“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Good News Will Grow!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about some important elements that exist in increasing measure as the good news of Jesus grows in us.  We can be strong in the Lord because of the power of God at work through our weaknesses.  But that doesn’t mean that we can sit back and take a passive role in growing strong.  No, God has work for us to do as we grow in the characteristics that His Spirit produces in our life.  We grow strong when we put on the full armor of God so that we are equipped to stand against the schemes of the devil.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see strength from His perspective.  Pray that you would not only put on the full armor of God, but that you would check it each day to make sure you are still using it.  Pray that you would pursue the things of God that make you strong — not necessarily strong by the world’s standards, but strong according to God.  Pray for the wisdom to live with the strength only God can give.

“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 the good news of Jesus to grow in 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:  Grow Submissively.  Pray that you would have the strength to submit not only to Christ, but also to the needs of others.  Pray that your strength will allow you to submit even when others fail due to weakness.  Pray that your desire to please God would continually grow.  “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”  Romans 15:1 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Grow Truthfully.  Pray that you would grow in godly strength as you pursue truth.  Pray that you would grow strong as you speak the truth in love and as you listen to truth spoken in love.  “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”  Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Grow Repentantly.  Pray that you would grow strong as you learn to repent of sin and of all the times you fail to do what you have received and heard from God’s Word.  Pray that your strength in repentance would prepare you for the return of Jesus.  “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”  Revelation 3:3 (NIV)

Thursday:  Grow Obediently.  Pray that you would gain strength as you grow in the practice of obey the commands of God.  Pray that the strength of obeying God’s laws would keep you from being afraid or discouraged as you learn success from God’s perspective.  “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”  1 Chronicles 22:13 (NIV)

Friday:  Grow Naturally.  Pray that you would have the strength to “wait upon the Lord” and grow naturally as you live life in Christ.  Pray that you would be filled with wisdom and strength as you enjoy the natural process of growing as a child of God.  “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.”  Luke 2:40 (NIV)

Saturday:  Grow Gracefully.  Pray that you would know the grace of God that is given through His Son, Jesus.  Pray that the grace you have received would be the grace you give to the people around you.  Pray that you would live with the strength that comes from sharing God’s grace with others.  “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)