INTRODUCTION
The Retirement Reformation desires for every believer become confident in God’s plan for a lifetime of faithful service and to help the Body of Christ reform its understanding of retirement. We do this by resourcing believers with practical tools that give the insight and capacity to build toward a reformation of their approach to retirement
But where do you start in your journey to reform your view of retirement? Start by talking to God about your beliefs, motives, and actions as they relate to retirement. Each prayer represents the focus of a week during the year. By investing seven days in praying the same prayer, you begin to ponder the deeper meaning, hear from God and consider what He would have you do
Herearesomeencouragementsasyouusetheseprayers inyourprayerlife:
• Pray with an open heart of expectation about what God might do.
• Pray with confidence that God will answer your prayer.
• Pray these prayers with others (your spouse, prayer group, Sunday School class, etc.)
• Pray with a desire to know God more deeply.
• Pray these prayers throughout the day and look for insights as you go about your routine
• Pray with honesty and transparency; knowing the God knows you and hears you
2 YOUCANALSOFINDMANYOFTHESEPRAYERSONTHEPRAYERMATEAPPFORYOURIPHONEORANDROID DEVICEDOWNLOADITTODAYATRETIREMENTREFORMATIONORG/PRAYERMATE
DAY1/Praytheprayerforthefirsttimewithoutanypreparation. FocussimplytalkingtoGodusingthesewords.
DAY2/Praytheprayerwithaconfidencethatcomesfrom alreadyhavingspokentoGodaboutthisissue.Seekoutthe nuanceandnewinsightsthatthisconfidencebrings.
DAY3/Askotherstopraythisprayerwithyouandlearnfrom themastheyconnect withGodaboutthisissue.
DAY4/MeditateontheprayerandseekthedeeperthingsGod mightwanttocommunicatewithyou.
DAY5/Praytheprayeroutloudonawalkorintheprivacyof yourhome.Makethe prayerrealbymakingitaudibleinyourenvironment.
DAY6/Modifytheprayerbasedonwhereyouareinyour relationshipwithGod. Makeityourown.
DAY7/ThankGodforwhatHehastaughtyouasyouhave prayedthisparticular prayer.
3 Eachprayerismeanttobeprayedforanentire week.Thatiswhyyouwillfind52prayersbelowto matchthe52weeksoftheyear. Hereishowtopraythesameprayerfor7days:
WEEK 1
DEAR GOD
show me what freedom looks like through the lens of faith. I want to see my life as You see it and live my retirement years sold out for You. Help me to walk in Your ways today. Amen
4
WEEK 2
DEAR GOD
releasemefromthefearIfeeltoday.Idon’thavewordstodescribemyemotions,butthe burdenisheavy.IgiveYoumycaresandaskYoutomakemyheartlight.Amen
5 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK 3
DEAR GOD
helpmetorethinkwhata“lifetime”reallymeans.IhaveresistedgivingYoucontrolover everypartofmylife.ReframemythinkingsothatIamfilledwithjoyattheprospectof servingYouthroughoutthemanyphasesoflifethatIhaveaheadofme.Amen
6 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
WEEK 4
DEAR GOD
givemefreedomtolovethosearoundmewithabandon.Breakdowntheprejudices,resentments,hatredandpridethatsoeasilycreepintomythinkingaboutneighbors,friends, coworkersandfamily.Amen
7 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK 5
DEAR GOD
givemefreedomtopursueactivitiesthatwillhaveanimpact.Don’tletmyheartbecaptured bycomfortorpleasureforitsownsake.Instead,releasemyhearttoserveYousacrificially.
Amen
8 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
WEEK 6
DEAR GOD
showmewhatrealrestlookslikeasIchoosehowtospendmytimetoday.Iwanttorestin You,butIknowthatretirementisaboutmorethan“rest,”thewaytheworlddefinesit.Give meahealthyperspectiveonhowIshouldusemytimeduringthisphaseofmylife.Amen
9 PRAYER CALENDAR
10 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK 7 fillmewithconfidenceinknowingwhoYouareandwhyYoumademe.Helpmetoboldly believethatYoustillknowmeandwanttousemeasIserveyouinretirement.Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK 8
DEAR GOD
restoremysenseofpurposesoIcanstayfaithfulforalifetime.Iamsoafraidthatmylast yearswillbewithoutpurposeandIdon’tknowhowtochangethat.So,IcometoYouand askYoutoinfusemewithmeaning.Amen
11 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK 9
DEAR GOD
guidemythinkingasImakethistransitiontoorliveinretirement.Guardmymindagainst overconfidence,worryorindependence.IpraythatIwillhaveYourmindsothatIcansee thechangesthatwillbecominginmylifeasopportunitiestotrustYou.Amen
12 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
WEEK10
DEAR GOD
helpmetohaveapostureoflearningtoday.ThereissomuchthatIstilldon’tknow.Keep mehumbleasIseekoutwaystoknowYoubetter.I’mamazedatallYouhavetaughtmeand lookforwardtoallIhaveyettolearn.Amen
13 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK11
DEAR GOD
continuewhatyouhavestartedinmyheart.Lookingback,therehavebeensomanytimes whereYouhavegentlytaughtmeaboutYou.IwantmoreofYouinretirement.Amen
14 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
WEEK12
DEAR GOD
forgivemefortakingcontrol.Theseretirementyearscanfeellikearollercoasterofempowermentandloss.OneminuteIcandoanythingandgoanywhere.ThenextminuteI’moverwhelmedbythelimitationsofmycircumstances,healthandmind.Takecontrolofmylife andleadmeinYourways.Amen
15 PRAYER CALENDAR
16 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK13 humblemyheartwhenIstruggletojourneywithothersandacceptgoodthingsthatthey wanttosharewithme.KeepmefromaheartofpridethatwoulddemandIdoitonmyown. Amen DEAR GOD
17 PRAYER CALENDAR WEEK14 helpmetobelieveyouwhenyouspeaktomeabouttheseretirementyears Amen DEAR GOD
18 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK15 don’tallowtheideasIhavebuiltupinmyheadtobemoresignificantthanwhatYouwant toteachmetoday.Amen DEAR GOD
19 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK16
helpmetoliveinyourtimingandaccepttheseasonsoflifeasyougivethemtome.Iwantto controlmylife,butIknowthatIwillonlythriveasYoutakecontrol. DEAR GOD
20 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK17 helpmetoreleasemylifetoYouandenjoythedifferentseasonsYouarepreparingformein retirement.Amen DEAR GOD
DEAR GOD
IliketogomyownwayandmanytimesIhavefailedtolistentoYou.ButIknowYouare speakingtomeaboutagreaterpurpose.WillYouspeaktomenow?WillYouhelpmetosee howIcanusemyretirementyearstoaccomplishgreatthingsforYou?Amen
21 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK18
22 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK19 thankYouforsendingYoursonJesustobefriendme.IbelievethatYouwantmetoliveout myretirementyearsforYourglory,butIdon’tknowhowtodothat.AllIknowisthatI wanttobeagoodfriendandfollowthroughonwhatyouwantfromme.Pleasehelpmeto acceptYourson’sfriendshipandcourageouslyfollowthrough.Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK20
DEAR GOD
rescue me from another restless night. I want so badly to rest and relax in retirement but my need for control keeps me tied up in knots. I want to release my worries and concerns to You and I ask that You give me real rest that comes from being aligned with Your purposes.Amen
23 PRAYER CALENDAR
24 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK21 refreshmyspirittoday.OpenmymindtotheinsightsYouhaveformeandallowmetosee
DEAR GOD
Youinanewway.IwantmyretirementyearstobetimesoffreshinsightintowhoYouare andwhoIaminYou.IopenmyhearttowhatYouhaveformetoday.Amen
25 PRAYER CALENDAR WEEK22 directmyplanningsothatitleadstofreedomandnotcaptivity.IlongtoseetheplansYou haveformeasjoyfulopportunities.Butsomanytimestheyfeellikeprisonbars.Freeme fromtheprisonsofmyownmakingandreleasemetoserveYou.Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK23
DEAR GOD
IdesiretohavehopeinmyheartasIthinkaboutthefuture.Releasemefromthefearofthe unknownandfillmewithaconfidenceinYourplansthatwillemboldenmetohonorYou andtolovethosearoundme.Amen
26 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
27 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK24 conformmythoughtstoYourthoughtsasIprepareforthisday.Eraseselfishness,fear,pride oranger.InsteadfillmyheartwithadeepsenseofloveforYouandforthoseYouhaveputin mylifeduringtheseretirementyears.Amen DEAR GOD
28 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK25 createconnectionsthatwilllastalifetime.ThankYouformodelingconnectionthroughYour TrinityandevenamongYourdiscipleswhileYouwereonthisearth.GivemeavibrantcommunityinretirementwhereIcanbelong,growandserve.Amen DEAR GOD
29 PRAYER CALENDAR WEEK26
DEAR
makemeboldinmyplanningsoIcanhaveimpactforYourkingdom.Itissoeasytoletmy time,talentsandtreasurejustslipaway.HelpmetopreparewellsothatIcanserveYou faithfullyforalifetime.Amen
GOD
30 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK27 grantmeaclearsenseofYourSpiritinmylife.Don’tbedistant.WhenIpushyouaway,I knowthatYouwillalwayspushbackbecauseYourloveisneverending.ThankYouforYour consistentcareforme.Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK28
DEAR GOD
deepenmyconnectionswithothersonthissamejourneyofretirement.Iknowthatthese yearshaveapurposeandthatpeopleareabigpartofthat.ShowmewhoYouwantmeto investinandgivemethegracetoreachout.Amen
31 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK29
DEAR GOD
touchmyheartforthosewhoarehurtingphysically.Itissoeasytogetfocusedonmyown achesandpainsinretirement,butIknowthatothershavedeephurtsthatneedYourhealing.Helpmetoseebeyondmycircumstancestotheneedsofothers.Amen
32 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
growmyvisionforwhatIshouldexpectinretirement.IknowthatYouhavesomuchmore formethanIcouldeverimagine.ButitishardtoimaginewhatIdon’tfullyknoworunderstand.Pleasegivemethatlargervision.Amen
33 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK30
DEAR GOD
34 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
WEEK31 guidemyinfluencewithYourinsight.ThankYouforalltheexperiences,skillsandrelationshipsYouhaveallowedmetobuildovertheyears.Nowdirectmyinfluencetowardsthe peopleandprojectsYouwouldblessthroughme.Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK32
DEAR GOD
reframemythinkingaboutwhatYouexpectandwhatIdeserve.Somanypeoplearehyping differentexpectationsinretirement.It’shardtodimtheirvoicesandhearYours.ButIwant toknowYourmindandbuildmyexpectationsaroundYourheart.Amen
35 PRAYER CALENDAR
36 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
WEEK33
positionmetoinfluenceotherswithwhatIamlearningaboutservicetoYou.Nomatter whatstageofretirementIamin,IknowthatIhaveinfluenceoverthoseYouhaveputinmy life.Givemewisdomtoguidetheminyourways.Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK34
DEAR GOD
freemefromtheworriesthatcomefrommoneyandhealth.Iamplaguedwiththeseworries. Theypopupatthestrangesttimesandtemptmeintofrustration,concernanddespair.Help merealizethatYouaremyproviderandthatIcandependonYouevenasIobedientlydo mypart.Amen
37 PRAYER CALENDAR
DEAR GOD
focusmyheartontheneedsofmyfamily.Myspouse,children,andgrandchildrenallneed myloveandattention.Allowmetothinkbeyondmyownneedsanddesiresandfocuson otherstoday.Amen
38 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
WEEK35
39 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK36 freemefromthecaptivityofother’sexpectations.I’msurroundedbypeoplewhohaveskyhighexpectationsforretirement.Someevenexpectthingsfromme!Helpmetodiscernthe motivesbehindthoseexpectationsandstaytruetoYourdirectioninmylife.Amen DEAR GOD
40 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK37 Showmeyourpriorities.Itiseasyformetoseemypriorities.ButIwantmylifetobe alignedwithYou,God.Breakthroughmyselfishnessandmyopicperspectiveandhelpmeto seewhatYouaredoinginthisworld.Amen DEAR GOD
41 PRAYER CALENDAR WEEK38 Honormycommitmenttoserveyouinthisphaseofretirement.IamwillingtoserveYou. WouldusemeforYourpurposes,bigorsmall.God,IwanttobeusedbyYousothatmy retirementyearsmayyetbethemostimpactfulforYourkingdom.Amen DEAR GOD
42 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK39 redeemtheyearsIspentimaginingretirementasanescapeandgivemerichopportunities toserve.Forgivemeformywrongthinkingandhelpmetoembracetheseseasonsoflifethat willcomeasopportunitiestoserveYouandbringYouglory.Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK40
DEAR GOD
thankYoufortheblessingmyfamilyistome.Evenwhenwestruggleinourrelationships, Youarestillusingthemtostrengthenme.IamgratefulforthefamilyYouhaveputinmy lifeandIrecommittoinvestinthemjustastheyhaveinvestedinme.Amen
43 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK41
DEAR GOD
givemenewperspectiveonmyrelationshipsthatallowmetoseewhereIhavefailedpeople andalsowhereIhaveblessedpeople.Ihavealifetimeofamazingexperiences;aswellas alifetimeofsorrowfromtheserelationships.HelpmetoseethoserelationshipsasYoudo.
Amen
44 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
45 PRAYER CALENDAR WEEK42
DEAR
showmehowtoletgoofmyowneffortsandembraceYourplansformyretirementyears.It isscarytoletgoofmyplans,butIknowYouwantmeto.Calmmyheart,growmyfaith andhelpmetostepforwardinYourstrength.Amen
GOD
46 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK43 replacemyheartthatissobentontakingwhatIneedandgivemeaheartthatisseekingto receivewhatYouwanttogiveme.Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK44
DEAR GOD
thankYouforthepassionYouhaveputinmyheart.YoursonshowedgreatpassionwhenHe wasonthisearthandIdon’twanttolosethat.Buthelpmetochannelthatpassiontowards Yourvisionfortheworld.Amen.
47 PRAYER CALENDAR
48 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK45 givemegracetoembracethingsthatIdon’tunderstand.IknowthatYouhavebeenworking inmylifeandthatYoustillhavemuchtodoasIwalkwithYouinretirement.Amen DEAR GOD
49 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK46
helpmeembracethepeopleYoubringintomylife.Inretirement,Iamconnectingwithanew setofpeoplethataredifferentthantheonesIspentsomuchtimewithduringearlierphases oflife.ThankYouforbringingthemintomylifeandhelpmetoenjoythemforwhotheyare. Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK47
DEAR GOD
thisworldissobrokenandtheissuesthatcloudthehorizonaredifficulttoface.Giveme couragetoserveYoueveninthefaceofgreatpainandsuffering.Youhavegivenmeyears ofexperienceweatheringlife’schallenges.IpraythatexperiencewillblessmanyasIseekto serveYouinretirement.Amen
50 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
WEEK48
DEAR GOD
aftermanyyears,I’mstartingtounderstandthatchangewillneverstop.Especiallynowas Iamlivinginretirement,Iwishthatlifewouldstopchanging.ButIknowthateverychange isachancetodependmoreonYou.HelpmetorestinYoueveninthemidstofgreatchange. Amen
51 PRAYER CALENDAR
52 RETIREMENT REFORMATION WEEK49 IneedYourdirectiontoday.Partsofmyretirementfeelsveryplannedandotherpartsarea mystery.HowwillYouprovide?WhatwillYouaskme,todo?HowshouldIfocusmytime?I needYoutoguidemeLord.Amen DEAR GOD
53 PRAYER CALENDAR
WEEK50 Bethesourceofmyidentity.IhavereceivedvaluefromsomanythingsthatwerenotYou. Youarebiggerthanmycareer,relationships,accomplishments,interestsandskills.Usethis newphaseofretirementtohelpmegetmyvaluefromYouratherthantheseotherthings. Amen DEAR GOD
WEEK51
DEAR GOD
changemythinkingaboutthecaresthatIamfocusedonrightnow.Insteadofallowing wordssaid,actionstakenandunfoldingeventstobemyfocus,wrestlemymindawayfrom themandallowmetogiveyoumyfullattention.Amen
54 RETIREMENT REFORMATION
55 PRAYER CALENDAR WEEK52 thankyouforallowingmetheseyearsofretirement.Youaresogracioustomeandthat graciousnessisevidentinhowYouareprovidingformydailyneeds.Thankyouforknowing whatIneedtodayandprovidingitbeforeIevenask.Amen DEAR GOD
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WhatAttendeesAreSaying
"ThatIwashere wasnotan accident Irealized thatGoddoes haveaplanforme inmyretirement!"
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"Ihavebeenlonely andbored.The daysseemedlike weeks Inow realizeIdon'thave tolivelikethat"
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