“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Father to the Fatherless!

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” 
Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV)

As we celebrate Father’s Day to begin the week, this week we will focus our prayer emphasis on God’s concern for the fatherless.  As we pray to be more Christ-like, we must pray that our response to the fatherless would be the same as God’s.  There are many in our community who live as fatherless regardless of the presence of a dad in their life.  Pray that God would equip us to help men to live as fathers who honor God and their family.  Pray for the courage and desire to be fathers for those who have none.  Pray for those on the front lines of representing Jesus to the fatherless — youth workers, school teachers, school counselors, school staff, coaches, and all others who have consistent contact with young people each day.  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.

“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 His heart for the fatherless.

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:  Defend the Fatherless.  Pray for the courage and wisdom to stand up for the fatherless when it comes to them having their needs met.  Pray that your love of people would be seen in the ways you defend and provide for the fatherless.  Pray that God is seen in you as you take up the cause of the fatherless.  “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.”  Deuteronomy 10:18 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Provide Justice to the Fatherless.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity to see that the fatherless around you receive justice.  Pray that you would be mindful of how your actions either help or hinder true justice for the fatherless.  Pray that you would have wisdom in being an advocate for those with no voice.  “Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice.”  Deuteronomy 24:17 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Rescue the Fatherless.  Pray that you would have ears to hear the cries of the fatherless.  As you hear their cries, pray that you would rescue them in their time of need.  Pray that God would cause His heart of compassion to grow within you each time you hear the cries of those who have no help.   “Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him.”  Job 29:12 (NIV)

Thursday:  Help the Fatherless.  Pray that you would accurately reflect the character of God as you provide help to the fatherless.  Pray that God’s love and compassion would be seen in you as learn to help those who have no one to help them.  Pray that you would trust in God’s help when you are in need.  “The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”  Psalm 10:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Sustain the Fatherless.  Pray that God would fill you with an attitude of generosity as He provides ways for you to sustain the fatherless.  Pray that you would be one to watch over and care for the fatherless in a way that accurately reflects God’s love.  “The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”  Psalm 146:9 (NIV)

Saturday:  Show Compassion to the Fatherless.  Pray that your approach to the fatherless around you would be filled with the same compassion that God has for them.  Pray that you would know the compassion of God in a way that causes you to reject the worship of anything you can do.  “We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” Hosea 14:3 (NIV)