40 Days of Prayer

In the days of Noah, God sent rain on the earth for 40 days and 40 nights so He could prepare the world for a new beginning.

Moses stayed 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the Law that would transform fleeing slaves into the mighty nation of Israel.

Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness praying and fasting before choosing the 12 disciples thus beginning his public ministry and the work that would change the world forever.

Why God has chosen 40 days for preparing His people to do great things is unknown, but itcan’t be ignored.

In the next 40 days starting tomorrow, I would like to challenge you to set aside some time each day when you can spend time with God in prayer, scripture reading and reflection. You can do this alone, or if you haven’t been already, start praying together as a family.

For the next 40 Days, we will be reminded that we are indeed a ‘community of believers’ as our vision statement here at University declares. But more than just a simple community, we’re part of a family.

Through readings, meditations, and prayer, this Family prayer time will lead us into a closer walk with God and with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The last 40 days of 2009 can be a powerfully moving experience for us. We each have different experiences with our earthly family; some good, some not so. Regardless, be thankful in every circumstance. And if possible, and if needful, strengthen the bonds that have grown weak in your relationships.

God is interested in families. The last words of the Old Testament look forward to the ministry of John the Baptist (figured as Elijah) who would be preparing the people for the coming Messiah. Listen to how God pictures his ministry:

“See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:5-6).

Are you ‘turned’ toward your family? Turn to God in prayer in these 40 days, and let God turn your heart in greater ways toward your parents, children, spouse, and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

(Each day, starting tomorrow, I will post that day's reading and prayer meditation. I hope you will be blessed in your participation. -John Wheeler)