“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Psalm 23!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week we will use the 23rd Psalm as the basis for our daily prayer focus.  As you consider each day’s emphasis, remember it is David (a man after God’s own heart) who wrote these words.  Pray about its application in your life and about how  you can lift up Jesus so that others would know God as their shepherd.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

Please spend time praying each day for godly wisdom in applying that day’s quality.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Contentment.  Praise God for being a supplier of every good thing.  Pray for a contentment that is learned from trusting God.  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”  Psalm 23:1

Tuesday: Rest.  Thank God for understanding, and commanding, your need for rest.  Pray for times of internal quiet when you can rest fully in God’s love for you.  “He makes me lie down beside quiet waters”.  Psalm 23:2

Wednesday: Purity.  Rejoice that God can restore the purity of a soul.  Pray for courage and wisdom to discern good from evil in order to make right choices.  “He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3 

Thursday: Peace.  Acknowledge God’s presence as the source of true and lasting peace.  Pray that the comfort of God’s leading and correction would be evident in your life as you represent Jesus to others.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalm 23:4

Friday: Confidence.  Give glory to God for calling us to himself, even while we were enemies with him.  Pray that God would give you confidence to feast at his banquet in a way that your enemies would notice and see Jesus.  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”  Psalm 23:5

Saturday:  Hope.  Worship God for being a faithful keeper of all his promises.  Pray that God’s goodness and mercy would not only follow you, but flow from you each day that he gives you life.  “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6