“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Time To Plant!

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.”
Galatians 6:7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on praying about some things that God would have us to plant in order to have a good harvest.  Planting requires that we work now even as we look toward the future.  For many gardeners, the snow covered ground where I live signals a time to browse seed catalogs and purchase the seeds which represent the harvest they hope to enjoy.  As you pray this week, spend time with God learning what you ought to be planting.  Pray that your work today would prepare a great harvest in your life and in the lives you are planting in.  Pray for wisdom in recognizing the time to plant is now.  Pray for the humility needed to plant with gentleness and respect as you share the good news of Jesus with others.  Pray for a growing faith that continues to plant when the time for harvest seems uncertain.

“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’s help in planting good seed.

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:  A Time To Plant With Tears.  Pray that the seeds planted in your life, and planted by your life, would be watered by the tears which come from the godly sorrow of repentance.  Pray for a glimpse beyond the tears of today to see the joy that awaits those who are faithful.  Pray that the things you plant today would lead to joy in the lives of others.  “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”  Psalm 126:5 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Time To Plant Righteousness.  Pray that God would soften hardened hearts as you plant seeds of righteousness.  Pray that a continual seeking of God would take place as you plant righteousness.  “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.”  Hosea 10:12 (NIV)

Wednesday:  A Time To Plant Generously.  Pray that you would learn to plant generously as one who desires a generous harvest.  Pray for a spirit of generosity that reflects the nature of God.  Pray that your life would be one that bears much fruit as a result of what you plant.  “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”  2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

Thursday:  A Time To Plant What You’ve Been Given.  Pray that you would know God as the source of all good things.  Pray for an increase in what you plant, and in what you harvest, as you trust God to supply both.  Pray about how God would have you use everything He has given you.  “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”  2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV)

Friday:  A Time To Plant For Eternity.  Pray that you would always be mindful of the true nature of all that you are planting.  Pray that God’s Spirit would fill you with an awareness of the things which lead to eternal life.  “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:8(NIV)

Saturday:  A Time To Plant Peace.  Pray that you would always be one who responds positively to the seeds of peace with God which have been planted in your life.  Pray that good and godly peace would be at the heart of all your interactions with others.  Pray that your pursuit of peace would always be done with a goal of receiving a harvest of God’s righteousness.  “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”  James 3:18 (NIV)