Day 20: Keep Moving Forward
40 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Prayer Focus: Perseverance
“…forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead…”
Philippians 3:13 ESV
We have reached Day 20, the halfway point of our 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting.
Yesterday our prayer was:
“Jesus, I will follow You.”
Today our prayer is:
“Lord, help me keep moving forward.”
Starting something takes faith. Continuing requires perseverance.
There are moments in our walk with God when the excitement of beginning fades and we simply have to remain faithful.
Don't Live Looking Backward
Paul said he was “forgetting what lies behind” and reaching toward what was ahead.
That doesn't mean our past doesn't matter. God can teach us through it, heal it, redeem it, and use it.
But we cannot allow yesterday to determine whether we move forward today.
Sometimes we look backward at failures.
Sometimes we look backward at regrets.
And sometimes we even look backward at victories, wishing we could return to what God did in another season.
But God is still working today.
Paul continued:
“I press on toward the goal…”
Philippians 3:14 ESV
There comes a time when we have to release what is behind us and keep following Jesus forward.
Don't Grow Weary
Twenty days of prayer requires perseverance.
Twenty days of getting up early.
Twenty days of intentionally seeking God.
Twenty days of choosing to continue.
Galatians reminds us:
“Let us not grow weary of doing good…” (Galatians 6:9 ESV)
Maybe you haven't participated perfectly.
Maybe you missed some mornings.
Maybe your prayer life hasn't looked exactly how you hoped.
Don't quit because it hasn't been perfect.
This journey isn't about perfect performance.
It's about continuing to seek God.
We're halfway there.
Keep going.
Today's Prayer Focus
Give Me Endurance
Strengthen me when I become tired.
Help Me Release the Past
Keep yesterday's failures or successes from controlling today.
Keep Me Faithful
Help me continue seeking You even when I don't feel immediate results.
Keep Me Moving Forward
Give me faith for whatever You have ahead.
Today's Prayer
Father, thank You for bringing us to Day 20.
Give me strength to continue.
Help me release the failures, regrets, disappointments, and even victories of yesterday so I can faithfully follow You today.
When I become tired, renew me.
When I become discouraged, remind me of Your faithfulness.
When I am tempted to stop, give me perseverance.
I don't want to live looking backward.
Lord, help me keep moving forward.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Additional Scriptures
Philippians 3:12–14
Galatians 6:9
Hebrews 12:1–2
Isaiah 43:18–19
Today's Challenge
We're halfway through our 40 days.
Take a moment today and ask:
“What has God been doing in me over these first 20 days?”
Write down one thing you've learned, one thing God has challenged you about, and one area where you've grown.
Then make a fresh commitment:
“Lord, I'm not stopping here. I'm going forward.”
Day 19: Jesus, I will follow You.
Day 20: Lord, help me keep moving forward.
