“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Holding On and Letting Go!
(Week One)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will begin a two week series based on devotions I have written in the book, “Holding On and Letting Go”.  As we enter into a time period filled with much unknown, it is likely that life will feel rather chaotic at times.  The full devotions behind each of these daily prayer starters were written for those recovering from the all too common disasters of earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and such; but I believe the same principles of holding on and letting go will serve each of us well in this current season of COVID-19 chaos.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you trust Him in the midst of whatever chaos surrounds you and is in you.  Pray that you would find wisdom from Him in how to respond in ways that represent Christ well.  Pray for greater understanding and compassion for others who may be responding to the chaos differently than you.  Pray that your eyes would be open to ways you can love and serve people who may be searching for hope they have not yet found.  Pray for those working with the sick.  Pray that God would have mercy and compassion on each of us that would be visible to the world in the way we show mercy and compassion to others.  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 church congregation as well as 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 fill you with wisdom as you learn to hold on and let go.

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: Let Go Of Anger.  Pray that you would not simply attempt to hide anger, but address it in ways that allow you to let go of it.  Pray that you would know the hope that comes through letting go of anger after it has been dealt with.  “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”  Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)

Tuesday: Hold On To What Is Good.  Ask God to help you see beyond the difficulty to find the good that remains.  Pray that you would hold on to the good that you find in life and in people.  Pray for the courage to be the good that others can hold on to in their time of need.  Pray that you would find hope as you hold on to God’s goodness.  “Test everything. Hold on to the good.”  1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV)

Wednesday: Let Go Of Worry.  Ask God to give you a peace that dispels harmful worry as you trust in Him.  Pray that your concern for today would drive you to a responsiveness to God rather than to a mindset of worry.  Pray that you would know the great hope that God wants to give you as you let go of worry.  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

Thursday: Hold On To Instruction.  Ask God for wisdom to discern between instruction which is good and that which is not.  Pray that you would be active in holding on to instruction as you put it into practice.  Pray for courage to share the instructions you are holding on to when it will help others.  “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”  Proverbs 4:13 (NIV)

Friday: Let Go Of Selfishness.  Ask God to help you see any seeds of selfishness that may exist in you.  Pray that you would continue to share freely, even in chaotic situations, as you learn to let go of all traces of selfishness.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  (Philippians 2:3 NIV)

Saturday:  Hold On To Courage.  Ask God to help you understand the things in your current situation that cause you to be filled with fear.  Pray that you would live with courage from God that helps you to face each day’s fears and keep going.  Pray that you would draw courage from being a part of God’s eternal family.  “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”  Hebrews 3:6 (NIV)