“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Pursue!

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
1 Timothy 6:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about some things that God says we ought to pursue.  Our world is filled with many things that call to us daily, wanting us to chase after them.  The allure of money and the accumulation of “treasures” of many kinds often call for us to chase after them instead of the things that have eternal value.  What we choose to chase after will have a profound effect not only on ourselves, but on the people around us.  Pursuing the wrong things can cause us great grief and even lead us away from the faith we ought to cling to.  Pursuing the things of God will help us to hold onto that faith as we represent Jesus to the world.  As you pray, ask God to help you see what it is you are currently pursuing.  Pray that you would call off any pursuits that are not of God as you devote yourself to pursuing Him fully.  Pray that your pursuit of the things of God would be reflected in the way you interact with people.  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 pursuing the right things.

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:  Pursue Righteousness.  Pray that you would reject all wicked ways and pursue righteousness wholeheartedly.  Pray that you would experience and share the love of the Lord who makes you righteous.  “The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness.”  Proverbs 15:9 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Pursue Godliness.  Pray that you would keep a proper perspective in regard to things which are physical and that which is eternal.  Pray that you would experience the value of godliness both now and forever more.  “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Pursue Faith.  Pray that you would understand the importance of the faith required to please God.  Pray that you would not only hold fast to your faith, but that you would earnestly pursue it.  “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”  Jude 1:3 (NIV)

Thursday:  Pursue Love.  Pray that your acceptance of the love of God would lead you to a greater love for Him and for people.  Pray that you would look for ways to be encouraged, and encourage others, to greater love and good deeds.  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

Friday:  Pursue Endurance.  Pray that you would always look to Jesus as the example to follow in all things.  Pray that you would see in Him the value of endurance.  Pray that you would draw near to God when you experience opposition so that you would not give up in doing good.  “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Pursue Gentleness.  Pray that you would pursue a life of gentleness that is obvious to all.  Pray that the Lord’s nearness to you would lead you to greater gentleness in your interaction with others.  Pray for a spirit of gentleness to be present in all of your conversations with people, and with God.  “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  Philippians 4:5 (NIV)