“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

An Undivided Church!

“I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.  You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”
1 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being one who pursues an undivided witness as the body of Christ.  God’s desire is that we all grow into a maturity that values each person for who they are in Christ.  While God’s standards of right and wrong are the same for each person, it is far too easy to find ourselves caught up in quarrels and jealousy based on our own standards of importance.  God wants to use our differences, not to divide us, but to help the world see the power of God in an undivided way.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value you have to Him just the way He has gifted you.  Pray that you would see others with that same sense of being made by God in a way that is just right.  Pray that the things you build your life on would always be centered on the unchanging Word of God.  Pray for a growing unity in Christ that helps the world to see Him in us.

“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 living as a part of an undivided body of Christ.

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:  Undivided Belief.  Pray that you would live with an undivided belief which is based on God’s Word.  Pray that your sharing the good news of Jesus would lead others to an undivided belief that is centered on Jesus rather than on the messenger.  “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task.”  1 Corinthians 3:5 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Undivided Growth.  Pray that you would be faithful in doing your part in a way that avoids division as God makes your work grow.  Pray that you would learn the value of each person and each part of the process as God brings undivided growth to His body.  Pray for humility that will see the work of God at the core of all growth.  “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”  1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Undivided Purpose.  Pray that you would always look to God as your source of purpose.  Pray that you would grow in an understanding of how God uses each person’s unique work to accomplish an undivided purpose that is rewarded by God.  “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.”  1 Corinthians 3:8 (NIV)

Thursday:  Undivided Work.  Pray that God would help you to see how the work of others is combined with your work to accomplish His plans.  Pray for God’s insight into what it looks like for you and those around you to be God’s workers, God’s field, and God’s building.  Pray for a godly focus in all that you do which helps you to interact with others in an undivided work.  “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”  1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV)

Friday:  Undivided Foundation.  Pray that every aspect of your life would be built on one foundation, the foundation of Jesus Christ.  Pray that the way you live would clearly show those around you exactly who your life is built upon.  Pray for a growing unity with those who are also building upon this undivided foundation.  “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV)

Saturday:  Undivided Wisdom.  Pray that you would not be deceived by others or by yourself when it comes to what true wisdom looks like.  Pray that you would live with God’s Word as the single standard of wisdom in your life.  Pray that the way you represent Jesus would help others to see an undivided wisdom that comes from God.  “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise.”  1 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)