“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Being Worthy!

“Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.”
Revelation 3:4-5 (NIV)

It is true that “there is none righteous, no not one.”  Yet when we choose to be clothed with Christ, we can be found worthy not only in this life but in the life to come.  When God looks for those who are worthy, He searches for the one who has been washed in the blood of the Lamb and overcomes evil by the power of His Spirit.  As you pray this week, ask God to cleanse you and count you worthy.  Pray that you would walk in the purity obtained through Christ as you overcome the temptations of this world.  Pray that humility would pave the path you walk on as you live a worthy life that is shared with others.  Pray for the courage and love needed to share with the people around you about living a life that is counted as worthy by God.  Pray that your time with God will help you see the worthy things He has called you to.  Pray for a spirit of unity within your church congregation and within the body of Christ as a whole.  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 to help you understand how He has made you worthy and has called you to be worthy.

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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: A Worthy Suffering.  Pray for the courage to be able to rejoice in Christ even when you suffer here on earth because of your faith in Him.  Pray that you would know the joy of being counted worthy to be a representative of Jesus.  “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”  Acts 5:41 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Worthy Manner.  Pray that you would pay attention to the details of life so that you would live in a worthy manner.  Pray that the good news of Jesus would be the standard by which worthy living is pursued.  “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.”  Philippians 1:27 (NIV)

Wednesday: A Worthy Life.  Pray for the wisdom needed to live a life worthy of the Lord.  Pray that your life in the Lord would bear good fruit which is pleasing as you grow in Him.  “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”  Colossians 1:10 (NIV)

Thursday: A Worthy Calling.  Pray that you would walk in step with God’s Spirit as you live a life worthy of His calling.  Pray that you would live by the power of God as He accomplishes His will, and His purpose, through you.  “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”  2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NIV)

Friday: A Worthy Sending.   Pray that God would fill you with a love that helps others along their way in a worthy manner.  Pray that your love for God would be known by those that you are sent to help and by those you are able to help send to others.  “They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.”  3 John 1:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Worthy God.   Pray that you would live and proclaim God as worthy above all else.  Pray that your life would express the worthiness of God in all things.  “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”  Revelation 4:11 (NIV)

Extra Prayer Focus Update:  In one week’s time, God has provided the funds to cover the cost of the devotional books requested by the prison chaplain and I trust that He will provide for the calendars as well!  Pray for Impact Prayer Ministry as I look to God for the resources needed to supply a request from a prison chaplain to put a prayer-based devotional book and Bible reading calendar into the hands of 750+ inmates for Christmas.