“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

The Good News!

“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.”
1 Corinthians 15:1 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on remembering and living the good news of the gospel.  The mind is a fascinating place where many things that we would just as soon forget seem to be etched in place while the things we want to remember slip through without taking root.  This trait has not escaped God’s notice and He continually calls for His people to use various means to remember the things which are of eternal importance — the essence of the good news of Jesus.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you always remember not only the gospel, but also your response to it.  Pray that you would live with an awareness of how your stand on the gospel helps remind others of the power of the good news of Jesus.  Pray that you would actively find appropriate ways to remind others of the gospel you proclaim.  Pray for a consistency in what you share about the gospel and how you live by the gospel.  Pray that you and the people around you would know God’s Word as good news.

“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 remembering and sharing the good news of Jesus.

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:  Good News of Salvation.  Pray that you would always hold fast to the saving power of the gospel.  Pray that you would live as one who is saved by the good news of Jesus.  Pray that your life would proclaim salvation in no other name but Jesus.  “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:2 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Good News to Share.  Pray that you would always be aware of opportunities to share the good news just as someone shared it with you.  Pray that the essence of the gospel would be of first importance as you share the good news of Jesus with others.  Pray for wisdom in sharing what others need to hear.  “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”  1 Corinthians 15:3 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Good News from Scripture.  Pray for a growing desire to know and live by the good news found in scripture.  Pray that God’s Word would be alive and active in your life just as it was being lived out by Jesus.  Pray that you would know Jesus as the One who fulfilled scripture.  “That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”  1 Corinthians 15:4 (NIV)

Thursday:  Good News of Restoration.  Pray that you would know the restoring power of God’s love as He comes to you even after you fail Him.  Pray that you help others know the restoration that is available in Christ.  Pray that the people around you would know of God’s desire to be revealed in them.  “And that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”  1 Corinthians 15:5 (NIV)

Friday:  Good News of Hope.  Pray that you would know the hope of Christ which endures beyond the days of this life.  Pray that the good news of hope would spread and grow in the lives of others as the power of God is revealed through Jesus.  “After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.”  1 Corinthians 15:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Good News at the Right Time.  Pray that you would rejoice in the good news which you heard and received at the right time in your life.  Pray that you would continually grow in your trust of God’s timing in everything — especially in making Himself known to us.  Pray that you would be faithful in sharing the good news of Jesus with people as you trust God to make it grow at the right time.  “And last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”  1 Corinthians 15:8 (NIV)