“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

When God Says Go!

“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’”  
Matthew 2:13 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer emphasis on how we ought to respond when God says go!  While there are times when God gives specific direction as to where we ought to go, as He did with Joseph and Mary, other times the direction is more about just taking Jesus with us wherever we go.  As children of God, He has called us to be active in sharing the good news of Jesus everywhere we go.  Sometimes we lose sight of where all “everywhere” might mean so this week’s prayer focus should remind us that everywhere means everywhere.  As you pray this week, consider the how and why of God saying to you, “Go!”.  Pray that you would learn obedience to the directions of God’s Word and His Spirit.  Pray for wisdom to understand when God says go and when He says stay.  Pray that you would courageously take the message of salvation everywhere you go.  Pray about how God would use your testimony where you are at now, and also in every place He may lead you.

“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 share Jesus wherever you go.

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: Go To the Street.  Pray that you would see all people as valuable.  Pray that you would take the message of Jesus to where the people are who still need to hear it.  Pray for a spirit of humility to fill your message of good news to all people.  “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.”  Matthew 22:9 (NIV)

Tuesday: Go To Your Family.  Pray that you would not neglect to talk to your family about all that Jesus has done for you.  Pray others would known of God’s mercy upon your life.  Pray for wisdom in sharing the good news of Jesus with those who know you well.  “Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’”  Mark 5:19 (NIV)

Wednesday: Go and Show Mercy.  Pray that your understanding of God’s mercy would compel you to be merciful.  Pray that you would be willing to extend mercy to the people around you.  Pray that the good news of Jesus would be listened to because of your willingness to show mercy.  “The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”  Luke 10:37 (NIV)

Thursday: Go and Leave Sin.  Pray that you make a deliberate decision to remove yourself from the places of sin in your life.  Pray that God’s forgiveness would always be cause to leave sin behind.  Pray for wisdom in communicating a message which doesn’t condemn a person, but also doesn’t make sin acceptable.  “‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’”  John 8:11 (NIV)

Friday: Go and Bear Fruit.  Pray that your life would bear much lasting fruit as you follow the call of Jesus to go.  Pray that God’s will for you to bear fruit is evident in what you ask for.  Pray that the good news of Jesus would produce much fruit both in your life and in the lives of those you share it with.  “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”  John 15:16 (NIV)

Saturday:  Go Find the Missing.   Pray that you would notice people who are missing, and then actively search for them.  Pray that you would have the heart of Jesus in regard to people who are missing.  Pray with thankfulness that Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost.  “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” Matthew 18:12 (NIV)