“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Wise Counsel!

“To God belong wisdom and power;
counsel and understanding are his.”
Job 12:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about seeking wise counsel, not only from God but also from the people He has brought into our lives for that purpose.  If we examine who it is we listen to, many times we will discover it is only those who we believe will agree with us.  How often do we reject wise counsel, whether from God or people, because we have already made up our mind about a matter?  While the Bible talks about the importance of many advisers, it also warns about surrounding ourselves with those who simply say what we want to hear.  Gaining, and giving, wise counsel can be a balancing act as we listen to one another through the filters of God’s Word and His Spirit.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you listen not only to what you want to hear, but to differing viewpoints as you seek wise counsel from God.  Pray that you would subject all counsel you give and receive to the truth of God’s Word and instruction of His Spirit.  Pray that you would have the courage to change when God shows you that you have acted without wise counsel.  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 both giving and receiving wise counsel.

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:  Counsel That Results in Praise.  Pray that you would receive counsel from the Lord at all times.  Pray that you would live a life of praise because of the counsel you receive and follow.  “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”  Psalm 16:7 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Counsel That Leads to Eternal Glory.  Pray that you would desire to be guided by God’s counsel.  Pray that you would live with a confident hope of eternal glory with God as you follow His counsel.  “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”  Psalm 73:24 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Counsel From God’s Word.  Pray that you would find delight in the laws of God’s Word.  Pray that you would be a student of the Word of God as you seek counsel from it.  Pray that God’s Word would be central in the counsel you give others.  “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.”  Psalm 119:24 (NIV)

Thursday:  Counsel That is Successful.  Pray that you would be open to godly counsel and advice that may go against what you want.  Pray that you would surround yourself with advisers who seek to listen to God rather than advisers who seek to make you feel good about your plans.  “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”  Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Friday:  Counsel That is Earnest.  Pray that you would know the joy of having friends who will give earnest counsel.  Pray that the counsel you give to others would be given with serious thought and consideration of what God desires.  “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.”  Proverbs 27:9 (NIV)

Saturday:  Counsel From God’s Spirit.  Pray that you would know, and listen to, the ultimate counsel of God’s Spirit living within you.  Pray that you would have God’s Word hidden in your heart so it is filled with good things for the Holy Spirit to remind you of.  “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  John 14:26 (NIV)