“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: An Obedient Life!

“But Samuel replied:  ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

This week we will pray about growing in obedience.  As we head into the Christmas season with a focus on giving, one of the answers to the question “What does God want?” is simple — He wants obedience.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you accurately evaluate how obedient you are.  Pray that you would reject the temptation to turn to excuses and “sacrifices” in an attempt to make up for a lack of obedience.  Pray that God’s mercy and grace in times of disobedience would lead you to a greater growth in your desire and practice of obedience.  Pray for the humility necessary to make your obedience to God attractive to all who would see it.  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.

December Prayer Focus:  “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)

“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 with an obedient life every day.

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: Teach Obedience.  Pray that your obedience to the commands of Jesus would be reflected in the way you teach others to obey all He commanded.  Pray that the presence of God with you at all times would motivate you to a life of obedience and a teaching of obedience.  “. . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

Tuesday: Blessings from Obedience.  Pray that you would always listen to the word of God with a desire to obey what He says.  Pray that you would know the blessings of God which He pours out upon those who both listen and obey.  Pray that you would be a blessing to others because of your obedience to the word of God.  “He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”  Luke 11:28 (NIV)

Wednesday: Holy Spirit Given To Those Who Obey.  Pray that you would serve as a witness to the things God does in the lives of people.  Pray that you would recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life through your obedience to God.  Pray that the people around you would know God’s presence in them through their obedience.  “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”  Acts 5:32 (NIV)

Thursday: Obedience To Parents.  Pray for a heart that desires to obey in a way that pleases God.  Pray that you would be faithful in honoring and obeying your parents — regardless of your age or theirs.  Pray that the people around you would understand how much it pleases God for them to be obedient to their parents.  “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”  Colossians 3:20 (NIV)

Friday: Obedience To Leaders.  Pray that you would obey the leaders that God has placed in positions of authority over you.  Pray that your obedience would help leaders to serve with joy.  “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”  Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Obedience To God’s Commands.  Pray that your love for God would always be expressed in your willingness to obey Him.  Pray that you would not become weary in doing what is right.  Pray that you would not view God’s commands as burdensome but would know how He lifts your real burdens as you obey.  “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”  1 John 5:3 (NIV)