2017 NWR PERSONAL AND FAMILY Action Guide-1 · PDF fileThe above is God’s testimony about self-centered, ... Personal and Family Action Guide ... NWR is a huge step in the right

Practical Steps for you and YouR FAMILY To Walk Through Repentance & Go Deeper With God

™

ACTION GUIDE

of REPENTANCE#NWR2017 WEEKOFREPENTANCE.com

www.weekofrepentance.com

#NWR2017 WeekOfRepentance.com

© Copyright, 2017, Michael Anthony. All rights reserved.

PERSONAL & FAMILY ACTION GUIDE THE NATIONAL WEEK OF REPENTANCE

™

A simultaneous, grass-roots movement of God and people, happening across America

September 24 – October 1, 2017

Dear Friend,

Congratulations, you are part of history in the making! You are one of thousands of others living in America who are ready for a significant, positive change. It is time. America needs a bath.

The beauty of this week is that you didn’t have to travel anywhere to participate. People just like you will be calling out to God, asking Him to do a deep work in their lives, and reflecting on what it means to be the change our nation so desperately needs.

Whenever people truly humble themselves, God moves in power. This is what makes your participation exciting. God is going to move in your life, and in the lives of thousands of other people across America.

In November 2016, the National Week of Repentance made history, marking the first time that people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. simultaneously set aside a week to reflect, repent and ask God to transform their lives. When people in other countries learned about it they joined in, and it spread to China, Panama, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Switzerland, Germany, the Solomon Islands and the United Kingdom. There has never before been a week-long movement like the National Week of Repentance in America’s history.


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The National Week of Repentance™ Personal and Family Action Guide

#NWR2017 WeekofRepentance.com

© Copyright, 2017, Michael Anthony. All rights reserved. 2

Whether or not America experiences true spiritual awakening is not the ultimate issue. The issue is that our nation needs a massive outpouring of true humility and repentance because there has never been a real spiritual awakening where these have not been present. Our nation will not positively change without a real movement of humility.

All you need to do is follow the easy instructions and suggestions in this Action Guide. We hope you will also appreciate What to Expect from the National Week of Repentance, the Quick Start Guide to Fasting and Prayer and other free resources we created for you. You can get everything you need at WeekOfRepentance.com. If you use these resources, we’re hopeful that God will touch your life, your family, and your church, in powerful ways. As this happens simultaneously across the country, your spiritual revolution will be underway, preparing you for what lies ahead, whether good, bad or somewhere in-between.

It’s time for a real move of God and people in the United States of America. We pray that this is a life-changing week for you, and that this week signals a new beginning in your life, family, church, and our nation, at this key time in world history!

Looking UP,

Michael Anthony Co-Founder and President, Godfactor®

Founder, the National Week of Repentance Lead Pastor of GraceYork.com








Find (or create) an undistracted place where you can walk

through the Action Guide each day, September 24 – October 1.

180°What is “repentance” and what does it mean to “repent”?

Repentance is a change of heart, mind and direction. It is to

turn toward God and away from whatever it was that was

opposed to Him and His best. Simply put, repentance is a “180.”

To repent is to turn 180 degrees around, to head in the opposite

direction from where you were, and to surrender to God.







Table of Contents

• Your Transformation is as Easy as 1, 2, 3 ................... 5

• The 3 Things You’ll Need Each Day This Week ......... 6

• Don’t Underestimate God .......................................... 7

• How to Seek God for the Right Reasons .................. 9

WHAT TO DO EACH DAY: Moving with God & People During the National Week of Repentance

• Day 1: Sunday, September 24 ................................. 11

• Day 2: Monday, September 25 ............................... 13

• Day 3: Tuesday, September 26 ............................... 15

• Day 4: Wednesday, September 27 ......................... 17

• Day 5: Thursday, September 28 ............................... 19

• Day 6: Friday, September 29 ................................... 21

• Day7: Saturday, September 30 ............................... 23

• Day 8: Sunday, October 1 ....................................... 25







How to use this Action Guide . . .

Your transformation is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3

Make sure you’ve read “WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE NATIONAL WEEK OF

REPENTANCE” so you make the most of this life-changing week. You’ll find it at WeekOfRepentance.com, in our Free Resources area.

USE THIS ACTION GUIDE each day, September 24 – October 1. Read the page that corresponds with the day of the week. Remember: you are part of a simultaneous, unified movement throughout the United States. This guide will help you walk in unison with thousands of others each day of this important week. Read the recommended Bible passages and other suggestions for each day to help you repent, heal and grow. Put into action what God is saying to you each day. Your action steps are what will make all the difference in the world.

1 Check Facebook.com/weekofrepentance daily, for inspiration. Check you in-box, too, in case we send you something to help make your participation even more meaningful. Don’t worry, we won’t spam you. J

2 Use your social media accounts all week long to invite your friends to participate and spread the word as God transforms YOU. The official hashtag is #NWR2017. Share your stories of transformation onFacebook.com/weekofrepentance, and on your Facebook page.

3 Put into action what God is speaking to you. Don’t complicate it. Simply

follow God – one day at a time.










THE 3 THINGS YOU NEED EACH DAY THIS WEEK:

A Bible. Which version of the Bible is best? The one you read and apply.

A journal/notebook. This will help you record, remember and apply what God impresses on you, so you can follow through.

Your heart, mind, will and life surrendered to God. Keep in mind that no one who surrenders to God will ever live to regret it.







DON’T UNDERESTIMATE GOD

Don’t underestimate the power of uniting with others each day this week and calling out to God. Don’t underestimate how God will transform your life. This week could very well impact the rest of your life, your family and your church – and perhaps begin to transform America.

In Genesis 11:6, God provides His own testimony about the power of unity - among people who rebelled against Him in what we refer to as “theTower of Babel”:

"If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to

do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

(NIV)

The above is God’s testimony about self-centered, idolatrous people who wanted nothing to do with Him and were seeking to advance their own agenda and fame. Imagine what might be possible as we seek God with all our being in unison – across the nation – and call out to God in repentance, asking Him to advance His glory and agenda!

VITAL BIBLE PASSAGES TO ACT ON THIS WEEK

The National Week of Repentance is an opportunity to do what the Bible says God’s people should do when they find themselves in an epic crisis:

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, IF my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”







– 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (ESV)

Consider what Joel did when he saw that his people were in trouble, and how this applies to us, today:

“Blow the trumpet in Zion,

declare a holy fast,

call a sacred assembly.

Gather the people,

consecrate the assembly;

bring together the elders,

gather the children,

those nursing at the breast.

Let the bridegroom leave his room

and the bride her chamber.

Let the priests, who minister before the LORD,

weep between the portico and the altar.

Let them say, “Spare your people, LORD . . .’”

– Joel 2:15-17 (NIV)







HOW TO SEEK AND FOLLOW GOD – FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

It’s incredibly important that we seek God for the right reason – simply because He is worthy. When we seek God for this reason alone, our motive is as pure and mature as possible – and God will reward us with the enjoyment of His presence and rich fellowship with Himself. Be careful you are not seeking God just because you want a solution.

Here are a few important things to remember this week, as you humble yourself, pray, seek God’s face and turn from your sin (repent):

1. God alone is the solution to all your problems, desires and success.When you satisfy yourself in God, you have enough. Remember thatwe love Him because He first loved us ( 1 John 4:19).

2. Beware of demanding or expecting that God do things your way –or in your timing. The methods and timing of God are up to Him.Your job is to humble yourself, pray, seek Him and turn from your sin.Leave the consequences up to God.

3. A lifestyle of humility, prayer, seeking God and turning from sin issomething that is developed over time. Your participation in theNWR is a huge step in the right direction toward this goal.

4. Choosing to not be humble, to not pray, to not seek God and to notturn from your sin will always result in negative consequences. Thebest thing you can do for yourself is agree with God about the truth.The truth will set you free (see John 8:32).

Consider Jeremiah 29:13-14:

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your

heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord....” (ESV)

Consider that no one who has ever resisted God came out a winner. The same is true in each of our lives. No one can resist God and win. Consider







James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5:

“Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the

humble.” (ESV)

You can have as much of God’s grace as you are willing to receive. God’s unlimited supply is offered to you in proportion to your humility. The more humble you are, the more you genuinely depend upon Him in every area of your life, the more of His grace (undeserved favor) you will experience.

Finally, let James 4:8-10 encourage you:

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your

hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be

wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to

mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the

Lord, and he will exalt you.” (ESV)







WHAT TO DO EACH DAY:MOVING WITH GOD & PEOPLE DURING THE NATIONAL WEEK OF REPENTANCE

ACROSS AMERICADay 1: Sunday, September 24

1. Join this morning’s LIVESTREAM!Visit WeekOfRepentance.com/livestream for details. Chime in and usesocial media to spread the word.

2. Read and reflect upon 2 Chronicles 7;13-14. Consider the following:

a). God is the One Who has acted by shutting up the heavens,stopping the rain, and sending the locusts and disease among Hisown people. The reason He did this is because His people were nolonger paying attention to Him. While the original context is Godand the people of Israel, the principle is timeless: God has manymeans at His disposal to get the attention of His people.

b). Notice that this is an “IF-THEN” statement by God. What is it thatGod says His people must do when they find themselves beingopposed by Him?

c). Before focusing on the lives of other people, consider your ownlife. Have you been putting God first, truly listening to Him andfollowing Him?

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS:

• Is my number one goal in life to truly love God with all of my being?What does my use of time and money say about my love of God?

• Do I watch too much television or spend too much time on thecomputer, tablet or phone? Do I love sports, or anything else, morethan God? What has been competing with God for my undividedattention?

• What does my language say about my love for God and people?




www.weekofrepentance.com/livestream




Do I say things that demonstrate that I don’t really love God or people?

• Have I neglected reading and applying the Bible? (Consider thatit’s not possible to love and enjoy a God you do not know. Throughthe Bible we get to know God).

• Am I critical, judgmental or impatient?

• Am I a truly humble person?

WHAT FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IS GOD IMPRESSING UPON ME TO MAKE IN MY LIFE, FAMILY AND HOUSE OF WORSHIP? HOW CAN I REPENT?

NOTES (Use your journal, too. Process your thoughts before God):

REMINDER: OBEY GOD AND LEAVE THE CONSEQUENCES TO HIM.

TODAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit across on you, and on other people across the nation so that people everywhere begin to truly humble themselves, pray and seek God and turn from anything and everything that they’ve put before God.

GET SOCIAL: Share what God is doing in your life on your Facebook page and at Facebook.com/weekofrepentance. Send your friends an email or text and invite them to participate. Use #NWR2017 to spread the word, and to share how your life is being impacted as you participate in this historic week!








ACROSS AMERICA Day 2: Monday, September 25

1. Visit WeekOfRepentance.com/livestream for the livestream schedule.Watch the livestreams at Facebook.com/WeekOfRepentance, chime inand use social media to spread the word.

2. Read and reflect upon Joel 2:12-17. Consider the following:

a). Recognizing a problem is not the same as addressing it. Whatproblem did Joel recognize in his day? What did Joel do about theproblem he saw, and how does this relate to the situation in theUnited States, today?

b). Joel 2:15-17 says some startling things about what it looks like toreally put God first. The situation is so serious that no one is to be leftout – and no situation is more important than truly seeking God.

c). Before focusing on the lives of other people, consider your ownlife. Have you been putting God first, truly listening to Him andfollowing Him?


• Am I bitter or jealous?

• Is there anyone I need to forgive?

• Is there forgiveness someone has offered me that I have not fullyaccepted?

• Have I lost my true love for God?

• Have I stopped trusting God?

• Am I kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving – the way God forgaveme in Christ? Consider Ephesians 4:32.

• Do I treat my spouse as better than myself – as I should? Consider









Philippians 2:3

• Am I truly doing all I can to honor my parents?

• Am I truly doing all I can to love my children?

• Am I in any way a hypocrite?




TODAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to move powerfully in America, to help believers apply Joel 2:12-17 today and with growing momentum. Ask God to make you “ground zero” in His transforming work, and that He moves in other people across the nation in the same way.









ACROSS AMERICA Day 3: Tuesday, September 26

1. Join tonight’s LIVESTREAM!Visit WeekOfRepentance.com/livestream for details. Chime in and usesocial media to spread the word.

2. Read and reflect upon James 4:1-11. Consider the following:

a). This passage is written to believers in Jesus Christ, God’s people.

b). Zero in on James 4:6. It is entirely possible to resist God – and asa result to be resisted by Him.


• Could it be that God is resisting me because of my pride?Have I blamed the devil for opposition that may actually becoming from God? In other words, James 4:6 says that Godopposes the proud. Could my pride be the reason why God isresisting me? Am I in any way resisting God (which is, in fact,pride)?

• Have I gossiped or slandered against people? Have I in anyway spread lies or misconceptions, doubt or negativity aboutpeople?

• Have my words created division rather than unity?

• Do I say things behind the backs of other people that wouldupset or shock them if they were to find out? Am I “two-faced” with people?

• Have I robbed from my employer by how I’ve used my timewhile at work?

• Am I in any way defeated, stuck?

• Do my relationships with people truly reflect deep love forGod?








• Is my life truly characterized by James 4:10?• Have I lived with unintentional hypocrisy, wanting other

people to follow and love a God who I haven’t reallyfollowed and loved – as demonstrated by the ways in which Ihave treated others?

• Do I treat members of my family more harshly than strangers?

• Does my attitude cause problems?

• Am I doing all I can to create harmony and unity in myfamily?

• Do I seem to control people and situations – or do I truly trustGod?

WHAT CHANGES IS GOD IMPRESSING UPON ME TO MAKE IN MY LIFE, FAMILY AND HOUSE OF WORSHIP? HOW CAN I REPENT?



TODAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to restore relationships across the nation by people truly humbling themselves, being sorry for their offenses, and asking for forgiveness. Ask God to help you be humble and courageous to be the change the nation needs to see. Start modeling what we need to see across the nation.








ACROSS AMERICA Day 4: Wednesday, September 27


2. Read and reflect upon 1 Peter 5:6-9 and Philippians 2:1-4. Considerthe following:

1 Peter 5:6-9 is remarkably similar to the passage we read yesterday, in James 4:6-10. When God says something once, it is important. When God repeats Himself, we should especially pay attention. Consider the following questions before God, and see if there are areas where you can go deeper, and repent more thoroughly, asking others for forgiveness.


• Am I a genuinely humble person, or could God be resisting me?

• Do I truly consider others better than myself, following Philippians2:1-4?

• Do I apply what I read in the Bible, or have I simply allowed my Biblereading to become a mental, academic exercise?

• Are there inconsistencies in my public life and my private life?

• Is my public life different than my private life? Am I in any way ahypocrite?










• Am I in any way a controlling person?

• Am I in any way abusive with my words?

• Is my attitude truly humble?

• Do my relationships with people reflect a growing, vibrant love forGod?

• If other people followed my example, would our nation change forthe better or not very much at all?

• Have I been waiting for other people to be the example I shouldbe?

• Am I in any way abusive with my words?

• Do I recognize the reality of spiritual warfare by praying often for myspouse, my children, my parents and other family members?

• Do I wait for others to be the change I know I should be?

• Am I doing all I can to create harmony and unity in my family andhouse of worship?










TODAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to humble America, beginning with your own life, so that we treat each other the way we want others to treat us. Pray that we rediscover how to be kind and loving and that the hatred in our nation dissolves and is replaced by love.


ACROSS AMERICA Day 5: Thursday, September 28

1. Join tonight’s LIVESTREAM!Visit WeekOfRepentance.com/livestream for details. Chime in and usesocial media to spread the word.

2. Read and reflect upon 1 Timothy 2:1-6. Consider the following:

a). It is God’s will that we pray for our leaders. It is God’s will forpeople across the United States to live at peace, be godly and livelives that honor God (see 1 Timothy 2:2-3).

b). It is God’s will for people everywhere to come to Jesus Christ astheir Lord and Savior (see 1 Timothy 2:4-5).


• Have I forgotten the importance of prayer in influencing our nation?

• In light of 1 Timothy 2:1-6, what kinds of leaders do we need in theUnited States? What might this nation look like if we don’t pray forGod to raise up such leaders – and if we don’t get them?









• Are you praying for God to raise up leaders who are favorable toGod’s will, as expressed in 1 Timothy 2:1-6?

• What steps can you take to advance God’s will, as expressed in 1Timothy 2:1-6 in the United States of America?

• How is God calling YOU to be a leader, to be an agent of influenceto the advancement of His will in the USA?

• What if justices are appointed to the Supreme Court of the USA whoare not sympathetic, or are perhaps even hostile to 1 Timothy 2:1-6?

• Have I let bitterness, jealousy, distrust or any other attitude destroy orhinder closeness with a family member?

• If every member of my family thought and acted the way I did,what kind of family would I have? Am I an example others can andshould follow?

• What if our nation continues on the course she is currently on? Whatmight we look like in 2 years? 5 years? 10 years or more?




TODAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to pour out a spirit of prayer







and intercession across the nation, so that people begin praying for His clear will, as revealed in 1 Timothy 2:1-6. Ask God to begin this work in YOU.


ACROSS AMERICA Day 6: Friday, September 29


2. Read and reflect again on 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5.


• Am I a hypocrite, expecting people to walk with God in ways I’mnot?

• What if everyone in the United States loved God and people theway I do? Would that bring about the kind of healing, forgivenessand transformation spoken of in 2 Chronicles 7:14?

• As I look over the past months of my life, what has been moreimportant to me than loving God and people above all else?

• Does my daily use of time reflect that I am distracted from my walkwith God and loving people above all other pursuits in life?

• Have I neglected the Bible that I say I want others to read?










• If my life were to end today, will I have lived a life characterized bysurrendered faith to God, or by something else?

• Am I in any way not trusting God?

• Have I embraced a lie about myself?

• Have I embraced a lie about someone else?

• Is my life marked by the fruit of the Holy Spirit? (See Galatians 5:22-25.)

• Is God’s Kingdom agenda really the highest priority of my life, or do Ihave idols that need to be broken down?

• Do I need to learn how to listen better and love people?

• Do things always have to be done my way?

• What does the way I spend my time and money say about my loveand devotion to God?

• Have I in any way used them unwisely? If everyone in my house ofworship used their money and time the way I do, how much wouldGod be glorified, and how effectively would God’s work get done?










TODAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to send true spiritual awakening across this nation, beginning with you, your family and your church. Ask God to help His people be humble, to seek His face and truly pray and turn from their sinful ways – beginning with you.


ACROSS AMERICA Day 7: Saturday, September 30


2. Read and reflect upon Joel 2:12-17 and 2 Timothy 2:19-26.


• What more does God need to do in America to get our attention?

• Have I in any way robbed God, with my time or resources?

• Have I given the leaders of my house of worship a difficult time,either intentionally or unintentionally? Do I respect them ordisrespect them by the words I say, behavior I exhibit or attitudes ofmy heart and mind?

• Am I easy to work with? Am I a blessing or a burden?










• Do I really let the Holy Spirit lead me, or do I struggle with being incontrol?

• If everyone in my house of worship followed my example, would theKingdom of God advance powerfully or be hindered? To whatdegree?

• Does my life demonstrate the urgency of seeking, following andsurrendering to God the way Joel did, as described in Joel 2:12-17?

• What will America look like if we don’t return to God with all weare?

• Is it right of me to ask America to change if I am not willing to makefundamental changes in my life that truly put God first?

• Have I gossiped or slandered against others? Gossip is saying thingsto people who have no business hearing them. Slander is sayingnegative, hurtful things about people to others.

• If everyone in my house of worship were like me, would people beinspired to love and serve God? If everyone in my house of worshipfollowed my example, would the Kingdom of God advancepowerfully or be hindered? To what degree?










TODAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER FOCUS: Pray against racism as you examine your own heart toward people. Ask God to place a burden on the lives of believers across America to call out to Him, repent and seek Him like never before, in unity. Ask Him to begin doing so with you.


ACROSS AMERICA Day 8: Sunday, October 1

1. Join this morning’s LIVESTREAM!Visit WeekOfRepentance.com/livestream for details. Chime in and usesocial media to spread the word.

2. Read and reflect upon 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, Psalm 133 and Acts2:42-47.


• What more does God need to do in America to get our attention?

• Has God been speaking to me – and to our nation?

• Am I truly listening to God, and adjusting my life to what He issaying?

• Have I gossiped or slandered against others? Gossip is saying thingsto people who have no business hearing them. Slander is saying









negative, hurtful things about people to others.

• Have I said deceiving things about people to others? Have I lied topeople, distorted the truth or misrepresented facts?

• Am I a genuine catalyst for unity?

• Do I really let the Holy Spirit control and lead me, or do I strugglewith being in control?

• Have I given the leaders of my house of worship a difficult time,either intentionally or unintentionally? Do I respect them ordisrespect them by the words I say, behavior I exhibit or attitudes ofmy heart and mind?

• If everyone in my house of worship followed my example, would theKingdom of God advance powerfully or be hindered? To whatdegree?

• Is God’s Kingdom agenda really the highest priority of my life, or do Ihave idols that need to be broken down?










TODAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to bring real revival to Christians in the United States of America – a revival characterized by humility, prayer, seeking God and repentance as described in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Ask God to make you “ground zero” in this mighty work, to begin the work in YOU.


CONGRATULATIONS, YOU JUST MADE HISTORY!

What’s next? Stay in step with God. Keep

the momentum moving forward by walking in

humility, obeying Him and encouraging others to

do the same.

If you’re looking for great resources to help

you walk with God, visit Godfactor.com and sign

up for news and free resources.





www.godfactor.com

Documents

2017 NWR PERSONAL AND FAMILY Action Guide-1 · PDF fileThe above is God’s testimony about self-centered, ... Personal and Family Action Guide ... NWR is a huge step in the right