“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Holiness!

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about the holiness of God that ought to be reflected in our life.  Not only does God instruct us to live a life that rejects our evil desires, He says that we do so in order to be more like the One who has called us to Himself.  When Peter writes instructions for God’s children to live holy lives, he backs up the authority for the command with a quote of God telling His people to be holy because He is holy.  We’re His children, we ought to look and act like His children.  As you pray this week, ask God to  help you identify, and reject, the evil desires that are a temptation to you.  Pray that your desire to be more like your Father would be all the motivation you need to live a  holy life.  Pray that you would learn from Jesus on how to live a holy life that draws people to God rather than pushes them away.   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 holiness of God and His desire for you to reflect that to the world.

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:  Worship God as Holy.  Pray that you would recognize, and express, God’s holiness in your worship of Him.  Pray that He would fill you with an understanding of all holiness coming from Him.  “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”  Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Live a Holy Life of Purity.  Pray that God would reveal any impurity in your life so that it can be removed.  Pray that you would actively pursue a life of holy purity.  “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”  1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Live as Part of a Holy Family.  Pray that you would be encouraged by being a part of God’s holy family.  Pray that you would recognize God’s holiness in the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ.  “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”  Hebrews 2:11 (NIV)

Thursday:  Live a Holy Life of Peace.  Pray that your reflection of God’s holiness would help you live at peace with everyone.  Pray that your efforts to live at peace and to be holy would help the people around you see Christ in you.  “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Live a Holy Life with Anticipation.  Pray that God would help you to keep in mind the end result of all the things that might appear to be valuable.  Pray that your anticipation of Christ’s return would motivate you in living a holy life.  “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”  2 Peter 3:11-12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Pray With a Holy Faith.  Pray that you would be filled with a faith that is completely holy.  Ask God to help you grow in your communication with Him through a holiness empowered by His Spirit living in you.  “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”  Jude 1:20 (NIV)

Bonus:  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the publishing ministry of Impact Prayer Ministry.  Pray that I would continue to listen to God for direction and that He would give me the time and words to finish the writing assignments He has me working on.