Lifestyle of Prayer: Unwrapped Fellowship!

Lifestyle of Prayer: Unwrapped Fellowship!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Unwrapped Fellowship!

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on growing in fellowship through the gift of mercy.  While most Christians are aware of God’s desire that we have fellowship with Him and with one another, we often leave growing in that fellowship to chance with little training or practice in the things that would draw us together.  As you pray this week, talk with God about how your fellowship with Him can grow.  Pray that you would desire a greater fellowship with God as the foundation of all of your other relationships.  Pray that you would grow in both the desire and practice of living in fellowship with those who share your faith in God.  Pray that the fellowship you experience with other believers would attract others to pursuing God and having fellowship with Him.  Pray that your fellowship with Christ, and with one another, would prepare you for an eternal fellowship.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.

“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 live in fellowship with Him and with one another.

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: Fellowship In Worship.  Pray that you would know and practice the things which are important as you gather with others to worship God.  Pray that your devotion to God would be reflected in the things you are devoted to doing as you worship.  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  Acts 2:42 (NIV)

Tuesday: Fellowship With a Faithful God.  Pray that you would know the faithfulness of a God who calls you into fellowship with Himself.  Pray that you, and those around you, would respond faithfully to the calling of God to join with Him in fellowship through His Son, Jesus Christ.  “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”  1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

Wednesday: Fellowship Through the Holy Spirit.  Pray that you would live with an awareness of God’s Spirit living in fellowship with you each day.  Pray that you would allow the working of the Holy Spirit to bring you into greater fellowship with God and with one another.  “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

Thursday: Fellowship Of Grace.  Pray that you would realize the grace offered to you by God, and by others, as they accepted you into fellowship.  Pray that you would trust God’s grace to work in the lives of others as you join them in fellowship and make them feel welcome.  “James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.”  Galatians 2:9 (NIV)

Friday: Fellowship Of Suffering.  Pray that you would know the value of joining in the fellowship of Christ’s suffering.  Pray that a fellowship in the suffering of Christ would keep you aware of the sufferings of others.  “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

SaturdayFellowship With One Another.  Pray that you would know fellowship with others as you walk together in the light of Jesus.  Pray about how the complete cleansing of sin by Jesus should bring you into fellowship with one another.  “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”  1 John 1:7 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Unwrapped Insight!

Lifestyle of Prayer: Unwrapped Insight!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Unwrapped Insight!

“Who is wise? He will realize these things.  Who is discerning? He will understand them.  The ways of the LORD are right;  the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”
Hosea 14:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with insight into God’s Word and the revelation of Himself to us.  Not everything is always as it first appears and there are many who attempt to deliberately deceive for a variety of reasons.  Discernment, or insight, is the quality necessary to live in the world between “everything is permissible” and “not everything is beneficial”.  Insight is a gift from God that helps us to live in the freedom of doing what benefits others according to their need.  As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with an understanding of prophecy as an insight that gives you a greater understanding of His righteous ways.  Pray that discernment would help you to choose the best — not only over what is bad, but perhaps more importantly, over what is simply “good enough”.  Pray that you would seek wisdom from God in all situations so that you would not be easily deceived.  Pray that your response to deception would always be one of integrity on your part.

“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 live with insight and discernment.

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.

MondayInsight To Understand God’s Laws.  Pray that you would serve God with insight in order to understand how He works through His laws.  Pray that you would always live with discernment as a servant of God.  Pray for the insight needed to accurately share the beauty of God’s laws with others.  “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”  Psalm 119:125 (NIV)

TuesdayInsight To Guide Your Understanding.  Pray for insight to find God’s guidance in understanding the proverbs and parables of the Bible.  Pray that your discernment would lead to knowing and practicing the truth found in the sayings of the wise.  “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance — for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”  Proverbs 1:5-6 (NIV)

WednesdayInsight That Leads To Life.  Pray that you would hold onto the insight that comes from sound judgment.  Pray that you would wear discernment in a way that brings life to you and to those around you.  “My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.”  Proverbs 3:21-22 (NIV)

ThursdayInsight That Leads To Wise Instruction.  Pray for a heart of wisdom that would lead to you being known as discerning.  Pray that you would always follow God’s leading in your pursuit of instruction.  Pray for the insight needed to share pleasant words that lead to the instruction of those who hear.  “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.”  Proverbs 16:21 (NIV)

FridayInsight That Seeks True Knowledge.  Pray that the insight you seek from God would lead to actual knowledge.  Pray that you would have “wise ears” that seek out the knowledge that comes through godly discernment.  Pray that your life would share godly knowledge with others.  “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.”  Proverbs 18:15 (NIV)

SaturdayInsight That Leads To What Is Best.  Pray that you would live with an insight that comes from an abundance of love.  Pray that you would allow godly discernment to lead you in doing what is best in all things.  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Unwrapped Giving!

Lifestyle of Prayer: Unwrapped Giving!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Unwrapped Giving!

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Acts 20:35 (NIV)

This week’s lifestyle of prayer emphasis will focus on unwrapping the gift of giving.  Just as the Bible teaches that we know love because God first loved us, we can learn to give because God first gave to us.  Too often we don’t give — not because the need isn’t present, and not even because we don’t have the resources — but simply because we haven’t learned to give.  God’s desire is that we learn to give with the purpose of blessing others and in so doing we discover we too are blessed.  When we follow the example of Jesus we learn to give what we know, we learn to give what we have, and we learn to give what God provides.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be a learner when it comes to giving.  Pray that your practice of giving would be a blessing to you, and to others, as you reflect Christ in your giving habits.  Pray that your recognition of God as the provider of all good things would help you learn to give more freely.

“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 unwrap and use the gift of giving.

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.

MondayGiving Thanks.  Pray that your awareness of God’s righteousness would teach you to give thanks.  Pray that God’s work in your life would teach you a lifestyle of gratitude.  Ask God to help you grow in your giving of yourself as you give thanks in all circumstances.  “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”  Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

TuesdayGiving Generously.  Pray that you would follow God as you turn from a wickedness of taking to a righteousness of giving generously.  Pray that God would teach you to recognize all that He has put into your life for the purpose of you sharing it with others.  Ask God to help you grow in generosity as a reflection of His nature.  “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.”  Psalm 37:21 (NIV)

WednesdayGiving Now.  Pray that you would learn to recognize the moments of opportunity in giving.  Pray that God would help you do an inventory of your life so you know what you can give now.  Ask God to help you be more responsive to the opportunities He reveals to you.  “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow’– when you now have it with you.”  Proverbs 3:28 (NIV)

ThursdayGiving Sound Answers.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word so you would be able to give sound answers.  Pray that God would help you to discern what is true and reliable as you answer those who seek hope.  Ask God to fill all your answers with His wisdom.  “Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?”  Proverbs 22:20-21 (NIV)

FridayGiving Grace.  Pray that you would learn to give grace to others in the measure that God has given it to  you.  Pray that you would understand the power of transformation that comes through the giving and receiving of grace — even to those who are your enemy.  “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”  Proverbs 25:21 (NIV)

Saturday:  Giving Careful Attention.  Pray that you would give careful attention to all that God has put under  your care.  Pray that you would learn from God how to be responsible in giving attention to that which needs it so that you and your family will be prepared for the coming of Christ.  “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.”  Proverbs 27:23 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Unwrapped Gifts!

Lifestyle of Prayer: Unwrapped Gifts!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Unwrapped Gifts!

“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you have given and received this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  Your ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as unwrap God’s gifting in your life.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 unwrap and use the gifts He gives.

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: Gift of Self.  Pray about how your life reflects an acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus for your sins.  Pray that your remembrance of the gift of Jesus would help you to consistently help others to accept the gift of Jesus for themselves.  “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’”  Luke 22:19 (NIV)

Tuesday: Gift of Understanding.  Pray that God would open the gift of understanding in your life as you seek Jesus with a whole heart.  Pray for a growing understanding of Jesus as the One who is true.  Pray that you would accurately represent the truth of Jesus.  “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.”  1 John 5:20 (NIV)

Wednesday: Gift of Rest.  Pray that you would always look to Jesus as the One who desires to give you real rest.  Pray for the  humility needed to approach Jesus in the midst of your weariness.  Pray for wisdom in helping others to always go to Jesus with their burdens as they seek to find rest.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Thursday: Gift of Peace.  Pray that you would know Jesus as the prince of peace.  Pray about how peace will look in your interactions with others.  Pray that the peace you experience in life would reflect the peace that Jesus brings between you and God.  “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”  2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

Friday: Gift of Strength.  Pray that God would help you to use the strength that is found in Jesus.  Pray for courage in doing the things God desires from you.  Pray that your service to others in the name of Jesus would be done in the strength which God provides.  “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.”  1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

SaturdayGift of Eternal Life.  Pray that you would daily rejoice in the gift of eternal life that is made possible by Jesus.  Pray that your life would be lived as a testimony to the eternal life that is found through Jesus.  Pray about how God would have you share the good news of life eternal with the people around you each day.  “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”  1 John 5:11 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Winning Joy!

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Winning Joy!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Winning Joy!

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about knowing, receiving, and sharing a winning joy as we walk in relationship with Jesus.  Living in a college town I do not have to follow sports to know if the local football team wins or loses on a particular weekend.  But it’s not just in sports that our lives reflect our identification with winning or losing — most churches I visit give off a clear impression of whether the body as a whole feels victorious or defeated.  Yes, there are losses that may be noticeable but they don’t have to define us.  Loss of people.  Loss of influence.  Loss of finances.  Loss of freedoms.  Loss of peace.  Loss of joy.  The list could go on, but the point is that when we focus on the losses, we tend to forget that God has already declared us victorious and calls us to live with a winning joy!  As you pray this week, ask God to help you always remember the victory you have in Christ.  Pray that you would be aware of the tools God has given to help you know victory in Christ.  Pray for the wisdom to live as a winner in such a way that Jesus is known through you.  Pray about how you can help others seek eternal victory.

“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 live with a winning joy.

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.

MondayA Win For the Faithful.  Pray that you would cling to the victory that awaits those who walk in blameless ways.  Pray that God would guard your path as you walk in faithfulness to Him.  “He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”  Proverbs 2:7-8 (NIV)

TuesdayA Win Through Wise Counsel.  Pray that you would live victoriously because of the quality of counsel you surround yourself with.  Pray that you would always seek advice from God first and be sure your human advisers give godly advice.  Pray that your guidance to others would always be filled with godly wisdom.  “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”  Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

WednesdayA Win By the Lord.  Pray that you would live with an understanding of where true victory comes from.  Pray that your preparations for battle would always understand that it is the Lord who will be able to give victory.  Pray for the wisdom to be made ready even as you trust God for the victory.  “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.”  Proverbs 21:31 (NIV)

Thursday:  A Win For Justice.  Pray that your hope for a justice which prevails would rest fully in Jesus.  Pray that your life would reflect the heart of Jesus as you seek victory for justice.  Pray that God would help you make things right.  “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.  In his name the nations will put their hope.”  Matthew 12:20-21 (NIV) 

FridayA Win Over Death.  Pray that you would live a life that reflects your knowledge that the power of death has been defeated.  Pray that you would be able to grieve as one with great hope, knowing that the victory over death has been won by Jesus.  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”  1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)

SaturdayA Win That Overcomes the World.  Pray that you would live each day in your life with a faith that overcomes.  Pray that the appearance of success in the world would not distract you from true victory that is found through faith in Christ.  Pray that your faith would  show others how one born of God should live.  “Everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”  1 John 5:4 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Knowing the Gift of Jesus!

Lifestyle of Prayer: Knowing the Gift of Jesus!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Knowing the Gift of Jesus!

“And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 
2 Corinthians 9:14-15 (NIV)

With the Christmas holiday upon us, it is good to reflect on gifts given and received.  Perhaps you have gifts that will be returned because they weren’t right for you.  I pray that there are gifts you will cherish because you know they represent the heart of the giver.  As Christians, God has given us what Paul calls an “indescribable gift”.  In context, he seems to connect this gift with the “surpassing grace” of God.  I believe Jesus is at the heart of this great gift.  This week our prayer focus will be on the indescribable gift we have through our relationship with Jesus.  As you pray this week, remember that His presence ought to be evident in your life at all times — not just when it is seasonally expected.  Pray that God’s grace in your life would overflow in such a way that the people around you would recognize that you have been with Jesus.  Pray that the gift of Jesus is not just something you receive, but that you would be active in sharing that gift through the way you love others.  Pray that God would fill you with a generous spirit as you make known the gift of Jesus.

“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 live with the gift 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.

MondayThe Gift of Joy.  Pray that you would experience and share true joy because of the gift of Jesus in your life.  Pray that the people around you would see the joy of Christ in you.  Ask God to help you be more expressive of the joy experienced through Christ.  “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”  John 17:13 (NIV)

TuesdayThe Gift of Energy.  Pray that you would be faithful in doing the good works God has created for you to do as you use the energy of Jesus within you.  Pray that you would trust the power of God to work within you to accomplish what you cannot.  Ask God to help His energy to be made known through you.  “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”  Colossians 1:29 (NIV)

WednesdayThe Gift of Salvation.  Pray that you would always value the salvation you receive through Jesus Christ.  Pray that the people around you would know God’s desire for them to be saved.  Ask God to help you share the promise of God’s salvation with those who have not yet been saved.  “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NIV)

ThursdayThe Gift of Uniqueness.  Pray that Jesus would always be the only one you look to for your salvation.  Pray that the people around you would come to know Jesus as the only way to be saved.  Ask God to help you proclaim the uniqueness of Jesus as the only begotten Son of God.  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12 (NIV)

FridayThe Gift of Surrender.  Pray that you would surrender everything to the Lordship of Jesus.  Pray that you would have a greater understanding of both the cost and reward of being a disciple of Jesus.  Ask God to help you see your surrender to Him as a gift both from Him and to Him.  “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:33 (NIV)

SaturdayThe Gift of JESUS.  Pray that you would recognize the indescribable gift of God in your life through the presence of Jesus.  Pray that God’s gift would cause you to seek Him for all that you need.  “Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’”  John 4:10 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Confident Joy!

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Confident Joy!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Confident Joy!

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.”
Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with exceedingly great joy which gives you a confidence that does not fail.  I suspect that at one time or another most of us have put our confidence in something that has disappointed or failed us.  God does not want us to live in fear and doubt, but to live with a confidence that is well placed because it comes from a trust in Him.  Yes, it may be easier to put our confidence in ourselves or in things we can control, but doing so will always leave us feeling empty and disappointed.  Putting our confidence fully in God will always require faith, but it is a faith that will be rewarded with His blessing of an abiding joy.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see just what, or who, it is that you tend to put your confidence in.  Pray that you would recognize your need to put your confidence in God above all else.  Pray that you would be sure of your place in God’s kingdom, not because you’re so good but because God is so good.  Pray that you would be able to live with confidence more fully each day as you allow God to increase your faith and trust in Him.

“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 live with a confident joy.

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.

MondayConfidence in the Lord’s Goodness.  Pray that you would live with a confidence that comes from knowing God’s goodness.  Pray that God would open your eyes to see His goodness around you each day.  Pray that you would share the goodness of God in every way possible wherever you go.  “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”  Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

TuesdayConfidence that Lasts Forever.  Pray that you would seek a life of righteousness that would fill you with quietness and confidence.  Pray that the fruit of God’s righteousness in you, through a quiet and peaceful life, would result in a confidence that lasts forever.  “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”  Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)

WednesdayConfidence to Approach God.  Pray that your faith in Jesus would give you a confidence to approach God.  Pray that the freedom you have in Christ would fill you with confidence as you approach God.  Pray that the confidence you have in your relationship with God would help others approach Him.  “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”  Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

ThursdayConfidence that is Rewarded.  Pray that you would have a confidence in the work of God that cannot be taken away.  Pray that you would hold fast to the confidence you have in Christ as you await your eternal reward.  Pray that you would share with others about the importance of holding on to a confident faith.  “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”  Hebrews 10:35 (NIV)

FridayConfidence in the Lord’s Help.  Pray that your confidence in the Lord’s help would be greater than your fear of what people might do or say.  Pray that the Lord’s help would give you the confidence to overcome fear that is caused by those who oppose God.  Pray that you would be an instrument of God’s help so that others would experience it more fully.  “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

SaturdayConfidence on the Day of Judgment.  Pray that God’s love would be made complete in you so that you would have confidence on the day of judgment.  Pray that you would be diligent in sharing the love of God with others so that they could also have confidence on the day of judgment.  “In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.”  1 John 4:17 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Let Joy Shine!

Lifestyle of Prayer: Let Joy Shine!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Let Joy Shine!

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is on letting the joy of Christmas shine through you by the way you live.  In letting our joy shine, we will look at how Paul instructed Timothy to live so he didn’t give people an excuse for looking down upon him.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who really wants to be looked down upon, but I have encountered many that seemed to do little to keep that from happening — in fact, there are times I’m sure I’ve been one of those.  God says that a good way to keep people from looking down on us for superficial reasons is to build a life of godly character.  As  you pray this week, ask God to help you to accurately examine how your joy shines by the way you live.  Pray that you would have the courage to live above reproach in every area of your life.  Pray for wisdom in applying God’s Word in ways that make you an example without being pretentious.  Pray for the humility needed to help others grow even as you work on your own example.  Pray that  you would shine in such a way that people glorify God because of His work in you.  Pray that the exceedingly great joy of Christmas would be evident in your life all year.

“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 let the joy of Jesus shine in your life.

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:  Shine Beyond Appearances.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would be the most noticeable thing about you.  Pray for the courage and humility needed to let Jesus shine through your human weaknesses.  “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:13 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Shine In Speech.  Pray that the graciousness of your speech would rise above what people might expect.  Pray for the wisdom to see how the words you use are heard by people — both people who are similar to you and people who may be very different from you.  “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Shine In Life.  Pray that your life would reveal to others a wisdom and understanding that can only come from God.  Pray that you would live with humility in such a way that people would see the hand of God present in the way you live life.  “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  James 3:13 (NIV)

Thursday:  Shine In Love.  Pray that you would know the fullness of God’s love expressed through Jesus Christ so that you would love others with the same fullness.  Pray that you would continually grow in the way you express love, using the sacrificial love of Jesus as your example.  “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”  1 John 3:16 (NIV)

Friday:  Shine In Faith.  Pray that you would live with a faith that can be seen in what you do.  Pray that the things you do each day would be consistent with your expressed faith.  Pray that others would see your faith active within your deeds so that they would be encouraged in their faith.  “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”  James 2:22 (NIV)

Saturday:  Shine In Purity.  Pray that you would choose actions that are pure and right, even when doing so is not easy.  Pray that the value you place on purity would be part of your godly reputation.  Pray for the courage to live by a standard God would consider pure rather than settling for the world’s definition of purity.  “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.”  Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Joy of Humility!

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Joy of Humility!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

The Joy of Humility!

“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands.  Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.”  
Zephaniah 2:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus in on the humility that God calls us to have as His children.  Throughout scripture, God calls us to humble ourselves and to live in humility with one another.  When we voluntarily humble ourselves, God promises to lift us up in ways that we could never do on our own.  True humility is not thinking less of ourselves than we ought to, but it is thinking of ourselves according to our relationship with God.  When we have an accurate view of God and how we relate to Him as His children, we can then have an accurate view of ourselves and of others.  As you pray this week, ask God to help remove all traces of pride from your life so that you can live in complete humility.  Pray that you would daily humble yourself as you ought to and allow God to lift you up to the position He has created for you.  Pray that you would know the joy which comes to those who redirect their attention from selfish desires to generous humility.  Pray that you would know the protection of almighty God as you humble yourself in obedience to His commands.

“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 live with the joy of humility.

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: Humility that Leads to Honor.  Pray that you would seek humility that leads to honor rather than seeking honor for yourself.  Pray that a fear of the Lord would give you the wisdom needed to humble yourself before God.  Pray that your humility would be evident in the way you honor others.  “The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”  Proverbs 15:33 (NIV)

TuesdayServe with Humility.  Pray that you would serve the Lord with humility in everything you do.  Pray that your humility would carry you through any testing that you face.  Pray that humility would guide you into serving others as if serving the Lord.  “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)

WednesdayUnselfish Humility.  Pray that humility would drive selfishness far from you.  Pray that your view of others would be positive because of your life of humility.  Pray for a heart which values the needs of others above your own.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  Philippians 2:3 (NIV) 

Thursday:  Humility that Brings Wisdom.  Pray that you would seek to live with a humility that brings wisdom.  Pray that God would fill you with the desire to reject all forms of pride as you live a life of humility.  Pray for a humble spirit which avoids the disgrace of pride.  “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

FridayHumility that Comes from Wisdom.  Pray that godly wisdom would lead you to doing good deeds in humility.  Pray that others would see godly wisdom in your life by the way you live with humility.  “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  James 3:13 (NIV)

SaturdayHumility with One Another.  Pray that you would live with humility in your relationships with others.  Pray that you would put on humility each day in order to receive grace from God.  Pray for a desire to live in such a way that others see God’s grace in your humility.  “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”  1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: An Enduring Joy!

Lifestyle of Prayer: An Enduring Joy!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

An Enduring Joy!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on living with exceedingly great joy even when life requires endurance.  Jesus is not only the author and perfecter of our faith, He set the example of enduring all things because something better was coming.  God has surrounded us with faithful witnesses who have shown us how to live life with endurance.  Endurance as we journey through this life is a big deal because Jesus has said it is those who are faithful to the end who will receive the crown of life.  As we grow in endurance, God has not only given us an example but has given us the tools necessary to endure with great faith.  As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with an enduring joy that helps you to endure whatever your day brings.  Pray that your faithful endurance would lead you in paths of righteousness.  Pray that your life would encourage others and help them to turn to Jesus for the strength to endure.  Pray that you would not become weary as you endure today with your eyes set on the joy ahead.

“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 live with an enduring joy.

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: An Enduring Fear of the Lord.  Pray that you would always hold fast to a healthy fear of the Lord that endures through all things.  Pray that a proper fear of the Lord would lead you to follow God’s commands with confidence.  “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.”  Psalm 19:9 (NIV)

TuesdayAn Enduring Inheritance.  Pray that you would keep your mind and eyes focused on the inheritance that awaits those who belong to God.  Pray that your blameless walk would be the result of the goodness of God and lead you to an enduring inheritance which cannot be taken away.  “The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.”  Psalm 37:18 (NIV)

WednesdayTrusting Endurance.  Pray that your trust of God would endure through all things.  Pray that your faith would not be shaken by the troubles which you face in this world.  Pray that you would stand firm in the Lord because of your enduring trust.  “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”  Psalm 125:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Truthful Endurance.  Pray that your words and life would speak truth which endures forever.  Pray that you would reject the temptation of momentary untruthfulness.  Ask God to help you endure in truthfulness as you reject the lies of this world in both the speaking of such lies and the acceptance of them.  “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”  Proverbs 12:19 (NIV) 

FridayHopeful Endurance.  Pray that you would work with endurance because of your hope in Christ.  Pray that you would remember and honor those who have lived lives of hope-filled endurance through their faith.  “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

SaturdayPatient Endurance.  Pray that your obedience to God’s commands would help you learn to endure patiently as you wait for the day of Christ’s return.  Pray that your faithfulness would fill you with a patient endurance as you serve others. “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.”  Revelation 14:12 (NIV)