“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Vision To Return!

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we, and those around us, would return to Him whenever we stray.  One of the greatest promises of God is that there is always a way home from wherever we are.  Foundational to the vision God desires each of us to live with is an awareness we can always come home.  As you pray this week, consider if there are areas of your life in which you need to return to God.  Pray for those you know, perhaps even yourself, who are distant from God and need to know they can return.  Pray that your life would reflect the openness of God to those who are looking for a way home.  Pray that you would know how to return to God so that you would be able to help lead others back to Him also.  Pray for a  heart of compassion that accepts those returning to God with the same joy that He has.

“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 live with, and share, a message of returning to Him.

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: Return In Obedience.  Pray for the humility needed to repent of any disobedience as you return to God fully.  Pray for discernment to know a way home when the troubles you face are the result of straying away from God.  “When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him.”  Deuteronomy 4:30 (NIV)

Tuesday: Return To Find Compassion.  Pray that God’s compassion would be evident to others in the way He treats you.  Pray that you would have compassion for others because of the compassion God has for you.  “If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate.”  2 Chronicles 30:9

Wednesday: Return With Joy.  Pray that God would give you a glimpse beyond your current sorrow to see the joy that comes in His  harvest.  Pray for a heart that goes out to people as you plant the seeds of the gospel through all that you say and do.  “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”  Psalm 126:5-6

Thursday: Return With a Whole Heart.  Pray that you would accurately examine how much of your heart you have surrendered to God.  Pray that you would realize the heart God has given you is one that was created to seek after Him with a whole heart.  “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”  Jeremiah 24:7

Friday: Return With Love and Justice.  Pray that love and justice would always be at the core of your relationship with God.  Pray that the people around you would return to God to find true love and justice.  Pray that you would not give up on yourself, others, or God as you maintain love and justice.  “But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.”  Hosea 12:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Return and Give Praise To God.  Pray that you would always be grateful for the work God is doing in  your life.  Pray for a heart of gratitude that continually gives praise to God.  Pray for a recognition of all that God is doing for you as you constantly return to Him with praise.  “Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’”  Luke 17:18 (NIV)