“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Redeemed!

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on being redeemed.  I was born at the end of an era where you could save up “green stamps” in little booklets and send them in to a “redemption center” to receive back things that were much more useful.  When I think of being redeemed, I do think about God buying me back after I wandered into the slavery of sin but I also think of turning in all the useless pieces of my life to God and getting back something that has great use and value to Him, and to myself and others.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value of being redeemed.  Pray that you would have the wisdom and courage to live each day as one who is redeemed by God.  Pray that you would view each person you see this week as one who God has redeemed and/or desires to do so.  Pray that your view of God’s redemptive work in your life would help you to see others through His eyes.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“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 recognizing, and living, the redemption you have in  Christ.

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.  Pray that God will use the Impact Prayer Ministry display at the CCCA camp conference this week for His purposes.

Monday:  Redeemed from Condemnation.  Pray that you would live as a servant of God and take refuge in Him.  Pray that you would live free from condemnation because you are fully hidden in Christ.  “The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”  Psalm 34:22 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Redeemed through Love and Mercy.  Pray that you would experience the love and mercy of God when you are distressed.  Pray that you would reflect God’s love and mercy to each person you meet this week.  “In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.  In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”  Isaiah 63:9 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Redeemed from Death.  Pray that you would live with a confidence that comes from being redeemed from death.  Pray that you would help others know how to be free from the sting of the grave.  “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.  Where, O death, are your plagues?  Where, O grave, is your destruction?”  Hosea 13:14 (NIV)

Thursday:  Redeemed for Blessing.  Pray that you would look beyond mere physical things and experience the true blessing of God’s Spirit that is given to those He redeems.  “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”  Galatians 3:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Redeemed from Wickedness.  Pray that you would be reminded with every temptation that you have been redeemed from all wickedness.  Pray that your redemption would lead you in an eagerness to do good.  “Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”  Titus 2:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  Redeemed by the Blood of Christ.  Pray that you would have a greater understanding of the value you have that God would redeem you with the blood of His Son, Jesus.  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”  1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)