“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Chosen To Be a Living Stone!

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“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 be involved as a living stone in the building of His kingdom.

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:  A Living Sacrifice.  Pray for a correct view of how much you need God’s mercy.  Pray that your response to God’s mercy would lead you to fully offer yourself to Him.  Pray that your worship of God would include a sacrifice of yourself to Him. “Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.”  Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Living Testimony.  Pray that your encounter with Jesus would create a testimony that reveals a living God.  Pray that you would become comfortable in sharing your testimony of how God has used the good, the bad, and the ugly of your life to reveal Himself.  “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’”  John 4:39 (NIV)

Wednesday:  A Living Occupant.  Pray that you would be one who lives life in such a way that people notice Jesus in you.  Pray that the people around you would know you as a good neighbor because of Jesus in you.  Ask God to help you live as one who obeys His Word.  “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.”  John 17:6 (NIV)

Thursday:  A Living Nation.  Pray that your life would become a praise offering to God as you choose to be a kingdom citizen.  Ask God to help you know you belong to a holy nation that exceeds any nation of this world.  “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’”  John 18:36 (NIV)

Friday:  A Living Example.  Pray that you would continually grow in your knowledge and understanding of the example of Jesus.  Pray that your life would reflect Jesus in increasing ways each day.  Pray that you would be a godly example in all circumstances.  Pray that your example would be one that is lived and not just said.  “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  John 13:5 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Living Stone.  Pray that your life would be one of the building blocks of God’s kingdom.  Pray that the living and active Word of God would be written on your heart and expressed in the way you live.  Pray that the people around you would be able to clearly read the message of God engraved on your life.  “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”  2 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)