Category: 40 Days of Prayer

Life doesn’t always go as planned. At some point, you’ll face impossible obstacles and barriers — situations that make you think there’s no way this is going to work out. But God wants to help you handle uncertainty when it comes your way. He is ready and willing to give you a breakthrough, but it doesn’t just happen spontaneously; breakthroughs happen when you seek them. And the way you seek them is through prayer.

Join us as we dig deeper into prayer and experience breakthrough in our relationships, our financial difficulties, bad habits, health and many other areas of our lives. In February, the MCF will start a series on 40 Days of Prayer from SaddleBack Church and our desire for you is to engage in this series as we help equip you in cultivating a more powerful prayer life.

40 Days of Prayer 2019

Posted on January 10, 2019January 31, 2019 By Prayer Coordinator

Prayer is not only the cornerstoneof the MCF, but it is the foundation and wall that supports us. We believe strongly in prayer because our Lord and Saviour modelled it and taught us that before we seek to do anything in God’s name, we should talk with Him.

We know our ministry’s mission to take Jesus’ truth into our military community is ordained by God. We can boldly say this because we have recognized His presence time and time again over the past year affirming, we are doing His will. As we move forward in 2019, we invite you to join us on our quest to bring the Gospel to our military family. One way you can do this is by joining with us in 40 days of prayer and fasting. Starting 13 January and ending at our Annual General Meeting 16 February 2019.

Provided for you are daily suggested thoughts and scripture. You can download them for daily access. They will also be posted on our FACEBOOK page each morning during these 40 days. You may note that the verses and thoughts take on the tone of personal revival. This is no accident. We want you to have a blessed life and ask that you consider your relationship with God. We want you to clean out your closet and talk with God about past sins, arrogances and mindsets so He can use you to bless others. We want you to recognize that being a disciple of God requires sacrifice, repentance and gratitude on your part. Our Saviour loves us and will forgive us for all our transgressions, past and future, so we encourage you to talk with Him.

Join our MCF team as we seek to impact our serving and retired military members and their families. Please indicate subject is “40 days of prayer 2019”

40 Days of Prayer – Week 7

Posted on March 22, 2018March 21, 2018 By Prayer Coordinator

EQUIPPING & ENGAGING YOU IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER.

“When God Says NO”

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” Jeremiah 33:3.

Over the past 6 sessions, we have looked at ways to connect with God through prayer. As you have watched, discussed and reflected on these lessons, your understanding of prayer should have increased. Maybe, your prayer practice has been affected. However, some may have gone through this study and still asked themselves, “why pray when all my prayers seem to come back no or even unanswered”. Scripture tells us to call on God as He is listening but some can’t help but think He’s never answering.

This week’s lesson builds on words the prophet Jeremiah spoke to God’s chosen people about God wanting to answer us. It touches on the types of answers God does provide and more importantly helps understand what God’s answer may be “no”.

To assist you with this week’s study, download the material below and listen to the video link include for this week.

HERE IS THE MATERIAL NECESSARY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

1. Week 6 video is called: “When God Says No“

2. Download Week 7 – When God Says No (blanks).

3. Download Week 7 – When God Says No (blank response)

4. Download Week 7 – When God Says No (small gp guide)

5. Daily thoughts – the daily thoughts are available in weekly increments. However, you can find them daily on the MCF FACEBOOK PAGE.

May God bless you as grant you wisdom as you continue this journey of prayer.

DAILY REFLECTIONS – WEEK 7

Preparation:

Find a quiet place where you know you will be uninterrupted.
Have your bible and journal ready.
Read the suggested verse several times.
Consider reading the verse using different versions of the bible.
Contemplate the questions being asked and then record or verbalize your response.

By now you have formed a habit of contemplating on God’s word. Continue in this practice by using a different book of the bible and contemplate on one verse per day and ask God to reveal Himself to you each day by using these questions.

What did you hear? What did God say to you as you read today’s Bible passage?
What word or phrase was most meaningful to you?
What do you think?
What does this passage mean to you? How does it apply to your life?
What is your prayer?

40 Days of Prayer – Week 6

Posted on March 15, 2018March 14, 2018 By Prayer Coordinator

EQUIPPING & ENGAGING YOU IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER.

“How to pray for Healing and Restoration”

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

There is a story being told in 2 Chronicles and if you read the passages immediately before and after 2 Chronicles 7:14 the context of this message may make sense. Solomon had just dedicated the temple and God visited Him and said, I heard your prayer and will accept your sacrifices here but I want to hear from you; I want to hear from the people.

A.W. Tozer said when addressing Christians, “the world is not our playground, it is our battlefield”. The world is corrupt and it is broken and wants to kill the message of the gospel. Do you think God can heal it? Do you think God can bring healing to countries, communities, workplaces, families and to our individual bodies? Of course, He can, but He wants to use us as first responders. He invites us to take the Gospel to those places that require healing and share His Good News.

Much of the damage we deal with day-to-day is even beyond the ability of governments to fix and we know the only way creation will be restored is with God’s help and with that help, we can take back our families and communities. This week’s lesson looks at the subject of healing and restoration and begins with a reminder; if we ask God and seek His ways, we will see miraculous change.

To assist you with this week’s study, download the material below and listen to the video link include for this week.

HERE IS THE MATERIAL NECESSARY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

1. Week 6 video is called: “How to Pray for Healing and Restoration.“

2. Download Week 6 – How to Pray for Healing and Restoration (blanks).

3. Download Week 6 – How to Pray for Healing and Restoration (blank responses)

4. Download Week 6 – How to pray for healing and restoration (sermon transcript)

5. Download Week 6 – How to Pray for Healing and Restoration (small gp guide)

6. Daily thoughts – the daily thoughts are available in weekly increments. However, you can find them daily on the MCF FACEBOOK PAGE.

We have been discussing the weekly sessions during an online gathering and invite you to join us on Monday to be part of this group for an hour, starting at 8 PM Atlantic time. We connect using a video conferencing tool call ZOOM. You will need to download a ZOOM app for your computer or mobile device to participate. Those wishing to join can advise Nicole by contacting the MCF office and indicating you wish to join in the Zoom discussion. An email with further instruction will be sent to you.

DAILY REFLECTIONS – WEEK 6

Preparation:

NOTE: the same questions are asked each day.

DAY 36 – 2 Chronicles 20:6

DAY 37 – 2 Chronicles 20:7-9

DAY 38 – 2 Chronicles 20:10-12

DAY 39 – 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

DAY 40 – Hebrews 11:6

40 Days of Prayer – Week 5

Posted on March 8, 2018March 7, 2018 By Prayer Coordinator

EQUIPPING & ENGAGING YOU IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER.

“How to pray throughout the day”

“Rejoice always, pray continually….” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Paul’s guidance to the Thessalonians has caused some anxiety amongst followers today because they can’t imagine what it means to pray continually. They envision the requirement involves praying as 18^th-century spiritual leaders who often woke very early in the morning and prayed for hours, only to repeat the same later in the day and evening. They can’t imagine talking with God for long periods of time after all “what do I have to say to Him”.

As we have been learning on this journey, there is more than one way to talk with God and the wonderful news is that He does not expect us to adhere to a format, posture or even schedule. He wants humility, sincerity and honesty and will guide us to find ways to pray in this manner.

This week’s lesson touches on what it means to pray continuously and offers suggestions on how to do that. When you listen to the lesson and reflect on what is being taught you will look at the ideas and say “ “I can do that”.

To assist you with this week’s study, download the material below and listen to the video link include for this week.

HERE IS THE MATERIAL NECESSARY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

1. Week 5 video is called: “How to pray throughout your day“

2. Download this copy of Week 5 – How to Pray Throughout Your Day (blanks).

3. Download this copy of Week 5 – How to Pray Throughout Your Day (blank responses)

4. Download this copy of Week 5 – How to Pray Throughout Your Day (sermon transcript)

5. Download this copy of Week 5 – How to Pray Throughout Your Day (small gp guide)

6. Daily thoughts – the daily thoughts are available in weekly increments. However, you can find them daily on the MCF FACEBOOK PAGE.

One great way to grow is to discuss your faith understanding with others. Several people have started a small group to look at the 40 Day of Prayer study and are finding their time together rewarding. If you’d like to engage in a discussion group you may join us on-line Monday evenings as we gather for an hour, starting at 8 PM Atlantic time. We connect using a video conferencing tool call Zoom. You will need to download a Zoom app for your computer or mobile devise to participate. Those wishing to join can advise us by contacting the MCF office and indicating you wish to join in the Zoom discussion. An email with further instruction will be sent to you.

DAILY REFLECTIONS – WEEK 5

Preparation:

NOTE: the same questions are asked each day.

DAY 29 – Jeremiah 29:13

DAY 30 – John 15:7

DAY 31 – Proverbs 8:17

DAY 32 – Daniel 9:4

DAY 33 – Daniel 9:9

DAY 34 – Daniel 9:18

DAY 35 – Daniel 9:20-23

40 Days of Prayer – Week 4

Posted on March 1, 2018February 28, 2018 By Prayer Coordinator

EQUIPPING & ENGAGING YOU IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER.

“PRAYING IN FIVE DIMENSIONS”

When Moses spoke the words “Hear, O Israel: …” (Deuteronomy 6:5), they followed comments about the need to follow God’s commandments and preceded a warning about the consequences of failing to do so. He offered the idea that this commandment was the greatest. During a conversation Jesus had with an expert in the law, He was asked what the greatest commandment was. Jesus turned it around and ask the individual what he believed. The law expert replied, “Love the Lord your God…..” (Luke10:27). Jesus affirmed this as being the correct response. Knowing the importance of obedience and love is to our relationship with God, the question we may ask from these commandments is “what does it mean to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind?”

This week’s lesson touches on praying in a multidimensional way that engages God in all levels thereby helping us love Him and our neighbours, with our whole being. It is called “Praying in five dimensions”. To benefit from the study, download the material below and listen to the video link include for this week.

HERE IS THE MATERIAL NECESSARY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

1. This week’s video is called: “Praying in five dimensions“

2. Download this copy of Week 4 – Praying in Five Dimensions (blanks).

3. Download this copy of Week 4 – Praying in Five Dimensions (blank responses)

4. Download this copy of Week 4 – Praying in Five Dimensions (sermon transcript)

5. Download this copy of Week 4 – Praying in Five Dimensions (Small gp guide)

6. Daily thoughts – the daily thoughts are available in weekly increments. However, you can find them daily on the MCF FACEBOOK PAGE.

We are hosting a weekly discussion forum. This takes place on Monday evenings at 20:00 Atlantic time and will run for 1 hour. During this time, we are looking at a couple of items in the week’s study and talk about them. Those wishing to join can advise us by contacting the MCF office and indicating you wish to join in the Zoom discussion. An email with further instruction will be sent to you.

DAILY REFLECTIONS – WEEK 4

Preparation:

NOTE: the same questions are asked each day.

DAY 22 – 1 Chronicles 16:11

DAY 23 – 1 John 1:9

DAY 24 – Psalm 32:1-5

DAY 25 – Ephesians 4:32

DAY 26 – 1 Corinthians 13:5

DAY 27 – Colossians 3:23-24

DAY 28 – Psalm 115:1

40 DAYS OF PRAYER – WEEK 3

Posted on February 22, 2018February 21, 2018 By Prayer Coordinator

EQUIPPING & ENGAGING YOU IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER.

“Who do you think you are talking to?”

Our mission at the MCF is God’s mission; to bring news of God’s wonder to all creation so that all can acknowledge and enjoy Him. Acknowledging God leads to a realization that we are created for a purpose and are not mistakes or accidents. Acknowledging God leads us to see the world in a different light; to see a world that was created well, with us in mind. Acknowledging God also leads to a realization that we live in a fallen world that needs saving and God’s mission will bring about restoration for all His creation.

We choose to take this journey into prayer because we know that God’s plan includes having us work alongside Him sharing and showing people the way to salvation and restoration. We want to help you communicate with God because we know that to work with Him, you will need to understand His plan; clarity and understanding are significantly enhanced through good communication.

In this week’s study, we will be looking at the question “who do you think you are talking to?”

HERE IS THE MATERIAL NECESSARY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

1. This week’s video is called: Who do you think you are talking to?

2. Download this copy of Week 3 – Who Do You Think You Are Talking To? with blanks for you to fill in.

3. Download this copy of Week 3 – Who Do You Think You Are Talking To? with blanks filled in.

4. Download this copy of Week 3 – Who do you think you are takling to (sermon transcript)

5. Download this copy of Week 3 – Who Do You Think You Are Talking To (small gp guide)

6. Daily thoughts – are available in weekly increments on our website. However, you can find them daily on the MCF FACEBOOK PAGE.

We have started a weekly discussion group to talk about some of the issues raised in the lessons. It takes place on Monday evening starting at 8:00 PM Atlantic time and is conducted on a media platform known as Zoom. All are invited to participate. To join you will need to acknowledge your desire by informing Nicole at the MCF office. You will also have to download an app for whatever device you own. A message will be sent to you on Sunday with connection instructions.

W. Tozer wrote, “what comes to your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you, because it affects everything else in your life.” Join us this week as we look at the One hearing and answering our prayers.

Join us and grow closer to yourself and to God.

DAILY REFLECTIONS – WEEK 3

Preparation:

NOTE: the same questions are asked each day.

DAY 15 – Matthew 6:9-13

DAY 16 – Ephesians 3:17-19

DAY 17 – Psalm 107:15

DAY 18 – Romans 8:28

DAY 19 – Romans 12:1

DAY 20 – Mark 14:36

DAY 21 – Matthew 6:34

40 DAYS OF PRAYER WEEK 2

Posted on February 15, 2018February 14, 2018 By Prayer Coordinator

EQUIPPING & ENGAGING YOU IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER.

“A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PRAYER”

HERE IS THE MATERIAL NECESSARY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

Today we start week 2 of the 40 Days of Prayer Study. To benefit from the study, download the guides below, all the material necessary for your participation.

1. This week’s video is called: A Beginner’s guide

2. A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer with blanks for you to fill in.

3. A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer with blanks filled in.

4. A beginner’s guide (sermon transcript)

5. A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer (Small gp guide)

6. Daily thoughts and reflection are posted on the MCF Facebook page.

Lastly, this Monday night, 19 February at 20:00 Atlantic Time, we will host a discussion forum on a media tool called ZOOM. It will run for only an hour and we look at a couple of items in this study material. Those wishing to join should advise Nicole at the MCF office NLT 15:00 Sunday 18 February. Reply to this email and indicate that you wish to join in the Zoom discussion. An email with further instruction will be sent to later Sunday evening.

Talking with God is a blessing and we are invited by Him to be blessed.

DAILY PREPARATION FOR WEEK 2:

NOTE: the same questions are asked each day.

DAY 8 – Romans 8:38-39

DAY 9 – 2 Timothy 2:13

DAY 10 – Hebrews 13:5

DAY 11 – Psalm 139:17-18

DAY 12 – Matthew 7:11

DAY 13 – 1 Corinthians 2:9

DAY 14 – John 1:12

40 DAYS OF PRAYER WEEK 1

Posted on February 7, 2018February 14, 2018 By Prayer Coordinator

EQUIPPING & ENGAGING YOU IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER.

“DO YOU REALLY WANT TO GROW”

HERE IS THE MATERIAL NECESSARY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

1. This week’s video is called: Do you really want to grow up?

2. Download this copy of Week 1 – Sermon Guide with blanks for you to fill in.

3. Download this copy of Week 1 – Sermon Guide with blanks filled in.

4. Download this copy of Week 1 – Sermon Transcript

5. Download this copy of Week 1 – Small Group Guide

6. Daily thoughts – starting Saturday 10 February the daily thoughts will be available in weekly increments. However, you can find them daily on the MCF FACEBOOK PAGE.

We will host a weekly discussion forum. This will take place on Monday evenings starting 19 February at 20:00 Atlantic time and will run for 1 hour. During this time, we will look at a couple of items in the week’s study and talk about them. Those wishing to join can advise us by contacting the MCF office and indicating you wish to join in the Zoom discussion. An email with further instruction will be sent to you.

It seems unimaginable that the all-powerful One who spoke the universe into existence wants to communicate with us. The one who own the stars in the sky, the fish in the sea, and the breaths that give us life, wants to spend time with us hearing about our desires, troubles and joys. It is not science fiction or some unbelievable tale, but a gift spoken by the Risen Saviour to His disciples when asked to be shown how to talk with God. Join us and grow closer to yourself and to God.

DAILY REFLECTIONS – WEEK 1

Preparation:

NOTE: the same questions are asked each day.

DAY 1 – John 15:5-7

DAY 2 – John 15:15-16

DAY 3 – Philippians 4:6-7

DAY 4 – John 16:23-24

DAY 5 – Psalm 37:4

DAY 6 – John 14:12

DAY 7 – John 14:13-14

40 DAYS OF PRAYER

Posted on February 2, 2018February 7, 2018 By Prayer Coordinator

Lord, teach us to pray” Luke 11:1b

If you have an awareness of the Jewish culture during the time frame of Jesus’ ministry you might find the request made to Jesus to be strange. The disciples were part of a culture which prayed a minimum of three times daily. Over the centuries the Jewish religious leaders had developed prayers for all occasions and the practice of prayer had been engrained in the mindset of the community. So why did the disciples need teaching?

The answer is found in the same passage; they wanted to pray like John the Baptist’s disciples. They noted that there was something different in the way John’s disciples connected with God. They probably recognized Jesus also prayed differently from them and wanted to experience a similar enriched prayer life. We at the MCF want you to pray in a way that allows you experience a deeper connection with God. We want you to examine your prayer practices by joining us on 8 February 2018 as we start a prayer journey. We invite you to participate in a study developed by Saddleback Church called 40 Days of Prayer.

The topics covered include:

Week 1 – Do you really want to grow?
Week 2 – A beginner’s guide to prayer
Week 3 – Who do you think you are talking to
Week 4 – Praying in 5 dimensions
Week 5 – How to pray through your day
Week 6 – How to pray for healing and restoration
Week 7 – When God says no

All journeys require intentionality on the part of participants and this journey is no exception. There are teaching videos to watch, questions to contemplate, and discussions to participate in. It is believed that participating in this study with others will enhance your learning, so we ask that you consider doing this as a small group study; use your present group or start one specifically for the 40 Days. Additionally, if there is interest, we’d like to connect online on Monday evenings for approximately 1 hour. We will use an easy-to-use program called ZOOM. If you are interested in this activity reply to us via the office indicating as much and you will be sent connection details.

The MCF, like all who call themselves Christ followers, are part of God’s mission;
a mission to make the world aware of God’s love and plan of salvation. God has invited us to be on mission with Him. Part of the MCF’s purpose is to engage the military community and assist them to become disciples. We know that as disciples of Christ we have been empowered with the Holy Spirit to do wonderful things but how do we know what these things are? Prayer connects us with God helping us understand our purpose and mission. As such, it would make sense to ensure we have an appropriate way to hear and discuss God’s intentions. The 40 Days of Prayer journey can help your understanding of prayer.

Join us as we seek to grow our personal prayer practices, so we can become closer to our Lord and Saviour, so we can be on mission with God.

Blessings

Anton Topilnyckyj
Prayer Coordinator