“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Knowing the Great “I AM”!

“Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’  When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
Matthew 22:21-22 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What does it mean to know Jesus as the “I AM”?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your response to the invitation and mandate of Jesus would reflect a godly response to His authority.  Pray that you would know God as revealed to us through His Son, Jesus.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 know and respond to Jesus as the Great I AM.

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:  I AM In Heaven and on Earth.   Pray that you would open every aspect of your life to the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your life would be lived under the authority of Jesus.  Pray for a submissive spirit that finds contentment and joy in your obedience to Christ.  “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”  Matthew 28:18  (NIV)

Tuesday:  I AM In Teaching.  Pray that you would accept the teachings of Jesus as having authority in your life.  Pray that you would let God’s authority be present when you share scripture.  Pray that you would greatly value the teachings of Jesus as you recognize the authority in them.  “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”  Mark 1:22 (NIV)

Wednesday:  I AM To Forgive Sins.  Pray that you would live with confidence because of the authority of Jesus to forgive sins.  Pray for a willingness to identify your own sins in order to submit them to the authority of Jesus.  Pray that you would help others to know the authority of Jesus over sin.  “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….”  Mark 2:10 (NIV)

Thursday:  I AM Over Evil Spirits.  Pray that you would look to Jesus as the One with authority over evil spirits and over the attacks of Satan in your life and in the lives of others.  Pray that you would submit to the authority of Jesus in a way that leaves no room for evil of any kind.  “All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!’”  Luke 4:36 (NIV)

Friday:  I AM To Judge.  Pray that you would have no reason to fear the authority of Jesus to judge.  Pray that you would leave the eternal judgment of people to the One who has the authority to do so.  Pray that the people around you would understand His authority to judge all things.  “And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”  John 5:27 (NIV)

Saturday:  I AM To Give Eternal Life.  Pray that you would never forget that it is Jesus who has the authority to give eternal life.  Pray that you would share the news of eternal life with others.  Pray that the people around you would come to know Jesus as the only way to life eternal.  “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.”  John 17:2 (NIV)