“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Great Rewards!

“The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
Psalm 19:9b-11 (NIV)

It is often said that you can get people to do just about anything — you just have to figure out the proper reward that motivates them.  I suppose I should know, I have an entire card wallet filled with rewards cards from various companies.  While the corporate world may believe they invented the idea of rewarding loyalty; long before any corporations existed, God declared there would be a great reward for those who are loyal to Him.  When I receive an offer of a reward from a company, I have to decide if I want the reward and if I’m willing to meet the requirements to receive the reward.  God has offered each of us an eternal reward that comes from living in relationship with Him.  In that relationship, God expects us to know, understand, and keep His commands and ordinances.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a great desire for His rewards.  Pray that you would understand and follow His instructions so that you are not disqualified.  Pray that you would know of a reward in Christ that is greater than any you would find apart from Him.   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 pursuing the rewards that He desires to give.

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: Rewarded Through Wisdom.  Ask God to fill you with a wisdom that recognizes His rewards in your life.  Pray that you would use the wisdom God gives you to avoid the suffering of a mocker that you would bring upon yourself.  “If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”  Proverbs 9:12 (NIV)

Tuesday: Rewarded According to What We Sow.  Pray that you would pay attention to what it is you are sowing, not only in your own life but in the lives of others.  Pray that the seeds you share each day would be seeds of righteousness.  “The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”  Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

Wednesday: Rewarded According to Our Words and Work.  Pray that you would only speak words that would bring about good for you and others.  Pray that God would help you to enjoy the rewards that come from you work.  “From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.”  Proverbs 12:14 (NIV)

Thursday: Rewarded According to Our Kindness.  Pray that you would see being kind to the poor as its own reward.  Pray that you would know the reward of having your kindness to others returned to you.  “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”  Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)

Friday: Rewarded According to Our Conduct.  Pray that you would examine your own heart as honestly as God does.  Pray that you would know the reward that comes from conduct that is done with pure motives.  “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”  Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Rewarded According to Our Faith.  Pray for a faith that believes God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  Pray that your being in relationship with God would be the ultimate reward for having sought Him.  “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)