“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Self-Control!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will look at some of what the Bible says about living with self-control as part of the fruit that is produced by God’s Spirit living within us.  In a world that worships power and control, it is amazing how scarce self-control can be.  Of all the things in our life that we seek to have control over, the best place to start is to work on controlling our self through the power of God’s Spirit.  If most of us would put even half the effort into self-control that we do in trying to control others, not only would our life change for the good but the lives of those around us would change as well.  As you pray, ask God to continue to pour out His Spirit into you and fill you with the courage to bear the fruit that He produces.  Pray that your growing self-control would help the people around you see the work of Jesus in your life.  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 the self-control God desires for you to have through the power of His Spirit.

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:  Alert and Self-Controlled.  Pray that God’s Spirit would keep you alert so that you would notice the urgency of the times we live in.  Pray that self-control would help you pay attention to the spiritual needs of yourself and those around you.  “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.”  1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Self-Controlled Through Faith and Love.  Pray that your relationship with Christ would protect your self-control.  Pray that faith and love would control how you treat others.  “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”  1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Self-Controlled to Live Godly.  Pray that your self-control would help you reject the harmful things of this world.  Pray that you would live a life that honors God through the self-control that you possess.  “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”  Titus 2:12 (NIV)

Thursday:  Self-Controlled for Action.  Pray that your self-control would prepare you to be ready for the work God calls you to do.  Pray that the hope you have through God’s grace would  prepare you for action.  “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

Friday:  Self-Controlled to Pray.  Pray that your prayer life would grow through the fruit of self-control in your life.  Ask  God to help you be clear minded as you pray.  “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”  1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Increasing Self-Control.  Pray that God would increase your self-control so you will be more productive and effective as you walk with Him.  “. . . and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness . . ..  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 1:6,8 (NIV)