SEVEN PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR USING THE PRAYER GUIDES

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
Matthew 26:40-41

You are about to embark on one of life's greatest adventures:  the life-changing discipline of fervent prayer!  To ensure your successful completion of the 40 Days campaign, consider these practical suggestions:

1. Choose a specific time when you will pray each day (Daniel 6:10).  Be sure it is a time you will be alert (Matthew 26:40-41.) Choose a specific place to be when you pray each day;  make sure it is one where you will be undistracted (Matthew 6:6).

2. Decide now where you will keep this prayer guide so that you can find it readily.  For example, consider leaving it by your bedside or in your Bible.

3. Each day during your devotional time, read aloud the specific prayer requests for that day. This will help your mind focus on the petitions you will be offering. To track your progress, check off the box by each date after you have completed that day's petitions.

4. If you are married or have a family, consider praying together (1 Peter 3:7.)

5. The prayer guide also contains daily scripture readings;  take a moment to read each day's scripture aloud before praying, to clear your mind and prepare your heart for your conversation with God (Psalm 19:14). 

6. The prayer guide is designed to expand our prayer repertoire by going beyond routine requests (Ephesians 6:18);  therefore, be sure to include ALL of the petitions in your devotions.

7. Finally, remember that our Father wants to speak to US, too! Ask God to help you be sensitive to the leading of His Spirit (Romans 8:12-27, Galatians 5:16-18) and alert to the answers He sends in your life (Acts 12:12-16)!

-Dan Williams