“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Body Builders!

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the responsibility each Christian has in doing their part to build up the family of God.  While each of us have different gifting and abilities, we each have an obligation to use them to help the entire family grow.  God doesn’t expect your part from me or my part from you, but he does expect that we will each do our part to build up one another.  As  you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate the condition of the spiritual family that you are part of so that you can more accurately see the work that needs done.  Pray that you would pay attention to the part that you ought to be doing, rather than concerning yourself with what someone else should do.  Pray for a healthy and mature body of Christ as each member submits to the Head.  Pray for wisdom in being a family builder in your own home and in the way you help others.  Pray that your efforts in loving people would help them grow in being part of God’s family.

“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 be built up as you are involved in building up the family of God.

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: Building With Grace. Pray that you would recognize the power of God’s grace to continually build you up for the inheritance that is yours. Pray that you would be active in sharing God’s grace in a way that builds up His family. “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32 (NIV)

Tuesday: Building Up Your Neighbor. Pray that you would serve your neighbors in the name of Jesus so that they would be built up according to their need. Pray that you would trust God to use your neighbor in Christ to build you up according to your need. Pray that you would be a neighbor to everyone you encounter. “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Romans 15:2 (NIV)

Wednesday: Building The Church. Pray that you would use, and grow, in the gifts God has given you and that your use of them would build up the church. Pray for an atmosphere that would encourage people to excel in the gifts that build up the body. Pray that the family of God would grow in every way as it is built up by God’s gifting. “So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12 (NIV)

Thursday: Building With Speech. Pray that you would set a guard on your mouth so that your speech would build up those who listen. Pray that you would filter what comes into your ears so that the speech of others would build you up. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Friday: Building Through Encouragement. Pray that your interactions with people would be an encouragement that builds them up. Pray that God would surround you with people who encourage you in your walk with Him. Pray that the gathering of God’s family would be an encouragement to all. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Saturday: Building In Faith. Pray that your faith would be put into action in a way that builds up yourself and those around you. Pray that you would seek God through His Spirit so that you would be built up in faith through prayer. Pray that the family of God would grow in faith as we seek God together. “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 1:20 (NIV)