31 Days of Prayer
April 30, 2016
The Bible talks about prayer in a variety of ways. Jesus shares about how you should pray, Paul talks about praying at all times and during times of stress, and David talks about how the Lord draws near to those who call on him. You could go on and on see many examples in the Bible of people praying and what to be praying for.
At New Life, we believe that there is extreme power in prayer. But we also realize that sometimes, without direction or specifics, our prayer life can lack impact (to us and others). That is why during the month of May we are committing to 31 days of prayer. Over the next 31 days we want to encourage everyone to join together and pray for these very specific things. It is our hope that not only God does amazing things but that we will be changed because of it as well as we see God work.
So how do you join us? Simply pray through the following topics with us. It’s going to be a great month as we see all that God can and will do over the next 31 days.
Day 1 Focus: Our 31 Days of Prayer
- Scripture: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You have guided New Life Christian Church through the years and have now established us in Chantilly, VA.
- Request/Petition: As we unite in prayer for the next 31 days, please may this congregation of believers connect well with our residential and business neighbors. Please guide our relationships and activities so that the light of Your Son is made evident and known throughout our community. Draw people near to You through Your church.
- Thanksgiving: We are grateful for the opportunities You have provided and will continue to provide. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Day 2 Focus: Church Leadership
- Scripture: My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4
- Affirmation/Declaration: Heavenly Father, the Spirit You provided speaks Your message through us.
- Request/Petition: Please give Your message, Your divine guidance, to the leadership of New Life. We pray that they serve in humility, trusting in Your power alone. Let the power of the Resurrection empower our leaders with wisdom to make good decisions. We praise You for the privilege of communicating Your message to others.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for the Holy Spirit, Your very presence, within us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 3 Focus: Worship Team
- Scripture: The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord. Isaiah 38:20
- Affirmation/Declaration: Lord, You are the Giver of gifts. We acknowledge that every good and perfect gift is from You!
- Request/Petition: We ask your blessing on the members of the New Life Worship Team. As they use the varied gifts of musical talent You have provided, please let their worship uplift spirits, bring hope and encouragement to those who are suffering and discouraged, and draw the body closer to You. Our desire is that their offering of music will be pleasing to You while it strengthens and emboldens those who receive it. Please renew their energy and unity as they labor for You.
- Thanksgiving: We are blessed by the individuals You have sent to New Life, who answered the call to share their talent for You. Thank You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4 Focus: P4C/Spring
- Scripture: …and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? James 2:16
- Affirmation/Declaration: Merciful Father, You are Jehovah-Jireh, the God Who Provides
- Request/Petition: We have received so much from You – thank you! With overflowing hearts we ask Your continued blessings on Passion 4 Community and their activities. Through Spring we are Your hands and feet, giving and providing service to those in need. Please let the love we receive from You be demonstrated in our actions and by serving others let us draw the lost to know You in a personal relationship.
- Thanksgiving: What a privilege to receive Your blessings, Father! And what a privilege to spread Your blessings to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5 Focus: Praise for Success in Ministry
- Scripture: I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. Psalm 35:18
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You are great and worthy of praise.
- Request/Petition: We praise You now for the success of our ministries. The large number of people who attend and are blessed by the messages is exciting – we give all the glory to You alone. You have guided the development of ministries and provided wisdom in planning. How humbled we are by successes that exceed our expectations! We praise You for changed lives and our part in Your plans.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for past opportunities and the tremendous response. We know You will continue to be with upcoming ministries and events designed to glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 6 Focus: Church Finances
- Scripture: For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you. Luke 6:38
- Affirmation/Declaration: Mighty Father, everything on earth is Yours; You alone have the power to advance and promote our efforts
- Request/Petition: Please overflow the bank accounts of New Life. Bless our efforts to bring the message of Christ to hearts and souls. Multiply the tithes and offerings of Your people and increase the faith of our leadership as they see You provide.
- Thanksgiving: You have supplied needed finances since the beginning of New Life. We humbly trust and wait in confidence for Your continued provision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 7 Focus: P4P (Passion for Planting)
- Scripture: We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. Hebrews 10:25
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, the day is coming when You will return; when every knee will bow.
- Request/Petition: Please expand the vision and capabilities of P4P. Help us to assist in spreading Your church into the most needed places. We pray for clear direction and willing workers to accept the challenge of planting new churches.
- Thanksgiving: We are grateful that You delay Your return so that more can be saved. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 8 Focus: nZone Staff
- Scripture: In wisdom, walk toward the ones outside, redeeming the time. Let your words be always in grace, having been seasoned with salt, to know how it is necessary for each one of you to answer. Colossians 4:5-6
- Affirmation/Declaration: God, Your amazing love reaches out to whole nations, and also to each of us personally
- Request/Petition: We pray for the many people who come to the nZone – members, sports teams, vendors, employees – to learn of Your love, grace, and mercy. Please help us leverage opportunities to the best possible effect. Bring us to conversations that are pleasing to You and that pierce the hearts of those hearing.
- Thanksgiving: How we’ve been blessed with success in the nZone! Thank you, Father, for entrusting us with tools and opportunities to bring others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 9 Focus: Team Leads
- Scripture: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You created us and know us in our very being.
- Request/Petition: Please draw New Life’s team leaders together in unity of spirit and purpose as they labor on Your behalf. Encourage them with new insights and new respect for individual talents. May their work be blessed with great rewards in support of Your church. We pray that they grow in love and into deeper relationship with You.
- Thanksgiving: Thank you for the individuals You have brought together to do Your work at New Life. They are a blessing! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 10 Focus: Volunteers
- Scripture: So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
- Affirmation/Declaration: Heavenly Father, You designed the Church with Christ as the Head and gave each member talents to use for Your purposes.
- Request/Petition: Please bless the efforts of New Life volunteers. Bring more willing hands to serve the body so that lost people can find their way to You. Touch hearts today that are hesitating to get involved. Help them to joyfully decide to take their next step toward You through service. We pray that volunteers will not only serve but will also grow in faith through service to You. We lift up the volunteer leaders who spend hours organizing, coordinating and communicating to get things done.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for Christ who lovingly leads the Church, a perfect example for Your servants. In His name we pray, Amen.
Day 11 Focus: Staff Search (Student Lead/COO)
- Scripture: Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You give strength and knowledge to those You love.
- Request/Petition: We pray that You will send workers to fill the staffing needs at New Life. Lead our decision-makers to the throne in prayer, always before You, asking in confidence for guidance. Give our leadership patience and wisdom as they seek staff whose labor on Your behalf will bring honor to You and build up Your Kingdom. Please pour blessings on those who have faithfully served as they move into new areas of service.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for the workers You will send to fill our vacant Student Minister and Chief Operating Officer positions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 12 Focus: Missions
- Scripture: Do not be afraid, little flock, for our Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:22-32
- Affirmation/Declaration: Dear Father, You have commanded the church to make disciples of all nations.
- Request/Petition: Father, please bless our mission efforts and multiply our contributions in Your power and might. Please provide finances and resources for us to meet needs in the US and abroad. Let all who we minister to in mission programs see Your love and grace and be irresistibly drawn to You.
- Thanksgiving: Thank you for successes we see when we take bold steps in faith to expand Your kingdom here on earth. All glory to Your name! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 13 Focus: New Life’s Sunday Services
- Scripture: …that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3
- Affirmation/Declaration: Precious Father, Your mercies are new every morning!
- Request/Petition: Can we ever praise You enough for Your salvation plan? Father, please be present in our Sunday services as we share the unbelievably Good News with others. Let our words and our actions reflect Your love to both newcomers and church regulars. May our services bring glory and honor to You.
- Thanksgiving: We thank You that You have chosen us to be Your beloved children, a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 14 Focus: Revival
- Scripture: For this is what the high and exalted One says— He who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15
- Affirmation/Declaration: God, You are sovereign, all mighty and holy.
- Request/Petition: Father, we pray for a fresh, powerful renewal – a true revival stirring Your people to prayer, confession, fasting, love, and outreach. You alone have the power to change hearts and thwart the plans of the enemy. Please bring us together as one body, united in our plea for Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us strength, wisdom, energy, and grace as we work to turn the church and the world back to You.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for revealing to us that the battle is Yours and it has been won. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 15 Focus: Online Services Ministry
- Scripture: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You are the one who sanctifies, who calls us out to holiness.
- Request/Petition: Please expand the reach of the online services to ever greater audiences. Help the online team to respond to questions and comments with love and acceptance. Give the team fresh insights to turn the medium that could be used for evil into an instrument of good, drawing others to Christ, His mercy and forgiveness.
- Thanksgiving: We are grateful that you make all things new. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 16 Focus: Salvation/Baptisms
- Scripture: And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16
- Affirmation/Declaration: Loving Father, You are the champion of those enslaved by sin.
- Request/Petition: We pray that our words are thoughtful and loving so that others will long to know You like we do. Please stir hearts to repentance and obedience. We ask that many who are hesitating will step out in faith, confess that You are Lord and be baptized.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for the new covenant, made possible through the death and resurrection of Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.
Day 17 Focus: nZone Outreach
- Scripture: For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
- Affirmation/Declaration: God, You are good and want no one to perish.
- Request/Petition: Let the services offered by the nZone be a tremendous blessing to all who come to the building. By filling the need for a safe place to participate in sports and other physical activity, we hope to share Your story. We pray that information about the nZone will spread further into the community, giving us more opportunities to serve.
- Thanksgiving: We are in awe of the way you have given great success to the nZone and its outreach. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 18 Focus: Prayer Life Expansion
- Scripture: Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard… Daniel 10:12
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, when we humble ourselves You are willing to receive our prayers.
- Request/Petition: We ask Your help in breaking Satan’s strongholds that hinder people from praying. Please give us a love of prayer, an eagerness to spend time with You alone. Fill our spirits with such trust and faith in You that prayer is our first response to all circumstances of life. Father, we pray for New Life to become a powerhouse of prayer, a house of prayer for all nations, effectively fighting spiritual battles and winning the victory for You.
- Thanksgiving: We’re so grateful that because of Jesus we can boldly come to the throne of grace with our requests. In His name, Amen.
Day 19 Focus: Pastors
- Scripture: God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10
- Affirmation/Declaration: God, You are compassionate; You know us through and through.
- Request/Petition: Father, we pray for respite and refreshment for our pastors. Please provide solid friendships and faithful brothers to come along side our pastors in good times and in times of need. Let them have fun, laughter and the blessed enjoyment of being with trustworthy men. We pray for Your Spirit to encourage and refresh their souls.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for New Life’s pastors and the fruits of their labor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 20 Focus: Bristow Land Acquisition
- Scripture: You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Philippians 4:19
- Affirmation/Declaration: Lord, You are mighty and your faithfulness surrounds You.
- Request/Petition: Help us understand Your characteristics more, Father. Though You have provided success before, as humans we sometimes forget that You, the Mighty One, are on our side and Your faithfulness never ends. We pray for greater understanding and a closer relationship with You. In drawing closer to You, we know Your guidance and direction will be clear.
- Thanksgiving: Jesus never fails! In His name we pray, Amen.
Day 21 Focus: Families of Church Staff
- Scripture: You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does Job 1:10
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You are our Defender and Protector.
- Request/Petition: Please place a hedge of protection around the families of our church staff, around their households, and around all that they have on every side. We pray that the stress of ministry will not cause resentment or discouragement. Please strengthen their spirit so they can live a godly life and not follow the culture of the world. Help us who benefit from their sacrifices to show love and appreciation.
- Thanksgiving: Thank you for the families of New Life staff. They are a blessing to us all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 22 Focus: Community Around nZone
- Scripture: Love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:14
- Affirmation/Declaration: God, You are the very definition of love.
- Request/Petition: We pray for Your love to surround this community and that New Life will be Your instrument to demonstrate grace, acceptance and mercy. Let this community gain renown as a place of peace, a place where others will want to live and worship You.
- Thanksgiving: Thank you for placing us where we can do the work you have planned. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 23 Focus: Praise for God’s Continued Blessings
- Scripture: The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father God, You provide showers of blessings for Your people!
- Request/Petition: We praise You today for the many, many blessings New Life church has received directly from Your hand. Help us not be unthankful or complacent with all You have provided and will continue to provide. We humbly pray that You will bring fresh awareness of Your very presence in the people here in the Chantilly community.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for the overflowing joy Your blessing brings; it strengthens us to do greater things for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 24 Focus: Celebrate Recovery
- Scripture: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You are our Deliverer.
- Request/Petition: Father, we know that you deliver us from sin and defeat. We pray that Celebrate Recovery leaders and attendees will be bold in asking for and accepting Your release, forgiveness, and mercy so that they can walk forward in blessed freedom.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for Jesus, our Great High Priest, who understands our weakness yet loves us still. In His name, Amen.
Day 25 Focus: Church Planters
- Scripture: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2
- Affirmation/Declaration: God, You have sanctified us and called us out.
- Request/Petition: We pray for willing church planters, who hear Your call and respond. Please give them energy and wisdom in setting up communities of believers so Your message will permeate new places. Remind them that working for You is a holy work and that You will supply, direct, and bless their labor.
- Thanksgiving: We are grateful to be part of Your holy family, honored to be used in bringing others to know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 26 Focus: Student Ministry
- Scripture: So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, Your love is so great, You want none to go astray.
- Request/Petition: We pray every young person will come to know You in personal relationship. The world is chaos and would lead them astray. We pray You will use New Life to demonstrate the blessings of peace, self-control, and genuine fellowship in each student’s life in contrast to their experiences in home, school, and on the streets. Father, please protect all who participate in New Life student ministries.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for the many volunteers who work in Student Ministry; you have blessed New Life powerfully with people who care for youth. Thank You also for the new lead You have chosen for this position. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 27 Focus: Our Nation
- Scripture: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You are Omnipotent and nothing is beyond Your reach.
- Request/Petition: The United States needs You, dear Father. We confess this nation is far from where it should be. As Your people, we ask forgiveness for timid acceptance of behaviors we know go against Your will. You are the Almighty and we are Your children. Please help us conform to Your Kingdom and not be conformed to the ways of this world. Please heal our nation and turn the hearts of the people back to You.
- Thanksgiving: Your mercy and lovingkindness are forever and for this we are so grateful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 28 Focus: KidZone
- Scripture: I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. Colossians 2:2
- Affirmation/Declaration: God, You are Father, Abba.
- Request/Petition: Please bless every child and every family that participates in KidZone. We pray for staff and volunteers to be drawn closer to You in their service to little ones. Please encourage them when the work is frustrating. We ask Your great plan, the very love of Christ, to be made known through the KidZone ministry.
- Thanksgiving: Thank You for changed families who have come to know You through the New Life’s KidZone ministry. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 29 Focus: Elders/Leadership Team
- Scripture: For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. I Corinthians 4:20
- Affirmation/Declaration: God, You are holy, mighty, and faithful.
- Request/Petition: Our prayer is for New Life Elders to demonstrate servant hearts and Your power as they support New Life. We pray their efforts are multiplied in Your strength. Please protect them from distractions and temptations. We ask for spiritual guidance and visible evidence of Your presence with them.
- Thanksgiving: You’ve provided honorable men to perform as Elders for New Life – thank you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 30 Focus: Life Groups
- Scripture: And all the believers were meeting regularly. Acts 5:12
- Affirmation/Declaration: Father, You are Emmanuel, God With Us.
- Request/Petition: We lift up the Life Groups and ask Your blessing on their activities and studies. There are some who are hesitating to join a group. Please let them listen to the Spirit’s urging and get connected. We pray that each Life Group is conducted with love, mercy, acceptance, and fellowship. Our prayer is also that people will grow in relationship with You because they have developed personal relationships in a Life Group.
- Thanksgiving: Thank you for Christian brothers and sisters who step up and lead Life Groups. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 31 Focus: Glory of God
- Scripture: Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing it everywhere around the world! Sing out His praises! Bless His name. Each day tell someone that He saves. Publish His glorious acts throughout the earth. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does. For the Lord is great beyond description and greatly to be praised. Worship only Him among the gods! For the gods of other nations are merely idols, but our God made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround Him; strength and beauty are in His Temple. O nations of the world, confess that God alone is glorious and strong. Give Him the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come to worship Him. Worship the Lord with the beauty of holy lives. Let the earth tremble before Him. Tell the nations that Jehovah reigns! He rules the world. His power can never be overthrown. He will judge all nations fairly. Let the heavens be glad, the earth rejoice; let the vastness of the roaring seas demonstrate His glory. Praise Him for the growing fields, for they display His greatness. Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise. For the Lord is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the nations fairly and with truth! Psalm 96 (TLB)
- Affirmation/Declaration: Glorious God, You are Worthy of all praise.
- Request/Petition: We come to you today with grateful hearts and offer You all praise. You are the Great God, in control of all things. From the depths of the earth to the highest of mountains, every wave of the sea and every acre of land was created by You. We kneel before You, our Creator, humbled that You are our Shepherd and we are privileged to be the Sheep of Your Pasture! You are amazing beyond words and thought. We pray that our hearts turn to You afresh today and that all who hear Your call respond with joy and gladness.
- Thanksgiving: In Jesus’ name, AMEN!