“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.  In the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.  It seems that the implied answer from God is, “Yes, you should have been!”.  The Bible is full of encouragement and commands to apply in our relationships with one another.  So, we will spend two weeks of our “Lifestyle of Prayer” focused again on a dozen important characteristics to pray for “one another”.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life as well.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“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)

Extra Prayer Focus:  Pray each day this week that the bureaucratic red-tape surrounding a new drug, GM604, would be dissolved so that individuals with ALS, such as my friend Anita, would be allowed the chance to see if it would help them.

Please spend time praying each day for the “one another” characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  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: Love one another.  Pray that your love for people would help them to know you as a disciple of Jesus.  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Tuesday: Be devoted to and honor one another.  Pray that you would show proper devotion and honor to others.  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:10-13 (NIV)

Wednesday: Accept one another.  Pray that God would be praised because you accept others in the same way Christ accepted you.   “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”  Romans 15:5-7 (NIV)

Thursday: Serve one another.  Pray that you would be eager to serve others with the freedom you have in Christ.  “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”  Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Friday: Bear with one another.  Pray that you would “put up” with others as they “put up” with you.  “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 4:2-3

Saturday:  Be kind and compassionate to one another.   Pray that your words and attitude would show kindness to others.  “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)