40 Days of Prayer: Week 7 - Prayers for the Church: Yet to be Reached

Week 7
April 4 - 10

During the last six weeks, we have been encouraging you to take at least five days per week to pray. In that time, we have moved from focusing our prayers on our personal condition and need for God to our praise and gratitude for the Person and Character of God and then on to the Church that God Established. This last week, let us pray earnestly for those who have yet to be reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Consider this question. What is the value or worth of a soul? A question perhaps we don’t ask and answer enough in the Church. Consider for a moment the eternal beings (souls) of your family, friends and loved ones. They are precious, right? I know that my soul overflows with joy, gratitude and peace when I think of those in my life that have placed their faith in the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and follow Him completely. But what about the soul of a loved one, neighbor, co-worker, family member, grocery clerk, Starbucks or other drive thru attendant, etc. – that person who is far from God and is need of rescuing by Jesus’ Gospel? Do you love their Souls?

There is something that happens deep within me even now as I think about these people who have yet to be reached and are far from God. My soul aches for theirs! What is their soul worth? The worth of a soul: Who can count its value? Who can appraise its worth? An immortal soul is beyond all cost and yet worth everything to rescue it from certain demise.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” ~Matthew 16:26

When I read the Great Commandments in Matthew 22:37-40, I cannot separate my neighbors from their souls. In fact, I must love them for the sake of their souls. It must be the driving motivation behind my love to express the Good News of Jesus as the only legitimate rescue plan for their lives.

This week, Love your neighbor’s soul! Pray for them earnestly! Then when God gives you opportunity, share the Good News (Gospel) that Jesus Christ loves them, wants to have a relationship with them, and rescue them for eternity with Him. This kind of love was demonstrated by God through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection in order to bring us all into right relationship with Him – Romans 5:6-11. That is Good News for the Soul!

40 Days of Prayer: Week 6 - Prayers for the Church: PHCC

Week 6
March 28-April 3

Last week, we focused on the Church: Body of Christ and finding Unity therein, and now this next week, we will turn specifically to pray for the Church: Pleasant Hill Community Church.  Would you commit to pray for our Church 5-7 times this week?

Our Vision and Mission as a Church is Leading People Who Are Far From God to be Fully Engaged Followers of Jesus Christ.  This vision is for our church (all of the people who attend PHCC), and it is about each of us living out the transformative power of the Gospel by investing everyday in such a way that others who are far from God may draw closer to Him in relationship with our help according to Matthew 22:37-40; 28:19-20; Acts 1:8. 

Will you ask God to help you live out this Mission today / this week / this year?

In Your:

·         Home with your Family

·         Workplace

·         Neighborhood (where you live)

·         Community (PHCC proper)

Also pray that as a Church, we will not stray from this Mission as we minister to people.

·         Pray that will be people who are investing our lives for the sake of the Gospel through the ministries of PHCC.

o   Sunday Worship Services & PHCC Kids.

o   KIDz University: Summer X – July 13, 15 & 20, 22.

o   Youth Ministry.

o   Adult Gatherings, Bible Studies, and Small Groups.

o   Outreach/Service Ministry into our Community.

Pray for our PHCC People/Family.  There are several ways you can do this. 

·         Pray for a different person in our Church specifically for each day of the week.  One person praying for 5-7 people.

·         Pray for the Pastors, Elders and their Families this week.

·         Pray through the PHCC Directory this week.  Through your prayers, you could encourage every person in PHCC.

·         Meet with One Person from PHCC to pray with and for them in a significant way at some point during the next week.

Let’s actively live out Hebrews 10:24-25!

40 Days of Prayer: Week 5 - Prayers for the Church: Body of Christ

Week 5
March 21-27

The “Body of Christ” is a phrase that is used in Scripture as a symbol for the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the church's unity, even though there are varied gifts, ministries, and personalities. In Ephesians 4:2-16 and Col 1:18-28, Christ as the head of the His Body, the Church.

Have you ever experienced true Unity with another person or group of people; the kind of unity that is defined in terms like oneness, harmony and agreement with another person? This, of course, is how we are to define the Church; a single organism moving, working, serving, worshiping, fellowshipping and ministering in harmonic oneness.

This week as you pray consider the passages of Scripture found here and your vitality within the Body of Christ as an agent of Unity. Reread them several times and practice the discipline of praying God’s word back to God. I was specifically reminded this week by a friend that Prayer is a conversation with God, and sometimes when we read His Word and the spend time praying about something different than what His Word says we are truly not engaging in a Conversation. We often pray (respond in conversation) as if we are not listening to Him at all. Listen to His Word and Respond to what He is saying in His Word. Express how you will truly live out your role as a vital member of the Body of Christ.

In Philippians 2:1-16, you will read about the unity that is found in the likeness of Christ. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to be like Him – “Being Like Minded, Having the Same Love, Being One in Spirit and Purpose.” We can achieve this unity by shaping our attitude into the attitude of Jesus Christ, an attitude of humility, servanthood and obedience. Ask your Heavenly Father this week to renew your attitudes of Humilty, Servant Heartedness and Obedience in all things, and then embrace the Unity you will find in the Body of Christ.

“…For it is in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Head of His Body, the Church we pray, Amen.”

40 Days of Prayer: Week 4 - Prayers of Thanksgiving

Week 4
March 14-20

Give Thanks! The old standard worship song with the same title refrains:

“Give Thanks

With a grateful heart

Give Thanks

To the Holy One

Give Thanks

Because He's given

Jesus Christ, His Son”

By Henry Smith

So we must start there this week as we pray together. Is your heart grateful, giving thanks for what God has giving you? As you pray focus your heart on the mercy and favor that God has bestowed onto you and express your Thankfulness, profound appreciation and gratitude, to Him. It would be a great exercise to write them out and “Count Your Blessings” and be Thankful.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Apostle Paul directs us to manage a heart of Thankfulness by being joyful, never stop praying, and give thanks in all circumstances (good, bad and everything in between).

Take a few moments this week to express your heart as the Psalmist did in Psalm 100:1-5; Psalm 111:1-10 & Psalm 138:1-6.

So what are you Thankful for?

• The person of God, who is the Creator and Sustainer of all Life? (see last week’s scripture for a review)

• Jesus Christ and His willingness to offer you salvation and satisfy God’s wrath towards you and your sin by dying on a cross? John 3:16, 36. Romans 5:8-11.

• The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, guides you, corrects you, and produces fruit in your life? Galatians 5:22-23 & 25.

• God’s Word that is profitable to teach, correct, and equip us for every good work that God has for us? 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

• The Church, the group of Godly people you gather with on a regular, weekly, basis to engage God through worship, prayer, and His Word; to engage each other by encouraging one another and caring for each other’s needs; and to engage our community and the world together through actions of service and demonstrations of Christ’s love wrapped with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Hebrews 10:23-25. Matthew 22:37-40; 28:19-20. Acts 2:42-47.

For it is in the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray, “Thank You, Lord!”

40 Days of Prayer: Week 3 - Prayers of Praise & Worship

Week 3
March 7-13

The last two weeks, we have turned our focus inward by praying out our confessions and actively pursuing repentance which is turning from our sin and turning to God.

This week, March 7-13, let’s continue to advance in our prayers by making each day a day of praise and worship for our God. To help us with this, I have included a prayer and scripture taken from Germaine Copeland’s “Prayers That Avail Much.” (Click to purchase a copy on Amazon.com)


Adoration: “Hallowed Be Thy Name”

“Our Father, which at in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Matthew 6:9

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless Your holy name. I adore You and make known to You my adoration and love this day. Psalm 103:1-22

I bless Your name, Elohim, the Creator of heaven and earth, Who was in the beginning. It is You Who made me, and You have crowned me with glory and honor. You are the God of might and strength. Hallowed be Thy name. Genesis 1:1-2. Psalm 8:1-9.

I bless Your name, El-Shaddai, the God Almighty of blessings. You are the One Who nourishes and supplies. You are the all-bountiful and all-sufficient One. Hallowed be Thy name. Genesis 49:24-25. Psalm 91:1-6.

I bless Your name, Adonai, my Lord and my Master. You are Jehovah – the Completely Self-Existing One, always present, revealed in Jesus, Who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hallowed be Thy name. Genesis 15:1-2, 8. Hebrews 13:8.

I bless Your name, Jehovah-Jireh, the One Who sees my needs and provides for them. Hallowed be Thy name. Genesis 22:1-18.

I bless Your name, Jehovah-Rapha, my Healer and One Who makes bitter experiences sweet. You sent Your Word and healed me. You forgave all my iniquities and You healed all my diseases. Hallowed be Thy name. Psalm 147:3. Exodus 15:22-27. Psalm 107:19-21. Psalm 103:3.

I bless Your name, Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, the Lord my Sanctifier. You have set me apart for Yourself. Hallowed be Thy name. Leviticus 20:7-8.

Jehovah-Nissi, You are my Victory, My Banner, and my Standard. Your banner over me is love. When the Enemy comes in like a flood, You lift up a standard against him. Hallowed be Thy name. Exodus 17:8-15. Song of Solomon 2:4.

Jehovah-Shalom, I bless Your name. You are my Peace – the peace which transcends all understanding, which garrisons and mounts guard over my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Hallowed be Thy name! Judges 6:24. Philippians 4:4-10.

I bless You, Jehovah-Tsidkenu, my Righteousness. Thank You for becoming sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Hallowed be Thy name! Jeremiah 23:5-6. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

Jehovah-Rohi, You are the Shepherd, and I shall not want for any good or beneficial thing. Hallowed be Your name! Psalm 23:1-6. Psalm 34:8-11.

Hallelujah to Jehovah-Shammah, the One Who will never leave or forsake me. You are always there. I take comfort and am encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm – I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me? Hallowed be Thy name! Hebrews 13:5-6. Ezek. 48:35.

I worship and adore You, El-Elyon, the Most High God, Who is the First Cause of everything, the Possessor of the heavens and earth. You are the everlasting God, the great God, the living God, the merciful God, faithful God, and the mighty God. You are Truth, Justice, Righteousness, and Perfection. You are El-Elyon – The Highest Sovereign of the heavens and the earth. Hallowed be Thy name! Genesis 14:18-20, 22. Psalm 91:1-16.

Father, You have exalted above all else Your Name and Your Word, and You have magnified Your Word above all Your name! The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and His name is Jesus! Hallowed be Thy name! Psalm 138:1-8. John 1:1-14.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

40 Days of Prayer: Week 2 - Prayers of Personal Repentance

Week 2
February 28 - March 6

This week as you pray, focus on your personal responsibility to Repent. What is Repentance? In Matthew 3:1-2, John the Baptist was crying out in the wilderness the message to Repent. Simply turning from your sin and turning to God. Last week we spent considerable attention on confessing our sins and seeking the forgiveness that God offers when we confess all our unrighteousness. This week let us take another step further. Repentance means that we must change our mind, will and behavior from one direction towards another. Spiritually, we must Repent from our sinful selfishness and make a 180 degree turn back towards God.

Have you ever felt stuck in a sin that you just can’t seem to break free from? You confess and confess and confess; you seek God’s forgiveness, but inevitably you fall back into the same sin too many times. It is long before you add on feelings of guilt, frustration, discouragement, and self loathing into your life and God seems further away than ever before. Perhaps the act of confession isn’t quite enough.

While Confession is a stoppage of sinful thinking and behavior, Repentance is a turning away from sin and toward God. Is it possible that when we “get stuck”, we are simply neglecting to refocus on God and His Son Jesus Christ by appropriately adjusting our thoughts and behaviors? What is in your life that you need to turn away from and turn complete toward God and God Only?

Review the Scripture below and actively turn from those things that are keeping you far from God relationally.

• Matthew 3:1-17  
• Luke 3:1-22 & John 1:1-42
• Joshua 24:1-33
• Psalm 115:1-18
• Acts 2:36-47

“Father, in the Name of Jesus, I make a fresh commitment to You. I Repent of holding on to selfish desires and ambitions. I bind myself to Godly Repentance and loose myself from lying, bitterness, lust of the eyes, pride of life, resentment, envying, strife and unkindness in any form. I ask for forgiveness and help me to turn from ______________ (my sin) and turn wholeheartedly toward You. By faith and having the assurance that I am cleansed from all unrighteousness through Jesus Christ, I purpose to walk in love, seek peace, to live in agreement and to conduct myself in a manner that is pleasing to You. May my life produce the Fruits of Repentance (Matthew 3:8) and the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

40 Days of Prayer: Week 1 - Prayers of Personal Confession

Week 1
February 21-27

Dedicate 5-6 days this week in prayer. Focus your prayer time on Personal Confession. Use the Scripture that is provided to guide your thoughts and heart as you remove the barriers that keep you from drawing nearer to God.

• Psalm 51:1-19
• Psalm 139:1-24
• 1 John 1:1-10
• Exodus 20:3-26
• Galatians 5:16-26

The act of Personal Confession is much like Galatians 5:24. We come before Almighty God to willingly Crucify (put to death) our sinful acts and passions so that our relationship of Life with God can be restored in full. You may want to kneel before God in prayer as you confess the sinful thoughts, words, attitudes and actions that you have been clinging to so tightly. You may want to write them out on paper only to blot them out by drawing a Cross with a marker or burning them in fair as an illustration of God removing your sin and making you whole.

"Father, Your Word declares that if I confess my sin and seek Your forgiveness You will forgive and cleanse me from all my unrighteousness. Help me to believe and embrace Your Forgiveness for all my past and present sins. Help me to Forgive myself by keeping my eyes fixed on Your Son, Jesus Christ, the one who provides me the opportunity to experience Redemption (Deliverance and Salvation) through His blood and the Remission (Forgiveness) of my offenses, in accordance with the riches and generosity of Your gracious favor. Thank You for forgiving me and absolving me of all my guilt. In Name of Jesus, Amen."

40 Days of Prayer for PHCC

During our Congregational Meeting on February 14, one of our Members suggested that we commit the next 40 days (7 weeks) to prayer.  We believe that Prayer is perhaps the most important component to strengthening and deepen ones relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Prayer is a matter of the heart, and it is through Prayer that the Holy Spirit makes the Word a reality in our hearts.

We hope that you take the 40 Days (7 weeks) to Pray with us.  Seek the Lord in Prayer and allow Him to transform you and your relationship with Him.

"I Get To!"

This last Sunday, Pastor Scott challenged us to adopt an "I Get To" attitude or mindset and then record them. The things in life we Get To Do for others are the most important. What are some of the things that you Get To Do for others?

If you didn't get to hear this message on August 2nd, then click here to listen to Pastor Scott's Message from Psalm 100.

We want to know how you are serving each other and your community. So comment on this page or send us an email to let us know.

60 Day Challenge: Seeing God in your life!

For some, luck, fortune, or coincidence are too readily given credit for daily events in life, but what if we gave God the credit for everything that happens in life?

The 60 day challenge is to see God working in our lives and write them down in a notebook or now on this Blog page. Join us as we record the workings of our Amazing God in everyday life.

How have you seen God working in your life? How have you joined Him in that work?