“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Perseverance

“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:4 (NIV)

In a world where the layers of pretense regarding mankind’s ability to control the details of life are continually being peeled away, this week’s prayer focus is about living with perseverance.  I originally wrote and published this prayer guide a couple years ago but felt our current circumstances make its return useful.  In a world that is always in a hurry, perseverance can be a rare and little sought characteristic in our life.  God not only wants us to persevere, He wants us to find purpose and joy in doing so.  God promises an eternal reward not to those who are just faithful for a while, but to those who are faithful to the end.  Perseverance is the quality that keeps us pursuing God even in the midst of a global pandemic.  It is through these tough times that God works to mature us into the people He knows we ought to be because it is who He created us to be.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not give up.  Pray that you would look ahead to the end result of perseverance as  you struggle through the daily difficulty of life.  Pray that you would not be the cause of someone wanting to give up.  Pray for the humility needed to look past the criticism and doubts of others so that you can see the eternal value of perseverance as you seek to live a life that is faithful to the end.  Pray that the people around you would be encouraged by your words and actions to persevere in their faith and pursuit of God.  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 family as well as 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 strengthen you in faith and perseverance.

Sunday:  Pray for your church staff and leadership as they navigate the many complexities of leading and shepherding in these uncertain times.  Pray for the spiritual and financial health of the congregation to remain strong during this time of not being able to meet together physically.  Pray that God would work through you in a mighty way to encourage others this week.

Monday: Perseverance that Produces.  Pray that you would have a good and noble heart that readily accepts the Word of God.  Pray that you would give God’s Word time to grow and produce a crop in your life and in the lives of others.  “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”  Luke 8:15 (NIV)

Tuesday: Perseverance In Suffering.  Pray that you would know the value of perseverance to such an extent that you would rejoice in the things that produces it in you.  Pray that you would help others grow in their faith as they see the sufferings of life producing perseverance in you.  “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”  Romans 5:3 (NIV)

Wednesday: Perseverance Because of Love.  Pray that you would pursue a greater love that helps you to always persevere.  Pray that the people around you would know more of God’s love as they see it in you.  Pray that God would fill you with a love that perseveres even among those you find unlovable.  “[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”  1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)

Thursday: Perseverance Which Gets Noticed.  Pray that you would be encouraged in your faith as you observe the perseverance of others.  Pray that you would find ways for the difficulties you face in life to be an example to others of godly perseverance.  “Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”  2 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV)

Friday: Perseverance In Life and Doctrine.  Pray that you would pay close attention to what you believe and how you do life.  Pray that nothing would sway you from living a godly life that holds fast to the teachings of Jesus.  “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”  1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)

Saturday:  Perseverance that Is Rewarded.  Pray that you would not lose sight of the eternal reward promised to those who persevere in doing God’s will.  Pray that you would help others know the importance of seeking and doing the will of God in all circumstances.  “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”  Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)