“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Planting With Care!

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would be careful with what you allow to be sown in your life and with what you are sowing that eventually produce a harvest.  Pray that you would keep your eyes focused on Jesus to the extent that everything you sow with your words and actions would point others to Him.  Pray that the good seed of God’s Word would find good soil in your life and in the lives of those around you.

“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 one who plants wisely.

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:  Sow Righteousness.  Pray that you would seek the Lord in all things as you sow righteousness that produces a harvest of love.  Pray for a softened and prepared life that would allow the seeds of righteousness to grow and flourish in you and around you.  “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)

Tuesday:  Sow Generously.  Pray that you would learn to sow according to the expectation you have for the harvest.  Pray that your generosity with God and with others would produce an abundance for all.  Pray that God’s generosity towards you would be reflected in the way you deal with others in their times of need.  “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”  2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Sow What Is Supplied.  Pray that you would always look to God as the One who supplies, and increases, the seed which you sow.  Pray that you would be faithful in using what God has supplied as He multiplies His righteousness in your life for your benefit and for the benefit of others.  “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)

Thursday:  Sow What You Want To Reap.  Pray that you would consider the outcome God desires for you in this life so that you would sow accordingly.  Pray that God would help you accurately evaluate what you are currently reaping in order to consider if you need to change what you are sowing.  “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”  Galatians 6:7 (NIV)

Friday:  Sow To Please the Spirit.  Pray that you would be ever mindful of God’s Spirit within you as you choose what to sow in this life.  Pray that your desire would always be to sow the things that please the Spirit as you look toward the harvest of eternal life.  “The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  Sow Peace.  Pray that you would seek to sow seeds of peace at all times.  Pray that you would desire the reputation of a peacemaker as you sow with an eye toward a harvest of righteousness.  Pray that peace would rule in your life in such a way that the seeds of peace are planted everywhere you go.  “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”  James 3:18 (NIV)