40 Days & 40 Miles: The Ultimate Challenge!
- David Avritt
- Jan 5
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 4
40/40 Ways to Grow Closer to God.
Matthew 4:1-4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
A Message from the CEO and Founder, David Avrit
Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey! We’re thrilled to connect with you and can’t wait to hear about your adventures. Are you ready to take on the challenge of 40 days and 40 miles while diving into the wisdom of the Book of Proverbs? Embrace every task along the way—it’s all part of the adventure!
We invite you to share your inspiring stories below and capture your journey with a photo or video as you tackle this challenge. As a special reward for completing everything in this memoir/blog, you’ll have the chance to win an audiobook from Amazon to elevate your spiritual growth even further.
Get ready for an exhilarating experience—believe in your journey, and let’s make it unforgettable! Good luck! - David Avritt (mail@cajailoutreach.org)
Let's kick off the challenge together: a personal note from David.

Are you ready for an exciting journey to get closer to God while shedding extra pounds? This is a great opportunity for us to unite and support one another! I’ve decided to take on this challenge because my daughter jokingly told me I have a “Winnie the Pooh belly.” LOL! Additionally, I’m committing to a no-sugar diet for the next 40 days. Just a quick reminder: please consult your doctor first to ensure you’re healthy enough to participate in this no-sugar challenge and walk or run. We’re excited to have over 20 inmates from the jail system joining us on this journey! If you know anyone in the jail system, let us know. We can reach out to them and encourage them to take this challenge so they can get closer to God.
Did you know that in the scriptures, the number "40" has a special meaning? It represents new beginnings, growth, and transformation, marking the exciting transition from one big task to another. If you're curious to learn more, check out the Biblical Perspective on the 40/40 Challenge below!
So, what’s the 40/40 Challenge all about?
The 40/40 Challenge is the virtual run/walk that many Christians have been waiting for! It’s a fantastic way to bring your devotional life to LIFE!
Here’s how it works: Each day, you’ll take a 1-mile walk or run while focusing on the Lord—either by yourself or with friends. You'll also dive into some thoughtful scripture readings! And for those of you who want to supercharge your challenge, we’ve got some fun optional daily tasks designed to help you grow in your faith and become more like Christ.
Physical Challenge:
Let’s motivate each other! Walk or run 1 mile a day while nurturing your relationship with Christ.
Spiritual Challenge:
During the 40 days, you’ll read and study the book of Proverbs. Each day, we’ll share specific Chapters and small devotionals to keep you inspired and on track.
Tasks Challenge:
Want to take things a step further? You’ll have the chance to complete 40 tasks or challenges over the 40 days that can positively impact you and those around you! You’ll find your daily tasks and challenges below. And feel free to share your experiences with each other—seeing how this journey impacts your spiritual walk will be great!
Items that you need to do the 40 Days and 40 Miles.
1. THe Physical Challenge Instruction

Take a moment to start reading here—let's get the adventure underway!
Ready to get moving? Start by choosing a great location for your walk or run. You can invite your family to join you, or if you prefer, just connect your phone speakers to enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks, including the Book of Proverbs. Also, get ready to elevate your walking or running game! Download your favorite GPS apps and capture the moment with a screenshot.—share it with us and let’s inspire each other! If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Join us in getting involved, feeling inspired, and becoming a prayer warrior! Sign up for our friendly monthly newsletter filled with uplifting messages and encouragement. We can’t wait to share this journey with you! Happy walking or running!
2. The Spiritual Challenge Instruction
First things first, make sure to grab this!...
I wanted to share an awesome devotional app with you that focuses on the Book of Proverbs. It’s completely free, and you can enjoy 31 days of devotionals at no cost! One of the best features is that you can listen to the scriptures and devotionals while you’re out for a walk or a run—how convenient is that? Once you finish the 31 days, you'll be all set for another 9 days of connecting with God through the other devotional studies in the app! Feel free to search for me, David Avritt, or check out CA Jail Outreach while you're there. It would be awesome to challenge each other with different devotional apps! Let’s grow together on this journey—I'm excited to see where it takes us!
3. The Tasks challenge Instruction

Next, you should read this and have fun with it...
Daily Proverbs to Reflect On while you walk or run. Each day, take a moment to read the verse and quote provided and see how you can live by them throughout your day. Feel free to share these uplifting messages with friends and loved ones. Let's keep this challenge light and easy! You can also copy this text to save it on your phone or email. Enjoy your journey with these meaningful words! We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to share how you’re doing in the comments below.
Remember, I’m always here for you, and you can reach out anytime through our contact page. Now, prepare yourself for an epic adventure! Click below to download the exhilarating Proverbs Task Challenge. Whether you choose to add it to your phone or computer or print it out to keep handy, this challenge is bound to spark your excitement! Get ready to dive in!
DAY
"Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life." (Proverbs 11:5-15)
"The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." (9:10)
"Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and don’t turn away from the words of my mouth." (4:5)
"The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance, and the way of evil and perverted speech, I hate. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength." (8:13–14)
"The wise man receives and loves instruction." (18:15; 19:20)
"The wise man grows in wisdom." (1:5; 9:9; 10:14)
"The wise man fears the Lord." (1:7; 14:16)
"The wise man hates what is false." (13:5)
"The wise man shuns evil." (3:7; 14:16; 16:6)
"The wise man does what is righteous." (2:20)
"The wise man speaks the truth." (22:21)
"The wise man is humble, not proud." (15:33)
"The wise man is self-controlled, not rash." (29:11)
"A perverse person stirs up conflict, but gossip separates close friends." (16:28)
"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but those who confess and renounce them find mercy." (28:13)
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret." (11:13)
"An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." (24:26)
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." (17:17)
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (15:1)
"Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor." (21:21)
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (22:1)
"Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person, who can find?" (20:6)
"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (18:24)
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (27:17)
"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." (27:9)
"Don't make friends with a hot-tempered person; their anger can rub off on you!" (22:24-25)
"Walk with the wise and become wise, because hanging out with fools can lead to trouble." (13:20)
"Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in tough times." (25:19)
"One who loves a pure heart and speaks with grace will have the king for a friend." (22:11)
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for times of adversity." (Proverbs 17:18)
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." (18:17)
"Commit to the Lord all that you do, and your plans will be fulfilled." (16:3)
"Wisdom rests in the heart of the one who has understanding, while the foolish expose what is in their hearts." (14:33)
"A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip can even separate the best of friends."(16:28)
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find safety." (18:10)
"A hot-tempered person stirs up dissension, but a patient person calms quarrels." (Proverbs 15:18)
"The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore, we must stop contention before a quarrel starts." (17:14-15)
"Wisdom is found on the lips of the one with understanding, while discipline is meant for those who lack it." (10:13)
"The path of life leads upward for the wise, guiding them away from the grave." (27:17)
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." (27:9)
"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as fragrance and incense." (27:17)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." (27:9)
And remember, if you can’t walk or run a mile each day, that’s okay! Just find a fun activity that gets you moving for at least 20 minutes a day while keeping your focus on Christ. Let’s make this journey meaningful together! 🌟
Biblical Perspective on the 40/40 Challenge
Did you know that in Sacred Scripture, the number “40” holds a really special meaning? It represents new life, transformation, and big transitions from one important task to another. Here are some cool examples of how this number pops up:
The Great Flood: Can you believe the rain during the Great Deluge lasted for 40 days and nights?
Moses: He took on a major challenge by fasting for 40 days and nights to prepare for receiving the Law. Plus, he spent another 40 days on Mount Sinai during this time!
The Israelites: After escaping Egypt, they wandered in the desert for 40 years, and they had Manna raining down for all those years too!
Elijah: The Prophet made an incredible journey, walking for 40 days and nights to reach Horeb, the Mountain of God.
Jesus: He fasted for 40 days and nights to get ready for His ministry and then ascended into Heaven 40 days after His amazing Resurrection.
Human gestation: Did you know that new life typically develops over about 40 weeks?
Candlemas: From Christmas Day to the Presentation on February 2nd, it’s also 40 days!
Speaking of which, the **Feast of the Presentation of the Lord**, or Candlemas, is celebrated on February 2nd, which is exactly 40 days after Christmas. This day is super special because it commemorates when Mary and Joseph presented baby Jesus at the Temple, just as Jewish law requires. (See Below for clarification)
Here are some highlights of this lovely tradition:
Biblical Story: You can find the story in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2:22-38.
Meaning of 40 Days: In Jewish customs, a woman is considered ritually unclean for 40 days after giving birth, and this day marks her purification.
Candle Blessing Tradition: The name "Candlemas" comes from the tradition of blessing candles on this day, reminding us that Jesus is the "Light of the World."
Isn’t it amazing how the number 40 plays such an important role in the Christian faith? It’s all about moments of change and growth in our spiritual journeys!
Thank you for your incredible support during this exciting challenge! I’m thrilled to let you know that I’ll be sharing this fantastic information with the inmates participating in the challenge inside the jail system. We’re also going to connect with the families of those incarcerated to keep them in the loop! Let’s rally together and keep the organization and everyone involved in our thoughts and prayers. Wishing you and your family all the best as we embark on this journey! God bless!
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