“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Victory!

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  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 15:57-58 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on not just the victory we have in Christ, but how we ought to live victorious lives each day.  Living in a college town I do not have to follow sports to know if the local football team wins or loses on a particular weekend — the entire atmosphere of the area is different based on whether the fans feel part of something victorious or something defeated.  But it’s not just in sports that our lives reflect our identification with being, or not being, victorious — most churches I visit give off a clear impression of whether the body as a whole feels victorious or defeated.  Yes, there are losses that may be noticeable but they don’t have to define us.  Loss of people.  Loss of influence.  Loss of finances.  Loss of freedoms.  Loss of peace.  Loss of joy.  The list could go on, but the point is that when we focus on the losses, we tend to forget that God has already declared us victorious and calls us to live like victors!  As you pray, ask God to help you always remember the victory you have in Christ.  Pray that you would live as one who has claimed the victory that God desires to give His children.

“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 pray each day that your life would be lived in a way that represents the victory you have in Christ.

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:  Victory For the Faithful.  Pray that you would cling to the victory that awaits those who walk in blameless ways.  Pray that God would guard your path as you walk in faithfulness to Him.  “He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”  Proverbs 2:7-8 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Victory Through Wise Counsel.  Pray that you would live victoriously because of the quality of counsel you surround yourself with.  Pray that you would always seek advice from God first and be sure your human advisers give godly advice.  “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”  Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Victory By the Lord.  Pray that you would live with an understanding of where true victory comes from.  Pray that your preparations for battle would always understand that it is the Lord who will be able to give victory.  “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.”  Proverbs 21:31(NIV)

Thursday:  Victory For Justice.  Pray that your hope for justice that prevails would rest fully in Jesus.  Pray that your life would reflect the heart of Jesus as you seek victory for justice.  “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.  In his name the nations will put their hope.”  Matthew 12:20-21 (NIV) 

Friday:  Victory Over Death.  Pray that you would live a life that reflects your knowledge that the power of death has been defeated.  Pray that you would be able to grieve as one with great hope, knowing that the victory over death has been won by Jesus.  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”  1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)

Saturday:  Victory That Overcomes the World.  Pray that you would live each day in with a faith that overcomes.  Pray that the appearance of success in the world would not distract you from true victory that is found through faith in Christ.  “Everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”  1 John 5:4 (NIV)