Files updated January 7, 2020

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  Welcome to Ten Days of Prayer 2020! We are so thankful that we can start this year with prayer. God has worked many miracles in past years as we have sought Him in prayer and fasting. The Holy Spirit has wrought revival, conversions, renewed passion for evangelism, and healed relationships. Truly, prayer is the birthplace of revival!

  We believe your life and the lives of those you pray for will be changed as you join fellow church members in praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, whom the Father has promised to give to those who ask Him. Here are just three responses from those who participated in the last Ten Days of Prayer:

  N.K. from Zambia:

  During the third day of 10 Days of Prayer, I was praying from the front of our congregation when I was convicted to plead for God’s divine intervention. “Someone is in the process of committing suicide,” I prayed. “Dear Lord, please don’t allow them to succeed. Please intervene.” The next day I was shocked to find out that my very own aunt tried to commit suicide. But because of our prayers, God intervened and saved her life. As I write this testimony, she is doing well and God is at work in her life. We are all praising the Lord for His miraculous answer to our prayer.

  J.J. from North Carolina, U.S.A.:

  Back in 2018 during the Ten Days of Prayer, my friend Alicia had prayed for five specific individuals to come to Christ. God answered many of her prayers, but still one name on her list, that of her sister, had not responded. However, this year during the Ten Days of Prayer, Alicia’s sister came to the prayer meetings and surrendered herself to Jesus. Now she is taking Bible studies and preparing for baptism. Also, two other individuals that attended the Ten Days of Prayer meetings have committed to baptism. We just praise God for His work and for the Ten Days of Prayer ministry. We all truly experienced a deeper experience with Jesus as we came together to pray.

  A Believer in Asia:

  While Ten Days of Prayer was running, I prayed to our Heavenly Father to give me an opportunity to spread the Adventist message After praying during Ten Days of Prayer, I gave the Adventist message to a big group

  without a Christian background, and they have accepted my message. I received the answer to my prayer. It is my great testimony after this Ten Days of Prayer. Praise to the Lord.

  General Ten Days of Prayer Items

  Daily Theme Sheets

  A theme sheet has been prepared for each of the ten days. This includes a Bible passage, devotional testimony, Bible texts to pray about, prayer suggestions, and song suggestions. We recommend that you copy the theme sheets so each participant can have one to follow during the prayer time. All daily theme sheets are also directly accessible for any computer or mobile device at www.tendaysofprayer.org.

  Churches around the world will unite in praying about each day’s theme. Join them in praying through the verses, quotes, and prayer requests on each theme sheet. However, don’t feel that you must rush through the entire list of prayer suggestions. You may want to divide into small groups and have each group pray for a portion of the list.

  Some of the prayer requests relate specifically to the Seventh-day Adventist World Church. It’s important to pray together for our church family, but you may want to adapt your prayer time and use more general prayer themes if your group includes visitors from the community. Pray about how you can best welcome guests and make them feel a part of your group.

  Suggested Times for Each Prayer Section

  How much time you spend on each section of prayer will probably vary somewhat each time you pray together. The following timeframes are suggestions for what typically works well:

  • Welcome/Introduction: 2 - 5 minutes
  • Reading of ”Testimony” (see theme sheets): 3 - 5 minutes
  • Praying Through “Bible Texts to Pray About” (see theme sheets): 3 - 5 minutes
  • Praising God in the Prayer Time: 10 minutes
  • Confession and Claiming Victory over Sin in the Prayer Time: 3 - 5 minutes
  • Supplication and Intercession (see “Suggested Prayers” on theme sheets): 20 - 30 minutes
  • Thanksgiving in the Prayer Time: 10 minutes

  Intercede for Seven

  Encourage each person to ask God to show them seven people to pray for during the ten days. These may be family members, friends, coworkers, church members, etc. Encourage them to pray that the Holy Spirit will lead these seven people to abide in Christ. Group members should also ask God to show them how they can pray for specific needs and reach out to their seven people during the ten days. You may want to provide some cards or pieces of paper on which people can record the seven names they will be praying for.

  Sabbath Services During Ten Days of Prayer 2020

  Have a special prayer focus and share testimonies of answered prayer during the church services on both Sabbaths. Be creative—there are many ways to share with the church family what is happening during the daily prayer meetings.

  Final Sabbath Celebration

  The final Sabbath, especially, should be designed as a time of great rejoicing in all that God has done throughout the ten days. Include ample time for testimonies of answered prayer, biblical teaching/preaching on prayer, and singing. Lead the congregation in a time of prayer so that those who have not attended the daily meetings can experience the joy of praying with others. Please see the Sabbath Celebration handout for more information.

  Follow-up to Ten Days of Prayer 2020

  Pray about how God wants your church/group to continue what He has begun during Ten Days of Prayer 2020. Perhaps you will continue with a weekly prayer meeting. Or perhaps God wants you to begin a new ministry in your church or an outreach to the community. Be open and follow where God leads. You’re sure to be amazed as you walk with Him. We’ve included an outreach challenge with suggestions at the end of this Leader’s Guide.

  Testimonies

  Please share stories of how God has worked through Ten Days of Prayer! Your stories will be an encouragement to many others. Testimonies may be sent to [email protected] or submitted online at www.tendaysofprayer.org .

  United Prayer Pointers

  Agree Together

  When someone prays a request to God, be sure some others pray for that same request and agree together—this is powerful! Don’t think that because one person has prayed about the request, no one else needs to. “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:19). How encouraging it is to be lifted up in prayer!

  Claiming God’s Promises

  You’ll find topic-specific Bible promises included on each handout. Encourage the group to claim God’s promises as they pray. It is so easy to focus on our problems. But when we claim God’s promises, we increase our faith and remind ourselves that nothing is impossible with God. The promises help us take our eyes off our weaknesses and difficulties and set them on Jesus. For every weakness and every struggle, we can find Bible promises to claim.

  Encourage people to search for more promises and write them down so they can claim them in the future.

  Fasting

  Invite those joining you in Ten Days of Prayer to consider some type of fasting, such as fasting from TV, secular music, movies, the Internet, sweets, or other types of food that are hard to digest. Use the extra time to pray and study the Bible, asking God to help you and your congregation to abide more fully in Christ. By adopting a simple diet, we allow our minds to become more receptive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

  Holy Spirit

  Be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to show you what to pray for in a person’s life or in a particular situation. The Bible tells us that we do not know what to pray for and that the Holy Spirit is the one making intercession for us.

  “We must not only pray in Christ’s name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said that the Spirit ‘maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.’ (Romans 8:26). Such prayer God delights to answer. When with earnestness and intensity we breathe a prayer in the name of Christ, there is in that very intensity a pledge from God that He is about to answer our prayer ‘exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think’ (Ephesians 3:20)” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 147, emphasis supplied).

  Physical Togetherness

  As you begin a united prayer session, invite everyone to come close together. When people move close together to form a tight circle, it helps to promote a spirit of unity, which is very important for united prayer. If people are spread out in a room, it is also difficult to hear one another’s prayers.

  Journaling

  Keeping a prayer journal during the Ten Days of Prayer can be a good way for participants to internalize the daily prayer theme, make concrete commitments to God, and recognize His blessings to them. Writing out our prayers and keeping a record of God’s answers is a proven path to encouragement.

  If you desire, journaling could be included in the Ten Days of Prayer in several ways. You could provide time during the prayer meeting for people to journal their responses to God in their private prayer journals. Or you could keep a group journal of prayer requests and answers—either in a notebook, on a large poster, or online. A simple way to do this is to draw a line down the middle of a large piece of paper. Write requests in the left column and answers in the right. It is exciting and faith-building to look back and see how God has answered prayers!

  Reverence

  Encourage and model a reverent attitude. We are approaching the throne room of the King of the universe. Let’s not treat this prayer time carelessly in our posture or mannerisms. However, it is not necessary that everyone kneel continuously. You want people to be comfortable for an hour, so encourage people to kneel or sit or stand as God leads and as they are comfortable.

  Sentence Prayers

  Prayers should be short and to the point. This gives others an opportunity to pray as well. Try to limit your prayers to a few sentences. Each person can pray multiple times. Short sentence prayers keep the prayer time interesting and allow the Holy Spirit to impress the group how to pray. You don’t need to open and close each short sentence prayer with phrases such as “Dear God” and “Amen.” It is an ongoing conversation with God.

  Silence

  As a leader, don’t dominate the prayer time. The goal is to get others praying. Times of silence are wonderful, as they give God time to speak to our hearts. Allow the Holy Spirit to work and give everyone time to pray.

  Singing

  Spontaneous group songs, mingled between prayers, add beauty to the prayer meeting. Appropriate songs are listed at the end of each theme sheet. Do not feel that you need to use all the songs—these are simply suggestions. Singing is also a good way to transition from one prayer section to another.

  Taking Prayer Requests

  Don’t ask for prayer requests from the group. Instead, tell people to pray their requests and encourage others to join in agreement and prayer for those requests. Here’s why: time! Talking about the requests will take up most of your prayer time. Satan is thrilled if he can keep us talking about the problem instead of praying about the problem. Group members will often begin counseling and suggesting solutions. The power is from God! The more we pray, the more His power is unleashed.

  Your Daily Time

  This is so important! Make sure that you as a leader are spending time daily at the feet of Jesus, talking with Him and reading His Word. If you will make knowing God a first priority in your life, it will open such a beautiful experience to you. “From the secret place of prayer came the power that shook the world in the Great Reformation. There, with holy calmness, the servants of the Lord set their feet upon the rock of His promises” (The Great Controversy, p. 210).

  Ten Days of Prayer Outreach Challenge

  Everyone can do something to hasten the coming of Jesus through Total Member Involvement.

  “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:35, 36).

  In The Ministry of Healing we read, “We must live a twofold life—a life of thought and action, of silent prayer and earnest work” (p. 512). It is our privilege to show others the love of Jesus. We have received so much love from our Savior; let’s not keep it for ourselves. Let’s share His love with others.

  We encourage you and your church to ask God in prayer how you can reach out to others after the Ten Days of Prayer. Choose one or several activities, choose a day, and be the hands and feet of Jesus. As you work to organize everything, avoid letting these arrangements distract you from praying. “Personal effort for others should be preceded by much secret prayer; for it requires great wisdom to understand the science of saving souls. Before communicating with men, commune with Christ. At the throne of heavenly grace obtain a preparation for ministering to the people” (Prayer, p. 313).

  We have prepared a list of ways you can help others. Choose whatever fits the needs of the people you are going to serve. Feel free to do something that it is not listed.

  • Cook a meal for someone who has been sick.

  • Invite a neighbor/co-worker to a social gathering.

  • Give food to a homeless person.

  • Donate clothing that you would want donated to you.

  • “Adopt” an elderly person. Visit the person on a regular basis and help with chores, shopping, cooking, or garden work.

  • Bake some bread and share a loaf with a neighbor.

  • Help with neighborhood projects.

  • Offer to stay with a sick or disabled person so their caretakers can run an errand.

  • Participate in neighborhood projects.

  • Introduce yourself to a new neighbor by taking them a meal. Make them feel welcome in the neighborhood.

  • Buy groceries and deliver them to a needy family.

  • Donate your old eyeglasses.

  • Offer to give a Bible study.

  • Visit people in nursing homes.

  • Give some “food” money to a student.

  • Collect clothing for the needy. You might start a clothes closet at your church for sharing with those in need.

  • Donate your old laptop or other electronics.

  • Donate a used car.

  • Organize a “Health Expo.”

  • Send a card to a shut-in.

  • Organize an evangelistic series.

  • Call your neighbors and ask how they’re doing.

  • Give someone a book you think they’d like.

  • Pass out GLOW tracts (available to order here: www.glowonline.org/glow ).

  • Invite someone to accept Jesus.

  • Hold a cooking school.

  • Do the “28 Literature Project.” In Week One, give away one book. Week Two, give away two books. Week Three, give away three books. Continue until you have given away 28 books.

  • Take some food to someone who has lost a loved one.

  • Visit someone in the hospital to encourage them or help them in some way.

  • Read to an elderly person.

  • Visit a children’s home and offer your help to the staff.

  • Start a sewing/knitting/crocheting group to make clothes for those in need.

  • Read the Bible aloud for someone who can’t see or read.

  • Host a youth night at your home.

  • Volunteer at a shelter for abused persons.

  • Donate some books to a children’s home or shelter.

  • Take children from your church to visit a home for elderly people. Present a program for them.

  • Plan and host a fun day for special needs kids and their families.

  • Have a community clean-up day.

  • Start a health club in your church. Invite friends and neighbors.

  • Ask someone if they would like to join you in watching a DVD with a spiritual message. As you watch together, pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to the person’s heart.

  • Design your own project.

   

  For more resources on witnessing, visit: revivalandreformation.org/resources/witnessing

• Introduction Welcome to Ten Days of Prayer 2020
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  Welcome to Ten Days of Prayer 2020! We are so thankful that we can start this year with prayer. God has worked many miracles in past years as we have sought Him in prayer and fasting. The Holy Spirit has wrought revival, conversions, renewed passion for evangelism, and healed relationships. Truly, prayer is the birthplace of revival!

  We believe your life and the lives of those you pray for will be changed as you join fellow church members in praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, whom the Father has promised to give to those who ask Him. Here are just three responses from those who participated in the last Ten Days of Prayer:

  N.K. from Zambia:

  During the third day of 10 Days of Prayer, I was praying from the front of our congregation when I was convicted to plead for God’s divine intervention. “Someone is in the process of committing suicide,” I prayed. “Dear Lord, please don’t allow them to succeed. Please intervene.” The next day I was shocked to find out that my very own aunt tried to commit suicide. But because of our prayers, God intervened and saved her life. As I write this testimony, she is doing well and God is at work in her life. We are all praising the Lord for His miraculous answer to our prayer.

  J.J. from North Carolina, U.S.A.:

  Back in 2018 during the Ten Days of Prayer, my friend Alicia had prayed for five specific individuals to come to Christ. God answered many of her prayers, but still one name on her list, that of her sister, had not responded. However, this year during the Ten Days of Prayer, Alicia’s sister came to the prayer meetings and surrendered herself to Jesus. Now she is taking Bible studies and preparing for baptism. Also, two other individuals that attended the Ten Days of Prayer meetings have committed to baptism. We just praise God for His work and for the Ten Days of Prayer ministry. We all truly experienced a deeper experience with Jesus as we came together to pray.

  A Believer in Asia:

  While Ten Days of Prayer was running, I prayed to our Heavenly Father to give me an opportunity to spread the Adventist message. After praying during Ten Days of Prayer, I gave the Adventist message to a big group

  without a Christian background, and they have accepted my message. I received the answer to my prayer. It is my great testimony after this Ten Days of Prayer. Praise to the Lord.

  Our Prayer Theme: Seeking God’s Spirit

  During Ten Days of Prayer 2020, we invite you to experience the promised blessings of the Holy Spirit. Before He returned to heaven, Jesus gave us this promise: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NLT).

  “Since this is the means by which we are to receive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God” (Ellen White, The Acts of the Apostles , p. 50).

  Join us as we seek the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and allow God to reproduce His fruit in our lives!

  SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR THE PRAYER TIMES

  • Keep your prayers short—just a sentence or two on one Then give others a turn. You can pray as many times as you’d like, just as you talk in a conversation.
  • Do not be afraid of silence, as it gives everyone time to listen to the Holy
  • Singing songs together as the Spirit leads is also a huge You do not need a piano for this; singing acapella is fine.
  • Rather than using up valuable prayer time talking about your prayer requests, simply pray them. Then others can also pray for your requests and claim promises for your

  Claiming the Promises

  God has given us many promises in His Word. It is our privilege to claim them in our prayers. All His commandments and counsels are also promises. He would never ask from us something that we could not do in His strength.

  It is so easy to focus on our needs, our difficulties, our challenges—and to wail and whine about our situation when we pray. This is not the purpose of prayer. Prayer is meant to strengthen our faith. That is why we encourage you to claim God’s promises in your prayer time. Take your eyes off yourself and your weaknesses and look to Jesus. By beholding Him, we become changed into His image.

  “Every promise in the Word of God is for us. In your prayers, present the pledged word of Jehovah and by faith claim His promises. His word is the assurance that if you ask in faith, you will receive all spiritual blessings.

  Continue to ask, and you will receive exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think”. (In Heavenly Places, 71)

  How can you claim His promises? For instance, when praying for peace, you can claim John 14:27 and say, “Lord, You have told us in Your Word, ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ Give me the peace that You promised to leave with us.” Thank the Lord that He is giving you peace, even though you may not feel it right then and there.

  Fasting

  We encourage you to do a Daniel Fast during these ten days. Starting the year with prayer and fasting is a wonderful way to consecrate our lives to God for the upcoming year. Ellen White tells us , “Now and onward till the close of time the people of God should be more earnest, more wide-awake, not trusting in their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside days for fasting and prayer. Entire abstinence from food may not be required, but they should eat sparingly of the most simple food” ( Counsels on Diet and Foods , pp. 188, 189).

  We know about Daniel, who ate fruits and vegetables for ten days. We likewise encourage you to adopt a very simple diet during these ten days. A simple diet that leaves out sugar, processed and refined foods, and sodas can benefit us on different levels. First, eating simply means less time needed to prepare food and more time available to spend with the Lord. Second, the simpler our diet, the easier it is for the stomach to digest it, and the clearer our minds will be. We all know that sugar beclouds the frontal lobe, the center of our thinking. If we want clearer minds for hearing God’s voice, and if we want to draw closer to Him, we need to make sure that our diet is not hindering us.

  Fasting is not only about abstaining from food. We also encourage you to fast from TV, movies, computer games, and even Facebook and YouTube. Sometimes things that are not bad in themselves, like Facebook and YouTube, can take so much of our time. Put aside everything possible so you can have more time to spend with the Lord.

  Fasting is not a quick way to obtain a miracle from God. Fasting is all about humbling ourselves so God can work in us and through us. “For certain things fasting and prayer are recommended and appropriate. In the hand of God, they are a means of cleansing the heart and promoting a receptive frame of mind. We obtain answers to our prayers because we humble our souls before God” ( Medical Ministry, p. 283).

  Let’s humble ourselves before God and search for Him with all our heart, mind, and strength. Let’s draw closer to Him through prayer and fasting, and He will draw closer to us.

  Holy Spirit

  Be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you should pray for in a person’s life or in a particular situation. The Bible tells us that we do not know what to pray for and that the Holy Spirit is the One making intercession for us.

  “We must not only pray in Christ’s name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said that the Spirit ‘maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.’ Romans 8:26. Such prayer God delights to answer. When with earnestness and intensity we breathe a prayer in the name of Christ, there is in that very intensity a pledge from God that He is about to answer our prayer ‘exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.’ Ephesians 3:20” ( Christ’s Object Lessons , p. 147).

  Faith

  We read in the Spirit of Prophecy that “prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish” ( The Ministry of Healing , p. 509). We are also encouraged to pray and have faith that God heard and will answer our prayer.

  “Christ says, ‘Ask, and ye shall receive.’ In these words, Christ gives us direction as to how we should pray. We are to come to our heavenly Father with the simplicity of a child, asking Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says again, ‘When ye pray, believe that ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.’ You are to come to the Father repenting and confessing your sins, emptying the soul of every sin and defilement, and it is your privilege to prove the promises of the Lord........ We are to believe the word of God; for the test of character is found in the fact that you are building yourselves up in the most holy faith. You are proved of God through the word of God. You are not to wait for wonderful emotions before you believe that God has heard you; feeling is not to be your criterion, for emotions are as changeable as the clouds..... While on earth, we can have help from Heaven.......for I have tested God a thousand times. I will walk out by faith, I will not dishonor my Savior by unbelief” ( Review and Herald, Oct. 11, 1892, par. 1, 3, 6).

  We are also told that “for any gift He has promised, we may ask; then we are to believe that we receive, and return thanks to God that we have received” ( Education , p. 258). So make a habit of thanking God in advance through faith for what He is going to do and how He is going to answer your prayers.

  Pray for Seven

  We encourage you to pray during these ten days in a special way for seven people whom you would like to see experiencing a “life more abundant.” They can be relatives, friends, coworkers, neighbors, or simply acquaintances. Take some time and ask God whom would He like you to pray for. Ask Him also to give you a real burden for these people. Write these names down on a piece of paper and keep it in a prominent place, such as in your Bible. There is something powerful about writing the names down, and you’ll be amazed at how God works in response to your prayers!

  Ten Days of Prayer Outreach Challenge

  Everyone can do something to hasten the coming of Jesus through Total Member Involvement.

  “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:35, 36).

  In The Ministry of Healing we read, “We must live a twofold life—a life of thought and action, of silent prayer and earnest work” (p. 512). It is our privilege to show others the love of Jesus. We have received so much love from our Savior; let’s not keep it for ourselves. Let’s share His love with others.

  We encourage you and your church to ask God in prayer how you can reach out to others after the Ten Days of Prayer. Choose one or several activities, choose a day, and be the hands and feet of Jesus. As you work to organize everything, avoid letting these arrangements distract you from praying. “Personal effort for others should be preceded by much secret prayer; for it requires great wisdom to understand the science of saving souls. Before communicating with men, commune with Christ. At the throne of heavenly grace obtain a preparation for ministering to the people” ( Prayer, p. 313).

  In the online resources, you’ll find a special sheet with suggestions for reaching your community for Jesus.

  All daily theme sheets are also directly accessible for any computer or mobile device at www.tendaysofprayer.org.

  Principal contributor for daily prayer guides: Kevin Wilfley.

  Contact Pastor Wilfley directly for information about seminars or speaking:
  509-499-2625 or  [email protected]

  Materials prepared by Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

  Scriptures quoted from NKJV are from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

  Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

  Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

• Optional Outreach Challenge
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  Ten Days of Prayer Outreach Challenge

  Everyone can do something to hasten the coming of Jesus through Total Member Involvement.

  “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Matt. 25:35, 36).

  In The Ministry of Healing we read, “We must live a twofold life—a life of thought and action, of silent prayer and earnest work” (p. 512). It is our privilege to show others the love of Jesus. We have received so much love from our Savior; let’s not keep it for ourselves. Let’s share His love with others.

  We encourage you and your church to ask God in prayer how you can reach out to others after the Ten Days of Prayer. Choose one or several activities, choose a day, and be the hands and feet of Jesus. As you work to organize everything, avoid letting these arrangements distract you from praying. “Personal effort for others should be preceded by much secret prayer; for it requires great wisdom to understand the science of saving souls. Before communicating with men, commune with Christ. At the throne of heavenly grace obtain a preparation for ministering to the people” (Prayer, p. 313).

  We have prepared a list of ways you can help others. Choose whatever fits the needs of the people you are going to serve. Feel free to do something that it is not listed.

  • Cook a meal for someone who has been sick.
  • Invite a neighbor/co-worker to a social gathering.
  • Give food to a homeless person.
  • Donate clothing that you would want donated to you.
  • “Adopt” an elderly person. Visit the person on a regular basis and help with chores, shopping, cooking, or garden work.
  • Bake some bread and share a loaf with a neighbor.
  • Help with neighborhood projects.
  • Offer to stay with a sick or disabled person so their caretakers can run an errand.
  • Participate in neighborhood projects.
  • Introduce yourself to a new neighbor by taking them a meal. Make them feel welcome in the neighborhood.
  • Buy groceries and deliver them to a needy family.
  • Donate your old eyeglasses.
  • Offer to give a Bible study.
  • Visit people in nursing homes.
  • Give some “food” money to a student.
  • Collect clothing for the needy. You might start a clothes closet at your church for sharing with those in need.
  • Donate your old laptop or other electronics.
  • Donate a used car.
  • Organize a “Health Expo.”
  • Send a card to a shut-in.
  • Organize an evangelistic series.
  • Call your neighbors and ask how they’re doing.
  • Give someone a book you think they’d like.
  • Pass out GLOW tracts (available to order here: www.glowonline.org/glow).
  • Invite someone to accept Jesus.
  • Hold a cooking school.
  • Do the “28 Literature Project.” In Week One, give away one book. Week Two, give away two books. Week Three, give away three books. Continue until you have given away 28 books.
  • Take some food to someone who has lost a loved one.
  • Visit someone in the hospital to encourage them or help them in some way.
  • Read to an elderly person.
  • Visit a children’s home and offer your help to the staff.
  • Start a sewing/knitting/crocheting group to make clothes for those in need.
  • Read the Bible aloud for someone who can’t see or read.
  • Host a youth night at your home.
  • Volunteer at a shelter for abused persons.
  • Donate some books to a children’s home or shelter.
  • Take children from your church to visit a home for elderly people. Present a program for them.
  • Plan and host a fun day for special needs kids and their families.
  • Have a community clean-up day.
  • Start a health club in your church. Invite friends and neighbors.
  • Ask someone if they would like to join you in watching a DVD with a spiritual message. As you watch together, pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to the person’s heart.
  • Design your own project.

  For more resources on witnessing, visit www.revivalandreformation.org/resources/witnessing.

• Optional A Night of Prayer
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  A NIGHT OF PRAYER: OPTIONAL ALL-NIGHT PRAYER MEETING FOR DAY 10

  Why a Night of Prayer?

  There is nothing “holy” in staying awake and praying a whole night or part of a night. However, night might be the only time when people are not busy or in a rush. We believe that your purpose should not be to stay up the whole night but to pray as long as necessary and until you have prayed for all the things you feel God wants you to pray for.

  We suggest that several people lead out during the night. Be sure to have some breaks. As a leader, you can sense the atmosphere and know when a break is needed and when you need to move on to the next section of prayer. We suggest that you take a ten-minute break at least every ninety minutes. You can also incorporate the reading of Bible passages into your prayer time. You may want to do all of the suggested items or only some of them, depending on what it is best for your group. Feel free to change the order.

  Sample Schedule for First Hour of Prayer

  5:45—Songs of praise.

  6:00—Welcome and introduction. Keep the comments brief but friendly.

  6:05—Prayers of praise for who God is (praising His character).

  6:10—Claiming Bible promises (see “Promises to Claim in Prayer” in online resources).

  6:15—Prayers of confession (silent prayer time).

  6:20—Prayer requests for blessings needed (supplication).

  6:25—Silent prayers.

  6:30—Intercessory prayer for salvation of souls in your community and church region.

  6:35—Prayers reflecting on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

  6:40—Thanksgiving for what God has done.

  6:45—Prayer songs and/or responsive readings from church hymnal.

  6:50—Prayers asking for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

  6:55—More prayers of praise and thanksgiving.

  Prayer Needs

  • Please bless the hundreds of thousands of outreach activities around the world during 2019. We pray especially for Total Member Involvement evangelism efforts in India, June 2019, and Papua New Guinea, May 2020.
  • We pray for Adventist members who face persecution or imprisonment because of their beliefs.
  • We pray for a spiritual revival among Seventh-day Adventist young people who attend public colleges and universities worldwide. May they become vibrant ambassadors for Christ.
  • We pray for the 69 percent of earth’s population who have not received an unclouded presentation of Jesus.
  • We pray for the 62 million people in the 28 least-reached cities of the former Soviet Union (Euro-Asia Division).
  • We pray for God to raise up brave missionaries willing to work among the 746 people groups in the 20 countries of the Middle East.
  • We pray for the 1,000 Missionary Movement in Northern Asia-Pacific Division and Southern-Asia Pacific Division. As these young people serve in countries such as Taiwan, China, Russia, and Burma, may they be baptized with the Holy Spirit and empowered to do God’s work.
  • We pray for a mighty surge of Adventists who will serve God by loving others and by sharing with people from other cultures and religions.
  • Please raise up modern-day Waldensian students who are willing to serve you in difficult places.
  • We pray for the 202 million people in the 41 least-reached cities of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division to know Jesus.
  • We pray for the Sabbath School/Personal Ministries Department of each local church as they seek God’s plan and reach out to their communities with loving service, Bible study, and personal witnessing.
  • We pray for Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) as they meet practical needs around the world.
  • We pray for the 16 million people in the 6 least-reached cities of South Pacific Division. We pray for the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit on members as they reach out in love to the unreached.
  • We pray for the Holy Spirit to help us know how to reach the 406 million people in the 105 least-reached cities of Northern Asia-Pacific Division.
  • Please bless as Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries mobilizes chaplains and interested members to minister to those in prison.
  • Lord, we remember our Sabbath School teachers. Please let them know how important their work is for our children.
  • Lord, we seek your guidance for the many Centers of Influence, health and family programs, and Pathfinder clubs around the world.
  • We pray that more and more young adults will get involved in Mission to the Cities.
  • We pray that You will help us love and nurture new members.
  • Lord, please show us how to send more truth-filled literature (printed and electronic) into our communities. We pray that people will read it and that the Holy Spirit will convict them of Bible truth.
  • Lord, we ask for Your protection over missionaries working in dangerous places.
  • Please raise up literature evangelists, student volunteers, authors, media specialists, and financial supporters to spread words of hope and life.
  • We pray for the 8,208 Adventist schools with almost 2 million students. May these schools always teach Bible truth and lead young people into mission and service.
  • Lord, give us wisdom to reach secular cultures that have no interest in religion. Let Your Holy Spirit break down the walls that surround secular hearts.
  • We pray for the unreached people groups in Asia, including Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus. Many have never heard the name of Jesus. Give us special wisdom for meeting their needs.
  • Bless us as we reach out to people enslaved by spirit worship, idolatry, and animistic beliefs. Help us to understand their worldview and introduce them to a personal Savior.
  • Lord, please inspire Seventh-day Adventists around the world to pray as never before. Let us plead together for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit. We ask You for the promised fulfillment of Joel 2, Hosea 6, and Acts 2.
  • We pray for the 541 people groups in the 18 countries of Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. Please lead them to biblical truth.
  • Show us how to meet the practical and spiritual needs of refugees. May our church be known for our love of all people, no matter who they are or where they come from.
  • May we faithfully and fully proclaim the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14. May we center all our teachings on the love and righteousness of Christ.
  • We ask You to raise up urban missionaries to plant churches for the 806 people groups in the 20 countries of Inter-European Division.
  • Please raise up an army of workers to plant churches for the 948 people groups in the 38 countries of Inter-American Division.
  • Please teach us how to proclaim our fundamental church beliefs with clarity, creativity, and biblical authenticity. May the love of Jesus be at the core of everything we believe.
  • We ask You to prepare young people to plant churches for the 789 people groups in the 9 countries of North American Division.
  • We ask You to prepare volunteers to serve the 70 people groups in the Israel Field.
  • We ask You to raise up medical missionaries to plant churches among the 830 people groups in the 11 countries of East-Central Africa Division.
  • We ask You to raise up prayer warriors to intercede for the 2,568 people groups in the 4 countries of Southern Asia Division. We especially remember Hope TV India and Asian Aid School for the Blind.
  • We pray for the work of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division’s publishing houses.
  • We pray You will do as You promise in Psalm 32:8, by leading and guiding us as we do the Ten Days Outreach Challenge.
  • Please let our families reveal Your love in our homes and communities. We ask You to bring harmony into homes, heal broken relationships, protect the vulnerable from abuse, and reveal Your sanctifying power in seemingly hopeless situations.
  • May our church members, pastors, and leaders around the world feed on God’s Word every day. May we also seek You daily in personal prayer. Remind us that without You, we can do nothing.
  • We ask You to raise up nurses and doctors to plant new churches among the 1,978 people groups in the 22 countries in West-Central Africa Division.
  • We pray for the 49 million people in the 19 least-reached cities of Trans-European Division.
  • We pray for our children. Please empower them to stand boldly for you when they encounter obstacles and pressure. Help them to make wise choices and stand for truth (Isa. 44:3, 4).
  • Teach us to follow Christ’s selfless example by meeting the daily needs of people close to us. Equip us to serve as medical missionaries, community volunteers, and friends to the needy.
  • Lord, may a mighty revival of primitive godliness sweep Your church in the final days. May we stand for truth though the heavens fall.
  • Lord, show us how to share the gospel with Muslim people groups. We pray that they hear and respond to Your offer of grace.
  • We pray for the seeds of truth sown in Japan during last year’s Total Member Involvement outreach. Please send laborers to work and pray for Japan.
• Day 1 Our Need of the Holy Spirit
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  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

  Acts 1:8, NLT

  Testimony

  “Since this is the means by which we are to receive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God” (Ellen White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 50).

  Just before graduating from college with a theology degree, I read the book They Found the Secret by V. Raymond Edman. The book tells about 20 Christian men and women who reached a spiritual crisis in their lives that led to an authentic conversion experience. This was eventually followed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They became the people they became—and led millions to Christ—because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. As I considered my own life as a husband, new father, and soon-to-be pastor, I wrote a note in that book: “I need the Holy Spirit too.” Since then I have made it my top priority to maintain my conversion experience and seek the biblical baptism of the Holy Spirit through Bible study, obedience, sharing, and prayer. Within my first year of pastoring, I was called to visit our church treasurer, who had been diagnosed with cancer. We prayed and anointed him with oil as the Bible says to do. In a few days he joyfully shared that he was completely healed from his cancer! Right then I knew that God was hearing my prayers and that He accepted my efforts to live my life for Him. What about you? Do you need the Holy Spirit in your life?

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  Paul once asked 12 men from Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2, NLT). How would you answer? The Ephesian men said, “No, we have not even heard of the Holy Spirit.”

  • Romans 8:16—When the Holy Spirit comes among us, we will confess our sins and receive the gift of salvation through Jesus. We will have assurance of salvation because we are children of God.
  • Ezekiel 36:25-27—The presence of the Holy Spirit will give us a new mind and a new heart. We will have victory over our sins and see real character growth.
  • John 7:38, 39 and Galatians 5:22, 23—When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit—the character of God—will flow from us like rivers of living water.
  • Acts 4:13, 31—The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit will motivate and empower us to share the gospel with as many people as possible.
  • John 16:13—As the Spirit dwells in us, we will have a hunger and love for the Bible, and He will lead us into all truth. This truth is not just a technical understanding of facts but the very character of Christ, who is the Truth.
  • Romans 8:26, 27—As we pray in the Holy Spirit, we will have power in our prayers and will see many miraculous answers to prayer.

  Jesus said there would be two groups of Christians just before His return (Matthew 25). “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1, NLT). Five bridesmaids were foolish and had no oil (the presence of the Holy Spirit; see Zechariah 4:1-6) in reserve. These represent those who appear to be followers of Jesus but are not. They are religious but not spiritual. Thus Jesus said to them, “I don’t know you!” The five wise bridesmaids had plenty of oil. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and had a genuine relationship with Jesus.

  The disciples, in obedience to the command of Christ, remained in Jerusalem after His ascension. “They spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God” (Luke 24:53, NLT). When they were not in the temple, they were in the upper room. “They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus” (Acts 1:14, NLT). Ten days later they were all baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), and 3,000 were converted in one day in that one place!

  Suggested Prayers

  • We come into Your presence with thanksgiving, and we enter Your courts with praise. We have no words that adequately describe how much we appreciate You and what You have done for us. We gladly and humbly add our human praise to that of the sinless angels, who ever delight to worship You!
  • Please change my heart, O God, and make it ever true. Cleanse me from sin and prepare me to receive Your Spirit (Psalm 51:7, 10).
  • Lord, please send a revival of true godliness among Your people, marked by the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23).
  • Baptize us with the Holy Spirit and give us power to proclaim the gospel to a world lost in darkness (Acts 1:5-8).
  • Have mercy, O Lord, on my family, friends, coworkers, and classmates. Save them, and may I be Your helper to this end (Matthew 28:19, 20).
  • Bless the pastors, teachers, evangelists, Bible workers, and administrators of our church with the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
  • Dear Lord, please show mercy to the abused and persecuted and give them Your protection and deliverance from the hands of those who seek to do them harm (Psalm 91).
  • Please bless the hundreds of thousands of outreach activities around the world during 2020. We pray especially for Total Member Involvement evangelism efforts in Papua New Guinea in May 2020.
  • We pray for a spiritual revival among Seventh-day Adventist young people who attend public colleges and universities worldwide. May they become vibrant ambassadors for Christ.
  • We pray for the 69 percent of earth’s population who have not received an unclouded presentation of Jesus.
  • We pray for the 62 million people in the 28 least-reached cities of the former Soviet Union (Euro-Asia Division).
  • We pray for youth leaders around the world who are faithfully passing our heritage to the next generation: identity in Christ, mission as Seventh-day Adventists, and leadership in the local church.
  • Lord, we pray for the seven (or more) people on our individual prayer lists. May they let the Holy Spirit work in their lives.
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  I Love You, Lord; Change My Heart, O God; Baptize Us Anew (Hymn #258); Spirit of the Living God (Hymn #672); Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place.

• Day 2 The Witness of the Holy Spirit
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  “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

  John 16:8, NKJV

  Testimony

  “The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. When this witness is borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we believe and are sure that we are the children of God” (Ellen White, Evangelism, p. 616).

  The Holy Spirit works in our lives in three phases (John 16:8-11). First, He convicts us of our sin to bring us to Jesus. Second, He convicts us of Christ’s righteousness, which is sufficient to save us. Third, He expels Satan and sin from our lives (John 16:11).

  My parents did raise their six children (I’m number five) to believe in God and the Bible. We learned that there was a heaven to win and a hell to shun. However, we did not pursue a relationship with God or trust in Him. My mother’s brother, my uncle, married a Seventh-day Adventist. One day my Uncle Harold announced to his new wife that he would prove to her from the Bible that she did not have to keep the Sabbath (Saturday). After much study, however, he realized that the true Sabbath of the Bible was indeed Saturday. Soon Harold was baptized and became a Seventh-day Adventist.

  In due time Harold shared his faith with our family, and, try as I might, I could not find a way to disprove the Sabbath teaching of the Bible. I did not want to keep the Sabbath. It was an interruption in my plans. Over time the conviction of the Holy Spirit that I was a sinner bound for destruction deepened in my mind and heart. I knew I was not following God, and I knew I would not be saved. About that time a letter arrived from Uncle Harold, and he described what heaven would be like using the Bible as his authority. As I listened to his description of heaven, I felt a strong desire to give my life to God. Then I heard the voice of God in my heart as clearly as if someone was sitting next to me. “Either you give your life to Me now, or you never will.” Immediately I felt great fear. I was trading heaven for the things of this earth. I got up from my chair, went to my room, and shut the door behind me. I knelt by my bed and prayed for the first time from my heart. I struggled to know exactly what to say, but eventually I prayed, “Dear Jesus, I want to be what You want me to be. I want to do what You want me to do, and I want to go where You want me to go.”

  The instant I said that prayer, I felt a change sweep through my body. My old anger and bitterness were released, and the love, peace, and joy of God filled my heart. I knew God had heard my prayer, and I knew what I must do. I got up from my knees and went to tell my mother the good news—that I was now going to live for Jesus and begin keeping the Sabbath. Tears of joy fell on her cheeks. Within days I began to sever every sinful tie that bound me to the world. Some people did not understand my decision, and the way ahead was not yet completely clear, but my conscience was clear, and joy filled my heart! Later I studied with the local Adventist pastor and began to understand much more about God’s will for my life. Eventually I was baptized and became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is the best decision I ever made!

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • John 16:8-11—It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins and lead us to Jesus.
  • Romans 3:10, 23—There is none righteous, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
  • Romans 6:23—The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus.
  • John 3:16—For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.
  • Ephesians 2:8, 9—We are saved by grace through faith, not our own goodness. It is the gift of God, not our own works.
  • 1 John 5:11-13—If we have accepted Jesus by faith, we know we have eternal life.
  • Romans 8:16—The Spirit Himself bears witness, and we know we are sons and daughters of God.

  Each day, as we turn to Jesus and pray, we receive His forgiveness and grace. As the children of Israel went out daily to receive the manna from heaven, so we daily renew our relationship with Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:58). Through the presence of the Holy Spirit moving in our lives, we confess our sins to God, accept the righteousness of Jesus in our behalf, and are enabled to resist the temptations of the devil (Galatians 5:16).

  Suggested Prayers

  • Dear Father in heaven, I know I am a sinner. Please forgive all my sins as You promised to do (1 John 1:9). Thank You! You also promised to give me eternal life if I accept Jesus as my Savior. Today I choose Jesus. I can’t wait for Jesus to come!
  • Dear Jesus, I want to walk always in the presence of the Holy Spirit so that I may detect the approach of the devil and his evil spirits. Give me Your strength to recognize and resist their temptations (James 4:7).
  • I am now trusting in You, Lord, for my salvation. May I have joyful and confident assurance so that my life may attract lost souls to You.
  • Dear Father, so many people in the churches of this world have only religion. They do not know Jesus and His saving grace. Please send Your Holy Spirit to convict them of their sins and lead them to Jesus. Cause them to be weary of mere ceremonies. May they hunger for the true presence of God in their lives.
  • Lord, we pray for those in spiritual and mental prisons to be set free from guilt and other captivities.
  • Lord, please raise up modern-day Waldensian students who are willing to serve You in difficult places.
  • Please raise up brave missionaries willing to work among the 746 people groups in the 20 countries of the Middle East.
  • We pray for the 1,000 Missionary Movement in Northern Asia-Pacific Division and Southern Asia-Pacific Division. May these young people be empowered to do God’s work.
  • We pray for the 202 million people in the 41 least-reached cities of Southern Asia-Pacific Division to know Jesus.
  • We pray for the youth who are living dangerously for the Lord through One Year in Mission (OYiM) and Mission Caleb.
  • We also pray for our list of seven or more people [name the names if appropriate].
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  Blessed Assurance (Hymn #462); I Do Believe (Hymn #486); Lord, I Lift Your Name on High; There’s Just Something About That Name; Only Trust Him (Hymn #279); Is He Worthy; Spirit of the Living God; The Spirit Song.

• Day 3 Victory Through the Holy Spirit
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  “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

  Galatians 5:16, NIV

  Testimony

  “There was in Him [Jesus] nothing that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ’s humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character” (Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, p. 123).

  Jerry was a hard worker. He spent most of his adult life as an iron worker building bridges and skyscrapers. He was the guy who would walk out hundreds of feet above ground on a narrow iron beam and spot-weld it to another iron beam. But although Jerry was talented and hardworking, he also abused his body with alcohol, tobacco, drugs, promiscuity, and wild living. Whenever a Christian man would come to work, Jerry would verbally and emotionally persecute him, hoping to drive him from the job. Jerry hated Christianity and Christians.

  As Jerry approached age 50, he started getting depressed. One day he decided to end his life. As he was driving home to commit suicide, he saw a sign for the Seventh-day Adventist Church along the highway. The Holy Spirit put a thought in his mind: “Maybe they can help me.” So Jerry pulled into the parking lot just as church school was letting out for the day, approached the principal, and mumbled something about needing help. The principal gave Jerry my number and said, “This is the phone number of our pastor. Please give him a call.” When Jerry called that evening, he told me he was in trouble and asked if I could help. I phoned an elder, and together we went right over to Jerry’s house.

  Jerry told us everything and added, “I can’t believe I’ve fallen so low as to have a pastor in my home.” He said he’d tried everything the world has to offer without finding satisfaction, so he had decided to end his life. I said, “Jerry, you haven’t yet tried everything because you haven’t tried Jesus.” “You’re right,” he smirked, “I haven’t tried Jesus. So, what do I have to do to try Jesus?” I shared the simple message of the gospel and asked, “Is there any reason why you wouldn’t want to receive Jesus into your life?” Jerry said, “No, because unless He does something for me tonight, I’m going to end my life.”

  Inviting Jerry to kneel with us, I asked him to repeat a prayer after me. Right after we said “Amen,” Jerry grabbed my arm and said, “Did you see that?” “See what?” I asked. “Right as I said ‘Amen,’ I opened my eyes and saw a man hovering over my head with a very evil look on his face, and then he vanished through the ceiling. You’ve got to believe me!” “I believe you, Jerry,” I said. “How do you feel now?” After a moment of reflection he said, “I feel good, really good. I haven’t felt this good in a very long time, if ever. What has happened to me?” I explained, “Jerry, you just asked Jesus to come into your life and forgive your sins. He is now living in your heart. That evil spirit you saw was trying to get you to end your life, but Jesus drove him out.”

  Great joy filled Jerry’s home that night, so much so that Jerry couldn’t sleep. He went through his home removing all of his alcohol, drugs, magazines, and anything else he could find that was sinful. He put all that stuff in a plastic bag and buried it six feet deep in his orchard. The next day he drove to a nursery and purchased a tree to plant over the top of all the stuff he buried. When I came to visit he showed me the tree and said, “Pastor, that hole in the ground and that new tree represent my life. The old Jerry is buried down there and that new fruit tree represents the new Jerry because I am now living a new life!”

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • John 16:8-11—It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins and lead us to Jesus.
  • Ezekiel 36:25, 26—We are promised a new heart, a new mind, a new life.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17—If anyone is in Jesus Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away.
  • John 8:36—You may be free indeed through Jesus Christ.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3—It is God’s will for you to walk in victory over sin.
  • Romans 6:14—Sin shall no longer have dominion over you.
  • Matthew 5:29, 30—Separate yourself from anyone and anything that tempts you into sin.
  • Romans 12:21—Replace negative people and things with positive people and things.
  • Galatians 5:19-26—The evil desires of the flesh may be subdued by the fruit of the Spirit.

  Suggested Prayers

  • Dear Lord, I know it is Your will for me to overcome all sin in Your strength. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide me into all truth (John 16:13).
  • In the name of Jesus and through His blood, I rebuke Satan and his evil spirits in my life. Please, Lord, drive the devil out of my life and my home. Let only truth and righteousness dwell with me.
  • Dear Father, saturate my life with the presence of the Holy Spirit. May His power flow through me to minister to those still trapped in sin. Bring them to Jesus so that their chains may be broken.
  • Lord, help us to be patient and kind, showing Your love and pity to those who annoy or accuse us.
  • We pray for those who care for elderly or sick family members. Give them patience, strength, and love.
  • Lord, please ease the anxiety of those facing terminal illness. Grant them courage and the peace of Jesus.
  • We pray for the Sabbath School/Personal Ministries Department of each local church as they reach out to their communities with loving service, Bible study, and personal witnessing.
  • We pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit upon our youth and young leaders as promised in Acts 1:8. And we pray especially for God’s blessings on youth involved with Give Him 20 and other prayer initiatives.
  • Lord, please show us a God-given strategy for reaching the Jerichos of the world with the Three Angels’ Messages and leading the Rahabs in every city to salvation in Christ.
  • Please bless the 100 Days of Prayer (March 27 – July 4) leading up to the 2020 General Conference Session. Pour out Your Holy Spirit as we pray for wisdom and Your soon return.
  • We also pray for our list of seven or more people [name the names if appropriate].
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  Take My Life and Let It Be (Hymn #330); Whiter than Snow (Hymn #318); Draw Me Nearer (Hymn #306); Refiner’s Fire; I Will Bow to You; The Power of Your Love; What the Lord Has Done in Me.

• Day 4 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
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  “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’”

  Acts 1:4, 5, ESV

  Testimony

  “When you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then you will understand more of the joys of salvation than you have known all your life hitherto” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, p. 231).

  I visited a man who was passing away from an incurable disease. I prayed and tried to encourage him with God’s love and mercy, but when I left his home, I was struck with how powerless I felt in the situation—and how powerless so many Christians seem to be. As I compared my life and the lives of other Christians with the New Testament Christians, the contrast was shocking. As a result of that visit, I determined to thoroughly study the subject of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Eventually I studied 273 texts in the original languages that directly speak to the work of the Holy Spirit, and I found well over 2,000 unique quotes in Ellen White’s writings on the subject.

  In my Bible study I discovered the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That experience changed the lives of Peter, Paul, and everyone else who received God’s Spirit in fullness. Even Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit, for until the Holy Spirit descended upon Him as a dove, He had remained in the carpenter’s shop. After the Spirit came upon Him, Jesus did the work of the Messiah.

  In Bible stories we always find some evidence indicating that the power of the Holy Spirit has been bestowed. On a Friday night around 10:00, our 8-year-old daughter called out for Mommy. As my wife went to our daughter, I decided to go into my office to pray. As I prayed, I sensed the divine presence of Jesus enter the room. I began to speak to the Lord with great fervency and hunger for His Spirit’s presence in my life. Soon I saw Jesus at the door of my church lovingly placing His nail-pierced hand on the shoulder of each church member with a gracious, welcoming expression. Jesus asked me, “Do you love my people?” I could say I did love them, but I had to admit a few of them were particularly hard to love. The tears began to flow as I confessed my sin. Then I saw the nailpierced feet of Jesus standing at the pulpit where I preached each week. Jesus said, “I died so that I may forgive and save the people of this world. Are you preaching the gospel each week with passion for lost souls?” I could say it was my desire to preach the gospel with great urgency to save the lost, but I felt so unworthy in His presence. The tears flowed as I confessed my sins to Jesus. Then I saw the crown of thorns forced down onto His brow. I heard Jesus say, “I humbled myself even unto the death of the cross. Do you seek praise from men?” I could say I did not want the praise of men, but I tearfully admitted I struggled with pride. I felt completely unworthy and unacceptable in His presence, and the tears flowed even more profusely. Suddenly Jesus pulled aside His robe, and I saw His side where the spear had pierced Him. He said, “Those who come to Me I will never cast away.”

  Then I felt the complete love and acceptance of the Lord as I had never felt it before. I knew my sins were forgiven, and I knew I was accepted by Him. I was basking in that revelation when I heard my wife starting down the stairs. I looked at the clock; it was 12:00 midnight. Two hours had seemed like only minutes. I wasn’t ready to talk about what had happened, so I went back to bed and turned my back to the door so my wife would not see I was awake. Entering the room, she asked, “What happened to you?” I said, “What do you mean?” She said, “I know something happened to you. I can tell. What happened?” So I told her everything, and my wife immediately went out to the living room to pray by herself. I could hear her calling out to God that she would also be blessed.

  The next day, Sabbath, I felt the power of God as I preached my sermon. Several people made decisions for Christ that day. Afterward a man asked, “Pastor, did something happen to you last night?” Amazed, I said, “Why would you ask that?” He said, “I know something must have happened to you last night. The whole time you were preaching, I saw a glow on your face.” When I shared what had happened, he said, “Surely the Lord has visited you.” That year 37 people gave their lives to Jesus. In the years since that night, hundreds of people have made decisions for Christ. May the Lord Jesus be praised forever!

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • Luke 3:21, 22—After His baptism, Jesus prayed for the Holy Spirit to come upon Him.
  • Acts 1:5-8—You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.
  • Acts 2:1-4—And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in various languages.
  • Acts 4:31—The early church received power as they prayed for God’s Spirit to come upon them.
  • Acts 8:15-17—They had been baptized in water in the name of Jesus, but they needed the Holy Spirit.
  • Luke 11:11-13—The baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to those who seek Him through prayer.
  • Acts 5:31, 32—To those who are willing to obey, the Holy Spirit will be given.

  Suggested Prayers

  • Dear Father, please baptize me in the Holy Spirit that I may live and love for You with success.
  • It is my great desire, Lord Jesus, that I may represent You well to the world. Please prepare my heart to receive the Holy Spirit and share Your love with the people in my life.
  • Please guide me into all truth so that I may always do those things that are pleasing in Your sight. Let Your Holy Spirit reveal to me what You want me to know and what You want me to share. Let my convictions and burdens come from Your heart and not from my own selfish tendencies.
  • We pray that our loved ones who have left the faith will remember what it was like to be in fellowship with You and will long to be reunited with You. Help them sense and accept Your love and forgiveness.
  • Lord, we ask for Your protection over missionaries working in dangerous places.
  • We pray for the 16 million people in the 6 least-reached cities of South Pacific Division. We pray for the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit on members as they reach out in love to the unreached.
  • We pray for the Holy Spirit to help us know how to reach the 406 million people in the 105 least-reached cities of Northern Asia-Pacific Division.
  • Please bless as Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries mobilizes chaplains and interested members to minister to those in prison.
  • We also pray for our list of seven or more people [name the names if appropriate].
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  Baptize Us Anew (Hymn #258); Spirit of the Living God (Hymn #672); Come, Holy Spirit; Breathe on Me, Breath of God (Hymn #265); Breathe; Holy Spirit, Come Fill This Place; Holy Spirit, Rain Down.

• Day 5 The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
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  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

  Galatians 5:22, 23, NLT

  Testimony

  “It is evident that truth has been planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit when it is loved and cherished, and regarded as a sacred endowment. Love will then spring up in the heart like a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life. When this love is in the heart, the worker will find no weariness in the work of Christ” (Ellen White, Review and Herald, vol. 3, p. 121, Feb. 13, 1894).

  A deacon in the church, known as a helpful and influential man, had a serious character issue that only his wife and children knew about. At work or in recreation with others, he was the most congenial man you could hope to meet. At home he was often intolerable. He would become moody and irritable. At times his anger flared up, and he became emotionally abusive and punished his children severely.

  The deacon was not ignorant of his need. He hated himself for exploding at home. He realized he was professing one thing in public and living a different life at home. At times he realized he should attend anger management classes, but he feared the consequences of admitting his problem to the church. He also knew he should get counseling, but he was repulsed by the idea of paying someone to listen to him. His pride isolated him from the help he needed. He was a religious man but not a spiritual man—he needed to be converted and have the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in his life.

  One autumn a preacher came to town and presented a series of revival meetings. Because of his position in the church, the deacon attended every meeting, even though his heart was like stone. Much prayer had preceded these meetings, and the Holy Spirit was moving in miraculous ways. One young woman renewed her relationship with Jesus and made a public confession of her sins, asking for the congregation’s prayers and support. A non- Christian woman who attended with a friend gave her life to Jesus. Lives changed as people came forward at the nightly altar calls.

  One night, toward the end of the series, the deacon rose to his feet when an altar call was made. With tears on his cheeks, he made his way forward with others who had responded to God’s call upon their hearts. At the front of the church he fell to his knees, lifted his hands, and said loudly, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” People who knew the deacon were astonished to hear him make such a prayer in public, but that was not all. The deacon rose to his feet, turned to face the congregation, and said, “I have a terrible anger problem. I am not the husband and father I should be. I need to confess my sins, seek help, and be the man at home that you all think me to be in public.” By this time his wife and children were gathered around him crying and clinging to their husband and father. The church members surrounded him, the pastor laid his hand on the man’s shoulder, and what a prayer session they all had that night!

  The deacon was faithful to his word. With the pastor’s help he found a counselor, and he also started attending anger management classes. Most importantly, he began weekly Bible studies with the pastor—not to understand doctrine but to find a real relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit blessed the deacon and began to fill him with the fruit of the Spirit. Not only could his wife and children see the difference but church members and the community could too. The deacon was at peace. He became a much more generous man. His kindness and love, especially to his wife and children, was apparent to all. The joy and blessing of Jesus, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, turned the deacon’s home into a little bit of heaven on earth.

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • Galatians 5:19-23—The works of the flesh are eliminated by the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
  • John 13:35—People will know we are true Christians by the love we show.
  • 1 Peter 1:8—We will experience inexpressible joy.
  • Philippians 4:7—The peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18—By the power of the Holy Spirit we are transformed into the image of Jesus.
  • John 7:38—Rivers of living water will flow from our hearts.

  Suggested Prayers

  • Dear Jesus, I want to reflect Your character to everyone I know and all those I meet. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and let the fruit of the Spirit shine out from my heart.
  • Please help me be a more authentic Christian at home than anywhere else. May those who know me best be able to see You in me the most.
  • Cause me to become a river of blessing as I share Your love, joy, and peace with the world I live in.
  • As I spend time in prayer and Bible study, please baptize me more and more with Your Holy Spirit. Let an endless supply of Your grace flow through me to a hurting world.
  • Bless the Lord, O my soul, and worship His holy name. May His joy fill my soul!
  • Lord, please refresh the hearts of all those in ministry who are weary. Remind them that they are doing Your will. Please let them see the fruit of their labor, even if it is only one soul.
  • Lord, we remember our Sabbath School teachers. Please let them know how important their work is for our children.
  • Lord, we seek your guidance for the many Centers of Influence, health and family programs, and Pathfinder clubs around the world.
  • Lord, please show us how to send more truth-filled literature (printed and electronic) into our communities. We pray that people will read it and that the Holy Spirit will convict them of Bible truth.
  • Please raise up literature evangelists, student volunteers, authors, media specialists, and financial supporters to spread words of hope and life.
  • We pray for our lists of seven names. Please work powerfully in these lives. We claim 1 John 5:16.
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  ’Tis Love That Makes Us Happy (Hymn #579); This Little Light of Mine (Hymn #580); The Power of Your Love; Turn Your Life Over to Jesus; Learning to Lean on Jesus; Spirit of God (Hymn #266); Come, Holy Spirit (Hymn #269); Sweet, Sweet Spirit (Hymn #262).

• Day 6 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
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  “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”

  1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NLT

  Testimony

  “It is the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit of God that prepares workers, both men and women, to become pastors to the flock of God. . . . Those who have faith in this divine Attendant [the Holy Spirit] will develop. They will be gifted with power to clothe the message of truth with a sacred beauty” (Ellen White, Gospel Workers, pp. 96, 97).

  The phone rang in my office in Albany, Oregon. “Is this the pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church?” a female voice asked. “Yes, it is,” I replied. “You must come to the hospital at once. We have a patient here who is having severe heart arrhythmias. We’re afraid she may die, but she won’t let us do anything until the pastor from the Adventist Church prays for her. She keeps insisting that if the pastor from the Adventist Church prays for her, she will be healed. Please come quickly!”

  While driving to the hospital, I prayed, “Lord, I’m a little worried about this visit. The lady keeps telling everyone that if the pastor from the Adventist Church prays for her, she will get well. You and I both know that You don’t always choose to heal someone. What will those nurses and doctors say if You don’t heal this lady?” It seemed as if the Lord responded by saying, “What are you fussing about?” “I’m worried Your reputation,” I said. “Now, let Me get this straight,” the Lord seemed to say. “You’re worried about My reputation?” “OK,” I continued, “I realize that sounds pretty silly, but what will the people say—what will the lady say—if You don’t heal her?” The Lord said to my heart, “It is your responsibility to be obedient. It is My responsibility to take care of My reputation.” “You are right,” I said. “I will trust You to do what You know is best.”

  At the hospital I met four nurses outside the patient’s room. “Are you the Adventist pastor?” one nurse asked. “Hurry up and get in there and pray so we can do something!” I already knew from the name the nurse had given me that this patient wasn’t a member of my church or another nearby church. I wondered why she insisted on being prayed for by an Adventist pastor, but this was no time to start a conversation. Her heart monitor showed an erratic heartbeat. I knew she was in trouble. I walked to her bedside and took her right hand in mine. She turned slightly, opened her eyes, and asked, “Are you the Adventist pastor?” “Yes,” I said. “If you will pray for me, I know I will be healed,” she said.

  This was not a time for a sermon or Bible study on prayer for the sick. I simply asked, “Sister, are you willing to let Jesus decide what happens here today?” “Oh, yes, pastor,” she said, “but I know that if you pray for me, I will be healed!” So I closed my eyes and asked the Lord in heaven to show His power and mercy for this lady. I asked Him to glorify His name before the nurses and doctors in the hospital, and that this lady’s healing might be a witness for many people. I asked the Lord to heal her if it was His will, if it could bring glory to His name, and if it was for her best good. I finished my prayer in Jesus’ name and said “Amen.” Opening my eyes, I looked at the heart monitor, and it showed a perfect rhythm! The lady grasped my hand with vigor and said, “I feel good. I am healed! I knew if the Adventist pastor prayed for me I would get well!”

  I remembered how Jesus handled experiences like this in His life, so I said, “Sister, your faith has made you well!” I gave thanks to God and walked out of the room. The nurse said, “May we go in now?” I said, “Yes, but I don’t think she needs you anymore.” Their eyes widened considerably, and they dashed into the room. I can’t tell you what happened after that because I left. I didn’t want the nurses or the lady looking to me as though I had healed her. It was the gift of healing bestowed by the Holy Spirit for that lady at that moment.

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • 1 Corinthians 12:9—Gift of healing is described. The Lord has many ways to heal people, and He wants to bestow His healing power through His people.
  • Ephesians 4:11-13—The Holy Spirit wants to give many gifts to His people. God has a plan for you too.
  • Luke 5:17—The power of the Lord is to be present to heal.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:1, 13—Desire spiritual gifts and pray that you may receive them.
  • Revelation 1:10—When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we can hear God in a new and powerful way.

  Suggested Prayers

  • Here I am, Lord, use me in Your service. Fill me with Your Spirit and equip me with Your gifts.
  • Dear Jesus, I want to make a difference for You in this world. I am not content to just sit in church. Give me Your Spirit’s power through the gifts You choose for me so that I can defeat the power of sin in this world.
  • Lord, increase our gifts by education, training, experience, and prayer. We dedicate all our talents to You and humbly ask that You add your supernatural blessing so that the gospel may go forward with power.
  • We pray for the more than 8,000 Adventist schools with almost 2 million students. May these schools always teach Bible truth and lead young people into mission and service.
  • Lord, give us wisdom to reach secular cultures that have no interest in religion. Let Your Holy Spirit break down the walls that surround secular hearts.
  • We pray for people groups in Asia that do not have a Christian background. Give us special wisdom for meeting their needs.
  • Lord, please inspire Seventh-day Adventists around the world to pray as never before for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit. We ask You for the promised fulfillment of Joel 2, Hosea 6, and Acts 2.
  • Show us how to meet the practical and spiritual needs of refugees. May our church be known for our love of all people, no matter who they are or where they come from.
  • We pray for the 541 people groups in the 18 countries of Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. Please lead them to biblical truth.
  • We also pray for our list of seven or more people [name the names if appropriate].
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  I Need a Miracle; Something Beautiful; You Are the Finger of God; Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Hymn #100); Fire of God, Thou Sacred Flame (Hymn #263); O for That Flame of Living Fire (Hymn #264); Oceans.

• Day 7 Praying in the Holy Spirit
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  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

  Ephesians 6:18, NKJV

  Testimony

  “Christ, our Mediator, and the Holy Spirit are constantly interceding in man’s behalf, but the Spirit pleads not for us as does Christ who presents His blood, shed from the foundation of the world; the Spirit works upon our hearts, drawing out prayers and penitence, praise and thanksgiving. The gratitude which flows from our lips is the result of the Spirit striking the cords of the soul in holy memories, awakening the music of the heart” (Ellen White, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp. 1077-78).

  Prayer is challenging. We cannot see God, and most of us seldom, if ever, hear God. We cannot touch Him, and it sometimes seems like answers are hard to come by. We also have many questions about how prayer works, or why it doesn’t seem to work.

  I remember praying as a young man and growing frustrated. I would often get drowsy (praying with head bowed and eyes closed), and sometimes my mind wandered to a list of things I needed to do instead of talking with the Lord. Songs like “Sweet Hour of Prayer” were a mystery to me. “How can anyone pray for an hour? I can hardly pray for 15 minutes. In fact, one survey shows that the average time pastors spend in prayer is around 7-10 minutes each day! I felt guilty. Of all things that a pastor should be committed to, prayer is the most important of all.

  While thoroughly studying the subject of the Holy Spirit, I came across this text: “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words” (Romans 8:26, NLT). I did not fully understand this verse at the time, but it was clear the Holy Spirit would help me with prayer. That one thought alone began to transform my prayer life. God had promised to help me pray, so I began to claim that promise with all my heart. When I got drowsy, I claimed the promise. When my mind wandered, I claimed the promise. Gradually the quality of my prayers and the quantity of time I spent in prayer improved. Also, as I spent more time in prayer, personal challenges improved or went away, and miracles began to happen. I can’t explain why, but it seems to be true: the time spent in prayer is just as important as the quality of what we say.

  Even though prayer is still a challenge sometimes, I find that the time goes by more quickly, and I don’t have trouble with sleepiness or mental wandering. I know God hears my prayers, and I know He will answer in His own good time and way. So, biblically speaking, to pray in the Spirit means to put forth human effort to improve our time in prayer while trusting the Holy Spirit to inspire and empower us.

  Some practical ideas to improve your prayer life:

  • Pray through scripture. Read a text and pray to the Lord about what you just read.
  • Use music. The hymnal and other songbooks contain many prayers. Use those prayers to help you know what you want to say. Singing is another form of praying.
  • Pray in a place that has fresh air and is free from distractions.
  • Journal your prayers. Many people enjoy writing out their prayers and find that it helps them clarify thoughts and express themselves more thoroughly.
  • Find a prayer partner you can pray with in person or over the phone.
  • Attend prayer meetings (at church or in people’s homes) or start a prayer meeting
  • Make a list of the things you need to talk with God about.

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • Jude 20—We build up our faith by praying in the Holy Spirit.
  • Ephesians 6:18—Pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayer and requests.
  • Luke 6:12—Jesus continued all night in prayer.
  • Luke 11:11-13—The Holy Spirit comes to us in answer to prayer.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1—Prayer is the most important thing we can do.
  • Luke 22:43—Divine help will strengthen our prayers, as it did for Jesus.
  • Genesis 32:24—Jacob wrestled with God. Sometimes prayer seems like hard work.
  • Luke 18:1—We will be blessed if we persist in prayer without losing heart.
  • Zechariah 12:10—The Spirit of grace and prayer will be poured out on us and on our families.

  Suggested Prayers

  • Dear Father, make me a person of prayer and use me to bless the people in my life. Please pour out Your Holy Spirit on me and give me strength.
  • Lord, please rebuke Satan and the evil spirits that want to keep me in bondage. Give me victory over my sins through the power of Your blood.
  • Please save our children and grandchildren. Send every angel heaven can spare to guide them into everlasting life. Break Satan’s power over them, help them see Your goodness, and give them a spirit of repentance.
  • Bless our pastors, teachers, evangelists, and members all over the world with a spirit of prayer. May the united voice of Your people rise up to heaven in a mighty chorus of praise and intercession.
  • Lord, we pray for Your protection for vulnerable children and teens. We ask You to guard them from those who seek to exploit them.
  • We ask You to raise up urban missionaries to plant churches for the 806 people groups in the 20 countries of Inter-European Division.
  • Please raise up an army of workers to plant churches for the 948 people groups in the 38 countries of Inter-American Division.
  • Lord, please guide church decisions at the 2020 General Conference Session. May the delegates, leaders, and visitors be filled with a spirit of revival and love.
  • We uplift the seven names we’ve written down on our cards. Bring these people close to You.
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  Sweet Hour of Prayer (Hymn #478); Prayer is the Key to Heaven; O Holy Dove of God Descending (Hymn #270); When You Pray; Every Praise; Showers of Blessing (Hymn #195).

• Day 8 Submission to the Holy Spirit
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  “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.”

  Matthew 12:31, NKJV

  Testimony

  “No one need look upon the sin against the Holy Ghost as something mysterious and indefinable. The sin against the Holy Ghost is the sin of persistent refusal to respond to the invitation to repent” (Ellen White, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1093).

  Even Spirit-filled people sometimes make mistakes. Abraham, Moses, David, and Peter all had defects of character and momentary failures in the hour of temptation. Even Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4), though He never yielded. So just because we are walking in the Spirit at this moment does not mean we are beyond the possibility of making mistakes, and a mistake is not the same as hardening our hearts in sin.

  A woman in her later years had become calloused, discouraged, and angry. She had little tolerance for others except for her closest friends from years gone by. When visitors came to church she often made offensive comments regarding their children, their attire, or something else. Newly baptized members and others were offended by her rude criticisms. Some became so discouraged that they would not come back to church. I was in the dark about all of this until one elders’ meeting. I asked the elders if they knew why people were not returning to church. Several hung their heads in silence. Finally one elder spoke up: “Pastor, we have a lady in our congregation who cannot control her tongue. She gossips and criticizes nearly everyone. This is why people will not return to our church.” “How long has this been going on?” I asked. “For many years,” was the response. “Why hasn’t anyone done something about this?” I continued. “A couple of pastors have tried, but there is never any change.” “This simply cannot continue,” I said, “so here is what I am proposing. I will go visit this lady and require her to change her behavior within two weeks. If she is unwilling to change, then her name will be brought up to the next board meeting for discipline. Will you elders back me up on this?” The elders unanimously backed the plan.

  I made arrangements to visit the lady in question. “I know why you are here,” she said when I sat down in her living room. “You do?” I replied. “Yes,” she continued, “you have come here to talk about the way I talk to people.” “That is exactly right,” I said, “but how did you know that?” “Because two other pastors have come to my home to talk about the same thing.” “Did it do any good?” I questioned. “No, it did not.” “Why?” I asked. “Because I have the right to say what I think best, and people are way too sensitive. They wear their feelings on their shirtsleeves.”

  I discussed Christian behavior using verses like Ephesians 4:29-31, but the woman was still unwilling to change. With a prayer on my heart, I said, “You have two weeks to change your behavior, or I will be forced to take your name to the church board for discipline, and I have the support of all the elders on this.” “You wouldn’t do that!” she exclaimed. “Oh, yes, I will unless you decide to change the way you talk to people.” “I don’t believe the elders will back you on this,” she said. “They already have, and you can check with them if you want to, but that is the way it is,” I asserted. This revelation caused the woman to sit back and solemnly reflect in silence. I gently said, “We all love you and want you to be part of our congregation, but this behavior has to change.”

  The following Sabbath she did not come to church. Her friends avoided me. I knew they were all struggling with the situation. The next Sabbath, just before her two weeks were up, she came to church. I walked up to greet her. Her face was sober, but she took my hand and held it firmly. “Pastor,” she said, “I thought over everything you said. I want you to know I now see clearly that I have been in the wrong all these years. I hope you will forgive me, and I intend to ask the forgiveness of the elders and the rest of the church. With the help of God, I will be a different woman.” Her eyes glistened with tears at this admission, and I am happy to say she was faithful to her promise. People began to come back to church, and the congregation grew rapidly.

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • Matthew 12:31, 32—Blasphemy is excusing sin and taking God’s place (Mark 2:7-11; John 10:33).
  • Hebrews 6:4-6—Truly converted people are capable of turning away from Jesus.
  • Hebrews 4:7—The best time to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit is the first time He speaks to you.
  • Acts 7:51—Do not resist the guidance and warnings of the Holy Spirit.
  • Luke 13:34—Give your life to Jesus before it is too late, as it was for His beloved Jerusalem.

  Suggested Prayers

  • Dear Father, may I listen to Your voice always. Forgive me when I have been stubborn. Open my eyes and ears to discern Your will and give me courage to obey.
  • Dear Jesus, forgive me for the pain I have caused You when I have been unwilling to give up my sins. Please do not take Your Holy Spirit from me and soften my heart to receive Your instruction.
  • Please forgive our church when we have not listened to Your voice in the Bible. Help us as a congregation to cleanse ourselves of sin and restore the presence of Your Spirit among us.
  • Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation. Then we will teach sinners Your ways, and they will be converted to You (Psalm 51).
  • Father, we intercede for those who may be victims of circumstances or controlled by addictions. Please break the chains that bind them! May we win them back to You through our love and concern.
  • Please teach us how to proclaim our fundamental church beliefs with clarity, creativity, and biblical authenticity. May the love of Jesus be at the core of everything we believe.
  • We ask You to prepare young people to plant churches for the 789 people groups in the 9 countries of North American Division.
  • We ask You to raise up medical missionaries to plant churches among the 830 people groups in the 11 countries of East-Central Africa Division.
  • We ask You to raise up prayer warriors to intercede for the 2,568 people groups in the 4 countries of Southern Asia Division.
  • We ask you to raise up new youth leaders and bless our SYL training initiative (Senior Youth Leadership).
  • We ask you to raise up new youth leaders and bless our SYL training initiative (Senior Youth Leadership).
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  Thank You, Lord; Come Thou Fount (Hymn #334); Have Thine Own Way, Lord (Hymn #567); I Surrender All (Hymn #309); I’d Rather Have Jesus (Hymn #327); Give Me Jesus (Hymn #305); I Will Bow to You; Lord, I Need You.

• Day 9 The Work of the Holy Spirit
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  “After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. . . . Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, ‘Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her.’”

  Revelation 18:1, 4, NLT

  Testimony

  “The inworking ministry of the Holy Spirit is our great need. The Spirit is all divine in its agency and demonstration. God wants you to have the gracious spiritual endowment; then you will work with a power that you were never conscious of before. Love and faith and hope will be an abiding presence. You can go forth in faith, believing that the Holy Spirit accompanies you” (Ellen White, Evangelism, p. 299).

  Someday will come a great revival among God’s true people all over the earth. The Holy Spirit will come down in great power. This moving of the Holy Spirit was compared in Bible times to the latter rains that would fall in the Middle East, bringing crops to maturity and harvest (Zechariah 10:1). Someday the people of God will go out to share their faith in every way possible. Miracles will be performed through Christ. Thousands, perhaps millions, will be saved. The work of the Holy Spirit is to save the lost, and there is no greater joy than to share in that work.

  One Sabbath Lance and his wife, Renae, came to our Seventh-day Adventist church for the first time. Someone had left the book Bible Readings for the Home on their doorstep. Because of certain situations in their lives, Lance and Renae decided to see what the book had to say. Scanning the book, they noticed the subject of the Sabbath, which really piqued their interest. They thoroughly studied that section and were convicted that they needed to find the church that printed that book. Noticing that it was printed by Seventh-day Adventists, they located our church and visited the next Sabbath. Lance held up Bible Readings for the Home and asked, “Does your church print this book?” “Yes, we do!” I replied. “Great,” Lance continued, “we have a lot of questions. Is there any chance you would come to our home to give us Bible studies?” Of course, I assured them I would be delighted to do that.

  When I visited, I learned that Lance and Renae and their two boys had been wishing for big changes in their lives. They had become victims of alcohol and substance abuse, and their marriage was severely suffering. I knew they needed the liberating power of Jesus. As I shared the gospel, constantly praying in my heart for God’s help, I could see the Holy Spirit was deeply convicting them. I finished the gospel presentation and asked, “Is there any reason why you wouldn’t want to give your lives to Jesus?” They responded that they would be very happy for the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus. We knelt in prayer right then, and I led them through a prayer of confession and acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord. With tears they repeated the prayer after me, and we rose to our feet with joy. The miracle power of the Holy Spirit was clearly evident. They were both now children of God.

  When I arrived for our next weekly appointment, I had barely taken three steps into the living room when Lance asked, “Pastor, what do you think about cigarette smoking? Do you think it’s something a Christian should do?” I suggested we study the subject of healthful living that night, which we did. As a result of that Bible study and later visits, Lance and Renae became free from all the chains that Satan had enslaved them with. Soon they were baptized, and both became powerful helpers in the cause of Christ, sharing their testimonies and giving Bible studies to family members and friends. They too began to share in the work of the Holy Spirit by spreading the gospel to all around them. What a miracle!

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • Matthew 28:19, 20—Every follower of Jesus is to do what they can to spread the gospel of salvation.
  • John 16:13—When the Holy Spirit is working, people will be drawn to the truth of God’s Word.
  • Acts 4:29-31—The early church asked God to fill them with the Holy Spirit so they could speak God’s Word with boldness.
  • Ephesians 4:11, 12—The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for equipping Christians for the work of ministry and building up the church.
  • Acts 9:36-42—The purpose of miracles is that people may have evidence by which to believe in Jesus.
  • Mark 16:15-18—Go into all the world, heal the sick, preach the message, demonstrate the character of God to everyone.
  • Isaiah 6:8—Here I am, Lord. Send me.

  Suggested Prayers

  • Dear Father in heaven, make me Your servant and help me share the message of Your love and salvation.
  • By Your grace, Lord, I dedicate myself to becoming educated and equipped to share the gospel in the way You choose for me.
  • Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit so that I will be driven from within to overcome obstacles and fears. Let me be a channel of Your power and the saving message of the crucified and risen Christ.
  • Bless the efforts of pastors, Bible workers, teachers, and evangelists all over the world. Fill them with great power and authority. May millions of Your children be saved this very year!
  • Please let our families reveal Your love in our homes and communities. We ask You to bring harmony into homes, heal broken relationships, protect the vulnerable from abuse, and reveal Your sanctifying power in seemingly hopeless situations.
  • May our church members around the world feed on God’s Word every day. May we also seek You daily in personal prayer. Remind us that without You, we can do nothing.
  • We ask You to raise up nurses and doctors to plant new churches among the 1,978 people groups in the 22 countries in West-Central Africa Division.
  • We pray for the 49 million people in the 19 least-reached cities of Trans-European Division.
  • Lord, please let our youth not only preach the sermon but also be the sermon. We ask God to bless Global Youth Day efforts and the 100,000 Total Youth Involvement initiative.
  • We pray for the seven people on our prayer lists. Give them hearts to know You as Your Word says in Jeremiah 24:7.
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  Make Me a Servant; Here I Am, Lord; Hark! The Voice of Jesus Calling (Hymn #359); I Love to Tell the Story (Hymn #457); Rescue the Perishing (Hymn #367); Watchman, Blow the Gospel Trumpet (Hymn #368); Jesus Saves; Tell It Again; Is There Anything I Can Do for You; Days of Elijah; Shine, Jesus Shine.

• Day 10 Abiding in the Holy Spirit
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  “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. . . . I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. . . . If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

  John 14:16, 18, 23, NKJV

  Testimony

  “When you rise in the morning, do you feel your helplessness, and your need of strength from God? and do you humbly, heartily make known your wants to your heavenly Father? If so, angels mark your prayers, and if these prayers have not gone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of unconsciously doing wrong, and exerting an influence which will lead others to do wrong, your guardian angel will be by your side, prompting you to a better course, choosing your words for you, and influencing your actions” (Ellen White, Messages to Young People, p. 90).

  One Sabbath I was standing at the kitchen sink in our fellowship hall washing dishes after potluck. A young exchange student from Russia was drying the dishes. I knew she was not a Christian, so I silently prayed about how to take advantage of this time doing dishes together. “I have a question for you, if you don’t mind,” I said. “Sure, what is it?” she replied. “Why is it that so many people in Russia are not Christians?” I asked. “You may as well ask me why I am not a Christian,” she said with a grin. “OK,” I said in a similar lighthearted manner, “why is it that you are not a Christian?” “I simply do not have any evidence for the existence of God,” she said matter-of-factly. Then she asked, “Why is that you are a Christian?” “Because I have plenty of evidence!” I responded. She laughed and said, “OK, so what is your evidence?” I then gave her my testimony of what God had done for me.

  “I have an experiment, if you are willing to try it,” I said. “I believe if you do this experiment you will find evidence for God. I would like you to spend some time for the next 30 days reading from the book of John. If you finish before the 30 days is up, just start over. I would also like you to pray to God when no one else knows. Talk to Him about things only you would know about, and ask Him for something that only You know you are asking, then see what happens.” “OK,” she said, “that sounds easy enough. It will be an interesting experiment.”

  As an exchange student she was required to go wherever her host family went so that she could get a taste of the culture. Therefore, every week she came to church because that is what her host family did. Two weeks after she began the experiment, I went over to her at church and asked, “So, how’s it going with the experiment?” She was serious but pleasant as she said, “I don’t understand what is happening. I still have two weeks to go, but already I am not sure I can say there is no God anymore.” “Good for you,” I responded. “Keep going. I am sure you will find more evidence for God if you keep an open mind.” She smiled and thanked me as she left that day. She went home to Russia before the 30 days were complete, but I know she and God were getting better acquainted!

  How do we abide in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

  1. We simply spend time in Bible study with an open heart and mind. Jesus is the Word (John 1:14; 14:6-9), and if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. Also, it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the Word of God (2 Peter 1:21). So, as we read the Bible and believe its teachings and promises, we are changed into the image of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).
  2. Next, as we pray to God, opening our hearts to Him as to a Friend, the Holy Spirit draws near, our hearts are softened, and our spirit is braced for the challenges ahead. As we pray, Satan’s power over us is broken, and we are able overcome his temptations with God’s strength.
  3. Last, as we obey the Bible and share it with others, we are drawn closer to the heart of God, and our inner being is at peace (Matthew 11:28-30).

  Bible Texts to Pray About

  • 2 Peter 1:21—The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible. As we read and accept it, we abide in His presence and that of Jesus and the Father (John 14:23).
  • Luke 11:11-13—We increase the power of the Holy Spirit in and around us as we pray and ask God for His presence.
  • Acts 2:1-4—The Holy Spirit wants us to share what God has taught us and how He has blessed us. He wants all people everywhere to be saved.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4—When we pray, the Holy Spirit blesses the world around us and brings people to salvation.
  • Acts 5:31, 32—As we obey what God has told us to do, we increase the Holy Spirit’s presence and blessing in our lives.
  • Romans 8:26—The Holy Spirit wants to help us become people of prayer. Blessings will surely follow (2 Chronicles 7:14).

  Suggested Prayers

  • Dear Heavenly Father, create in me a hunger for Your word so that I delight to spend time with You. As I read the Bible, give me a clear understanding of Your character and Your will for my life.
  • Jesus, please send the Holy Spirit into my life and make me a person of prayer. Turn me into a powerful intercessor so that many will be saved and freed from Satan’s chains of darkness.
  • May my mind and heart be ever in tune with Your will. Cause me to walk in perfect obedience to Your commandments and the rest of Your Word.
  • “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee” (Ellen White, Steps to Christ, p. 70).
  • Lord, we uplift our church leaders around the world. Please grant them wisdom as they make important decisions and lead Your people.
  • We pray for our children. Please empower them to stand boldly for you when they encounter obstacles and pressure. Help them to make wise choices and stand for truth (Isaiah 44:3, 4).
  • We pray for families whose world is filled with chaos, sorrow, and confusion.
  • Lord, may a mighty revival of primitive godliness sweep Your church in the final days. May we stand for truth though the heavens fall.
  • We pray for the seven names on our lists. Please show each person how much Jesus loves them.
  • Local Prayer Requests

  Suggested Songs

  Everyday; Jesus, Be My Everything; Day by Day (Hymn #532); Moment by Moment (Hymn #507); I Would Draw Nearer to Jesus (Hymn #310); Nearer, Still Nearer (Hymn #301); Lord, in the Morning (Hymn #39); Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee (Hymn #486); Here I Am to Worship; Your Name; Better is One Day; Friend of God; Draw Me Close; I Love You, Lord.

• Sabbath Celebration Seeking God's Spirit
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  Suggested Format for the Final Sabbath, January 18

  This final Sabbath should be a time of great rejoicing in all that God has done for you and your church during the Ten Days of Prayer. Design your day to celebrate God’s goodness and mighty power. Consider how you have experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the past ten days. This Sabbath is an opportunity to rejoice in what He has done, is doing, and will do.

  The needs of each congregation are unique, so please work with local leaders to develop a specific plan for your church. Here are some possible items to include in your final Sabbath church service.

  Suggested Order of Service

  • 10:30 Gathering songs.
  • 10:45 Welcome, announcements, and explanation of events.
  • 11:00 Hymn of praise (suggestion: “Praise to the Lord,” SDA Hymnal #1). People stand.
  • 11:05 Responsive reading (“I Will Extol the Lord,” SDA Hymnal #696). People stand.
  • 11:10 Congregational prayer. Led by pastor or elder. This is a prayer of praise, not requests or supplication. People kneel.
  • 11:15 Prayer of confession. People still kneeling. The congregation prays silently, then a prayer leader thanks God for hearing our prayers and forgiving our sins according to 1 John 1:9. After prayer, the people may be seated.
  • 11:20 Offering call and collection, followed by prayer thanking God for His provision and asking Him to bless the tithes and offerings.
  • 11:25 Special music. Choose a song related to prayer theme.
  • 11:30 Pastor or another leader gives a short message about importance of prayer in our lives.
  • 11:40 Pastor or another leader calls for people to come forward if they have a special prayer burden. Give time for people to share if they want. Then someone leads out in prayer of supplication, presenting the requests to God. People may return to seats after.
  • 11:55 Prayers for specific ministries and concerns. Examples: prayers for the community, for people who need Jesus, for the local Christian school and youth ministries, for the conference and world church, for marriages and families. Each segment could be led by someone involved with that specific ministry; for example, a student could pray for the school.
  • 12:10 Closing hymn of dedication (suggestion: “Take My Life and Let It Be,” SDA Hymnal # 330).
  • 12:15 Benediction.

  Optional Program Ideas:

  • Testimonies of answered prayer
  • Small-group prayer time
  • Announcement of future prayer activities
  • Children’s story about prayer
  • Presentation by youth
• Supplement Promises to Claim in Prayer
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  PROMISES TO CLAIM IN PRAYER

  All scripture NKJV

  Promises for the Holy Spirit

  • “Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.” Zech. 10:1
  • “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13
  • “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. . . . And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 14:26; 16:8
  • “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14
  • “So he answered and said to me: This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4:6

  Promises that God Answers Prayers

  • “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
  • “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:16
  • “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24
  • “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Ps. 50:15
  • “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” Matt. 18:19
  • “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matt. 21:22
  • “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13, 14
  • “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” John 16:23, 24
  • “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14, 15

  Promises About God’s Power

  • “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Gen. 18:14
  • “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Ex. 14:14
  • “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’” Mark 10:27
  • “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:24
  • “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” Job 42:2
  • “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31, 32
  • “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Num. 23:19
  • “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isa. 40:28-31

  Promises for God’s Guidance

  • “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh. 1:9
  • “ Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Gen. 28:15
  • “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” Ex. 23:20
  • “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deut. 4:29
  • “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jer. 33:3
  • “Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth.” Isa. 40:4, 5
  • “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Ps. 32:8
  • “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8
  • “Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.” Ps. 25:12
  • “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Prov. 3:5, 6
  • “If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.” Isa. 58:10, 11
  • “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isa. 65:24

  Promises for a Changed Heart

  • “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” Jer. 24:7
  • “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” Deut. 30:6
  • “ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezek. 36:26
  • “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6
  • “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17
  • “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20
  • “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:23, 24

  Promises for Forgiveness

  • “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chr. 7:14
  • “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” Ps. 86:5
  • “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25
  • “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:32
  • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
  • “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18
  • “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” Isa. 43:25
  • “For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jer. 31:34
  • “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Eph. 1:7

  Promises for Victory Over Sin

  • “ For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4
  • “ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Rom. 8:37
  • “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57
  • “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isa. 41:10
  • “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Eph. 6:16
  • “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20
  • “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13
  • “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16
  • “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Rom. 16:20
  • “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom. 12:2
  • “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

  Promises for Healing

  • “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” Ex. 15:26
  • “Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; as your days, so shall your strength be.” Deut. 33:25
  • “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Ps. 103:2-5
  • “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.” Prov. 3:7, 8
  • “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:3-5
  • “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.” Jer. 17:14
  • “‘For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord, ‘because they called you an outcast saying: This is Zion; no one seeks her.’” Jer. 30:17
  • “Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.” Jer. 33:6
  • “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” Mal. 4:2
  • “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14, 15

  Promises for Strength to Do God’s Will

  • “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” Ps. 27:14
  • “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18
  • “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Gal. 6:9
  • “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13
  • “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13
  • “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Cor. 12:9

  Promises About Being God’s Witnesses

  • “Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.” Isa. 44:8
  • “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” Isa. 60:1
  • “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18
  • “But the Lord said to me: Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.” Jer. 1:7
  • “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
  • “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
  • “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15