“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Being Content!

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

It is amazing how quickly a focus on Thanksgiving turns to a pursuit of “stuff” here in the United States.  We immediately follow Thanksgiving Day with “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” where many people run out to buy the “latest and greatest stuff” that they absolutely have to have.  In fact, it has gotten to where many can’t even wait to finish a day of thanks before they run out to find the latest and best bargain possible.  Fights often break out and credit card debt piles up as we soon forget all that we were thankful for just a few hours earlier.  It’s not that there is anything wrong with wanting to get the best value we can in purchasing the things we need and want to provide for our family; but contentment is found, or not found, in our attitude and motives in everything we do.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine your level of contentment.  Pray that your motivation in obtaining the things you have would always be pure.  Pray that your contentment would be centered in your relationship with God and not be based on material things you have or don’t have.  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 being content.

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: Being Content in Rest.  Pray that you would live with a life-giving fear of the Lord that keeps trouble from defining who you are.  Pray that you are able to be content in rest as you trust God to handle your troubles.  “The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”  Proverbs 19:23  (NIV)

Tuesday: Being Content with Your Income.  Pray that you would be content enough with your income that you are not using sinful ways to increase it.  Pray that your efforts to increase your income would always be done with an attitude of contentment with what God provides.  “He replied, ‘Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely — be content with your pay.’”  Luke 3:14 (NIV)

Wednesday: Being Content in All Circumstances.  Pray that you would learn contentment in the midst of all circumstances even as you seek God’s help in changing some of them.  Pray that your requests of others would be pure and not come from a spirit of discontentment.  “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”  Philippians 4:11 (NIV)

Thursday: Being Content with Godliness.  Pray that your pursuit of godliness would be filled with contentment.  Pray that you would know the “great gain” God promises as you pursue Him from a heart filled with contentment.  “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”  1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)

Friday: Being Content with Necessities.  Pray that  you would know and understand the difference between necessities and wants.  Pray that even in the pursuit of the things you want, you would learn to be content with having what you need.  “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”  1 Timothy 6:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  Being Content with God’s Presence.  Pray that you would live with a confidence of God’s presence always being with you.  Pray that you would learn contentment with what you have as you realize there is nothing greater than knowing God will never leave you.  “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”  Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Bonus thought:  Pray that your contentment would be visible in the way you share with others.