“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Knowing the Joy of the Lord!

“And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.”
Nehemiah 12:43 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing a joy of the Lord that is unquenchable.  While joy can often feel very elusive because of the way the world defines it, the joy of the Lord is very attainable by holding on to two things.  One, a recognition of the Lord’s presence, and two, an understanding of what the Lord has done that only He could do.  As you pray this week, spend time practicing an awareness of God’s presence.  Pray that you would always be mindful of the work He has done, continues to do, and will do in your life.  Pray that your joy would be such that it cannot be contained.  Pray for a transformed attitude that lives with real joy even when the circumstances of life are difficult.  Pray for an abiding joy that can be shared with others.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue greater obedience to God and love for one another.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them. Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue greater obedience to God and love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as for the body of Christ as a whole.

Bonus Prayer Focus — Restoration Church Planting:  Pray for Brett, Ingrid, and Uriel Mitchell and the work being done in the Philippines.  Pray that the details of their return to the Philippines can be worked out in a timely manner.

“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 live a life that knows the joy that can only come from 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: Knowing Complete Joy.  Pray that you would consistently spend time reading and hearing the words of Jesus that have been given so that you may have joy.  Pray that Christ in you would produce His joy in you.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus give you a joy that is complete.  “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  John 15:11(NIV)

Tuesday: Knowing Kingdom Joy.  Pray that God would transform your priorities as you live as a citizen of His kingdom.  Pray that God’s Spirit would fill you with a hunger and thirst for righteousness and the kingdom things which bring eternal joy.  “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17 (NIV)

Wednesday: Knowing Joy In Your Prayers.  Ask God to help you find joy in praying for others.  Pray that you would be persistent in praying for others as God fills you with the joy of seeing His work in them.  Pray that you would continually learn to “rejoice with those who rejoice” so that your joy in the Lord would be evident to all.  “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”  Philippians 1:4 (NIV)

Thursday: Knowing Great Joy.  Pray that the love you have for God and others would fill both your heart and theirs with great joy.  Pray that your life would be refreshing to others so that they would be filled with great joy.  Pray that Jesus would be evident to others as they see the great joy He has given you.  “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”  Philemon 1:7 (NIV)

Friday: Knowing Pure Joy.  Pray that God would refine your joy so that it is pure.  Pray for a transformation of your mind that allows you to consider the testings and trials of life as pure joy.  Pray for the courage to face the difficulties of life with a joy that is contagious as you grow from the lessons being taught by God’s Spirit.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”  James 1:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Knowing Glorious Joy.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with a joy so glorious that it leaves you speechless.  Pray that the joy of the Lord in you would increase your faith and that your faith would increase your joy.  “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”  1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)