“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Honesty!

 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on some aspects of honesty that God expects us to have as His children.  While Jesus taught us to “let our yes be yes and our no be no”, we have become very good at justifying why our promises are not absolutes.  Daily, we hear huge sweeping promises from politicians that we know have no ability or intention to keep them and we’ve learned to shrug it off and say, “That’s just the way they talk.”  Unfortunately, it is  not just politicians.  God’s people have become very good at saying whatever it takes to gain support for their particular project while feeling no commitment to following through with the content of their words.  Honesty is vital, because without it we will never realize the need we have for a Savior.  It is also vital because it is the foundation for which trust is built not only among believers, but between believers and non-believers.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire for honesty and a conviction in the situations where you are less than honest.

“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) 

As you pray this week, ask God to help you live a life of honesty that is a blessing to others.

Sunday: Pray for your church staff, the preaching and teaching that takes place, the church leadership, the volunteers that are helping in so many areas, the spiritual and financial health of the congregation, and the work of the missions ministry of the church.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.  

Monday:  Honesty in Measurements.  Pray that you would be honest and impartial in your dealings with others.  Pray that God would help you to see, and change, any areas where you deal differently with people because of who they are.  “You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 25:15 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Honesty with Finances.  Pray that you would have complete integrity as a steward of the King’s resources.  Pray that your honesty in managing finances would lead others to trust you.  “They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.”  2 Kings 12:15 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Honesty of Intentions.  Pray that your honesty would be deeper than appearances as you live with honest intentions.  Pray that  you would never have a pretense of honesty simply for your own gain.  “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.”  1 Chronicles 29:17 (NIV)

Thursday:  Honesty in our Testimony.  Pray that you would be honest in the words you speak about others.  Pray that the testimony you share about Christ in your life would be an honest portrayal of His power to transform.  “A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.”  Proverbs 12:17 (NIV)

Friday:  Honesty in our Words.  Pray that you would be honest in the words you speak to others.  Pray that your honesty would be shared in a way that brings value to those who hear your words.  “Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.”  Proverbs 16:13 (NIV)

Saturday:  Honesty in our Answers.  Pray that you would always give honest, and loving, answers to the questions you are asked.  Pray for the wisdom to be able to not give an answer when no one is asking for one.  Pray for the courage to give answers that are honest even when it is awkward.  “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”  Proverbs 24:26 (NIV)