“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Dare To Be a Daniel!

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

The Bible is filled with characters who serve as examples of how we ought to live a godly life.  If you pay attention, you’ll notice that many of them did just that under circumstances that were less than ideal.  Daniel is one of them.  When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Israel, he carried off from Jerusalem “young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace” — young men including Daniel.  Even in a place where it would have been easy to forget God, Daniel maintained a practice of honoring God just as he had been taught.  I still remember the old Sunday School song, “Dare To Be a Daniel”, and believe that doing just that would make a world of difference in the way we represent Christ.  This week we will spend time praying about each of the above qualities that the king looked for, and found, in the life of Daniel.  As you pray, ask God to help you remain faithful regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in.  Pray that you would not be ashamed to be different from others as you live for Christ.  Pray that your daily practice of honoring God would sustain you in continuing to do so when times are difficult.  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 applying the characteristics which made Daniel useful not only to the king, but more importantly, useful in serving God.

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: Dare to Be Perfect.  Pray that you would understand the perfection that God wants you to have in being holy just as He is holy.  Pray that you would set God as the standard of perfection you pursue in all things.  “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48 (NIV)

Tuesday: Dare to Be Handsome/Beautiful.  Pray that you would view yourself, and others, in the same way God does.  Pray that the beauty of your inner spirit would be evident to those who see you each day.  “Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”  1 Peter 3:4 (NIV)

Wednesday: Dare to Be a Learner.  Pray that you would live each day yoked together with Christ as you learn from Him.  Pray that the gentleness and humility of Christ would be characteristics you learn from Him.  “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

Thursday: Dare to Be Informed.  Pray that you would take the time to be informed about the hardships that are suffered by Christians in many parts of the world simply because they follow Christ.  Pray that being informed would move you to do what you can, and what God calls you to do.  “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.”  2 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV)

Friday: Dare to Understand.  Pray that God would fill you with an understanding of His will as you search and study scripture.  Pray that your understanding of the Lord’s will would result in your doing of the Lord’s will.  “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”  Ephesians 5:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Dare to Be Qualified.  Pray that you would live as one qualified to serve in the kingdom of God, not because of your self but because of a God who has qualified  you.  Pray that you would live a life of thanksgiving as one God has qualified.  “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”  Colossians 1:12 (NIV)