):

Acts 3:1-5

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.  When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.  Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Pray for deliverance from our burdens and regrets.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 16

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 10, Day 16):

            Acts 2:46-47

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Pray that we can form a strong community.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 15

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 9, Day 15):

Acts 2:42-45

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

Pray that we commit ourselves to the fellowship of believers.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 14

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 8, Day 14):

Acts 2:40-41

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Pray that our faith becomes contagious.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 13

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 7, Day 13):

Acts 2:38-39

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Pray that we expect ourselves and our church to be used by God.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 12

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 6, Day 12):

Acts 2:29-37

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.  But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.  Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.  God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.  Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.  For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

   “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
   “Sit at my right hand
 until I make your enemies
   a footstool for your feet.”’

  “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Pray that others may come to understand and know the gospel just as the crowd did at Pentecost.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 11

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 5, Day 11):

Acts 2:22-28

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.  This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.  David said about him:

   “‘I saw the Lord always before me.
   Because he is at my right hand,
   I will not be shaken.
 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
   my body also will rest in hope,
 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   you will not let your holy one see decay.
 You have made known to me the paths of life;
   you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

Pray that we stay tethered to Jesus and his ministry.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 10

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 3, Day 10):

Acts 2:14-21

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Pray that we will respond to God’s call.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 9

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

Today (Mar. 2, Day 9):

Acts 2:5-13

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?  Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome  (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”  Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Pray that the Holy Spirit’s work on earth will change lives in our neighborhood.  

40 Days of Prayer: Day 8

During the season of Lent we are praying for 40-Days to help us seek God’s will for Grace and Crosswinds as we consider partnering together in ministry.  

** I realized that I have been working off an old document that does not coincide with the hard-copy that was handed out on Sunday.  Therefore, I am changing to coincide with the original 40-Days of Prayer Document.  This means that I am leaping ahead in scripture.  If you have been using the email or Facebook messages for your scripture reading please note this change.  I apologize for his confusion. ***

Today (Mar. 1, Day 8):

Acts 2:1-4

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Pray that the Holy Spirit and God’s presence will be with each believer.