40 DAY CHALLENGE
In last Sunday’s post I mentioned that my sister bought me a book, Draw the Circle, The 40 Day Prayer Challenge. I started the book and was so impressed that I turned around and ordered one for my best friends, Sandy and Bertha. Each morning when I get up, I fix myself a cup of coffee, grab my book, my prayer journal, and my iPad. The iPad is because I use the Holy Bible app in the NIV version. I read the day’s message, today I am reading Day 7, then I read the accompanying chapter of the bible. I will say my prayers and then write everything down in my journal.
I have never written in a journal before. I have tried, but I always loose steam and momentum. I think it is very important to write down your thoughts and what you have prayed for in a journal. After I write everything down, I highlight my prayers in yellow so that I can easily scan the pages for my prayers. It has only been a week, but I had already forgotten some of the things I prayed about at the first of the week. How can we give glory to the Lord for answered prayers if we have already forgotten we asked?
I will share with you just a couple answered prayers that I have experienced in the past couple of weeks. Both of these things you have seen on the blog. I wrote about my sleeping issues and about time management, and I have had answers to both of those issues. I can’t tell you the exact time, but I am now sleeping through the night with almost no issues. That is in itself a small miracle. I have gone from waking up 20 or more times a night to maybe 1 or 2. While some of you might not think that is a big deal, believe me when you are sleep deprived, it is HUGE!
Secondly, last Sunday my Draw the Circle book had not arrived, so I picked up a small daily devotional book that I already had called, 3-Minute Devotions for Women. I was flipping through the pages and I asked the Lord to take me where I needed to be. I closed my eyes and continued flipping till I was prompted to stop. I honesty about choked when I looked at the page. The title was Jesus Wristwatch. It was an entire devotional about not making a list or worrying about what you didn’t get accomplished, “Satan wants to consume you with endless lists and meaningless tasks. Concern yourself less with the items you can cross off your to-do list, and more with those things the Lord would have you spend your time and energy on.” The devotional ended with this prayer:
Father, help me to see where You are working and join You there. Let me place my list of tasks aside as I seek Your will for me today. Then give me the ability to show myself grace over the things I do not get done.
The winner of my 7 Month Giveaway is Angelia, I will be contacting you later today to get your name and address. Congratulations, I hope you enjoy the bracelet as much I have enjoyed mine.
I hope you will join me on my 40 Day Challenge. Buy a copy of the book for your best friend, sister, co-worker, or anybody you care about.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Pretty dress, and those shoes would look so cute with your stripped linen pants seen on prev post. I must check out the prayer book! I do journal at times of stress, and find it comforting, but lists are and always have been beyond me. lol – Have a blessed Sunday.
Beautiful dress! I am ordering the book today, thanks for sharing!
Tania; say a little prayer for.me today! I have a sinus infection ; and I had to miss Church which I hate doing!
Will do Carol. My sinuses have been trying to act up also. It is that time of the year. I hope you get to feeling better soon.
I just recently started reading your blog and I am inspired each day. My life is all about God, Family, Friends and Shopping. ” I try to keep them in that order but some days I get off track a little. Lol. I am ordering this book today. Thank you for the all the inspiration of things that are so important to me.
Tanya, your post is inspiring me to get the book. I have been slacking in my prayer time, so I am encouraged with your testimony. Praise God for healing your sleep issue. We girls need sleep! Have a blessed Sunday.
P.S. You look gorgeous today. Love the shoes .:-)
Thanks for the great post. I looked at the book on Amazon but didn’t order it. I start off strong with these kind of things and then I get lax and something that is supposed to take me 40 days will end up taking me me 80 days. UGH! BUT you are such an encourager and you reminded us how Satan likes to get involved in our business. Therefore, I accept the challenge and I am ordering the book today. Wish me luck.
Love your dress this morning! I ordered the book also ?
I mean Draw the Circle”!! Autocorrect can drive me bonkers?
Thanks for sharing your progress with your prayer challenge. After your post last Sunday, I’ve been making more time for prayer but haven’t done anything structured. I will be ordering Sraw the Circle, it sounds like just what I need.
Glad to hear how your prayers are being answered! Poor sleep is miserable. I went through horrible insomnia a few years ago too and it’s amazing how much of our lives are affected by the lack of good sleep.
LOVE your dress! Those colors suit you so well.
Thanks again for sharing a bit of yourself with us. I so enjoy this blog.
I’m doing “Purpose driven life” it’s a 40 day journey also. I have enjoy it several other times, but I felt lead to do it again;) I pray your journey leads you to GODS will. Please pray for me too. TIA;)