When Angela Hayles enlisted in the "Forty Days With The Risen Lord' prayer program she was unaware how much it would stretch, challenge and change her church.

The North Shore local says her friends and her church are still reaping the benefits of spending such a concentrated time focussing on the significance of Jesus' resurrection.

"I meet with a group of mostly young mums on Tuesday mornings and we have found it challenging," Ms Hayles says.

"It has raised some interesting issues which I know has stretched some to think, act and pray spiritually."

More than 100 people in her congregation at Turramurra South joined her in working through the "Forty Days' program, using it to launch a variety of outreach events.

"Our 10am Community Church focussed on education and invited the principal, teachers and the school band of Turramurra Public School to join them," she says.

"Our church office sent out over 20 National Day Of Thanksgiving cards to schools, doctors and hospital in our local area, as well as our local police. Max Boys, our minister, signed each one personally."

Other Anglican churches across the Sydney Diocese are reporting similar boosts to evangelism and other signs of personal growth.

The Rev John Cornford from Albion Park says about 150 church members worked through the program's prayer journal, designed by Bishop Reg Piper and Sarah Plummer, with a further 80 following the program in a personal way.

He says the event raised the profile of prayer in the church as well as helping people get individual prayer patterns in place.

"It stretched us a bit," Mr Cornford says. "But it has been good for us."

In the north-west of the diocese members of St Paul's Castle Hill have also seen the benefits of prolonged prayer.

Margaret Powell says writing prayers out journal-style has taught people to relate to God rather than just arrive with a list of requests.

"The 40 days prayer program taught people the importance of prayer and the things to pray for in the light of Jesus' resurrection," she says.

"Our congregation became more intentional about praying for lost friends; more regular with personal prayer times."

Organiser Sarah Plummer says preparations have already begun on next year's "Forty Days With The Risen Lord'.

The program is set to run from Easter Sunday, April 16 to May 25.

Interested people are encouraged to keep an eye on the Forty Days website.