“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Pray For . . .

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“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 focus on some examples or commands from the New Testament of things/people to pray for.  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.  Some of the days will be easier than others to both pray and to listen for God’s voice on how to respond.  As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  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 for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

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

Monday: Persecutors.  Pray for the courage to respond with Christ-like love to those who persecute you.  Pray for wisdom to know when to speak up and when to be silent.  “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5:44

Tuesday: Children.  Pray for the children in your life and around you each day.  Pray that you, the church, and the world would understand, and share, the value that Jesus placed on children.  “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.”  Matthew 19:13

Wednesday: Open Doors.  Pray that God would open doors of opportunity for you to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would notice and make use of every open door.  “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”  Colossians 4:3 

Thursday: Worthy Purpose.  Pray that God would reveal clearly the good works He created in advance for you to do.  Pray for the boldness to do them.  “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”  2 Thessalonians 1:11

Friday: Clear Conscience.  Pray that your interactions with all people are conducted so that your conscience is clear before God.  Pray that your obedience to God is such that you can live with a clear conscience.  “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”  Hebrews 13:18

Saturday:  Healing.  Pray for the courage to deal with any sin you have against another.  Pray that God would bring spiritual, and even physical, healing to all who are afflicted.  “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  James 5:16