Daily Devotional: August 11th - 31st
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, August 11th – 31st
Enjoy our daily devotional for these 21 days of prayer. Our devotional theme this August is: return to the LORD. We hope you can participate with us through daily devotional, fasting, and our corporate Sunday evening prayer from 6 pm – 7 pm on Sunday, August 11th, 18th, and 25th.
One of the first things you’ll notice about this daily devotional is its brevity. Each day is quite short. The hope in these 21 days is that you can slow down and prayerfully read each passage. You may even want to take a few moments and journal some thoughts you have from the passage and how the Lord is working on your heart.
The word “return” is simply defined as: to come back. It is our hope that these 21 days are a coming home for your spiritually. Our vision is that you’d come back to a passionate rhythm of grace with God: seeking Him first, surrendering wholeheartedly to Him, and allowing His Presence to form you from the inside out.
Our prayer team is praying for you and asking God to especially draw near to you as you draw near to Him. May God bless you these 21 days in unprecedented ways with His goodness and kindness.
Week 1: Return to the LORD
Sunday, August 11th
“Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the LORD.” Lamentations 3:40
//Where is an area of life that God is inviting you to examine and explore, and test your ways?
How can you return to the LORD in this area?
Monday, August 12th
“Return to me,” declares the LORD Almighty, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 1:3
//In what ways do you anticipate or long for the LORD to return to you? Was there a time or season where you felt especially close to Him? How do you sense He is drawing close in this season?
Tuesday, August 13th
“For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” 2 Chronicles 30:9
//As we draw near to God Scripture reveals the heart of our Heavenly Father: He is “gracious and compassionate.” You can draw near to Him in this season. What is something holding you back from drawing close to God? Do you believe that He has forgiven you?
Wednesday, August 14th
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel 2:13
//Take a moment in the quiet and stillness to allow God to search your heart. Confess and repent of anything you sense conviction over. And breath deep the mercy of God.
Thursday, August 15th
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22
//Today, write down your gratitude for God’s generous love, mercy and forgiveness. We give thanks for Jesus’ finished work on the cross: defeating sin and the grave.
Friday, August 16th
“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
//This is the beautiful response of the father in Jesus’ famous parable. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you experience the deep love our Heavenly Father has for you.
Saturday, August 17th
“And to know this love that surpasses knowledge.” Ephesians 3:19
//Ask the Holy Spirit again to reveal God’s experiential love for you.
Week 2: Resurrender
Sunday, August 18th
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
In what ways may the Holy Spirit be inviting you to put God first? Is there a arena of life that you need to totally surrender to God? Upcoming surgery, family member, finances, friend, career, or the need for control? Ask God to help you surrender it and seek Him first.
Monday, August 19th
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10
Lord, I ask You to transform my inner life to one marked by humility. May I live a life surrendered and yielded to you. Amen
Tuesday, August 20th
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Death to self is hard. I don’t preach on it very frequently. But, it is a necessary part to flourishing in our life to Christ. As we die to ourselves we come alive to Him. Live curious before the Lord about something He may be inviting you to give up or lay down for good.
Wednesday, August 21st
“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways” Proverbs 23:26
Lord, I give You my heart today. May I live fully devoted to You and the promptings of Your Holy Spirit. May I please You in my words, reactions, and deeds today. Amen.
Thursday, August 22nd
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1
Let’s pause and just sit with this verse and let the Holy Spirit speak to us.
Friday, August 23rd
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Lord, I long to trust You whole heartedly. May I surrender my ways, my decisions, my life to You and accept Your will and blessing in my life.
Saturday, August 24th
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
Here I am Lord. All of me. Have Your way in me in this season like never before. I surrender to You. Amen.