“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Understanding the Test!

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will return to a topic we looked at earlier this year concerning the various tests we face in life.  Testing, when handled poorly, will often lead us to sin.  When handled correctly, however, those same tests can serve to illuminate our growth in Christ.  As Jesus was led into the desert to face temptation, He did so as one prepared for the test through prayer, fasting, and the Word of God.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be ready for every test you will face.  Pray that you live life preparing yourself to be ready for the temptations which are common to mankind.  Pray that the testing of your faith would always produce a confidence in the faithfulness of God.  Pray that God would fill you with wisdom to know when to stand against temptation and when to follow the way out which God provides..

“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 grow in the way you are encouraged and the way you encourage others.

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: Tested By Opposition.  Pray that your response to those who oppose the message of Christ would always be based out of humility.  Pray that you would learn to serve with greater humility even as your faith is tested by those who disagree with you.  “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.”  Acts 20:19 (NIV)

Tuesday: Tested For Obedience.  Pray that you would learn godly obedience when faced with testing of any kind.  Pray that you learn God’s Word for the purpose of knowing how He wants you to live.  Pray that your life of obedience to Christ would be an example to all.  “The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.”  2 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

Wednesday: Tested In Sincerity.  Pray that your response to the needs of others would reflect the sincerity of your love for people.  Pray for an awareness of how your good works done for God are tested not by a comparison of size, but rather by a comparison of desire.  “I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.”  2 Corinthians 8:8 (NIV)

Thursday: Tested As Individuals.  Pray for clarity in testing your own actions by the standard of God’s presence in your life.  Pray that you would live with confidence in the way you offer the best of yourself to God.  Pray that you would avoid the trap of individual comparisons.  “Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.”  Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

Friday: Tested To Serve  Pray that you would prove your faithfulness in the small things on your way to doing greater things for Christ.  Pray that you would use every opportunity to learn and prepare for whatever God would lead you to next.  Pray that you would be faithful in a growing responsibility of service.  “They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”  1 Timothy 3:10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Tested Through Perseverance.  Pray that you would understand the difficulties of life as a test which shows to you a growing faith.  Pray that you would keep your eyes focused on the eternal prize which awaits all who stand the test of faithfulness.  “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”  James 1:12 (NIV)