“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Peace!

“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)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event. I have not often repeated these weekly prayer guides, but this week we will return to a two-week focus on praying for peace from God’s perspective because I need the reminder.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of peace, but few actually obtain it because we want peace according to our definition and standards rather than God’s.  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.  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.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“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.” 
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)

” 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 each day praying about, and writing down, how God would have you live out that day’s aspect of prayer.    Thank you!

Sunday:  Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Peacemakers.   Pray that you would accept just how “God-like” it is to be a peacemaker and that you would put that quality into practice consistently.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Tuesday: Peace with one another.  Pray that you would recognize the importance of being at peace with one another and make the effort to flavor your surroundings with peace.  “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”  Mark 9:50 (NIV)

Wednesday: Paths of peace.  Pray that  you will notice, and walk on, the paths of peace that are illuminated through your relationship with Jesus  “because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven  to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79 (NIV)

Thursday: Peace through surrender.  Pray for the courage to seek peace in all situations on God’s terms.  “If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.  In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:32-33 (NIV)

Friday: Peace that overcomes.  Pray for peace in the midst of trouble knowing that Jesus has overcome whatever the world throws at you.  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 (NIV)

Saturday:  Peace with God.  Pray that God will  help you to share your faith that has brought you into peace with God.  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1 (NIV)