“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Finding What Seems Lost!

“Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”
Luke 15:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will have us praying about finding some things which at times appear lost . . . either lost to us or at least very difficult to find.  Being found in Christ completes us with an ongoing process of growth which helps us not only notice what is lost, but gives us direction in finding it.  When we seek the things of God, we ought to expect to find the things He would want to see in us.    What we find is usually determined in part by what we look for and what we look for is often based on what we want to find.    As you pray this week, ask God to direct you in the search for what He would have you find.  Pray that you would not only find what you are looking for, but you would know the purpose God has for the things you find.  Pray that you would not be content with just finding the things God wants you to have, but that you would be faithful in doing the things you find in Him to do.

“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 help you find what seems lost.

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: Find Wisdom.  Pray that you would know the sweetness that comes from the wisdom found in God.  Pray that you would live with hope now, and an eternal hope, through the wisdom you find in Christ.  Pray that the people around you would find wisdom in Christ.  “Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”  Proverbs 24:14 (NIV)

Tuesday: Find Soul Rest.  Pray that you would learn from Jesus when you find yourself in need of rest for your soul.  Pray that you would know the gentleness and humility that leads to the rest you can find in Jesus.  Pray for the courage to help others find rest in Jesus when their soul is weary.  “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:29  (NIV)

Wednesday: Find Your Brother.  Pray that your daily encounters with Christ would lead you to find the people around you who need to know Him.  Pray that the people you find would become brothers and sisters in Christ as you lead them to Jesus.  “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus.”  John 1:41-42  (NIV)

Thursday: Find a Place of Prayer.  Ask God to help you seek out places of prayer that allow for intimate conversations with God.  Pray that you would make prayer a priority as you find that everywhere can be a place of prayer.  “On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.”  Acts 16:13 (NIV)

Friday: Find What Pleases the Lord.  Pray that you would find what pleases the Lord, and then do it.  Pray that your life would please the Lord as the Spirit produces His fruit in you.  “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.”  Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Find Grace.  Pray that you would be confident in your approach to God as you find grace from Him.  Pray that you would find the help that you, and others, need through the grace God offers.  Pray that others would receive grace from you.  “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)