by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 14, 2023 | 10 Days of Prayer
DAY 8 — PRACTICING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” (Heb. 12:28, NASB95)
An Affirmative Mindset
There is a mindset that matters significantly to God. In the Bible, we are repeatedly encouraged to practice this particular behavior because it is pleasing to God and a blessing to us. This attitude is gratitude. The book of Hebrews says, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28, NASB). Gratitude pleases God and positively impacts our own lives because it helps us focus on what is positive. Like a muscle, it strengthens when you exercise it purposefully by acknowledging your blessings.
God invites His children to be people of gratitude. In 1 Thess. 5:18 (NASB), the apostle Paul writes, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Giving thanks means remembering that someone has done something good for us and expressing that gratitude in thoughtful words. Developing an attitude of gratitude opens our eyes to beautiful details in nature and in other people.
Gratitude allows us to be thankful for simple blessings without demanding perfection. This is important because, on this side of eternity, life will never run entirely smoothly. Beauty meets and greets us in many ways. The fragrant smell of a flower, the grandeur of the starry sky on a clear night, the affectionate twinkle in a friend’s eyes—each reminds us of the beauty God has prepared for those who love Him.
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by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 14, 2023 | 10 Days of Prayer
Day 7 Ten Days of Prayer — THE VALUE OF BEING KIND
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, ESV)
The Defining Quality
At the end of your life, if you could be remembered for just one character quality, what would that be? If just one trait depicted what you stood for and what you valued most, what would you choose? In Titus 3:4, the Bible tells us that the kindness of God, our Savior, appeared to us when His love saved us.
Kindness! The kindness of God. Kindness is a universal language that can be understood by old and young, rich and poor, male and female, deaf or blind. Kindness knows no language barrier. It has a universal appeal, like music. A friendly smile, a helping hand in times of need, support when we feel discouraged, and a word of encouragement—all go a long way to make the hardships of our lives easier and more bearable. Kindness does not cost you very much, but it can make a huge difference in the lives of those who experience it, as well as in the lives of those who share it. Kindness is a win-win situation.
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More Prayer Suggestions
Thanks and Praise: Give thanks for specific blessings and praise God for His goodness.
Confession: Take a few minutes for private confession and thank God for His forgiveness.
Guidance: Ask God to grant wisdom for current challenges and decisions.
Our Church: Pray for regional and world church needs (see separate sheet with requests).
Local Requests: Pray for current needs of church members, family, and neighbors.
Listen and Respond: Take time to listen for God’s voice and respond in praise or song
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 14, 2023 | 10 Days of Prayer
DAY 6 — GRIT, PASSION, AND PERSEVERANCE
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9, ESV)
Spiritual Grit
Grit is something we don’t often associate with spiritual matters. But it is just as important in our daily pursuit of holiness as it is in other areas of life, from sports to learning to successful business transactions. Without grit, success is unlikely. Grit is the passion and perseverance of pursuing a goal we deeply care about. In order to reach our goal, we organize our lives in such a way that nothing distracts us. We need such grit in our spiritual walk with God, and we need it in a special way.
Too often, we do not see the results of our prayer requests because we are not persistent in our prayers. Perhaps we get distracted or discouraged, or we give up in our hearts and do not believe that God can hear and act in ways far beyond our comprehension. In Luke 18, Jesus tells His disciples the story of a widow who persistently brought her case to an unjust judge. Although this judge had no regard for God or the woman, he eventually granted the widow’s request because of her persistence (Luke 18:1-7). God, however, is not indifferent to our prayer requests as the unjust judge was. God is eager to help far more than we can even understand (Jer. 33:3).
What we need today, in our marriages, in our classrooms and dormitories, in our churches and homes, are people who pray. Not just those who talk about prayer, those who say they believe in prayer, or even those who can give nice explanations about prayer. We need people who actually take the time and pray!
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by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 14, 2023 | 10 Days of Prayer
DAY 5 — FOCUSING ON THINGS THAT MATTER IN OUR PRAYERS
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” (Matt. 6:9, 10, ESV)
A New Focus in Prayer
Focusing on God and things that matter is important in our prayer life as well. Often our prayers are weak and ineffective because they center only around ourselves. We pray to God about what we wish to have. We focus on our needs and the challenges we face rather than on God. Prayer that is pleasing to God has a refreshingly different focus. The focal point is no longer our “want-to- have list” but God Himself. This perspective is the key to a new prayer experience.
Prayer that is pleasing to God first recognizes God as my faithful friend whose companionship I seek because He is important to me, not because I want something from Him. Who He is, is much more important than the things He gives me. Knowing Him is the reason I want to talk to Him in the first place. Without Him, my life is de-centered and lacks the proper perspective. More important than anything I can ask for should be my desire to be with Him. His presence and who He is become the center of true prayer.
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by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 14, 2023 | 10 Days of Prayer
DAY 4 — THE FREEDOM OF A FOCUSED LIFE OF SIMPLICITY
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matt. 6:16–18, ESV)
Fasting Makes Space
One way of creating space to live a life focused on God is fasting. Fasting means decluttering our minds and lives by deliberately making room for the movement of the Holy Spirit in us and by focusing on God and His Word. The Bible often mentions fasting in connection with prayer. Jesus fasted before He started His public ministry (Matt. 4:2; Luke 4:2). The apostles fasted and prayed to be guided by God (Acts 13:2, 3), and in the Old Testament, fasting was frequently practiced among believers (1 Kings 21:9, 12; 2 Chron. 20:3; Ezra 8:21; Esther 4:3, 16; Isa. 58:6; Jer. 36:9; Dan. 9:3; Joel 2:12; John 3:5; etc.).
In contrast to wellness fasting, biblical fasting is not about observing a specific diet designed for weight loss and well-being. Instead, it is the conscious decision to abstain from food and distracting activities for a period of time to pray and commune with God. By temporarily giving up the familiar, we gain new spiritual freedom. During fasting and prayer, the focus of daily life changes: away from satisfying our own needs, away from our own works, and toward obedient listening to God. Biblical fasting expresses our desire to increase our dependence on God and pay attention to spiritual things that matter. This encompasses more than not eating; in fact, it challenges every area of our lives. In fasting, we acknowledge that we want to make space for God by reducing any distractions that crowd our attention and desire. We indicate that we want to seek and treasure God’s presence in our lives more than anything else.
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