“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Power!

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about some aspects of the power of God that should be visible in these “jars of clay” that we walk around in.  Power has the ability to go to our head rather quickly and fill us with pride, so in God’s great wisdom He pours His power into weak earthen vessels, us, so that it becomes obvious the power that is at work in us is from Him and not our own.  When we see the power of God at work in those who are hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down; we become keenly aware that there is a power at work that could only come from God.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the humility necessary to allow His power to dwell and work in you.  Pray that you would use the power of God within you wisely as you strengthen and encourage others.  Ask God to help you be careful in the way you represent His power so that you would not become guilty of making others believe it is your power that they see at work.  Pray that God’s power within you would help you to not be crushed, in despair, abandoned, or destroyed.  Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 overcomes through the power of God living in  you.

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:  Power to be a Witness.  Pray that the power of God’s Spirit within you would compel you to be a witness for Christ wherever you go.  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Power to be a Servant.  Pray that the grace you have received from God would give you the power to serve others on His behalf.  Pray that God’s power would work within you to make you a servant of the gospel.  “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.”  Ephesians 3:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Power to Grasp the Love of Christ.  Pray that you would experience the power that helps you to know the incredible love of Christ.  Pray that the power of the love of Christ would be seen in you.  “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”  Ephesians 3:18 (NIV)

Thursday:  Power to do Immeasurably More.  Pray that you would look to God for the power to do His will in ways that exceed what you can imagine.  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”  Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Friday:  Power to do Faithful Work.  Pray that your intentions born of faith would be fueled by the power of God in order to be accomplished.  “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”  2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NIV)

Saturday:  Power for a Godly Life.  Pray that your life would be lived by the power of God so that you would reflect His nature in all things.  Pray that God’s glory and goodness would fill you with everything you need.  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”  2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)