“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Stand Firm!

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

This week our prayer focus will be on our need to stand firm in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  We have an enemy that constantly tries to knock us off our feet to disrupt our walk with Christ.  God has not only given us armor to help us be able to stand our ground, He gives instructions on the how, when, and why we ought to stand firm.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to stand firm in your daily walk with Christ.  Pray that you would be equipped through the armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil.  Pray that God would fill you with the wisdom to know exactly what standing firm should look like in each situation you face.  Pray that the people around you would know the power of God because of His ability to help you stand firm in difficult times.   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 how God would have you to stand firm against the attacks of the evil one.

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:  Stand Firm in the Lord’s Work.  Pray that your commitment to the work of the Lord would remain steadfast through all obstacles.  Pray that you would never lose sight of the eternal reward that awaits you when your work is completed.  “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Stand Firm in Christ.  Pray that your faith in God would help you stand firm in Christ.  Pray that the people around you would know that it is your trust in God that enables you to stand firm when difficult times come.  “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.”  2 Corinthians 1:21 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Stand Firm in Freedom.  Pray that you would experience the fullness of the freedom you have in Christ.  Pray that you would stand firm in that freedom and  not be drawn back into the bondage of sin.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Stand Firm in the Will of God.  Pray that you would constantly seek God for the wisdom to stand firm in His will.  Ask God to fill you with a desire to wrestle in prayer for other so they would also stand firm in the will of God.  “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”  Colossians 4:12 (NIV)

Friday:  Stand Firm on the Word of God.  Pray that you would hold fast to the teachings of Scripture.  Pray that you would be a student of the Word so that you would know what is good and right.  “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Stand Firm with Patience.  Pray that you would never give up in your desire to stand firm.  Pray that God’s Spirit would produce in you a patience that allows you to stand firm until the Lord’s coming.  “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”  James 5:8 (NIV)