Author: Tom

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Children!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus: Children!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

Use the topics this week to help you pray for your children, for the children in your extended family, for the children of the church you attend, for the children of the area in which you live, and for the children of the world. Pray for those who are devoting their time and resources to serve children in the name of Jesus.   As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 spend time praying each day about the child-like qualities God calls us to have as His children.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Worshipful Children.  Pray that we would never outgrow a wholehearted praise and worship of our God.  “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”  Psalm 8:2

Tuesday: Kingdom Children.  Pray that we would have the humility and innocence to become like little children.  “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”  Matthew 18:3

Wednesday: Welcomed Children.  Pray that we would welcome children to Jesus and feel welcomed as His children.  “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”  Matthew 19:14

Thursday: Forgiven Children.  Pray that we would faithfully share the promise of forgiveness of sin and the gift of God’s Spirit.  “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  Acts 2:39

Friday: Obedient Children.  Pray that we would be living examples of obedient children.  “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Ephesians 6:1

Saturday:  Faithful Children.  Pray that we would experience the joy of hearing that those coming after us are walking in the truth.  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:4

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: As Each Part Does Its Work

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus: Each Part Doing Its Work!

Each Part (640x1024)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

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 spend time praying each day focused around the good works God has created for you to do.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Serving.  Pray that God would help you see, and do, your part in serving the physical needs of the church property and of one another.   “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45

Tuesday: Teaching.  Pray that you would recognize your responsibility from the Great Commission to teach the things of Christ.  “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20

Wednesday: Encouraging.  Pray that your attitude, words, and actions would be an encouragement to the people around you.  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Thursday: Giving.  Pray that your giving of time, money, and ability would be done cheerfully and in response to God’s great gift of everything through His Son.  “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7

Friday: Leading.  Pray that all areas that you would lead in would be lead from the very heart of God.  “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”  Jeremiah 3:15

Saturday:  Mercy/Visiting.  Pray for the ability to see Jesus in the lives of people as you extend mercy to them through your acts of visiting, sharing, and kindness.  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”  Matthew 25:40

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Trusting God!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus: Trusting God!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week we will look to the Psalms for some instruction on trusting God to help us focus our prayer time each day!  As much of the book of Psalms was written by David, “a man after God’s own heart”, we can learn much from them as we pray about Trust.  Use the topics this week to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 spend time praying each day focused around the reminder to trust God in everything.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Trust God in Giving.  Pray that your giving is done with a sacrificial attitude that reflects your trust in God.  “Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.”  Psalm 4:5

Tuesday: Trust God in Conflict.  Pray that you would seek God during times of conflict and trust Him to be your source of deliverance and protection.  “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”  Psalm 20:7

Wednesday: Trust God in Decisions.  Pray that you would seek God in all of your decisions and allow Him to shine forth as you walk in His ways.  “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”  Psalm 37:5-6

Thursday: Trust God in Fear.  Pray that you would not forget God’s everlasting presence when you face times of fear.  “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”  Psalm 56:3

Friday: Trust God in Trouble.  Pray that you would have the wisdom and humility to “retreat” more fully into God’s presence when you face overwhelming trouble.  “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”  Psalm 91:2

Saturday:  Trust God in Persecution.  Pray that you would have a confidence in God’s word so that it will be your answer in times of persecution.  “Then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word.”  Psalm 119:42

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Growing Up FAST!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus: Growing Up FAST!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week’s prayer focus is based on a 5th & 6th grade camp theme that I put together, “Growing up FAST!”.  The idea came from Luke’s use of one verse to tell of Jesus growing up from age twelve to thirty.  Each day our prayer focus will be based on a characteristic that God wants us to grow in as we share the good news of Jesus with others.   Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 spend time praying each day for a life that Grows Up FAST!.  Pray this for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Grow up like Jesus.  Pray for godly wisdom and spiritual stature that will show God’s favor on you and lift up Jesus to all who are observing you.  “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  Luke 2:52

Tuesday: Grow up Faithful.  Pray for the courage to remain faithful to the truth of God’s word no matter what.  “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.”  3 John 1:3

Wednesday: Grow up Accepted.  Pray for a clear recognition of how Christ has accepted you and then pray for the strength to accept others in that manner.   Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”  Romans 15:7

Thursday: Grow up Surrendered.  Pray for an openness to God’s Spirit revealing any area in your life that you have not yet given up, then surrender it to God’s control.  “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:33

Friday: Grow up Trained.  Pray for the humility to be trained in the things of God for the purpose of training others.  “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”  Luke 6:40

Saturday:  Grow up ! Exclaiming.  Pray for a boldness in proclaiming the good news of Jesus with excitement and enthusiasm as you should.  “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!'”  Matthew 27:54

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Worship

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus: Worship!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week we will focus on different aspects of worship from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone has an idea of what worship ought to be, but what does God say about it?  We have a tendency to make worship about what I want, like, or am comfortable with.  Real worship comes when I decide it’s all about God and what He says, wants, and desires and not about me!  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do. 

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 spend time praying each day for a heart that seeks God in a lifestyle of worship.  Pray this for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Exclusive worship.  Pray that you would reject every temptation to worship anyone, or anything, but God.  “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”‘”  Matthew 4:10

Tuesday: Heart involved worship.  Pray that your worship of God would always come from a heart that seeks God and not just be following the motions of tradition — old or new.  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.   They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”  Matthew 15:8-9

Wednesday: True worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in both spirit and truth as a lifestyle, not confined to a specific place and time.  “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”  John 4:23

Thursday: Informed worship.  Pray that your worship of God would draw you into a greater knowledge and intimacy with Him.  “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.”  Acts 17:23

Friday: Sacrificial worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in such a way as to “cost you something”.  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.”  Romans 12:1

Saturday:  Acceptable worship.  Pray that your worship of God never forgets who He is compared to who we are.  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”  Hebrews 12:28

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Unity

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Unity!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week we will focus on different aspects of unity from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of unity, if people would just agree with me — what I say, what I like, what I want, what I . . . — really we just want conformity, not unity.  Real unity comes when we decide it’s all about what God says, wants, and desires and not about me!  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 spend time praying each day for godly wisdom in applying that day’s “unity” quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Unity of mind.  Pray for a unity of mind among the people of God so that the work of the kingdom is not hindered.  “Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.”  2 Chronicles 30:12

Tuesday: Unity of life.  Pray for unity in the families of our congregation and in the family of our congregation so that life together will be “good and pleasant”.   “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”  Psalm 133:1

Wednesday: Complete unity.  Pray that your pursuit of complete unity in Christ would help others to see Jesus and the love of God in you.  “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”  John 17:23

Thursday: Unity of spirit.  Pray for a unity of spirit among our church family that is based on our following Christ Jesus..  “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5

Friday: Unity of faith.  Pray for the maturity to get along with one another as we mature into a unity of faith through our knowledge  of, and relationship with, Jesus.  “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:13

Saturday:  Perfect unity.  Pray for a Christ-like love which will hold together in perfect unity all of the godly characteristics that God calls you to “put on” in your life.   “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:14

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Peace (2)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Peace!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week we will finish the two-week focus on praying for peace from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of peace, but few actually obtain it because we want peace according to our definition and standards rather than God’s.  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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 spend time praying each day for godly wisdom in applying that day’s “peace” quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Choose peace.  Pray for courage to choose peace whenever possible.  Pray that the peace you choose would be contagious.  “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18

Tuesday: Work at peace.  Pray for the strength to continually work at peace.  Pray that your efforts would lead to peace for yourself and others.  “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”  Romans 14:19

Wednesday: Live in peace.  Pray for a unity among believers that will help each one to live in peace.  Pray that God’s peace would be evident to others.  “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”  2 Corinthians 13:11

Thursday: Spirit produced peace.  Pray that peace would be an obvious part of the fruit God’s Spirit is producing in you.  Pray that you would not be a hindrance to peace.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

Friday: Peace beyond understanding.  Pray for peace to exist in times when the world would say peace makes no sense.  Pray that this peace will guard your heart and mind during times of struggle.  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7

Saturday:  Peace from discipline.  Pray that you would allow God’s discipline in your life to produce a harvest of peace.  Pray that the training you receive at God’s hand would spread peace to others.  “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:11

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Peace (1)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Peace!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week we will begin a two-week focus on praying for peace from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of peace, but few actually obtain it because we want peace according to our definition and standards rather than God’s.  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do. 

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 spend time praying each day for godly wisdom in applying that day’s “peace” quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Peacemakers.   Pray that you would accept just how “God-like” it is to be a peacemaker and that you would put that quality into practice consistently.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9

Tuesday: Peace with one another.  Pray that you would recognize the importance of being at peace with one another and make the effort to flavor your surroundings with peace.  “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”  Mark 9:50

Wednesday: Paths of peace.  Pray that  you will notice, and walk on, the paths of peace that are illuminated through your relationship with Jesus  “because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven  to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79 

Thursday: Peace through surrender.  Pray for the courage to seek peace in all situations on God’s terms.  “If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.  In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:32-33

Friday: Peace that overcomes.  Pray for peace in the midst of trouble knowing that Jesus has overcome whatever the world throws at you.  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Saturday:  Peace with God.  Pray that God will  help you to share your faith that has brought you into peace with God.  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Pray For . . .

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Pray For . . .

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week we will focus on some examples or commands from the New Testament of things/people to pray for.  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.  Some of the days will be easier than others to both pray and to listen for God’s voice on how to respond.  As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 spend time praying each day for godly wisdom in applying that day’s quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Persecutors.  Pray for the courage to respond with Christ-like love to those who persecute you.  Pray for wisdom to know when to speak up and when to be silent.  “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5:44

Tuesday: Children.  Pray for the children in your life and around you each day.  Pray that you, the church, and the world would understand, and share, the value that Jesus placed on children.  “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.”  Matthew 19:13

Wednesday: Open Doors.  Pray that God would open doors of opportunity for you to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would notice and make use of every open door.  “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”  Colossians 4:3 

Thursday: Worthy Purpose.  Pray that God would reveal clearly the good works He created in advance for you to do.  Pray for the boldness to do them.  “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”  2 Thessalonians 1:11

Friday: Clear Conscience.  Pray that your interactions with all people are conducted so that your conscience is clear before God.  Pray that your obedience to God is such that you can live with a clear conscience.  “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”  Hebrews 13:18

Saturday:  Healing.  Pray for the courage to deal with any sin you have against another.  Pray that God would bring spiritual, and even physical, healing to all who are afflicted.  “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  James 5:16