“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Elementary Lessons!

“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  And God permitting, we will do so.”
Hebrews 6:1-3 (NIV)

Sometimes we view elementary lessons as being inferior to more advanced lessons.  But God views the elementary things as being foundational to living a mature and faithful life.  When the writer of Hebrews suggests we leave the elementary teachings, he is not suggesting that we reject them but rather that we build a life of maturity on the foundation of the things we ought to be practicing and believing.  A good grasp and practice of the “basics” is what prepares us to understand and accept the more difficult lessons God would teach us.  As you pray, ask God to help you master the elementary things so you can grow in your maturity as a Christian, and as a person.  Pray that you would know the value of the beginning things as you move forward in maturity.  Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for 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 for God’s help in putting into practice the elementary teachings so that you can move on to maturity.

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: Repentance.  Pray that you would know the refreshing that comes from God when you turn to Him in repentance.  Pray that your desire to repent would result in real change in your thoughts and actions that would move you away from sin.  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”  Acts 3:19 (NIV)

Tuesday: Faith.  Pray that God would increase your faith in ways that please Him.  Pray that you would know the eternal reward that comes from earnestly seeking God in faith.  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Wednesday: Baptism.  Pray for a heart and mind that would accept the act of baptism as a work of God in your life.  Pray that you would not diminish the foundational teaching of baptism by lessening its importance when you share the gospel.  “And now what are you waiting for?  Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”  Acts 22:16 (NIV)

Thursday: Laying On of Hands.  Pray that you would know the significance of being set apart to do the work of God.  Pray that those who are set apart for ministry would be faithful in doing their tasks with purity and impartiality.  “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.”  1 Timothy 5:22 (NIV)

Friday: Resurrection.  Pray that your belief in the resurrection of Jesus would be your foundation for hope.  Pray that you would understand how sharing in the sufferings of Christ leads to a sharing in His resurrection.  “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Saturday:  Eternal Judgment.  Pray that your belief in the foundational teachings of Jesus would prepare you for the day of judgment.  Pray that you would know the joy of being clothed in Christ when God’s eternal judgment comes after this life is over.  “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”  Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)