“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Vision of Truth!

“Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’”  
John 18:37 (NIV)

This week, our prayer focus will be on truth.  Matthew and John each record 30 times when Jesus used the phrase, “I tell you the truth”.  Truth is important to God and therefore ought to be important to us as his children.  Like nearly everything else, the truth which comes from God is vastly different from what is presented as truth by this world.  God’s truth must fill our heart so that our actions spring forth from that truth.  As you pray this week, pray for a greater vision of what godly truth really looks like, both in thought and in action.  Pray that you would not sacrifice truth to the gods of convenience, expediency, favor, or political correctness.  In living and speaking truth, pray that you would always do so in love.  Pray that the way you listen to Jesus would proclaim to those around you that you live on the side of truth.  Pray for a growing pursuit of God’s truth and that such a pursuit would help you more accurately represent Jesus.

“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 a growing understanding and acceptance of His truth.

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: Truth In Judgment.  Pray that you would accept the truthfulness of God’s judgment against the sin in your life.  Pray for wisdom in sharing with others regarding God’s judgment against sin.  Pray for hearts and lives to be transformed by the blood of Jesus as the only way to overcome true judgment.  “Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.”  Romans 2:2 (NIV)

Tuesday: Truth Which Purifies.  Pray that your love for others would increase as you are continually purified through an obedience to the truth.  Pray that the people around you would experience a purity of truth which helps them grow in love.  “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”  1 Peter 1:22 (NIV)

Wednesday: Truth Which Remains.  Pray that you would hold fast to truth while the enemy tries to snatch if from you.  Pray for the spiritual strength to withstand the opposition to truth which is so prevalent in the world.  Pray that the truth of the good news of Jesus would remain with you at all times.  “We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.”  Galatians 2:5 (NIV)

Thursday: Truth Which Supports & Protects.  Pray that you would know how the truth of God holds together everything which is necessary for you to be protected from the attacks of the enemy.  Pray that you would stand firm in the truth of God’s Word as it lifts you up and protects you from the destructive nature of deceit.  “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”  Ephesians 6:14 (NIV)

Friday: Truth Which Is Handled Correctly.  Pray that you would be an eager student of God’s Word so that you would handle its truth correctly.  Pray for wisdom in the way you use the truth of God’s Word in your own life and in the lives of others.  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Truth Which Leads To Godliness.  Pray that your very nature would be transformed by a knowledge and practice of the truth of God’s Word.  Pray that you would grow in godliness as you choose to put the truth of God’s Word into practice.  “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.”  Titus 1:1 (NIV)