40-Day Prayer Guide: Standing on the Promises of God
Theme Verse for the Season: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
God’s Promises of His Presence
1. Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
2. Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
3. Exodus 33:14 – “And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
4. Matthew 28:20 – “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
God’s Promises of Strength and Help
5. Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
6. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
7. Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
8. Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God’s Promises of Protection and Peace
9. Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
10. Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
11. Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
12. Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
God’s Promises of Provision
13. Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
14. Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
15. Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
16. Psalm 37:25 – “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”
God’s Promises of Guidance and Wisdom
17. Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
18. Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
19. James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
20. Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
God’s Promises of Purpose and Fruitfulness
21. John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
22. Philippians 1:6 – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
23. Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
24. 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
God’s Promises of Rest and Renewal
25. Matthew 11:28–30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
26. Isaiah 30:15 – “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling.”
27. Psalm 23:2–3 – “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
28. Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
God’s Promises of Mercy and Forgiveness
29. Lamentations 3:22–23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
30. 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God’s Promises of Light in Darkness
31. John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
32. Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
God’s Promises in the Storm
33. Isaiah 59:19 (NKJV) – “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”
34. Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
God’s Promises of Identity and Inheritance
35. 1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
36. Romans 8:16–17 – “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…”
God’s Promises of Harvest and Reward
37. Psalm 126:5 – “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!”
38. Hebrews 6:10 – “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”
God’s Promises of Eternal Hope
39. Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
40. John 14:2–3 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Sacred Pathways: Discover How You Best Connect with God
Adapted from Gary Thomas' "Sacred Pathways"
At New Life Church, we believe God wired each of us uniquely — and that includes how we connect with Him. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for experiencing His Presence. We are a Presence-Driven people, and that means celebrating the beautiful diversity of how His children come home to Him.
As you read through the 9 Sacred Pathways below, consider which one best reflects the way you most naturally and meaningfully meet with God. Then, ask the Lord to help you lean into that pathway — and honor the different ways others around you connect with Him too.
1. The Naturalist – Loving God Outdoors
"Let the heavens declare the glory of God…" (Psalm 19:1)
You feel closest to God in creation — walking, hiking, beach sitting, sunrise watching. The natural world stirs your soul.
2. The Sensate – Loving God with the Senses
"Taste and see that the Lord is good…" (Psalm 34:8)
Beauty, atmosphere, music, art, candles — you engage God through your senses. Sacred spaces and experiences help you focus.
3. The Traditionalist – Loving God through Ritual and Symbol
"Stand by the roads, and look… and ask for the ancient paths…" (Jeremiah 6:16)
You connect through structure — liturgy, fasting, observance, spiritual discipline, and sacred traditions.
4. The Ascetic – Loving God in Solitude and Simplicity
"Be still and know that I am God…" (Psalm 46:10)
Silence and stillness are your sanctuary. You thrive in quiet, uncluttered spaces where distraction is removed.
5. The Activist – Loving God through Confrontation and Cause
"Let justice roll on like a river…" (Amos 5:24)
You burn to right wrongs and engage in spiritual battle. You worship through action, justice, and reform.
6. The Caregiver – Loving God by Loving Others
"Whatever you did for the least of these… you did for Me." (Matthew 25:40)
Serving, helping, cooking, comforting — your ministry to others becomes worship to God.
7. The Enthusiast – Loving God with Mystery and Celebration
"Clap your hands, all you nations… shout to God with cries of joy!" (Psalm 47:1)
You thrive on expressive worship, joy, spontaneity, and faith-filled experiences. You love the unexpected with God.
8. The Contemplative – Loving God through Adoration
"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine…" (Song of Solomon 6:3)
You long to sit with Jesus, heart to heart. Prayer, journaling, and simply being with God moves your soul.
9. The Intellectual – Loving God with the Mind
"Love the Lord your God with all your mind…" (Matthew 22:37)
You connect through study, Scripture, theology, and learning. Deep truths fuel your devotion.
Reflection Questions:
Which one or two pathways resonate most with you?
Have you ever felt judged or ashamed of how you connect with God?
How can you lean into your pathway this week? Give yourself permission to walk your pathway.
Who in your life connects differently — and how can you honor that?
Closing Encouragement: At New Life, we don’t elevate one pathway over another. We celebrate them all. Your pathway isn’t a problem — it’s part of how God made you. Walk it joyfully. And let’s honor each other as we pursue His Presence together.