“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Doing Your Part!

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” 
Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” 
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on spending time in prayer regarding the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  While not everyone  has the same function in the body of Christ, we all have the same head.  It is as we live in submission to Jesus as our head that we grow not only as individuals, but also as a body.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with the humility of submission.  Pray that you would grow in obedience to God’s Word as you serve others with the various gifts and abilities God has given you.  Pray for a desire to do your part without comparisons to what others are doing.  Pray that the local body of Christ would function in a way that lifts up Jesus for the community to be drawn to Him.

“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 doing your part within the 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:  Serving.  Pray that God would help you see, and do, your part in serving the needs of one another.  Pray for a growing willingness to serve within the gathering of believers as God gives opportunity and ability.  Pray that you would represent Jesus well as you humble yourself and serve.  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Teaching.  Pray that you would grow in doing your part of teaching others with your words and actions.  Pray that you would recognize your responsibility from the Great Commission to teach the things of Christ.  Pray that you have courage in your teaching because of the presence of Christ in you.  “And 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)

Wednesday:  Encouraging.  Pray that your attitude, words, and actions would be an encouragement to the people around you.  Pray that you would recognize how God encourages you through others and through His Word so you would grow in the ways you encourage others.  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Thursday:  Giving.  Pray that you would do you part in giving, first to God and then to others, according to His grace.  Pray that your giving of time, money, and ability would be done cheerfully and in response to God’s great gift of everything through His Son.  “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Friday:  Leading.  Pray that you would do your part in leading those God has given you responsibility for.  Pray that all areas in which you lead would be directed from the very heart of God.  Pray that the leaders of the church would have the knowledge and understanding which comes from God.  “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”  Jeremiah 3:15  (NIV)

Saturday:  Mercy/Visiting.  Pray that you would do your part in visiting others and caring for them according to their need.  Pray for the ability to see Jesus work in the lives of people as you extend mercy to them through your acts of visiting, sharing, and kindness.  Pray that you would do everything as one doing it for the Lord.  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”  Matthew 25:40 (NIV)