“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A SIMPLE Witness!

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some simple ways that we can be a witness for Christ.  While most people reading this prayer guide would readily agree that the instruction from Jesus about being His witness wherever we go is for all believers, many of us struggle with what that actually looks like in everyday life.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you keep it simple when it comes to being His witness.  Pray that you would understand and overcome the difficulty in doing the simple things which lead to being a faithful witness.  Pray for a refining of your thoughts, words, and actions so that your witness for Christ would be pure and clear.  Pray for the courage to live out your faith in a way that helps others have a greater desire to be in fellowship with Jesus so they can experience the transforming power of His love. 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 be His witness wherever you are.

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: A Serving Witness.  Pray that you would use your gifts and abilities to serve people in ways that help them see the work of God in you.  Pray that you would be a faithful witness of Jesus as you serve people according to the grace you have been given.  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”  1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Tuesday: An Including Witness:  Pray that you would be able to see people through the eyes of God’s grace.  Pray for a heart that desires to include people without showing favoritism.  Pray that your witness for Jesus would be amplified by the way you include people who are different from you.  “My brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”  James 2:1 (NIV)

Wednesday: A Motivating Witness:  Pray that your witness of Jesus would motivate others to reflect His love through the good they do.  Pray that your life would be a witness to others in a way that motivates them to pursue Him more fully.  Pray that your “spurs” would be gentle but effective.  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

Thursday: A Praying Witness:  Pray that you, and others, would be active witnesses for Jesus as you share your faith.  Ask God to help your prayer life to be such that people would notice a witness of the goodness of God in you.  “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”  Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

Friday: A Loving Witness:  Pray that your witness for Jesus would always make known His love for you and for those who you interact with.  Pray that you would grow in your love for people who live as enemies of Christ as your love becomes a witness to them of His love.  “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:44 (NIV)

Saturday:  An Encouraging Witness:  Pray that you would make the most of the opportunities you have to encourage others.  Pray for eyes to see those who are discouraged and wisdom to know how to encourage them in a way that keeps them from becoming hardened by bitterness.  “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)