Welcome to the 40-Day Prayer Challenge, a journey designed to deepen your faith and expand your spiritual horizons. Over the next 40 days, we invite you to explore themes of hope, strength, peace, and more through daily prayers, scripture readings, and reflections. This challenge is not just about personal growth; it also connects us to our broader global community. Each day features a specific location for prayer walks and an international partner to keep in mind, fostering a spirit of global solidarity and compassion. Whether you walk the suggested paths or pray from your home, let each step and word be a testament to your faith and a contribution to a world in need of prayer.
Day 1: Hope
Verse: Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Inspirational Thought: Trust in God’s presence and power.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin’s Riverside Promenade – Riverside Dr. Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Reflect on the stillness. Contemplate God’s presence in your life. Pray for the people you see to experience God’s peace.
International Partner: Albania- Devoll
Prayer Request: Pray for stillness and trust among the leaders and community members as they seek God’s direction.
Day 2: Strength
Verse: Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Inspirational Thought: Lean on God for strength.
Prayer Walk Location: Lord’s Park – 100 Oakwood Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pause near the trees and thank God for natural beauty. Pray for renewed strength for yourself and others who feel weary.
International Partner: Austria- Traiskirchen
Prayer Request: Pray for spiritual and physical strength for those working to bring the gospel to the community.
Day 3: Peace
Verse: Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Inspirational Thought: True peace comes from trusting God.
Prayer Walk Location: Walton Island – Fox River Trail (Algonquin to Aurora), Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Sit quietly by the water and pray for God’s peace to guard the hearts of those you know.
International Partner: Bulgaria, Stara Zagora
Prayer Request: Pray for peace in communities dealing with economic and social challenges.
Day 4: Courage
Verse: Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Inspirational Thought: Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the presence of faith.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Police Department – 151 Douglas Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the safety and courage of the officers serving the community.
International Partner: Southeast Asia- secure location
Prayer Request: Pray for underground churches needing courage to thrive.
Day 5: Faith
Verse: Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Inspirational Thought: Faith is trusting in God’s promises.
Prayer Walk Location: Gail Borden Public Library – 270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance for all who seek knowledge and learning.
International Partner: Vietnam
Prayer Request: Pray for peaceful coexistence of different faiths.
Day 6: Love
Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:13 - "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Inspirational Thought: Love is the greatest virtue of all.
Prayer Walk Location: Larkin High School – 1475 Larkin Ave, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the students and teachers to experience and spread love in their daily interactions.
International Partner: Nepal- Bagmati
Prayer Request: Pray for God’s love to reach those affected by ethnic conflict, gender and domestic violence, and marginalization.
Day 7: Wisdom
Verse: James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
Inspirational Thought: Seek God’s wisdom in every decision.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin City Hall – 150 Dexter Ct, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for wisdom for city leaders and decision-makers.
International Partner: North Africa- secure location
Prayer Request: Ask for wisdom for the nation's leaders and churches.
Day 8: Grace
Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Inspirational Thought: In our weaknesses, God’s grace shines the brightest.
Prayer Walk Location: Advocate Sherman Hospital – 1425 N Randall Rd, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the staff and patients to experience God’s grace.
International Partner: Nicaragua- Masatepe
Prayer Request: Ask for God’s grace to continue bringing peace and transformation in a place which has experienced oppression through corruption, politics, and war.
Day 9: Joy
Verse: Psalm 16:11 - "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Inspirational Thought: In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy.
Prayer Walk Location: Wing Park – 1010 Wing St, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for families to experience joy in their daily lives.
International Partner: Central Asia- secure location
Prayer Request: Ask for God’s joy to fill the hearts of the people.
Day 10: Forgiveness
Verse: Matthew 6:14 - "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Inspirational Thought: Forgiveness frees us to love more deeply.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Courthouse – 150 Dexter Ct, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for justice and forgiveness in the community.
International Partner: East Asia- secure location
Prayer Request: Ask for reconciliation among the people in this region, that they may grow close to God as they consider what it means to forgive those who marginalize or have oppressed them.
Day 11: Compassion
Verse: Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Inspirational Thought: Embrace compassion as a daily practice.
Prayer Walk Location: YWCA Elgin - 220 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the staff and those they serve to embody compassion in every action.
International Partner: Costa Rica- San José
Prayer Request: Pray for compassionate care and support for individuals in this community who feel invisible or trapped by dependence on the sexual tourism/ prostitution industry which thrives here.
Day 12: Patience
Verse: Romans 12:12 - "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Inspirational Thought: Cultivate patience even in challenging times.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Community College - 1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for students and faculty to exhibit patience and perseverance in their academic and personal challenges.
International Partner: România- Valcea
Prayer Request: Pray for enduring patience in navigating cyclical poverty and building community.
Day 13: Service
Verse: Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves."
Inspirational Thought: Walk in humility, valuing others highly.
Prayer Walk Location: The Salvation Army Elgin Corps Community Center- 316 Douglas Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a spirit of humble service among patrons and staff, fostering a community of mutual respect and learning.
International Partner: Cambodia- Phnom Penh
Prayer Request: Pray for leaders to serve with humility and prioritize the welfare of their communities.
Day 14: Unity
Verse: Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Inspirational Thought: Seek unity in your community and beyond.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin City Hall - 150 Dexter Ct, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for unity among city leaders, that they may work together harmoniously for the common good.
International Partner: Dominican Republic- Pontezuela
Prayer Request: Pray for unity between Dominican and Haitian communities, where there are often areas of tension and unrest.
Day 15: Protection
Verse: Psalm 91:4 - "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."
Inspirational Thought: Seek God’s protection in every aspect of life.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Fire Department - 550 Summit St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the protection and safety of firefighters as they serve our community.
International Partner: Ukraine- Apostolove
Prayer Request: Pray for the protection of civilians and peace initiatives in areas of conflict.
Day 16: Compassion
Verse: Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Inspirational Thought: Spread compassion to enrich your community.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin High School - 1200 Maroon Dr, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the students and staff to create a culture of compassion within the school.
International Partner: Mexico- Queretaro
Prayer Request: Pray for acts of compassion to light up this community in the face of impoverished social indicators.
Day 17: Steadfastness
Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Inspirational Thought: Celebrate God's steadfast faithfulness in every circumstance.
Prayer Walk Location: Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren - 783 Highland Ave, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the congregation to deeply experience and reflect God’s unfailing love and provision.
International Partner: Zambia- Chitemalesa
Prayer Request: Pray for the churches in Chitemalesa to be faithful witnesses of God's love and grace in an area with a history of spiritual darkness.
Day 18: Justice
Verse: Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Inspirational Thought: Advocate for justice and stand with the oppressed.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Courthouse - 150 Dexter Ct, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for justice to prevail in all legal proceedings and for mercy to guide the hearts of those in power.
International Partner: England- Oxford
Prayer Request: Pray for fair and just governance that seeks the welfare of all its citizens.
Day 19: Perseverance
Verse: James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Inspirational Thought: Perseverance is the pathway to spiritual victory and maturity.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Sports Complex - 709 Sports Way, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for resilience and endurance for athletes and community members facing challenges.
International Partner: Zambia- Chibolya
Prayer Request: Pray for perseverance in communities recovering from natural disasters and the impact of the pandemic.
Day 20: Mercy
Verse: Matthew 5:7 - "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
Inspirational Thought: Show mercy to receive mercy.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Greater Family Health - 373 Summit St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for healthcare workers to act with compassion and mercy towards all patients.
International Partner: South Asia- secure location
Prayer Request: Pray for mercy in judicial and social systems, promoting fair treatment for all citizens.
Day 21: Grace
Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Inspirational Thought: God’s grace shines brightest in our weaknesses.
Prayer Walk Location: The Centre of Elgin- 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for individuals to recognize their need for God’s grace in overcoming personal challenges, even in physical growth.
International Partner: Bulgaria- Tulovo
Prayer Request: Pray for God's grace to heal and unite divided populations, overcoming social and relational cleavages
Day 22: Restoration
Verse: Psalm 51:12 - "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
Inspirational Thought: Seek restoration from God for a renewed spirit.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin History Museum - 360 Park St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the restoration of historical relationships and community heritage.
International Partner: France- Caen Presqu'ile
Prayer Request: Pray for restoration and revival in communities still feeling the effects of being forgotten.
Day 23: Trust
Verse: Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Inspirational Thought: Trusting fully in God means surrendering our understanding to His.
Prayer Walk Location: East Side Neighborhood Garden- 111 N Channing St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a deepening trust in God among community members, especially in uncertain times.
International Partner: Greece- Central Athens
Prayer Request: Pray for trust to grow in the hearts of different communities- from those who have lost hope in the Church, are facing poverty and neglect, or who feel outcast by their own neighbors.
Day 24: Healing
Verse: Jeremiah 17:14 - "Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."
Inspirational Thought: Seek God’s healing, for it is complete and restores fully.
Prayer Walk Location: Advocate Sherman Hospital - 1425 N Randall Rd, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for healing for those facing illness and for the medical staff to be instruments of God’s healing.
International Partner: Middle East- secure location
Prayer Request: Pray for the nation as it continues to heal from implications of apartheid, such as poverty, unemployment, and social vulnerabilities.
Day 25: Unity
Verse: Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Inspirational Thought: Unity is maintained through the Spirit’s guidance and our efforts.
Prayer Walk Location: Festival Park - 132 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for community events to foster a spirit of unity and peace among diverse groups.
International Partner: Kenya- Tumaini Kiambogo
Prayer Request: Pray for unity and peace in regions fraught with historical and ongoing conflict.
Day 26: Generosity
Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Inspirational Thought: Generosity reflects the heart of God.
Prayer Walk Location: Food for Greater Elgin - 1553 Commerce Dr, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the hearts of the community to be open to sharing and generosity.
International Partner: Nicaragua- Ticuantepe
Prayer Request: Pray for generous international support and local solutions to hardships corresponding with a harsh environment, and that the community would continue to demonstrate such resilience and a spirit of hospitality.
Day 27: Unfailing provision
Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Inspirational Thought: God's faithfulness is a daily guarantee.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Riverside Drive - Riverside Dr, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Reflect on the manifestations of God’s faithfulness in your life and community.
International Partner: Spain- Santiago de Compostela
Prayer Request: Pray for those seeking God’s presence to be overcome by the beauty and wonder of the work He is doing in their lives.
Day 28: Humility
Verse: Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Inspirational Thought: Embrace humility as a core value.
Prayer Walk Location: Lords Park - 100 Oakwood Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a spirit of humility to permeate throughout the community, influencing leadership and interactions.
International Partner: South Africa- Buffalo City
Prayer Request: Pray for humble leadership and just policies that promote equality and justice.
Day 29: Hope
Verse: Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Inspirational Thought: Hope, fueled by faith, leads to peace and joy.
Prayer Walk Location: Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve - 50 Airport Rd, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Walk along the river, praying for hope to spring forth in every aspect of community life.
International Partner: Chile- Santiago
Prayer Request: Pray for renewed hope and vitality amidst economic inequalities and societal adversity.
Day 30: Peace
Verse: John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Inspirational Thought: Christ’s peace surpasses all understanding and fear.
Prayer Walk Location: Carleton Rogers Park- 55 N Spring St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a peaceful atmosphere in this hub of learning and community activity.
International Partner: Kenya- Tumaini and Kiambogo
Prayer Request: Pray for lasting peace in these areas previously torn by political violence and conflict.
Day 31: Joy
Verse: Psalm 28:7 - "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
Inspirational Thought: Joy is a response to trusting God’s strength and protection.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Wing Park Band Shell- 16 Garden Crescent Ct, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the joy of the community to be rejuvenated through music and communal gatherings.
International Partner: Mexico- Querétaro
Prayer Request: Pray for the joy of the Lord to abound in the lives of these children in the San Andres school for students on the autism spectrum, as well as in the lives of their families.
Day 32: Goodness
Verse: Psalm 23:6 - "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Inspirational Thought: Reflect on the continual presence of God’s goodness in your life.
Prayer Walk Location: McKinley Elementary School- 258 Lovell St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Walk through the gardens, contemplating the goodness of God reflected in nature.
International Partner: East Asia- secure location
Prayer Request: Pray for the spread of God’s goodness through community support and development initiatives.
Day 33: Faithfulness
Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:9 - "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
Inspirational Thought: God’s faithfulness anchors our relationship with Christ.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Tower Building- 100 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Reflect on the steadfast nature of time and God’s unchanging faithfulness.
International Partner: Ecuador- End Slavery Ministries
Prayer Request: Pray for steadfast faith among believers in the face of societal pressures and those who seek to minister to victims of exploitation.
Day 34: Kindness
Verse: Galatians 6:10 - "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Inspirational Thought: Acts of kindness reflect God’s love to others.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Area Chamber- 31 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for those providing and receiving services to be moved by kindness.
International Partner: Greece- Eleftheria
Prayer Request: Pray for kindness and compassion to prevail in the fight against exploitation and human trafficking.
Day 35: Forgiveness
Verse: Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Inspirational Thought: Forgiveness is key to harmony and healing.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Shores Forest Preserve- 772 S State St, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for personal and communal healing through the act of forgiveness.
International Partner: Ecuador- Youth World
Prayer Request: Pray for reconciliation and healing from past injustices as the country and community has since stabilized, though societal and personal wounds still exist.
Day 36: Humility
Verse: James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Inspirational Thought: Humility before God leads to exaltation by God.
Prayer Walk Location: Grand Victoria Casino- 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for humility within the community, leading to greater unity and cooperation.
International Partner: Ukraine- Uzhhorod
Prayer Request: Pray that God fills this beautifully diverse university town with students who walk humbly in their education journeys, and that they may grow closer to Him while doing so
Day 37: Peace
Verse: Romans 14:19 - "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Inspirational Thought: Actively pursue peace in interactions and relationships.
Prayer Walk Location: The NENA Butterfly Garden- 166 Ann St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the cultivation of peace in community relations and international interactions.
National Partner: Portland, Oregon
Prayer Request: Pray for peaceful resolutions and hope amidst conflict.
Day 38: Self-Control
Verse: Proverbs 25:28 - "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control."
Inspirational Thought: Self-control is a protective barrier in our lives.
Prayer Walk Location: Elgin Clock Tower Plaza- Clock Tower Plaza, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for discipline and self-control in personal health and spiritual growth.
National Partners: Fresno - Hidalgo & Fresno - Lowell, California
Prayer Request: Pray for societal discipline in a culture of mass consumption, entertainment, and comfort.
Day 39: Love
Verse: John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Inspirational Thought: Love is the ultimate command from Christ.
Prayer Walk Location: Hawthorne Hill Nature Center- 28 Brookside Dr, Elgin, IL 60123
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for love to be the foundation of all community actions.
National Partners: Chicago, Illinois
Prayer Request: Pray for love to overcome social tensions and foster greater community solidarity, while we seek justice for displaced communities and counter systems of marginalization.
Day 40: Gratitude
Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Inspirational Thought: Gratitude should permeate every aspect of life.
Prayer Walk Location: All People’s Interfaith Pantry- 256 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120
Prayer Suggestion: Reflect on your blessings and express gratitude for community, nature, and spiritual life.
National Partners: Joliet, Illinois
Prayer Request: Pray for a spirit of thankfulness even in the face of high unemployment, poverty levels, and health issues- as God continues to show up and provide in new ways.
Congratulations on completing the 40-Day Prayer Challenge!
Over the past 40 days, you have embarked on a spiritual journey that has taken you through deep reflections on virtues such as humility, generosity, and love, and linked you spiritually with communities around the globe. We hope that this experience has not only enriched your faith but also inspired a renewed commitment to living out the teachings of Christ. Carry forward the insights and inspirations you have gained, and let them guide you in your ongoing walk with God. Continue to hold the international communities in your prayers and look for ways to act on the compassion and understanding you've cultivated.
May the peace and love of God accompany you every day