Church of the City Guided Prayer

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21 Days 2020 | Day 12 | Praying from Heaven to Earth Jan 12, 2020

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SCRIPTURE
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Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
DEVOTIONAL
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When teaching the disciples to pray, Jesus said, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. His language is an invitation to awaken our hearts to a greater awareness of Heaven. His prayer moves us towards cultivating our ability to see beyond what is right in front of our eyes and begs the question, “What is Heaven’s reality?” The more knowledgeable we become to what Heaven looks like ... the more accurately we can pray through our desires, our words and our deeds for ” The kingdom of our world to become the kingdom of our God” (Rev. 11:15).
The kingdom of God coming to earth means that the goodness of God will be manifested in our midst in real and tangible ways. For example, Psalm 89:14 states, “Righteousness and justice are the foundations of Your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” Think about that. Where your heart longs for justice in a situation is where you are longing for God’s kingdom. Where you show love to your neighbor, you are establishing God’s kingdom on earth.
REFLECTION
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If Nashville looked like the kingdom of God, what would that look like? Can you imagine a city filled with salvations, healings, joy, justice, reconciliation and peace? What part of God’s heart do you burn to see? Dream with God for your family, your church, your city. Remember, “All things are possible for the one who believes” (Mark 9:23).
PRAYER
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Holy Spirit, give me eyes to see Heaven’s reality today in every thought, circumstance and interaction. Begin to expand my faith and my vision for what is possible with you.

21 Days 2020 | Day 11 | Selah Jan 11, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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Deep calls unto deep. Psalm 42:7 KJV
Today is Day 11. It is the midpoint of our 21 days of prayer and fasting. We have covered a lot of deep truths that can transform our hearts and the way we understand ourselves, our God, and our daily lives. We are providing instrumental music and the titles, scriptures, and prayers from Day 1-10 so that you, and the Holy Spirit, may choose how best to spend this time with your Father. You may simply let the music from the podcast wash over you as you rest in the presence of your kind king and Father. You may want to go back over some of the past days to pursue a deeper understanding. You may want to ask God some new questions. God may lead you in prayer to a new place of revelation, healing, or deepening understanding. You may find that your heart wants to intercede for others. You may find that you want to fall in a deep sleep. God is with you in it all. He is Emmanuel.
Enjoy your time with God.

21 Days 2020 | Day 9 | God as King Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Tim 1:17
DEVOTIONAL
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Today we will begin to focus on God as King. He is our Creator. He is our Father. He is good. He is kind … and He is King!
God is King over heaven and earth. Jesus is called The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is Lord over all and yet his Lordship is one of kindness that surpasses human understanding. He rules for ever and ever - from the Beginning to the End and from the End to the Beginning. Nothing and no time period has ever been outside of His reign and His dominion.
This thought can be overwhelming. But what seems to be the hardest part is to grasp that although He is the King of King ... He is inexhaustibly interested in us.
The Lord of All, is interested in all of you ... not just a part of you! The same God who paints a new sunset each morning, keeps the planets spinning, is also the One who calls us his most precious creation and joyfully cares for our needs! It is not below him to help us find the perfect house, the needed job, the needed friend, to heal a painful wound from our past or present, or even remind us to make a phone call. Our Father is the King of the Universe and He is overflowing with outrageous, extravagant kindness. What a mystery, that He remains constant in his interest of the moments of our daily life! Truly, The King of Love is always wanting to come into our hearts and establish His Kind Lordship and Dominion of Peace where we will surrender to Him!
REFLECTION
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Are you able to grasp that your Father is the King of the Universe and that He loves you, He likes you, and He longs to be with you? Are you able to come before The King as a confident child or do you feel like a beggar, a servant, or a frightened child?
Remember: God is strong enough, confident enough, patient enough, and kind enough for you and your honesty today. He wants to instruct your heart with His love.
Prayer:
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Dear precious Jesus. You are King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and Your love for me is without end. I call you King. Establish Your Lordship and Dominion of Peace and Good Order in me today.

21 Days 2020 | Day 8 | What's in a Name? Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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I will protect him, because he knows my name. PS. 91:14
DEVOTIONAL
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Yesterday we began to meditate on becoming familiar with the names of God. In Psalm 138:2 God states that “He exalts His Name and His Word above all things”. His Word is unchanging and eternal. His Name is unchanging and eternal as well.
As people, we all have many names that carry parts of our identity. I am a father, a son, a husband, a friend, a pastor. These are just a few titles. In each of these identities, I display a different part of myself, create a different history, and perform in different ways specific to the title. All of these names are “stored” inside of my given name. But unless someone experiences me in each of these roles, they cannot really know who I am in that specific expression of my identity. The more roles they see me in, the greater confidence they get in knowing me and in evaluating who I am.
God’s name’s carry the authority and the reputation of God. They actually help us access the many different parts of him. They have substance. They are strong. They are constant. They are trustworthy. And they are not at war with each other. We grow closer to God by knowing them. His names are attached to the essence of who He is. Each time we gain understanding of a name of God in our heart, we grow in our confidence and authority to call on God from a place of relationship. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
REFLECTION
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Is there a name of God that you feel you should get to know?
Is there a name of God that creates negative emotions, that you avoid, that confuses you, or that leaves you disinterested?
Begin to talk and listen to God about any part of these above questions that feels significant. Remember: God is strong enough, confident enough, patient enough, and humble enough for you and your honesty today.
PRAYER
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My God and Father, my strong King, my true Friend and only Savior -- I want to know you. I need to know you. Who are you? Who are you as my Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Protector? Who are you as Lion? As Lamb? Lord, awaken my hunger to know you, to know you by name in my innermost parts. Amen.

21 Days 2020 | Day 7 | Knowing the Names of God Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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“David said ... I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts.” 1 Samuel 17:45
DEVOTIONAL
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Have you ever noticed the difference you feel when someone talks about someone you have met versus someone that you have not met? The difference is dramatic. A name means nothing unless we can attach a meaning, a significance, and an understanding to the name. God has many beautiful names. He wants you to know Him and His powerful names! God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit all have names and attributes that meet our deepest needs. He wants you to be familiar with, and even intimate with His names so that you can call upon Him.
REFLECTION
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What name of God do you need today?
Do you feel orphaned? He is your Father!
Do you need safety? He is our Refuge and Strength!
Are you lonely? He is Emmanuel God with Us!
Do you need a friend? He is A Friend of sinners!
Do you need light? He is The Light!
Do you need a way through? He is The Way!
Are you hungry? He is The Bread of Life!
Do you feel cursed? He became The Curse for your sake!
Do you need comfort? He is The Comforter!
Find a name of God and turn it into your own prayer. He is I AM. He is YOUR I am.
PRAYER
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God I feel hungry. You are the Bread of Life. Fill me with your bread. Lord let me abide in your name. Help me see where I can invite you and your name into my heart and life today.

21 Days 2020 | Day 6 | Abiding in God's Presence Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. John 15:9
DEVOTIONAL
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One of the most fruitful things we can do to impact the world is position ourselves to be completely, extravagantly, and profoundly loved by God...and stay there! When the outpouring of His love for us effectively gets into our hearts, it’s amazing how everything else seems to find its place. Love settles. Love brings rest. Love breeds freedom. Love energizes. Love focuses. Love inspires creativity. Love sparks courage. Love makes each sacrifice a joy. His love at work in us naturally motivates and moves us in ways that will impact the world around us. We bear fruit that lasts when we abide in His overflowing love for us as our source.
REFLECTION
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Knowing that God is love, name three ways you have experienced God’s loving presence. How did it affect you?
PRAYER
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Jesus, I want to experience and know your love for me deeper than ever before. I ask that you would help me receive a fresh outpouring of your love that would flow through every area of my life.

21 Days 2020 | Day 5 | God is a Good Father Jan 05, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 (NIV)
DEVOTIONAL
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God is love. God is a loving father. God is a good father. And God is in a good mood. “Love is not easily angered…. Love is not proud and doesn’t demand its own way…. Love always perseveres...love is kind.”
As humans, we all hit our limit. Regardless of how well we love, there are situations in which we just are too tired, too anxious, too distracted or too overwhelmed to show the attributes of love. Needless to say, we all know what it is like to have to assess the mood of a parent, spouse, teacher, or authority figure to decide if it is a good moment to bring our request or need to them because they are human too - and can hit a limit and not be able to respond in love..
But God is not like a man. God is always full of grace. God is strong enough for us. God is ALWAYS in a good mood. He is ALWAYS waiting and watching to be with us. He keeps no records of wrongs. He is never swayed by circumstances. He loves us. He likes us. He wants us. There is never a wrong time to come to God.
We will always be shocked and surprised by the overwhelming goodness of God. There will always be a part of us that has a hard time believing that God wants to run towards us, throw his arms around us, and kiss us. It is simply too great a news.
REFLECTION
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Are there any reasons why you think you can’t go to God? Are there any reasons why you tell yourself you shouldn’t go to God? How do your reasons line up with the truth of the Father in Jesus’ parable?
PRAYER
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God, thank you for never withholding your love from me. Thank you that while I was still a sinner, you saw me as worth the sacrifice of your only son. Just like the Father in Jesus’ parable, you run to me, you throw your arms around me, you want to be with me, you celebrate me! Thank you that there is no wrong time to come to you, for you are not like a man. You ALWAYS love me.

21 Days 2020 | Day 4 | God is Love Jan 04, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
DEVOTIONAL
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God longs for you to know His love -- for God is love. To know God is to know the source of Love. But what does God’s love look like? As beautiful as human love can be, it falls short in comparison to the perfection of God’s love. As humans, we often think we know God and how He loves by what we have experienced from the people in our lives. Sometimes this helps us begin to understand the depth of God’s love - if we have been loved well. But, if we have been hurt by those we love, we often consciously or unconsciously project onto God attributes of our flawed experiences with human love. So, what does God’s love look like?
Slowly read aloud 1 Corinthans 13:4-8 again.
Now read the same passage below, but substitute God for love -- because God is love.
(God) is patient, (God) is kind. (God) does not envy, (God) does not boast, it is not proud. (God) does not dishonor others, (God) is not self-seeking, (God) is not easily angered, (God) keeps no record of wrongs. (God) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (God) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (God) never fails. 1 Corinthans 13:4-8 (NIV)
REFLECTION
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Which one of the above 1 or 2 statements resonates with you the most? Write them down on a card, in your journal, or in your phone. Let them feed your soul today.
PRAYER
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Pick out 1 or 2 of the above phrases and pray like the example below. Take your time moving through this practice of taking the scripture and making it your prayer.
God I thank you that you are a Good Father. You love me. You are not easily angered with me. You always hope for me. Would you catch my attention when I slip into a conscious or unconscious thoughts that is opposite to these truths? Thank you for being my loving Father.

21 Days 2020 | Day 3 | Jesus is Knocking Jan 03, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
DEVOTIONAL
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One of the most important things that we need to remember as we are engaging in this fast is that the Lord desires to commune with us!
He wants to come in. He wants to be with you. He is talking. He is present. He is waiting. And He can come closer. He doesn’t put conditions on what’s behind the door. He simply wants to come in and be with you.
He already loves you, he likes you, he delights in you and guess what…He’s already seen behind the door and it hasn’t spoiled his appetite. He still wants to come in.
So let’s read the passage again. Use your imagination. Jesus is at the door of your heart. He says, “Here I am! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If you hear my voice and open your door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me.”
REFLECTION
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Jesus is at your door: What are you feeling? Are you excited? Are you panicked? Do you want to swing the door wide open for him, or do you have reservations? Do you believe he is excited to see you? If not, what do you think he is feeling?
PRAYER
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Jesus, You have said, you are waiting and wanting to be with me. Please show me when and where I don’t believe this. I want you to come in! I want to have an open door policy with you! I want you to have the keys! Like the Psalmist said, “The closer I am to You, my God, the better because life with You is good”!
Psalm 73:28 (VOICE)

21 Days 2020 | Day 2 | Prayer is a Conversation Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

SCRIPTURE
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“My sheep hear my voice...” John 10:27-28 ESV
DEVOTIONAL
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When I figured out that prayer didn’t have to be laborious but was merely a conversation, I began to pray in a whole new way. I started to discover that talking to God was essential, but listening to the voice of my Creator was even more grounding and transformative. I found that often He had much to tell me that brought a new perspective, a clearer identity, practical solutions, and peace. I began to experience prayer as more of an exhale and refill than a form of discipline with a timer and gritted teeth. My main job was to quiet myself and listen.
In our culture today, we are bombarded with emails, texts, instagrams, push notifications, etc. There is so much noise. There is so much talking “AT” us. But the noise often hides the real desire we have as human beings - to know and be known. Sometimes we don’t even remember this is our core need.
But this is our design - to be known and to know others in return. The first fruit of the curse was hiding and God having to come after us asking, “Where are you?”
God invites us today to both talk to him AND listen to him. It’s not like our technology. We aren’t posting and giving thumbs up. He isn’t sending push notifications and going back to his life. We are called into relationship. He wants to listen to our needs and concerns and joys and fears. He wants to tell us his heart and secrets. He wants to whisper words of encouragement and an overcoming perspective. He wants to remind us that He loves us and will never leave us. He doesn’t want to talk AT us, he wants to be WITH us. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV.
REFLECTION
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How does it make you feel knowing that God wants to talk with you? How does it change your perspective on prayer knowing that your loving Father always has time for you and always has loving and encouraging things to say to you?
PRAYER
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Jesus, thank you for your promise that I hear your voice. I ask you to awaken and arrest my heart to hear you when you speak to me.

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