“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Strength!

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Most of us want to be strong.  We go to great lengths to hide our weaknesses so that we give the impression of strength in all things.  Sometimes we try so hard to be strong in our own power and ability that our mind and body can no longer stand the pressure we have placed upon it, and it begins to shut down.  This week’s prayer focus in on living with strength, but the strength that we must pursue come from God and not from our own might.  God wants us to live with His strength in such a way that the people around us see Him and glorify our Father who is in heaven.  As you pray this week, examine the times that your heart and flesh have failed you and ask God to show you why.  Pray that you would learn to “acknowledge God in all your ways” as you “lean not on your own understanding.”  Pray for the courage to admit your weaknesses so that you can allow God to fill you with His strength.  Pray that the strengthening you receive from God would be used by Him to also strengthen others.  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 strength.

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 Strength to Walk a Perfect Way.   Pray that you would look to God to help you walk according to His perfect way.  Pray that God would give you the strength necessary to resist the temptations to walk in ways that are not perfect.  “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”  Psalm 18:32 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Living With the Strength of God’s Help.  Pray that your trust in God would help you to be strengthened by Him in all circumstances.  Pray that you would recognize the help God provides as you praise Him for the strength He gives.  “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”  Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Living With Strength that is Renewed by God.  Pray that you would know God as your source of renewal when your own strength begins to fade.  Pray that your hope in God would be strengthened during times of weakness.  “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.”  Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)

Thursday:  Living With the Strength to Proclaim God’s Message.  Pray that you would live with the Lord at your side to strengthen you.  Pray that God’s presence would give you the strength to proclaim His truth at every opportunity.  “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”  2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV)

Friday:  Living With the Strength to Serve Others.  Pray that you would recognize not only God’s calling, but also His equipping you to serve.  Pray that God would fill you with the strength to serve others so that He is praised through your efforts.  “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With Strength that Seems Small.  Pray that you would cling to God when your strength seems small.  Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, as the one who is the Door, when it feels like your strength is not enough.  “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”  Revelation 3:8 (NIV)