“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Being Thankful!

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”  
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being thankful.  God indicates that our thankfulness will greatly influence our desire and ability to worship Him in an acceptable manner.  While it is easy to use this season of Thanksgiving here in the United States to encourage people to be more thankful, gratitude should be a characteristic the Christian excels at all year long.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in being thankful.  Pray that you would learn to express your thanks to God as you recognize the work of His hand in your life.  Pray that you would grow in your appreciation, and the expression of that appreciation, for the work God is doing in others.  Pray that God would show you ways to give thanks in all circumstances — even the circumstances you aren’t necessarily thankful for.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  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 grow in being thankful.

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: Thankful for God’s Righteousness.  Pray that you would grow in your appreciation of God’s righteousness.  Pray that you would learn to praise God with thankfulness for His words and actions which are always right.  “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”  Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Thankful for God’s Goodness and Love.  Pray that your thankfulness would increase as you recognize the goodness of God.  Pray that you would know, and share, the enduring love of God that leads to a growing attitude of thankfulness in all who experience it.  “Praise the LORD.  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  Psalm 106:1 (NIV)

Wednesday: Thankful for Victory In Christ.  Pray that you would live with thankfulness as you hold fast to the victory that you have in Jesus.  Pray that you would live as one who has been given victory, then in thankfulness share the source of that victory with others at every opportunity you have.  “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

Thursday: Thankful In Prayer.  Pray that you would practice being thankful in every aspect of your prayer life.  Pray that your worry would be replaced by thankfulness as you take all circumstances of your life to God in prayer.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Friday: Thankful for Purposeful Work.  Pray that you would trust God to use your gifts and abilities for His glory as you thank Him for purpose.  Pray that you would help others to know of the purpose God has for them as they do all in the name of Jesus.  “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Thankful for One Another.  Pray with thankfulness for one another.  Ask God to help you remember people specifically and thankfully in your prayers.  Pray that you would be consistent in praying for the people He has surrounded you with in every area of your life.  “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”  1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)