“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Vision of Care!

“I will strengthen them in the LORD and in his name they will walk,” declares the LORD.”
Zechariah 10:12 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer emphasis on living with a growing understanding of God’s care for us so that we would reflect that care to others.  When we gaze into God’s Word, we discover the ongoing example of His care for people.  In love, God calls us to Himself and takes care of the sin which separates us from Him.  When we care for people the way God cares for us, we walk with Him.  As you pray this week, consider they many ways you have experienced God’s care.  Pray that your care for others would grow as you desire for them to know God’s care.  Pray that you would know how to care for the things which are your responsibility and how to trust God with the things which aren’t your responsibility.  Pray that God’s care, and your care, would strengthen people in the Lord so that together we may walk in His name.  Pray that the body of Christ would grow in the ways we experience and express God’s care.

“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 experience and share His care.

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:  Care For Creation.  Pray that you would know how to care for the things God has created and has given you stewardship of.  Pray that you would understand how much God cares for His work as He gives value both to creation and to the one He calls to care for it.  “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”  Genesis 2:15 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Care For the Place of Worship.  Pray that you would know how to be involved in caring for the places we gather at to worship God.  Pray that you would care about God being represented well in your life.  Pray that you would care for yourself as the sanctuary of God’s Spirit.  “Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the flour and wine, and the oil, incense and spices.”  1 Chronicles 9:29 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Care For the Poor.  Pray that you would have a right attitude toward things being made right for the poor.  Pray that you would know how to live with godly justice toward all who might struggle to be seen and heard.  Pray that you would be filled with compassion and concern for the poor.  “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”  Proverbs 29:7 (NIV)

Thursday:  Care For God’s People.  Pray that you would consider the needs of others to be more important than your own.  Pray that those under your care would know you one who cares for them even more than you care for yourself.  “’This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?’” Ezekial 34:2 (NIV)

Friday:  Care For the Hurting.  Pray that you would be moved to compassion in a way that compels you to help the hurting.  Pray that you would be willing to give of yourself to care for the hurting rather than expect someone else to do it.  “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.”  Luke 10:34 (NIV)

Saturday:  Care For Your Family.  Pray that you would be diligent in caring, to the best of your ability with God’s help, for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of your family.  Pray that the care you have for your family would be an example of how God wants His family cared for through you.  “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?”  1 Timothy 3:5 (NIV)