“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Chosen To Be Ready!

“If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Luke 12:39-40 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be ready.  Have you ever missed out on something because you were not ready?  It could just be me, but I’m guessing we’ve all “been there and (not) done that.”  Sometimes we’re not ready simply because we didn’t want to be.  Perhaps we actually wanted to miss whatever it was, and the easiest way to do that was to not be ready for it.  Many times we miss out by not being ready because we thought we had more time.  We either miscalculated how much work would be required to get ready or what we were getting ready for happened sooner, or at a different time, than we had anticipated.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only be being ready for the return of Christ, but also to help you live life ready for the moment.  Pray that your life in Christ would make you ready today for all that He desires in you.  Pray that your readiness would result in a life which represents Jesus well.

“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 ready.

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: Be Ready for Jesus.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would grow in such a way that you are ready for His return at any time.  Pray that you would know the urgency of sharing about Jesus with others so they will be ready.  “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”  Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

Tuesday: Be Ready to Give Generously.  Pray that you would be prepared to give in accordance to the desire God has placed within you.  Pray that your readiness to give generously would be an encouragement and example to others.  “For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.”  2 Corinthians 9:2 (NIV)

Wednesday: Be Ready for Works of Service.  Pray that God’s gifting in the lives of others would prepare you for the works of service that are yours to do.  Pray that God’s gifting in your life would prepare others for works of service.  “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”  Ephesians 4:12 (NIV)

Thursday: Be Ready to Do Good.  Pray that your obedience to those in authority would prepare you to do whatever is good.  Pray for those in authority, that their decisions would allow you to do good most effectively.  Pray that you would know, and do, the good you ought to do.  “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.”  Titus 3:1 (NIV)

Friday: Be Ready for Action.  Pray that your mind would always be ready to lead the action God calls you to.  Pray that God’s grace would not only guard your mind, but would lead it into action.  “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

Saturday:  Be Ready to Give an Answer.  Pray that you would take hold of the hope of God in such a way that you are always ready to answer questions about it.  Pray that your readiness to answer would treat others with gentleness and respect.  “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”  1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)