“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Seeing the Signs!

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’” 
Matthew 24:3 (NIV)

This week our prayer focus will be on our need to pay attention to the happenings of life from the view of an eternal perspective.  We often see in Scripture that Jesus noticed things which were different from what others paid attention to.  When we become distracted by the things of this world, Jesus desires to turn our attention to the things we ought to watch out for.  The goal is not to frighten us, but to challenge us with the need to be ready for eternity as we notice the signs of a failing world.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be aware of the attempts of the enemy to destroy you.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with His presence in a way that gives you the strength, wisdom, and courage to always be watchful.  Pray that your desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection would be greater than any other desire you have.  Pray that seeing the signs would encourage you rather than frighten 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 see, and respond appropriately to, the signs leading to the return of Jesus.

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: Seeing the Suffering.  Pray that your eyes would be opened to the sufferings people experience because of their faith.  Pray that an awareness of the sufferings of others would lead you to greater compassion as you see the return of Jesus nearing.  “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”  Matthew 24:9 (NIV)

Tuesday: Seeing the Illusion.  Pray that your walk with Jesus would be genuine so that the imposters of this world would not deceive you.  Pray that God’s Spirit would help you see through the illusions brought forth by the evil one.  “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect — if that were possible.”  Matthew 24:24 (NIV)

Wednesday: Seeing the Gathering.  Pray that you would heed the call of God to gather with fellow believers now as you look toward the final gathering.  Pray that you would see the value of being ready for the gathering of all those who belong to  Christ.  “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”  Matthew 24:31 (NIV) 

Thursday: Seeing the Night.  Pray that you would realize the darkness of the night in which we live.  Pray that you would keep watch through the night as you long for the day of Christ’s return.  “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.”  Matthew 24:43 (NIV)

Friday: Seeing the Sorrow.  Pray that you would see, and avoid, the sorrow which will come upon all those who reject the Son.  Pray for a genuine faith in Jesus which obeys Him wholeheartedly so that no seeds of hypocrisy could grow.  Pray that your life would lead others to Jesus so they too can avoid the coming sorrow.  “He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Matthew 24:51 (NIV)

Saturday:  Seeing the Signs.  Pray that you would be ready at all times for the return of Jesus.  Pray that you would see the signs of the end approaching and be motivated to share Jesus with others.  Pray for a readiness that exists in your life because of the work of Jesus so that you are always prepared whether you expect it to be now or later.  “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”  Matthew 24:44 (NIV)