“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Finding Peace

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about finding peace in the midst of uncertain times.  As I write this, there is much going on in this world that can be quite troubling if our eyes stay focused on the problems rather than on Christ.  While the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 virus, the financial markets, and many other things add up to a great deal of trouble, Jesus promises that He has overcome the troubles of this world in a way that can bring us real peace.  His peace is a peace that carries us through the troubles as it brings hope to each of us — and helps the world to see Jesus in us.  As you pray this week, continue to pray for the health and safety workers who are on the front lines in dealing with this virus.  Pray for those who are sick and need both healing and peace.  Pray that God would help you to find His peace even as you live in the midst of trouble.  Pray that God would grant wisdom and success to those working to find effective treatments and vaccines.  Pray for one another as we each deal with the circumstances surrounding us with the wisdom and courage we receive from God.  Pray that the peace you experience from God would be lived out in such a way that others would see and seek Jesus.  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 His peace in the midst of chaos.

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:  Finding Peace in Times of Trouble.   Pray that you would look to God for a peace that will sustain you in these uncertain times.  Pray that you would be filled with, and share, God’s peace when trouble and fear come your way.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Finding Peace as You Trust in God.  Pray that you would put your hope in God so that He would fill you with a peace that comes from having a complete trust in Him.  Pray that this peace would overflow with a hope that the world will notice.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Finding Peace through God’s Spirit.  Pray that you would live a Spirit-filled life that would give you a peace that cannot be taken from you.  Pray that you would incorporate the fruit of God’s Spirit into your daily practice of living with peace.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Thursday:  Finding Peace that Brings Unity.  Pray that the unity of the Spirit would lead you to peace with others in the midst of these uncertain times.  Pray that you would work diligently at maintaining unity as God’s Spirit binds you together in peace.  Pray that your interactions with other believers would present a picture of unity through a common peace.  “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

Friday:  Finding Peace that Prepares You to Move.  Pray that you would be prepared to take the gospel message with you everywhere because of its message of peace.  Pray that your readiness to go wherever God leads you would come from a belief in the gospel of peace.  “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Finding Peace that Surpasses Understanding.  Pray that your prayer life would fill you with a peace that surpasses understanding.  Pray that God’s peace would always guard your heart and mind.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)