“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Foundation of Prayer!

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to build for revival on a foundation of prayer!  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it, or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When confronted with the devastating condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah  laid a foundation of prayer in order to see God’s perspective of what was needed.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray — both qualities that will require God’s help.  Pray that your desire for revival would be built upon a foundation of prayer.

“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 each of us build with a foundation of prayer.

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: Pursue.  Spend time with God considering, even writing out, what it would look like for you to pursue God wholeheartedly.  Pray that your whole heart would be involved in seeking God.  Pray that you would pursue God in a conversation with Him which leads you to a right foundation for revival.  “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: Repent.  As you pray, listen for God to reveal not just actions, but even thoughts for which you need to turn to Him in repentance.  Pray that you would turn to God for the strength and courage to change the things that need revived in your life.   “Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”  Acts 8:22 (NIV)

Wednesday: Act.  Spend the necessary time listening to God so that your prayers result in God-led action.  Pray that you would see and respond to the opportunities that God gives you.  Pray about how your action of spending time with God prepares you to build.  “If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”  James 2:16 (NIV)

Thursday: Yield.  Empty yourself daily of your will so that the focus of your prayers would be fully yielded to God.  Pray that God’s will would not only be done, but that it is your priority.  Pray for a desire to build on the foundation laid by Jesus.  “He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.'”  Matthew 26:42 (NIV)

Friday: Encourage.  Pray that you would be filled with, and share, encouragement as you cry out to God as a way of life.  Pray for wisdom in using the stories of your struggles to encourage others.  Pray that you would be encouraged, even as you encourage others, in pursuing a revived life.  “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”  Psalm 10:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Rejoice!  Recognize, and rejoice, in the greatness of God being found by all who would seek Him.  Pray for a heart that constantly rejoices as you live in the presence of God.  Pray that your desire to build on a solid foundation of godly wisdom would result in rejoicing by you and those around you.  “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.”  Psalm 105:3 (NIV)