“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Proclaim!

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
Matthew 10:27 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility to proclaim to others what we have learned from God.  When we recognize God’s authority over us and surrender our will to Jesus, there ought to be such a transformation within us that we couldn’t keep it a secret if we wanted to.  The light of truth that God has used to illuminate the darkness within us ought to be shared with all we encounter.  The whispers of love that we hear from God’s Word and His Spirit ought to be proclaimed by us to a world desperately in need of true love and hope.  Proclaiming what God has done for you isn’t always about shouting loudly or drawing attention to yourself.  In fact, it is often most effective when done with a combination of quiet words and bold, loving actions.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be deliberate in how you proclaim His work in your life.  Pray for the courage to tell your story and give God the credit.  Pray that you would live in such a way that your actions proclaim God’s working in your life just as much as your words do.  Pray for the wisdom to know what needs proclaimed in a way that benefits those who hear.  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 proclaim to others the things He has entrusted you to share.

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: Proclaim Righteousness.  Pray that you would not hesitate in proclaiming what is right.  Pray that God’s righteousness would be the standard for what you consider to be right.  Pray that your surroundings would not keep you from proclaiming righteousness.  “I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.”  Psalm 40:9 (NIV)

Tuesday: Proclaim the Works of God.  Pray that you would proclaim the works of God as you consider all He has done.  Pray that you would know a fear of the Lord as you proclaim His works to others.  Pray that others would fear God as you proclaim His works.  “All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.”  Psalm 64:9 (NIV)

Wednesday: Proclaim the Kingdom of God.  Pray that you would never lose sight of the importance of proclaiming the kingdom of God.  Pray that you would be diligent about sharing life with those who need to know of the kingdom of God.  Pray that you would not be distracted by good things as you proclaim the best things.  “Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’”  Luke 9:60 (NIV)

Thursday: Proclaim the Will of God.  Pray that you would seek to know God’s will through knowing Him.  Pray that you would understand God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect” will so that you would not hesitate to proclaim it to those who would hear.  Pray for the courage to live the will of God so that your proclamation of it is honest.  “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.”  Acts 20:27 (NIV)

Friday: Proclaim the Lord’s Death and Return.  Pray that you would know the importance of the body and blood of Christ as you proclaim what He has done in death and what He is doing in life.  Pray that you would  proclaim a risen Lord who is returning for His bride.  “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”  1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)

Saturday:  Proclaim Clearly.  Pray that you would understand the “mystery of Christ” in such a way that you may proclaim it clearly.  Pray for an understanding of those you proclaim Christ to so that your words and actions would be clear to them.  Pray that you would accept your responsibility to proclaim Christ clearly.  “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”  Colossians 4:4 (NIV)