2008 Prayer Calendar - Winter Quarter

January prayer focus: Peace with self

Week of January 6: What does the hymn chorus “It is well with my soul,” mean in your life? What is well with your soul? Thanks be to God! What is not well with your soul? Seek God’s wisdom this week.

Week of January 13: Pray Psalm 25. What is your “distress”? For what would you like God’s forgiveness? For what would you like to forgive yourself?

Week of January 20: When have you been resistant to God recently? What is the cause of the anger, discontent, or unrest in your life? Open a conversation with the Holy Spirit and try to listen for guidance.

Week of January 27: Think of one of your Christian role models. Consider how that person’s beliefs matched his or her actions. Then compare action to spoken word. Is there consistency between belief, speech, and action? What changes do you need to make in order to be more consistent in the “thought, talk, and walk” in your life?

February prayer focus: Peace with others

Week of February 3: “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” Matthew 5: 46. Let this scripture sit in your mind this week. Who are you being called to love?

Week of February 10: Read Matthew 18:21 – 22. In prayer, say “I forgive you” 77 times. Be aware of the Holy Spirit’s companionship during that prayer. If you did this for several days, where would God lead you?

Week of February 17: John 8: 1 – 11 recounts a story of forgiveness, a story of opportunity for change. Is there someone in your life who needs you to allow them to change for the better? Are you imprisoning a person or group of people because of a past mistake? With God, name and put down your stones.

Week of February 24: Reflect on yesterday. What did your actions say about who you are? Did your actions speak of justice or injustice? Did they communicate love or disdain? Did they reflect the teachings of Jesus? Invite God to guide you towards change where necessary.

March prayer focus: Peace within a community

Week of March 2: Take a step towards peace by beginning to explore another culture. Start with an exploration of the tastes and smells of a particular culture, and let that lead you to learning about other topics. Pray for an open heart as you approach unfamiliar situations.

Week of March 9: Use the sense of touch to spread peace. Shake hands with people as you meet them. Wave to people as you walk or drive! Pray for your neighbors.

Week of March 16: This week, concentrate on letting God’s love shine through your eyes. Try to meet people’s eyes, and smile if you catch someone’s eye.

Week of March 23: Go on a prayer walk. In celebration of Christ’s resurrection, pray that the people you encounter while walking will experience renewal. If you see a house, a business, or a field, ask that new hope will spring forth in the lives of the people responsible for those objects.

Week of March 30: Use the sense of sound to spread peace this week. Remember to verbally greet people. Ask God to provide you opportunities to have conversations with new people, and the act on the opportunities given.