Month: December 2014

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Lifestyle of Prayer: In Christ (Week 1)!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  In Christ (Week 1)!

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
John 1:16 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  For the month of January, our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis will focus on some things the Bible says that we have in Christ.  This will be loosely based on a list I was recently given that appears to be copied out of a book.  I’ve not been able to find out what the book was, but I’ve adapted most of the daily topics from that list.  Continue to pray for one another each day.  Continue to pray for the work of missionaries around the world.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  

“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 about what you have in Christ and about how God wants you to use it.   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: I Have Peace.  Pray that you would live as one justified by faith so that the people around you can see the peace you have in Christ.  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1 (NIV)

Tuesday: I Am Dead to Sin.  Pray that you would continue to grow in a life that is dead to sin.  “By no means!  We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”  Romans 6:2-3 (NIV)

Wednesday: I have No Condemnation.  Pray that you would live as one free from condemnation because of Jesus.  “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Romans 8:1 (NIV)

Thursday: I Have Wisdom from God.  Pray that you would use the wisdom that comes from God as He offers to give it freely to all who ask.  “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.”  1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)

Friday: I Have God’s Spirit.  Pray that your life would be lived differently from those of the world because you have the Spirit of Christ in you.  “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”  1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  I Have the Mind of Christ.  Pray that your decision-making would reflect the mind of Christ.  “‘For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’  But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:16 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Christmas Purpose!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Christmas Purpose!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

“’She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ — which means, ‘God with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-22 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  This week we will focus on some scriptures regarding the birth of Jesus and the names He was to be called.  Pray each day about that aspect of who Jesus is impacts your life.  Pray that you would celebrate Christmas throughout the year as you recognize the incredible gift God gave to mankind.  Pray each day for the individuals of Deer Run as well as the body of Deer Run. 

“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 about each day’s specific focus on who Jesus is.  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:  Wonderful Counselor.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus reveals His presence, the Wonderful Counselor, living in you.   Pray that you would receive the counsel that Jesus desires to give you.  “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  John 14:26 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Mighty God.  Pray that your life submits fully to the authority and might of God.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity that God gives you to speak of His mighty work in your life.  “But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”  Luke 22:69 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Everlasting Father.  Pray that your life shows a trust in an eternal Father and Savior.  Pray that you would share the truth of an everlasting God as you tell the story of Jesus this Christmas.  “’I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’”  John 8:58 (NIV)

Thursday:  Prince of Peace.  Pray that you would seek peace with God who desires to bring all people to peace with Him through Jesus.  Pray that you would give glory to God for the peace Jesus has brought between you and God.  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:14 (NIV)

Friday: Jesus.  Pray that you completely experience the cleansing power of the name of Jesus who came to save His people from their sins.  Pray for the courage to present Jesus as the One who saves.  “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.”  I Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Immanuel.  Pray that your life is a constant reminder to those around you that God is with us and has come to help His people.  Pray that you would always remember God’s desire for His presence to be with you.  “They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’”  Luke 7:16 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Leaders!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Leadership!

“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.  This week we will spend time praying for various roles of leadership and the people in them.  Continue to pray for one another each day.  Continue to pray for the work of our supported missions.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time.”  
1 Timothy 2:1-6 (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 praying each day for the leaders/authority position listed for that day.  Pay attention to the words from 1 Timothy from above as you pray for everyone, specifically for leaders and all those in authority.  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: Family leaders.  Pray for men who will lead with Christ-like humility and service.  Pray that men would not abandon their family responsibility and leadership.  Pray for women who out of necessity must lead their family with great courage and strength.

Tuesday: Church leaders.  Pray for the elders and leaders of the church congregation you are a part of, as well as for those who lead in church congregations around the world.  Pray for those who do the work of volunteer ministry leadership.

Wednesday: Business leaders.  Pray that these leaders would conduct business in ways that will honor and value the family.  Pray that the business practices would be fair and just to all employees and customers.

Thursday: Community leaders.  Pray for your local leaders, that their decisions would be made with godly wisdom and courage.  Pray that they would take seriously their role in protecting and serving the communities.

Friday: State leaders.  Pray that your state leaders would look out for the best interest of the citizens.  Pray that they would be surrounded by people who give them godly advice and wisdom.

Saturday:  National leaders.  Pray for our national leaders to put aside partisan and divisive politics and lead in ways that allow us to live in peace and quietness as we share our faith in Jesus freely.  Pray that our leaders would listen to godly advice and dismiss that which is ungodly.

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Lifestyle of Prayer: The Church Family!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

This week’s prayer focus:  The Church Family!

“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.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  This week we will focus on praying for the various aspects of the church family.  Each day will emphasize a category of people to pray for that are, or could be, a part of your church family.  Pray specifically for the people you know in each category.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  Pray each day for the individuals of the congregation you attend as well as for the gathering of believers.

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 God’s direction in responding to that day’s giving focus.  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: Visitors that come.  Pray that you would notice visitors and be welcoming.  Pray that our visitors would be encouraged to pursue Jesus.  “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.”  Colossians 2:2 (NIV)

Tuesday: Members.  Pray that each member would be growing in faith and equipped to share their faith.  Pray that your involvement in the body of Christ would be an encouragement to others.  “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Wednesday: Deacons.  Spend time thanking God for deacons who serve with diligence and faithfulness.  Pray that they would receive the respect due them.  “Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.”  1 Timothy 3:8 (NIV)

Thursday: Elders.  Thank God for elders who desire a noble task.  Pray that their task is made easier by a congregation that lives out their connection with God.  “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.”
1 Timothy 3:1 (NIV)

Friday: Teachers.  Pray for God’s wisdom and protection for those who teach.  Pray that all teaching would remain true to God’s Word.  “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  James 3:1 (NIV)

Saturday:  Visitors to invite.  Pray for those God would have you share your faith with.  Pray for courage to invite people to attend church with you.  “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.”  Matthew 22:9 (NIV)