40 Days of Prayer

“If my people who are called by My name 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 Chronicles 7:14

Throughout the Bible, the number 40 seems to have a special spiritual significance. When the flood came in Noah’s day, it rained 40 days and 40 nights. Israel wandered in the desert and ate heaven sent manna for 40 years. Moses fasted and prayed in Jehovah’s presence for 40 days and nights. Israel’s spies explored the Promised Land for 40 days. Jonah gave the city of Nineveh 40 days to repent or be destroyed. Most importantly, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting, praying, and combating Satan.

We as churches and as a community are being called to follow the example of Jesus by spending 40 days in concentrated, coordinated prayer. If you are willing to be a part of this spiritual discipline, please use each day’s prayer guide to pray for at least five minutes a day for 40 days and pray for the specific needs identified by 40 of our area ministers, ministry leaders, and community leaders.

Choose a specific time when you will pray each day (Daniel 6:10) and make sure it is a time you will be alert (Matthew 26:40-41.) Choose a specific place to be when you pray each day; make sure it is one where you will be undistracted (Matthew 6:6).

Read aloud the specific prayer requests for that day. This will help your mind focus on the petitions you will be offering. Also, take a moment to read each day’s scripture aloud before praying, to clear your mind and prepare your heart for your conversation with God (Psalm 19:14).

If you are married or have a family, consider praying together (1 Peter 3:7.)

The prayer guide is designed to expand our prayer repertoire by going beyond routine requests (Ephesians 6:18). Feel free to use each day’s submission as a starting point for your own prayer time on the topic of the day.

Find resources to promote & lead your congregation through The 40 Days of Prayer.

Kevin Atkinson, Andrew Baker, Randall Beaty, Blake Brinegar, Tom Carr, Blake Cole, Jeremy Darden, Marianna Davenport, Brett Dickson, Mat Faulkner, Mark Ferrin, Stephen Flamm, Jonathan Franco, Greg Gaddis, Doug Grimes, Nathan Guy, Dane Hall, Mark Harris, Chris Jackson, Jeff Jackson, Kent Jobe, Justin Lawson, Kevin Linderman, Tom Martin, Karl McLarty, Casey McDonald, Jennifer Mills, Andrea Morris, Lucy Myers, Colquitt Nash , Bethany Palmer, Eric Peckham, Michael Phifer, Cedric Smith, Jean-Noel Thompson, Kyle Thompson, Clefton Vaughn, Tim Wachstetter, Noel Whitlock, and Mike Williams. 

The 40 Days of Prayer is made possible through the contributions of many. A special thanks to all those who took time to write a prayer prompt. And a special thanks to the Downtown Church for making the 40 Days of Prayer book, and associated media.