“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Peace!

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ”
Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with peace.  Because we live in a world that seems dominated by conflict, peace can appear to be very elusive and even unattainable.  Yet God calls His children to do everything possible from their side to be at peace with everyone.  When Paul writes to the Romans, I don’t believe he is saying to only do what is right in the eyes of everyone — that would be pretty short list.  But putting into practice the things that everyone agrees are right, is a good starting point to living at peace with people.  While peace with others is not completely dependent on us, we can help that process by not creating unnecessary conflict.  But not only is peace with everyone about others, I believe it is also about living at peace with ourselves and with God.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a peace that can only come from the presence of His Spirit within you.  Pray that you would value those things that are universally right.  Pray that you would seek peace with others in a way that leads them to a true peace with God.  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 living with peace.

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:  Living With Peace in Times of Trouble.   Pray that you would look to God for a peace that is beyond anything the world could offer.  Pray that you would be filled with God’s peace when trouble and fear come your way.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Living With Peace as You Trust in God.  Pray that you would put your hope in God so that He would fill you with a peace that comes from having a complete trust in Him.  Pray that this peace would overflow with a hope that the world can notice.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Living With Peace through God’s Spirit.  Pray that you would live a Spirit-filled life that would give you a peace that cannot be taken from you.  Pray that you would incorporate the fruit of God’s Spirit into your daily practice of living with peace.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Thursday:  Living With a Peace that Brings Unity.  Pray that you would work diligently at maintaining unity as God’s Spirit binds you together in peace.  Pray that your interactions with other believers would present a picture of unity through a common peace.  “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

Friday:  Living With a Peace that Prepares You to Move.  Pray that you would be prepared to take the gospel message with you because of its message of peace.  Pray that your readiness to go wherever God leads you would come from a belief in the gospel of peace.  “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With a Peace that Surpasses Understanding.  Pray that your prayer life would fill you with a peace that surpasses understanding.  Pray that God’s peace would always guard your heart and mind.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)