Monday, July 1
The Joy of Prayer: Praise God for His holiness.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 1.
The Work of Prayer: Ephesians 1:4 tells us God “chose us,… that we should be holy and blameless before Him.” What does that mean to you? Ask God to make you holy.
Tuesday, July 2
The Joy of Prayer: Ephesians 1 tells of how we have been chosen by God to be adopted into His family! Do you feel you are really part of God’s family? Rejoice, because you belong! You are an adopted child of God.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 1.
The Work of Prayer: Thank God for adopting you into His family.
Wednesday, July 3
The Joy of Prayer: Ephesians 1:7 reminds us we have “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us.” Rejoice today in the fact that all your sins are gone, covered by the blood of Jesus. You’re living in God’s great grace! Live free. Live grateful. Rejoice in Him!
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 1.
The Work of Prayer: Pray for our national leaders.
Thursday, July 4, Independence Day
The Joy of Prayer: Which of our freedoms do you most treasure? Thank God for that freedom. Praise God for the freedoms we enjoy in America.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 1.
The Work of Prayer: Pray for our country.
Friday, July 5
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for each member of your family by name.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 1-2.
The Work of Prayer: Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” What works do you think God has prepared in advance for you to do? Ask Him to guide you, and to help you do them.
Saturday, July 6
The Joy of Prayer: Ephesians 2:12 talks about a time when we were “having no hope and without God in the world.” Do you remember a time like that? Think back on those times. Then thank God for saving you!
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 2.
The Work of Prayer: Who do you know who is presently “without hope and without God in the world”? Pray for their salvation. Then do whatever you think God would have you do.
Sunday, July 7
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for your neighbors.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 2.
The Work of Prayer: Do you have peace in your heart from God? Thank Him. If you don’t have peace, receive it from Jesus. His peace is for all of us, and it is apart from circumstances. Receive His peace, and rejoice in it.
Monday, July 8
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for the gift of His Holy Spirit.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 2.
The Work of Prayer: Ephesians 2:22 talks about us being “a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Are you a dwelling place for God by His Spirit? Ask to be. Open your life to Him, and let God’s Holy Spirit fill you. He has promised to come and live inside us, if we invite Him.
Tuesday, July 9
The Joy of Prayer: Think of all that God has done for you. Thank Him! Praise Him!
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20
The Work of Prayer: Where does Satan most often seem to attack you? Ask God to help you stand strong for Him.
Wednesday, July 10
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for His gift of the Church.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 1-2.
The Work of Prayer: Pray for your church, and your church leaders.
Thursday, July 11
The Joy of Prayer: How did you come to know Christ? Think about your salvation experience. Thank and praise God for rescuing you!
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 4:1-3
The Work of Prayer: What stands out to you from Ephesians 4:1-3? What do you think God wants you to do? Do it.
Friday, July 12
The Joy of Prayer: What is the most enjoyable thing about being a Christian, for you? Thank God for it.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 4:1-6
The Work of Prayer: How solid do you think your faith is? Do you seem to be easily pulled off track? Talk to God about it, then do whatever you think He wants you to do.
Saturday, July 13
The Joy of Prayer: Think of the difference in your life between “before you knew Christ” and “after you met Christ.” Thank God for His work in your life.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 4:17-24.
The Work of Prayer: What do you hear God saying to you out of Ephesians 4:17-24? Let Him speak to you through His Word. Then obey.
Sunday, July 14
The Joy of Prayer: What is the angriest you have ever been? Thank God for His forgiveness and grace.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 4:25-27.
The Work of Prayer: Do you find anger to be an issue for you? What do you think God wants you to do about it? Ask Him. Then do whatever you think He wants you to do.
Monday, July 15
The Joy of Prayer: Think of when you were ten years old. What was life like for you, then? Thank God for His protection and help in your life.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 4:17-5:2.
The Work of Prayer: What did you get out of the passage you just read? Ask God to speak to your heart about whatever it is you need to hear from Him. Then obey.
Tuesday, July 16
The Joy of Prayer: Who is the person you most want to imitate? Thank God for that person.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 5:1-2.
The Work of Prayer: Think of one of God’s characteristics which you think He would want you to imitate. Ask for His help in becoming more like Him.
Wednesday, July 17
The Joy of Prayer: Think of your life between the ages of ten and twenty. How close were you to God in those days? Thank the Lord for His grace and forgiveness.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 5:1-21.
The Work of Prayer: Ask God what He would have you do about what you just read.
Thursday, July 18
The Joy of Prayer: What are you thankful for, today? Thank God.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 5:15-21.
The Work of Prayer: To whom do you think God wants you to submit? Ask for His help, then do what you think He wants you to do.
Friday, July 19
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for your spouse, if you have one, and thank God for His promises, if you don’t.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 5:15-33.
The Work of Prayer: Does this passage bother you? Why, or why not? Ask God what He wants you to do about this passage of scripture. Then do whatever you think He would have you do.
Saturday, July 20
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for your children, if you have children.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:1-4.
The Work of Prayer: Ask God for help with your current family situation, whatever it may be. Trust Him! Then do what you think He wants you to do.
Sunday, July 21
The Joy of Prayer: If you have a job, thank God for that job. If you are retired, thank God for this season in your life.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:5-9.
The Work of Prayer: What do you hear God saying through this passage, in regard to situations in the workplace? Ask God if there is something He wants you to do to apply this passage of scripture to your own life. Then do what you think He would have you do.
Monday, July 22
The Joy of Prayer: Can you think of a time when you have been aware of the presence and power of spiritual darkness? Thank God that He is more powerful than the enemy! Worship God.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
The Work of Prayer: What stands out to you about this passage? Ask God to reveal something new to you, today. Then do as you think God would have you do.
Tuesday, July 23
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for the gift of truth.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
The Work of Prayer: What is your standard for deciding whether or not something is true? Do you think your standard is the same as God’s standard? Ask Him to help your standard to line up with His.
Wednesday, July 24
The Joy of Prayer: Think of life in your 20’s. Thank God for His guidance and provision.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
The Work of Prayer: What is the source of your righteousness? Is it your own good works, or is it Jesus Christ? Trust in Jesus for your righteousness. Trust in His grace and forgiveness.
Thursday, July 25
The Joy of Prayer: Think of life in your 30’s. Where was your life, spiritually? Praise God for His provision and protection.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
The Work of Prayer: If someone came to you and asked you to help them find peace with God, what would you tell them? Think about it, and pray about it, asking God to help you be ready, when an opportunity like this comes up.
Friday, July 26
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for the gift of salvation!
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
The Work of Prayer: Who in your life desperately needs Jesus? Pray for them, right now, that they will soon find peace with God through Jesus Christ.
Saturday, July 27
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for the gift of the Bible.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
The Work of Prayer: Ask God what He wants you to do about Bible reading, these days. Then do what you think He would have you do.
Sunday, July 28
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for the gift of prayer—the ability to communicate directly with Him at any time under any circumstances.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
The Work of Prayer: What is the difference between just praying, and “praying in the Spirit”? Ask God to help you “pray in the Spirit.” Then do it.
Monday, July 29
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for the freedom of religion and speech we enjoy in this country.
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
The Work of Prayer: Ask God how He wants you to be a witness, today. Then get ready for opportunities to point people toward Him in some way.
Tuesday, July 30
The Joy of Prayer: Do you love Jesus? Tell Him!
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians 6.
The Work of Prayer: Ask God to increase your love—for Him, for the other people in your life—even for your enemies.
Wednesday, July 31
The Joy of Prayer: Thank God for all that He has taught you, this month!
Prepare for Prayer: Read Ephesians.
The Work of Prayer: Pray for those who are sick.