“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Directed Toward God!

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised.”
Genesis 18:19 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on praying about how we can be directed toward God and in turn help direct others toward Him.  God has called us to Himself not just so we can be with Him, but also for the purpose of directing others toward God and His promises.  The more we seek and follow the ways of the Lord, the better prepared we will be to help others in their pursuit of God.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live according to His ways.  Pray that you would not just value what is right and just, but would actually do such things.  Pray that you would cling to the precious promises of God as you live according to His Word and direct others toward Him as well.  Pray about the example you are to others and ask God to clarify and refine how that example directs others towards Him. 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 directed toward Him and for you to be able to help direct others toward Him.

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: Directed By God’s Love.  Pray that God would open your heart and mind to respond to the direction of His love.  Pray that you would be filled with God’s love so that His song of love would be the foundation in both the how and why you direct others towards Him.  “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life.”  Psalm 42:8 (NIV)

Tuesday: Directed By God’s Commands.  Pray for the wisdom needed to not only walk in the path of God’s commands, but to find delight in them.  Pray that your obedience to God would be a joyful thing that helps direct others to find delight in doing life according to the ways of God.  “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.”  Psalm 119:35 (NIV)

Wednesday: Directed By God’s Word.  Pray that you would find direction in the full counsel of God’s Word.  Pray for the help of God’s Spirit in following the Word of God with your every footstep.  Pray that God’s Word would be the source of direction in your life and in the direction you give others.  “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”  Psalm 119:133 (NIV)

Thursday: Directed Step by Step.  Pray for the courage to follow God’s direction with each step of life that you take.  Pray that you would trust God’s directions when you lack understanding.  Pray that the direction  you give others would be to seek God rather than human understanding.  “A man’s steps are directed by the LORD.  How then can anyone understand his own way?”  Proverbs 20:24 (NIV)

Friday: Directed In What Is Best.  Pray that you would not settle for “good enough” when God wants to teach you what is best.  Pray that you would trust God to direct you.  Pray that the direction you give others would always point them to a God who desires the very best for them.  “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”  Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Directed In Love & Perseverance:  Pray that you would live a life that has been directed into the love of God.  Pray that you would know the perseverance of Christ as you are directed into a life of faithfulness.  Pray that the direction you provide others would lead them to know God’s love and faithfulness.  “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”  2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV)