“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Gentleness!

“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 we will focus on praying about the gentleness God’s Spirit should be producing in us.  The fruit of God’s Spirit is not a smorgasbord where we pick and choose the items we like and leave the ones we don’t care for.  With God’s Spirit in us, each of these characteristics ought to be growing in our life.  Most of these items seem to have little value in today’s culture but when worn well, the help the world see Christ in us.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you recognize times and situations when gentleness is most difficult for you to have.  Pray that you would learn to lean completely on God’s Spirit in those times when gentleness would not be your natural reaction.  Pray that your concern in letting the entire fruit of the Spirit be evident in your life would not be about how it makes you look to the people around you, but about how it makes God look to them.   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 gentleness 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:  Gentleness of God’s Presence.  Pray that you would seek times of stillness in your life in order to experience the gentleness of God.  Pray that the noise of life would not distract you from the gentle whispers of God.  “After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”  1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Gentleness with Words.  Pray that you would be careful with the words you use, especially when responding to what others ask or say.  Pray that you would use gentleness to diffuse anger.  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Gentleness from Jesus.  Pray that you would experience the gentleness of Jesus when you feel weak and weary.  Pray that you would share the gentleness of Jesus with the people around you who are weak and weary.  “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

Thursday:  Gentleness with Others.  Pray that your interactions with others would be marked by a gentleness that comes from a humble spirit.  Pray that your patience with others would help them see Jesus.  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Friday:  Gentleness that Shows.  Pray that the nearness of God in your life would help others see His gentleness through you.  Pray that God’s reputation would be more important than yours as you live a life of gentleness.  “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Saturday:  Gentleness in Sharing Your Faith.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would prepare you to give answers about your faith that are both truthful and gentle.  Pray that your gentleness in talking about the hope that is within you would draw others to Jesus.  “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”  1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)