40 Day Prayer Challenge

Day 12 (January 31st, 2026): 

Pray for the families of our Elders, asking for a blessing on their homes and lives. Numbers 6:24-25 — "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you..."

o   Devotional: We often forget that our leaders have personal lives and families that sacrifice alongside them. When we pray for the families of our Elders, we are practicing the selfless love of Christ. This "shining face" of God is meant for every household in our congregation, including yours. Ask the Lord to bless your home today so that you can be a source of blessing to others. When our families are healthy and "kept" by the Lord, the whole church becomes stronger. 

o   Application: Pray the "Priestly Blessing" (Numbers 6:24-26) over the Elders family and for your own family at dinner or before bed tonight.

Day 11 (January 30th, 2026): 

Give thanks for our Elders who have faithfully led and sustained our church family. 1 Timothy 5:17 — "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor."

o   Devotional: Honor is a spiritual "fertilizer" that helps a church grow. When we honor our Elders, we aren’t just being polite; we are acknowledging the spiritual authority God has placed over us. Reflection begins by asking: "Do I have a heart that naturally honors leadership, or am I quick to criticize?" As we pray for those who have led us through this interim, let us ask God to increase our own capacity to respect and support those who serve. A culture of honor starts with a single grateful heart. 

o   Application: Write a short note or send a text of sincere "double honor" to all the Elders today. (Elder Brent, Elder Chris, Elder Bill, Elder Jason) 

Day 10 (January 29th, 2026): 

Pray that Pastor and wife would feel a complete sense of release and freedom as they head toward Arizona, their HOME NOW. Galatians 5:1 — "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

o   Devotional: Transition is the perfect time to evaluate if we have become "shackled" to old habits or religious routines. Christ didn't set us free so we could stay the same; He set us free so we could move into the "new" with boldness. As our new Pastor heads toward his new "Home" in Arizona, ask yourself if you are feeling "Home" in your faith. This is a day to celebrate the freedom we have to grow, to change, and to follow God’s leading. Embrace the liberty of a fresh start. 

o   Application: Identify one "old habit" or "ritual" that feels stagnant and ask God to replace it with a fresh expression of faith.

Day 9 (January 28th, 2026): 

Ask God to guard their hearts and minds as they focus on the new work ahead. Philippians 4:7 — "And the peace of God... will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

o   Devotional: Our minds are often the primary battlefield during a time of change. We wonder about the "new," we worry about the "unknown," and we analyze the "what-ifs." God promises a peace that acts like a watchman, standing guard at the door of our thoughts. When we focus on Christ, this peace intercepts anxiety before it can take root in our hearts. Today, invite the Holy Spirit to be the "guard" over your mental space. 

o   Application: Take 60 seconds of "mental silence" every few hours today to reset your focus on Christ’s presence.

Day 8 (January 27th, 2026): 

Pray for safety, health, and strength for PK and Tanya during the physical move. Psalm 121:8 — "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

o   Devotional: God is a God of the "journey," not just the destination. He cares about the physical details of our lives: our safety, our health, and our daily commutes. As we pray for a safe move for our Pastor and his family, let us remember that God is also watching over our own "comings and goings." We are never outside of His protective gaze, whether we are traveling across states or just across town. Trust today that He is guarding every step of this transition for all of us. 

o   Application: Pray for God's protection over your family's travel today and for the physical and spiritual health of our church family.

Day 7 (January 26th, 2026): 

Ask for a fresh filling of peace to sustain PK and Tanya after a season of heavy pouring out. John 14:27 — "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you... Do not let your hearts be troubled."

o   Devotional: The world offers a peace that is temporary and dependent on "good news," but Jesus offers a peace that survives the storm. As we prepare for a new season, our hearts can become "troubled" with the logistics of change. Jesus invites you to step into His specific brand of Peace, one that guards your heart from the inside out. This Peace isn't just for the Pastor; it is the birthright of every believer in the church family. Let His stillness settle over your home and your mind today. 

o   Application: Whenever you feel a "troubled" thought creep up on you today, whisper the words: "I accept Your Peace, Jesus."

Day 6 (January 25th, 2026): 

Pray for a renewed sense of joy and excitement to replace any lingering discouragement. Nehemiah 8:10 — "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

o   Devotional: Discouragement is a thief that steals the energy we need to build for the future. In seasons of change, it’s easy to focus on what we’ve lost rather than what we are gaining. Nehemiah reminded the people that their "strength" wasn't in their circumstances, but in God’s joy! We choose joy not because everything is perfect, but because God is faithful. Today, let His joy be the fuel that drives your service and your prayers. 

o   Application: Find one reason to laugh (tell a dad joke) or celebrate anything today, even if it’s a small victory, and give God thanks for it.

Day 5 (January 24th, 2026): 

Pray for a smooth and final conclusion to PK & Tanya's time in Iowa, leaving all burdens behind. Philippians 3:13 — "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."

o   Devotional: We cannot reach for what is ahead if our hands are full of what is behind. Whether the past season was full of mountain-top victories or valley-low struggles, there comes a time to "leave it in Iowa," so to speak. This doesn't mean we forget the lessons, but we release the emotional grip those events have on us. Straining toward the future requires a focused heart and an open hand. Today, make a conscious decision to let go of "the way it used to be" so you can see what God is going to do now. 

o   Application: Physically open your hands in prayer today as a sign that you are releasing the past to God, Let GO and Let GOD!

Day 4 (January 23rd, 2026): 

Ask God to renew Pastor and wife's energy and give them a clear, fresh vision for the future. Isaiah 40:31 — "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles..."

o   Devotional: It is easy to get stuck in the "ground-level" view of daily tasks and logistics. However, God calls us to "soar," seeing our church and our lives from His heavenly perspective. When our hope is placed in a person, we will eventually be disappointed; when it is placed in the Lord, our strength is constantly replenished. Today, ask God to lift your gaze above the transition and show you His "Eagle Vision" for our future. Renewal is available to you the moment you shift your hope back to Him. 

o   Application: Write down one "vision" or hope you have for our church this year, and send it to Pastor K, and pray for the strength to pursue it. Email: (pastor.k@newhopechurchsv.org)

Day 3 (January 22nd, 2026): 

Pray for a spiritual refreshing—that any weight from the past would be lifted away. Acts 3:19 — "Repent, then, and turn to God... that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

o   Devotional: Refreshing often begins with a "turning." When we turn away from our own agendas and back toward God’s face, the atmosphere of our lives changes. This "spiritual refreshing" is like a cool rain after a long, dry summer. As we pray for a weight to be lifted from our leaders, let us ask God to lift the dry, dusty fatigue from our own souls. A refreshed congregation is the most welcoming environment a new shepherd could ask for. 

o   Application: Spend five minutes in silence today, simply "turning your face" toward God and asking for His refreshing Spirit of peace to cover you. 

Day 2 (January 21st, 2026): 

Ask the Lord to provide emotional and spiritual healing from past ministry challenges. Psalm 147:3 — "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

o   Devotional: Ministry transitions can stir up old memories of past church conflicts or personal disappointments. We cannot fully embrace a new leader if we are still nursing wounds from a previous season. God is a tender physician who doesn't just cover our scars; He heals the source of the pain. Allow Him to "bind up" your heart today so that you can move forward without a limp. When we are healed, we become a healthier community for our new Pastor to join.

o   Application: Ask God to reveal any "brokenhearted" places in you regarding church life and ask for His healing touch.

Day 1 (January 20th, 2026): 

Pray for a true sense of rest for the Pastor and his wife as they conclude their previous chapter. Matthew 11:28 — "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

o   Devotional: We often carry the weight of the previous year like a heavy backpack, forgetting that Jesus invites us to set it down at His feet. True rest isn’t just a nap; it is the soul-deep quiet that comes from trusting God with the things we cannot control. As we pray for our new Pastor to find rest, we must also look at our own "burdens." Are you trying to "do" church in your own strength, or are you resting in His? Today, intentionally hand over one specific worry to Him and feel the lightness of His grace.

o   Application: Identify one "burden" (a project, a worry, or a resentment) and verbally give it to Christ today.