Grace and peace family,

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I pray you are all doing well in the name of Jesus Christ. Recently, I did a poll in my stories, asking how I can better serve and help you all in your walk with Christ. Many voted for the Prayer Journal Challenge. So on March 1st, we will embark on 31 days of prayer through journaling, hopefully, this will be the first of many.

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This is a little lenghty but stay a while and hear me out... After praying more about this, I’m sensing many followers of Christ are still struggling with setting aside time to spend with the Lord.

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As believers, we are spiritual being first. When you are born again, you live in the spirit and walk by the spirit of God (Galatians 5:16 & 25). Therefore, our natural man (flesh) is secondary as we live in this world. So prayer and a closer walk with the Holy Spirit are vital to sustaining you in this fallen world.

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Apostle Paul encouraged all followers of Christ in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” It is God’s will for you to rejoice in Him always, pray continually, and give thanks no matter what you’re facing in life. To pray without ceasing means to pray in season and out of season. Pray whether He answers or not. Prayer is how we communicate with God and how He in return communicates with us. Prayer is an invitation to invite God into your circumstances. So you need to have a healthy prayer life as a believer.

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The goal of this prayer journal challenge is to help you build a closer relationship with the Lord, grow in your faith, and also help you to develop a lifestyle of praying consistently. There are 31 topics the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart for us to pray about each day this month. Disclaimer: This prayer journal challenge is not about seeking God out for material blessings. There is more to God than just seeking His hands for things.

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As believers, it’s important to understand when you get God as in building an intimate relationship with Him. You get everything else. He doesn’t withhold His hands from you. Your life begins to bear fruits in every area and aspect of your life. Your character, you grow spiritually and the blessings automatically come. You don’t have to chase or beg God for things. He wants your life to bear fruits because you are a reflection of Jesus (John 15:5-8)

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5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

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My life is living proof and I've experienced what it means to be connected to the Vine (Jesus). When your life bear fruits as believers, it is for the glory of God and for the furtherance of the Kingdom so unbelievers may know you are His children (and come to know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ). One way to know if you're connected to the Vine (Jesus) is by your fruits.

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SO…if you know you’re struggling in your prayer life, walk in Christ and desire to grow closer to God. Then this challenge is for you, friends! Maybe the Lord has been tugging on your heart for some time now to take your relationship with Him more seriously, then here is an opportunity. Maybe you have a healthy prayer life but looking for community (JOIN US), when we as believers pray corporately Christ shines on us all. Maybe you need accountability or maybe you need a reminder of encouragement (you are going to get an email from me for 31 days and devotionals encouraging you to keep going 😊).

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I've already began praying over this prayer journal challenge. I'm not taking this assignment lightly. I am called to encourage and build up the Body of Christ. So I'm praying as you seek Him with all your heart as the scripture says in Jeremiah 29:12-13, I believe in the name of Jesus Christ, He will draw nearer to you as you draw near to Him. This will be our anchor scripture for the next 31 days. I'm believing for the Lord to visit many of you a new and reveal Himself to you like never before. I'm praying that you find Him as you seek Him with all your heart, in Jesus name. If you read until the end, then, I hope to see you on March 1st, family. Until then, I’ll see you in my next post.

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God bless you!

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-With Love Nicki