“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Doing Good!

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Doing good always sounds noble . . . at least up until the point that doing so becomes inconvenient or messy or doesn’t produce the results we expect when we expect them.  God wants us to do good to all people, and not become weary in doing so.  His promise is that a harvest will be brought in if we persevere and keep at doing the good God has called us to.  Doing good in a world filled with evil can be difficult, but we don’t have to do it alone.  God has not only created good work for us to do, He has equipped and gifted us with His Spirit to empower us to do the good work without becoming weary.  As you seek to do the good that you ought to do, pray that God would strengthen you against the temptation to become weary.  Pray that you would live in compete humility as you allow God to do His good work in and through you.  Pray that you would learn to trust God for His harvest of righteousness as you continue to do good without giving up.  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 doing good in a way that honors Him.

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: Doing Good to All People.  Pray that you would learn to do good to all people as you do good to your Christian brothers and sisters.  Pray that God would open your eyes to the opportunities to do good to the people around you.  “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

Tuesday: Doing Good Through Obedience.  Pray that your obedience to rulers and authorities would prepare you to do whatever is good.  Pray for those in authority so that your obedience to them would result in good being done.  “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.”  Titus 3:1 (NIV)

Wednesday: Doing Good By Sharing Sacrificially.  Pray that God would help you loosen your grasp on the possessions you try to hold on to.  Pray that you would learn the joy of sharing with others as you view such sharing as a sacrifice to God.  “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

Thursday: Doing the Good You Know You Should.  Pray that you would listen to the promptings of God’s Spirit when He reveals to you the good you ought to do.  Pray that you would not fall into sin by refusing to do the good that God has called you to do.  “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”  James 4:17 (NIV)

Friday: Doing Good While Suffering.  Pray that doing good would become a way of life for you that is not dependent on your circumstances.  Pray that you would always continue doing good even when you experience suffering.  “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”  1 Peter 4:19 (NIV)

Saturday:  Doing Good that Can Be Imitated.  Pray that you would recognize the good that comes from God and imitate it.  Pray that your pursuit of God would lead you to do good that others can imitate.  “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”  3 John 1:11 (NIV)