“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Labor!

“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him — for this is his lot.  Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 (NIV)

With this week beginning with Labor Day here in the United States, and Labour Day for our friends in Canada, if seemed fitting for the week’s prayer focus to be about labor from God’s point of view.  While we pause on a day designed to celebrate the worker; it is important to remember that the call to work, and the celebration of it, was God’s idea first.  Even the ability to find satisfaction in toilsome labor is a gift from God — and one that He desires we would accept.  And from God’s perspective, age isn’t a factor in the value He places on our labor.  It has more to do with faithfulness to Him rather than on the differences in the tasks we are able to do.  Young or old, looking for work or retired from work, in the “workforce” or out of the “workforce”, or anything in between the labels; God’s desire is that each of us would seek Him for the “good works He has created in advance for us to do.”  As you pray, ask God to fill you with satisfaction in the labor He has given you to do.  Pray that you would always “work for the Lord” even when your work tasks in life change.  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 understanding His perspective on the labor He would have you do.

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:  Labor That Produces Good Fruit.  Pray that your labor would be a part of your walk with the Lord as He gives instruction on true prosperity.  Pray that you would experience the blessings that come from labor done with a healthy fear of the Lord.  “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.  You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”  Psalm 128:1-2 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Labor That Benefits Others.  Pray that your labor would be a benefit to others as you do the work God has created just for you.  Pray that you would always acknowledge the labor of others that you benefit from.  “Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.  I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”  John 4:37-38 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Labor That Is Rewarded.  Pray that you would be content in doing the labor God gives you to do.  Pray that you would know the reward that comes from each person doing their part.  “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.”  1 Corinthians 3:8 (NIV)

Thursday:  Labor That Is Not In Vain.  Pray that you would not be dissuaded from the work God has called you to.  Pray that you would hold fast to God’s promise that your labor is not in vain.  “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

Friday:  Faithful Labor Prompted By Love.  Pray that you would not forget the faithful work God has done through the people around you.  Pray that love would motivate the labor you do for others, and for the Lord.  “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Labor That Leads to Rest.  Pray that your labor in the Lord would give you confidence in knowing a day of rest is coming.  Pray that the work you do would be work that has results which you would want to follow you into eternity.  “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’  ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”  Revelation 14:13 (NIV)