“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Jesus In Your Boat!

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:32-33 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on living life with Jesus in our boat.  While we often focus on Peter getting out of the boat to walk toward Jesus, we tend to miss that Jesus not only lifted Peter from sinking but He then got in the boat with all the disciples to calm the sea.  Imagine living life with an awareness of Jesus in your boat . . . or in your car, or home, or workplace, or anywhere else.  As you pray this week, consider some of the work Jesus did when He came to earth — work which Isaiah prophesied about and work we ought to be doing as His representatives!  Pray that the storms of life would be calmed by the presence of Jesus with you.  Pray that God’s Spirit in you would be the calming presence of Jesus to the people you encounter everywhere you go.  Pray that you would be actively involved in doing the things Jesus came to earth to accomplish on His way to the cross. 

“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 Jesus in your boat.

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: Jesus In Your Anointing.  Pray that your life would always reflect the anointing of God’s Spirit that is given to all Christians.  Pray that the divine blessing of God’s Spirit would always fill you with truth which comes from God.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would produce the evidence of His Spirit in your life.  “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.”  1 John 2:20  (NIV)

Tuesday: Jesus In Your Treatment of the Poor.  Pray that you would be eager to share the good news in all ways possible to the poor.  Pray that you would notice the different ways of being poor.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would change how you treat the poor.  “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”  Galatians 2:10 (NIV)

Wednesday: Jesus In Your Dealing With the Brokenhearted.  Pray that you would be an encourager to the weary as you help the brokenhearted find healing within a relationship with Jesus.  Pray that you would know the healing of Jesus in your brokenness.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would open your eyes to the broken.  “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Jesus In Your Message of Freedom.  Pray that you would live as one who is free and actively proclaim that freedom to all who live in bondage.  Pray that you would walk by the Spirit in such a way that people can see a way to freedom.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would announce freedom.  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

Friday: Jesus In Your Restoration of Sight.  Pray that your eyes would be opened fully to the work of God in your life so that you would help others see the truth of Jesus.  Pray that you would understand rightly the judgments of Jesus.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would help you to see.  “Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’”  John 9:39 (NIV)

Saturday:  Jesus In Your Favor To People.  Pray that you would daily recognize the Lord’s favor in your life and proclaim that same type of favor to those around you.  Pray that your involvement in the lives of others would allow His favor in their lives to spill over to you.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would result in you showing His favor to others.   “Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them.”  Psalm 106:4 (NIV)