July 14th-18th Devotional
Listen to the devotional podcast here
Day 1: The Foundation of Prayer and the Holy Spirit
Scripture/Focus: Acts 2:1-4
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid emphasizes that our belief in prayer forms the bedrock of our spiritual lives and community actions. He explains that the Book of Acts, authored by Luke, continues the narrative of what Jesus began to do and teach in the Gospel of Luke by showing what He continued to do and teach through the church on earth. This powerfully represents the continuing activity of God through the Holy Spirit. Pastor Kincaid highlights a pivotal demonstration of this on the Day of Pentecost, where a sound like a "mighty rushing wind" filled the place where believers were gathered, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, beginning to speak in other tongues. Pastor Kincaid points out a profound biblical truth: every great event in scripture seems to always be preceded by prayer. He states that prayer is of vital significance in the life of a believer, offering peace from God, comfort for the soul, and clear direction for life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for establishing prayer as a foundational principle in our lives and for the continuous work of Your Holy Spirit through Your church. Strengthen our faith to believe deeply in prayer's vital significance, and empower us to seek You first in every endeavor, trusting that You desire to accomplish great things through our communion with You. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that my belief in prayer is unwavering, and I commit to a life where prayer is the precursor to all my actions, inviting God's Holy Spirit to move powerfully in and through me.
Day 2: Prayer in Spiritual Warfare
Scripture/Focus: Mark 9:21-29
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid asserts that prayer is not only for general blessings but is critically effective in the realm of spiritual warfare and casting out demons. He cites Mark chapter 9, where Jesus' disciples attempted but failed to cast out a demon from a boy. When they privately questioned Jesus about their inability, Jesus provided a direct answer: "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer". Pastor Kincaid directly addresses those who may be uncomfortable with the reality of demons, stating that ignoring them is "wrong". He repeatedly instructs that for dealing with spiritual opposition – to command a demon to leave a house, a family, or children alone – the answer is to "Pray. Pray. Pray.". Pastor Kincaid emphasizes that it is not a matter of chance or luck, but a necessary preceding action for effective spiritual intervention.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I acknowledge the reality of spiritual battles and the authority You have given believers through prayer to confront them. Fortify my faith to stand firm against all forms of spiritual opposition, knowing that certain strongholds are broken only through consistent, fervent prayer. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that through the power of prayer, I have authority to confront and overcome spiritual opposition, claiming deliverance, protection, and freedom for myself and my household.
Day 3: Prayer Precedes Miracles and Brings Peace
Scripture/Focus: Matthew 14:22-33 (Jesus walks on water); Matthew 26:36-39 (Jesus in Gethsemane)
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid strongly affirms that when we pray, miraculous things take place. He offers the remarkable example of Jesus walking on water. Before this extraordinary event, Jesus "went up on the mountain by himself. To what? Pray". While He was praying, His disciples encountered a severe storm at sea, and Jesus then came to them, walking on the water. Pastor Kincaid presents this not as some "fairy tale" but as a true event that was "preceded by Prayer". Furthermore, Pastor Kincaid states that prayer is a profound source of inner strength and comfort, emphasizing that in prayer, we can find peace. He points to Jesus Himself, who demonstrated this truth by praying in Gethsemane just before His arrest and crucifixion, actively "searching for peace from the Father". This shows that even in the most distressing circumstances, prayer offers a pathway to God's profound peace.
Prayer: Gracious God, I am filled with awe at Your power to perform miracles and to grant perfect peace. Help me to truly grasp that my prayers can unlock supernatural interventions in my life, and that in every season of turmoil or distress, I can find Your perfect peace by drawing near to You in prayer, just as Jesus did. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that my prayers activate God's miraculous power into my circumstances, and that I find deep solace and peace for my soul through consistent communion with Him.
Day 4: Prayer for Direction and Divine Insight
Scripture/Focus: Luke 6:12-13 (Jesus chooses disciples); Luke 9:28-36 (The Transfiguration)
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid powerfully conveys that prayer gives us direction for our lives. He highlights how Jesus exemplified this by spending "all night... in prayer to God" on a mountain before making the crucial decision of choosing His twelve disciples. This highlights the deep commitment necessary for seeking divine guidance on significant decisions, echoing Pastor Kincaid's personal experience of spending hours "wrestling with God and listening to God" for direction. Additionally, Pastor Kincaid explains that prayer offers insight into the heavenly realms. The Transfiguration, where Jesus' face was altered and He conversed with Moses and Elijah, occurred specifically "as He was praying". Pastor Kincaid affirms that this remarkable event took place "because of prayer", emphasizing its reality and direct connection to prayer.
Prayer: Omniscient Father, I earnestly seek Your clear direction for my life and Your divine insight into Your heavenly purposes. Inspire me to dedicate focused, unhurried time to prayer, just as Jesus did, especially when I need to make crucial decisions or desire a deeper understanding of Your spiritual realities and Your will. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that through faithful prayer, I receive specific direction for my path, and my spiritual eyes are opened to gain insight into the heavenly realms.
Day 5: Devoted Prayer and the Church's Mandate
Scripture/Focus: Luke 11:1 (Jesus teaches prayer); Acts 1:14 (Early church devotion to prayer)
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid underscores the paramount importance of prayer by noting that Jesus specifically taught His disciples how to pray—it was presented as the "only thing really Jesus specifically teaches his disciples" in such a direct, replicable manner. This highlights its foundational role in Christian life. Pastor Kincaid points out that before the miraculous baptism of the Holy Spirit, the early believers in Acts 1:14 were "devoting themselves to prayer together". He explains that the Greek word for "devoted" (prosceteria) signifies a powerful commitment: "to continually steadfastly keep steadfastly in a thing and given unremittent care to it". Pastor Kincaid prompts self-reflection on how much time is truly spent in prayer, emphasizing that if we desire to see the Holy Spirit's movement in churches, communities, and even new homes, prayer "needs to precede it". He states that while ministry methods are valuable, they "all need to be preceded by prayer". Pastor Kincaid casts a vision for the church to be known as a "praying church," where "crazy things happen" as a result. He concludes with a practical call to action: to take responsibility and pray for the new subdivision being built, believing God has given it to them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling and teaching us the essential discipline of prayer. Ignite in me and in Your entire church a radical devotion to prayer, marked by continual and steadfast commitment. May we consistently prioritize seeking Your face, knowing that our prayers are the essential precursor to Your mighty works in our lives, our church, and our communities, leading to "crazy things" happening for Your glory. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that I am devoted to continual and steadfast prayer, and that our church will be a praying church, distinguished by the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit as we prioritize prayer above all else.
Day 1: The Foundation of Prayer and the Holy Spirit
Scripture/Focus: Acts 2:1-4
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid emphasizes that our belief in prayer forms the bedrock of our spiritual lives and community actions. He explains that the Book of Acts, authored by Luke, continues the narrative of what Jesus began to do and teach in the Gospel of Luke by showing what He continued to do and teach through the church on earth. This powerfully represents the continuing activity of God through the Holy Spirit. Pastor Kincaid highlights a pivotal demonstration of this on the Day of Pentecost, where a sound like a "mighty rushing wind" filled the place where believers were gathered, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, beginning to speak in other tongues. Pastor Kincaid points out a profound biblical truth: every great event in scripture seems to always be preceded by prayer. He states that prayer is of vital significance in the life of a believer, offering peace from God, comfort for the soul, and clear direction for life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for establishing prayer as a foundational principle in our lives and for the continuous work of Your Holy Spirit through Your church. Strengthen our faith to believe deeply in prayer's vital significance, and empower us to seek You first in every endeavor, trusting that You desire to accomplish great things through our communion with You. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that my belief in prayer is unwavering, and I commit to a life where prayer is the precursor to all my actions, inviting God's Holy Spirit to move powerfully in and through me.
Day 2: Prayer in Spiritual Warfare
Scripture/Focus: Mark 9:21-29
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid asserts that prayer is not only for general blessings but is critically effective in the realm of spiritual warfare and casting out demons. He cites Mark chapter 9, where Jesus' disciples attempted but failed to cast out a demon from a boy. When they privately questioned Jesus about their inability, Jesus provided a direct answer: "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer". Pastor Kincaid directly addresses those who may be uncomfortable with the reality of demons, stating that ignoring them is "wrong". He repeatedly instructs that for dealing with spiritual opposition – to command a demon to leave a house, a family, or children alone – the answer is to "Pray. Pray. Pray.". Pastor Kincaid emphasizes that it is not a matter of chance or luck, but a necessary preceding action for effective spiritual intervention.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I acknowledge the reality of spiritual battles and the authority You have given believers through prayer to confront them. Fortify my faith to stand firm against all forms of spiritual opposition, knowing that certain strongholds are broken only through consistent, fervent prayer. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that through the power of prayer, I have authority to confront and overcome spiritual opposition, claiming deliverance, protection, and freedom for myself and my household.
Day 3: Prayer Precedes Miracles and Brings Peace
Scripture/Focus: Matthew 14:22-33 (Jesus walks on water); Matthew 26:36-39 (Jesus in Gethsemane)
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid strongly affirms that when we pray, miraculous things take place. He offers the remarkable example of Jesus walking on water. Before this extraordinary event, Jesus "went up on the mountain by himself. To what? Pray". While He was praying, His disciples encountered a severe storm at sea, and Jesus then came to them, walking on the water. Pastor Kincaid presents this not as some "fairy tale" but as a true event that was "preceded by Prayer". Furthermore, Pastor Kincaid states that prayer is a profound source of inner strength and comfort, emphasizing that in prayer, we can find peace. He points to Jesus Himself, who demonstrated this truth by praying in Gethsemane just before His arrest and crucifixion, actively "searching for peace from the Father". This shows that even in the most distressing circumstances, prayer offers a pathway to God's profound peace.
Prayer: Gracious God, I am filled with awe at Your power to perform miracles and to grant perfect peace. Help me to truly grasp that my prayers can unlock supernatural interventions in my life, and that in every season of turmoil or distress, I can find Your perfect peace by drawing near to You in prayer, just as Jesus did. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that my prayers activate God's miraculous power into my circumstances, and that I find deep solace and peace for my soul through consistent communion with Him.
Day 4: Prayer for Direction and Divine Insight
Scripture/Focus: Luke 6:12-13 (Jesus chooses disciples); Luke 9:28-36 (The Transfiguration)
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid powerfully conveys that prayer gives us direction for our lives. He highlights how Jesus exemplified this by spending "all night... in prayer to God" on a mountain before making the crucial decision of choosing His twelve disciples. This highlights the deep commitment necessary for seeking divine guidance on significant decisions, echoing Pastor Kincaid's personal experience of spending hours "wrestling with God and listening to God" for direction. Additionally, Pastor Kincaid explains that prayer offers insight into the heavenly realms. The Transfiguration, where Jesus' face was altered and He conversed with Moses and Elijah, occurred specifically "as He was praying". Pastor Kincaid affirms that this remarkable event took place "because of prayer", emphasizing its reality and direct connection to prayer.
Prayer: Omniscient Father, I earnestly seek Your clear direction for my life and Your divine insight into Your heavenly purposes. Inspire me to dedicate focused, unhurried time to prayer, just as Jesus did, especially when I need to make crucial decisions or desire a deeper understanding of Your spiritual realities and Your will. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that through faithful prayer, I receive specific direction for my path, and my spiritual eyes are opened to gain insight into the heavenly realms.
Day 5: Devoted Prayer and the Church's Mandate
Scripture/Focus: Luke 11:1 (Jesus teaches prayer); Acts 1:14 (Early church devotion to prayer)
Reflection: Pastor Kincaid underscores the paramount importance of prayer by noting that Jesus specifically taught His disciples how to pray—it was presented as the "only thing really Jesus specifically teaches his disciples" in such a direct, replicable manner. This highlights its foundational role in Christian life. Pastor Kincaid points out that before the miraculous baptism of the Holy Spirit, the early believers in Acts 1:14 were "devoting themselves to prayer together". He explains that the Greek word for "devoted" (prosceteria) signifies a powerful commitment: "to continually steadfastly keep steadfastly in a thing and given unremittent care to it". Pastor Kincaid prompts self-reflection on how much time is truly spent in prayer, emphasizing that if we desire to see the Holy Spirit's movement in churches, communities, and even new homes, prayer "needs to precede it". He states that while ministry methods are valuable, they "all need to be preceded by prayer". Pastor Kincaid casts a vision for the church to be known as a "praying church," where "crazy things happen" as a result. He concludes with a practical call to action: to take responsibility and pray for the new subdivision being built, believing God has given it to them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling and teaching us the essential discipline of prayer. Ignite in me and in Your entire church a radical devotion to prayer, marked by continual and steadfast commitment. May we consistently prioritize seeking Your face, knowing that our prayers are the essential precursor to Your mighty works in our lives, our church, and our communities, leading to "crazy things" happening for Your glory. Amen.
Declaration: I declare that I am devoted to continual and steadfast prayer, and that our church will be a praying church, distinguished by the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit as we prioritize prayer above all else.
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