“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Observation!

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on some things God would want us to open our eyes to and observe.  As we walk with God, it is important that we ask Him to open our eyes to the work He is doing — and to the work He has for us to do.  As we consider the great cost of being a disciple, we observe that it is not simply a great cost to us but that the greatest cost was paid by God.  It is that recognition that should turn our focus toward Him as we willingly pay the price of surrender in order to receive that which we could never pay for on our own.  When we pray observantly, we learn to take notice of the things around us and we use those visual cues as prayer prompts.  As you pray this week, ask God to open your eyes to see Him.  Pray that you would see God more clearly, others more fully, and yourself more accurately.  Pray that you would live with open eyes as you interact with God and with people.  Pray that your open eyes would help you to see others as God sees them — and yourself as God sees you.  Pray that God’s presence would always be noticed by you and through 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 to open your eyes to the work He desires to do in you and through you.

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: Observe Your Need.  As you pray, ask God to give you clarity in your observation of the great need that is common among people.  Pray that your eyes would be open to your need for a covering that only  God can provide.  “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”  Genesis 3:7 (NIV)

Tuesday: Observe God’s Provision.  As you pray, ask God to help you observe all that He has provided as you acknowledge Him as the source of all good things.  Pray that you would see how you could be the instrument of God’s provision in the lives of others.  “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”  Genesis 21:19 (NIV)

Wednesday: Observe God’s Message.  As you pray, ask God to help you observe and pay attention to the many ways He communicates His message.  Pray that you would respond with appropriate worship to the message of  God’s Word.  “Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.”  Numbers 22:31 (NIV)

Thursday: Observe God’s Word.  As you pray, ask God to help you observe the wonder that is found in His Word.  Pray that the wonder of creation would help you to see the wonder of God throughout His word.  Pray that your eyes would be opened in a way that sees God’s law in a whole new light.  “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”  Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Friday: Observe God’s Promises.  As you pray, ask God to help you watch for the many ways that God keeps and fulfills His promises.  Pray for a life which shares the promises of God.  Pray that you would never tire of looking into the Word of God to consider the incredible promises God makes to His children.  “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.”  Psalm 119:148 (NIV)

Saturday:  Observe the Harvest.  As you pray, ask God to give you eyes which are observant to the harvest opportunities around you.  Pray that you would not miss your chances to make the most of every opportunity.  Pray that you would see the urgency of sharing Jesus with the people around you.  “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”  John 4:35 (NIV)