Prayer Guides

October 23, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Path We Travel!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

The Path We Travel!

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
     shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
Proverbs 4:18 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will be to pray about the path you travel in life.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a way, a path, that leads to life eternal and one that leads to destruction.  The path we choose to travel each day reflects where we are headed and helps others to see the goodness of God as we follow His path.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the path that grows brighter each day.  Pray that you would always look for, and stay on, the path of the righteous.  Pray about how your choices in life reflect the path you are traveling on.  Pray that God would help you avoid the distractions and detours the enemy uses in an attempt to get you off the path that is right.  Pray that the people around you would know of the good path and that they would follow it as they observe your life in Christ.

“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’s help in traveling a path with Him.

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: The Path of Life.  Pray that you would be filled with joy as you walk the path of life.  Pray that your joy would lead others to seek the path of life through Jesus.  Pray that the path you travel would seek pleasures that last through eternity.  “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”  Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

Tuesday: The Path of Protection.  Pray that you would follow God’s path and trust Him to broaden it beneath your feet so that your walk is steady.  Pray that those around you would not stumble on the path they are choosing to travel.  Pray for God’s protection from both physical and spiritual dangers that exist as you travel through life.  “You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.”  Psalm 18:36 (NIV)

Wednesday: The Path of God’s Way.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s way so that your path would not be disrupted by the enemy.  Pray that you would teach others the way of God.  Pray that those who stand against you would actually help you travel in a way that pleases God.  “Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.”  Psalm 27:11 (NIV)

Thursday: The Path of Freedom.  Pray that you would daily experience the freedom of walking in the path of God’s commands.  Pray that the people around you would see a heart set free in Christ.  Pray that you would learn to run free from bondage as you travel in the path of God’s commands.  “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”  Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

Friday: The Path of Light.  Pray that you would use God’s Word to illuminate the path you walk each day.  Pray that you would shine the light of God’s Word on the path that those around you walk.  Pray for the wisdom and desire to shine the light of God’s Word upon the path you travel so that your way would be clear.  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Saturday:  The Path of Justice.  Pray that your practice of administering mercy and justice would lead you on a path that is good.  Pray that you would continually grow in your understanding of God’s definition of justice.  Pray that you would treat the people around you in a way that helps them desire a path that is good.  “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path.”  Proverbs 2:9 (NIV)

October 16, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Serving One Another!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Serving One Another!

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
John 13:14-15 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on serving one another like Jesus.  When we are in Christ, we are one family.  When I think of those closest to Jesus, it is His disciples that first come to mind.  Even as Jesus faced the cross, He loved those who were His own by serving them as an example of how we ought to serve one another.  As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with an awareness of the family He has called you into.  Pray that you would notice specific ways you can serve others.  Pray that you would look for the opportunities to help others according to their need.  Pray that you would know the love of Jesus in a way that  helps you to love His 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’s help in serving 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: Share With One Another.  Pray that you would understand and practice your responsibility to share with God’s family in need.  Pray for wisdom to know how to do that well.  Pray about how God would have you share not only the material goods He has blessed you with, but also the love He has shown to you.  “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: Equipping One Another.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word so that you would be equipped for every good work.  Pray that you would use God’s word accurately in serving others.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Wednesday: Rebuking One Another.  Pray for the wisdom and grace to rebuke others in love and to repent when you are rebuked.  Pray that you would pay close attention to the details of your interactions with others.  Pray that any rebuking you give or receive would always be in line with God’s Word and according to need.  “So watch yourselves.  If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.”  Luke 17:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Visiting One Another.  Pray that you would notice the stranger, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned and visit them as if you are visiting Christ.  Pray that you would carry God’s peace and joy with you as you visit others.  “When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”  Matthew 25:38-39 (NIV)

Friday: Encouraging One Another.  Pray that your life would be an encouragement to others as you meet together on a regular basis.  Pray about how God would have you encourage others even when you are apart for a time.  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

Saturday:  Serving One Another Like Christ.  Pray that you would follow the example of Christ in serving others for their benefit.  Pray that God would help you deal with any selfishness that keeps you from serving like Jesus.  “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV)

October 9, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Loving the Children!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Loving the Children!

“’I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”
Mark 10:15-16 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on loving children like Jesus does.  God has a lot to say about His concern for children.  Many children are struggling with little or no perceived value — not just in far off places of the world, but in our own communities and neighborhoods.  As you pray this week, pray that the children in your life would know the love of God that He lavishes on them.  Pray that you would love and value children just as God does.  Pray that God would mold your heart and will into that which aligns with His love and care for children.  Pray for the courage to be involved in the lives of children in ways that show them the love of God.  Pray about how you can serve the needs of children, both in the church gathering and in the community.

“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’s help in loving children like Jesus does.

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:  Children Who Are Obedient.  Pray that you would live in obedience to Christ out of love for Him and as an example to others.  Pray that children would be filled with the presence of God as they put away the desires of ignorance and walk in obedience to God.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”  1 Peter 1:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Children Who Are Forgiven.  Pray that your life would be lived in a way that reflects the forgiveness that you have received in Christ.  Pray that children would know the depths of God’s forgiveness as they experience your forgiveness.  Pray that God’s forgiveness of you would lead you to forgive others more.  “I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.”  1 John 2:12 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Children Who Live With Confidence.   Pray that you would live life with a confidence in the future because of whose child you are.  Pray that children would begin, and continue, a life in Christ so they would have a confidence in being unashamed when He returns.  “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”  1 John 2:28 (NIV)

Thursday:  Children Who Have Genuine Love.  Pray that your love for others would be reflected in the things you actually do.  Pray that children would see and hear in you a consistency that demonstrates through your actions both your love and God’s love for them.  Pray that your expressions of love would be truthful.  “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”  1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Friday:  Children Who Worship God Exclusively.  Pray that you would be aware of the things which could easily become idols in your life so that you can avoid them.  Pray that children would see in you a life that only worships God.  Pray for the children who are growing in a world that is filled with people and things wanting to be worshiped.  “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”  1 John 5:21 (NIV)

Saturday:  Children Who Walk In Truth.  Pray that you would be one that finds, and expresses, joy through walking in the truth of God’s Word.  Pray that children would learn from your words and example as they find the greatest of all joys can be discovered through walking with God in truth.  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:4 (NIV)

October 2, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Overcoming Doubt!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Overcoming Doubt!

“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’”
John 20:27 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on overcoming doubt even as we consider how Jesus loves those who doubt.  It ought to be comforting to everyone to know that Jesus understands the doubts we have and loves us so much that He patiently walks us through our disbelief.  When we take our doubts to Jesus, He presents Himself to us in such a way that we can believe fully in Him.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be aware of the doubts that enter you life at any time.  Pray that you would know the evidence of Jesus that is strong enough to overcome all doubts.  Pray that you would know the love of God that doesn’t waver because of your doubts and embraces you in a way that removes doubt.  Pray that you would love people who doubt and share with them the good news of a God who can be believed in.

“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’s help in overcoming doubt.

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:  Overcoming Doubt With God’s Help.  Pray that you would always turn to God when you have doubts.  Pray that your belief would be strengthened by God as you recognize the tension between belief and unbelief.  Pray that you and the people around you would know God’s love even in moments of doubt.  “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”  Mark 9:24 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Overcoming Doubt By the Testimony of Jesus.  Pray that the testimony of God about Jesus would help you overcome doubt.  Pray that you would live in such a way that people see the testimony of Jesus through you.  Pray that the love of God would be known to all through the testimony of Jesus.  “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.”  John 1:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Overcoming Doubt By Listening to Truth.  Pray that you would listen intently to the truth of  God’s Word.  Pray that your belief is strengthened through the truth of God you learn from others.  Pray that your love for people would be known by the truth you share.  “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”  John 4:42 (NIV)

Thursday:  Overcoming Doubt By the Work of God.  Pray that you would know the work of God in your life that leads to belief.  Pray that you would be actively involved in the work of God by sharing your belief in Jesus.  Pray that the people around you would know of God’s love as you share the good news of Jesus.  “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’”  John 6:29 (NIV)

Friday:  Overcoming Doubt By Faith.  Pray that you faith in God would grow in such a way that it continually pushes all doubt away.  Pray that you would be one who seeks to please God through a life of faith.  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Overcoming Doubt By God’s Word.  Pray that God’s Word would fill you with a knowledge of eternal life that expels doubt.  Pray that you would love people enough to share God’s Word with them.  Pray that the knowing and sharing of God’s Word would spread a growing belief in Jesus.  “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”  1 John 5:13 (NIV)

September 25, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Loving With Truth!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Loving With Truth!

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on loving with truth as we continue a series about being loved by Jesus so we can love like Jesus.  When we know the truth of God’s Word, we are prepared to speak that truth to others.  Truth is important to God and therefore ought to be important to us as his children.  The way we love people, especially those who may be labeled by society as outcasts, ought to be centered in the truth of God’s love for them.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow into a fullness of His truth.  Pray that the truth of God’s love for you would fully shape the way you love others.  Pray that you would not sacrifice truth to the gods of convenience, expediency, favor, or political correctness.  In living and speaking truth, pray that you would always do so in love.

“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’s help in loving people with truth.

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:  Speaking Truth.  Pray that your love for God and people would guide the way you speak truth.  Pray that you would be one who always speaks truth because that is what resides within you.  Pray that the people around you would know God’s love through the truth you speak.  “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?  He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.”  Psalm 15:1-2 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Learning Truth.  Pray that you would be a continual student of God’s Word as you learn truth from Him on a daily basis.  Pray that the truth you learn from God’s Word would guide your love for all people.  “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”  Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Walking in Truth.  Pray that you would be known by the people around you as one who walks in truth no matter what.  Pray that a continual awareness of how God views your life would help you to be faithful to Him as ’the Way, the Truth, and the Life”.  “Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.”  Psalm 26:2-3 (NIV)

Thursday:  Protected by Truth.  Pray that you would know the protection of having your life centered in the truth of God.  Pray that the truth of God’s mercy would direct the way you love others with mercy.  Pray that God’s protection would be known by those who experience His mercy through you.  “Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.”  Psalm 40:11 (NIV)

Friday:  Guided by Truth.  Pray that you would seek God’s truth for your source of guidance in all things.  Pray that your love for others would be guided by the truth of God’s love for them.  Pray that God’s love through you would guide others to Him.  “Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.”  Psalm 43:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Judged in Truth.  Pray that you are always prepared by the blood of Jesus to be judged in truth by God.  Pray that your love for people would lead you to be truthful with them about the day of God’s judgment.  Pray that the judgments you make about others would be truthful.  “They will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.”  Psalm 96:13 (NIV)

September 18, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Loving the Overlooked!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Loving the Overlooked!

“A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.  He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.”
Luke 19:2-3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will begin a series about being loved by Jesus so we can love like Jesus.  We’ll begin with a look at Zacchaeus and pray about how to love the overlooked . . . even when the overlooked just might be you.  Whether you feel overlooked because of your physical characteristics or the labels you wear, Jesus notices you and loves you.  When we love like Jesus, we pay attention to those that the world overlooks.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you know just how much you are noticed and loved by Him.  Pray that you would pay attention to the people around you who feel like the world has passed them by.  Pray that your eyes would always be open to the opportunities to share God’s love with others.  Pray for a heart that loves people in the same way that God loves 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’s help in loving people who are overlooked.

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: The Overlooked You Pass By.  Pray that you would not be so focused on your destination that you miss the people who are along the way.  Pray that you would see your journey in life as a series of opportunities to love people.  Pray for a heart that loves people in all places where you encounter them.  “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.”  Luke 19:1 (NIV)

Tuesday: The Overlooked Who Are Seeking.  Pray that you would do whatever it takes to see Jesus at work around you.  Pray that the people around you would long to know Jesus.  Pray that you would learn to love everyone who might be in the process of seeking Jesus.  “So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”  Luke 19:4 (NIV)

Wednesday: The Overlooked Who Are Noticed.  Pray that you would be confident of the gaze of Jesus directed toward you even when you feel overlooked by people.  Pray that God’s love in you would notice and include those who have been overlooked by others.  “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’”  Luke 19:5 (NIV)

Thursday: The Overlooked Who Are Labeled.  Pray that you would know the love of God regardless of the labels others might put on you.  Pray that your love for people would overcome the stereotypes and prejudices that tend to label people.  Pray that you would see beyond the labels that others have been tagged with.  “All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a “sinner.”'”  Luke 19:7 (NIV)

Friday: The Overlooked Who Are Repentant.  Pray for the courage to realize when your own actions have caused others to overlook you.  Pray for a life which reflects the actions that come from a repentant heart.  Pray that you would love those who you have wronged and those who have wronged you.  “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”  Luke 19:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  The Overlooked Who Are Lost.  Pray that you would know the love of God which sought you when you were lost.  Pray that you would live with a compassion for the lost that seeks to share God’s love with them.  Pray that you would not lose hope for yourself, or for others, as you consider God’s desire that all would be saved.  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”  Luke 19:10 (NIV)

September 11, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Courage To Finish Well!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

The Courage To Finish Well!

“Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.”
Revelation 3:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on having the courage to finish well!  Jesus taught His disciples about the importance of counting the costs of following Him so that we would complete the journey of life with Him.  While starting is important, beginning without finishing will accomplish very little.  Sometimes the finishing can be about us staying with a task without giving up, but often it has more to do with us staying connected to God so that He can finish His work in us.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see any areas of life where He would consider your deeds to be incomplete.  Pray that you would count the costs of being a disciple and ask for God’s help to complete your journey with Christ.  Pray that God’s Spirit would continually make you complete as you serve God and people.  Pray that you would be strengthened, and that God would use you to help strengthen others, so that the body of Christ would be made more complete because of your presence.

“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’s help in living with the courage to finish well.

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: Finish With Joy.  Pray that you would follow Jesus in a way that His teachings would fill you with a joy that is complete.  Pray that you would hold fast to the teachings of Jesus in order to share them with others so that their joy would also be made complete.  “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  John 15:11 (NIV)

Tuesday: Finish With Unity.  Pray that the presence of Jesus in your life would bring you to a unity in Him that would produce unity within the body of Christ.  Pray that the love of Jesus expressed to you would lead you to love others in a way that promotes greater unity.  “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 (NIV)

Wednesday: Finish With Knowledge.  Pray that the goodness of God within you would help you to be complete in a knowledge that is helpful to others.  Pray that you would see yourself and others as being competent to instruct because of a knowledge that comes from God.  “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”  Romans 15:14 (NIV)

Thursday: Finish  With Confidence.  Pray that you would live in such a way that others would have complete confidence in you even as you are confident in them.  Pray that your life and faith would be based on being completely confident in God and the work Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection.  “I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.”  2 Corinthians 7:16 (NIV)

Friday: Finish With Obedience.  Pray that you would continually grow in Christ with a desire to be completely obedient to Him.  Pray that your complete obedience would be even more of a priority to you before you would start to address the obedience of others.  “And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”  2 Corinthians 10:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Finish With Humility.  Pray that you would seek God’s help in removing pride from your life so that your humility would be complete.  Pray that godly love would be the foundation of humility in your life as you interact with others.  Pray that you would grow in humility all of your days.  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

September 4, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Courageous Motives!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Courageous Motives!

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.”
1 Chronicles 29:17 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on spending some time with God examining our motives.  God’s desire is that we would do everything with pure and right motives.  When we allow God’s Spirit and His Word to align our motives with His will, we are able to find a contagious joy in serving God.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to be honest with yourself as you examine why you do things.  Pray that God would test your heart so you could see any changes that need to be made.  Pray for the courage to trust God as you seek His guidance in realigning your motives.  Pray for the humility to admit when your motives have been self-serving and out of line with God’s will.  Pray that God would be honored and glorified through your life even in the midst of any changes of motive you need to make.

“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’s help in living with pure and courageous motives.

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:  Understood Motives.  Pray that you would live in such a way that you would find comfort in knowing God understands your motives.  Pray that you would have a genuine desire to seek God so you would not be rejected.  “The LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”  1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Weighed Motives.  Pray that you would trust God to weigh your motives against His standards regardless of how right you believe them to be.  Pray that you would accept God’s ways as you find them to be more noble than your own.  Pray for a humility that allows you to change when your ways are found wanting.  “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.”  Proverbs 16:2 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Exposed Motives.  Pray for the wisdom to examine your own motives and let God deal with the motives of others.  Pray that you would have nothing to be ashamed of when the Lord exposes the motives of your heart.  “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.”  1 Corinthians 4:5  (NIV)

Thursday:  Overcome Motives.  Pray that you would be mindful to the work of God taking place even when motives are not what they should be.  Pray for the ability to rejoice over the work of God being accomplished even when it is motivated by someone’s evil intent.  “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”  Philippians 1:18 (NIV)

Friday:  Pure Motives.  Pray that you would live with honest in all of your interactions with others so that your motives are not purposefully hidden.  Pray that you would always speak and act with pure motives that look our for the good of others.  Pray that your reputation would be one of honesty.  “For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.”  1 Thessalonians 2:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Unselfish Motives.  Pray that God would help you deal with all elements of selfishness in your life.  Pray for the humility to consider the needs of others above your own when you talk with God.  Pray for God’s help in knowing what to ask in your prayers that would benefit others.  “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”  James 4:3 (NIV)

August 28, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Place of Belonging!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Place of Belonging!

“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 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will return to a previous prayer focus on having a place where we belong.  Most of us have times in our life when we struggle with feelings of not fitting in or knowing where we belong.  The enemy is good at creating division and feelings of exclusion, but God has a lot to say about where we belong as His children.  To all who feel pushed aside and excluded by those who feel they are more important, Jesus calls us to come to Him and know that we belong in His kingdom.  As you pray this week, pray that your sense of belonging would be restored and refreshed as you approach God with the heart and faith of a child.  Pray about how you view others, especially those who are different from you in some way, and ask God to help you value the way He has made them.  Pray that God would use you to help others know that they too belong.  Pray that the church gathering you participate in would always be a place where all who approach God in spirit and in truth can belong.

“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’s help in knowing that you belong.

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: Belonging to Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would recognize the value you have as one who has been called to belong to Jesus.  Pray that the people around you would know you as one who belongs to Christ.  Pray for the courage to help others have a desire to belong to Jesus.  “And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”  Romans 1:6 (NIV)

Tuesday: Belonging to One Another.  Pray that you would live as a valuable part of the body of Christ as you belong to one another.  Pray that you would value others as a member of the body you are a part of.  Pray for the humility needed to practice this reciprocal belonging to one another.  “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”  Romans 12:5

Wednesday: Belonging to the Lord.  Pray that your life would be lived for the Lord in all that you do.  Pray that the people around you would know you as one who belongs to the Lord.  Pray for the wisdom to help other see how they can belong to the Lord.  “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”  Romans 14:8 (NIV)

Thursday: Belonging to the Day.  Pray that your actions would express to others that you belong to the day because you have put aside the deeds of darkness.  Pray that the people around you would know you as one who is self-controlled.  “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”  1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)

Friday: Belonging to God.  Pray that you would declare the praises of God as you live as one who has been chosen to belong to Him.  Pray that the people around you would hear from you how belonging to God has transformed your life.  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Saturday:  Belonging to the Truth.  Pray that your heart would be at rest as you belong to the truth.  Pray that the people around you would know rest through an acceptance of the truth.  Pray for discernment to share truth in ways that help others find  peace and rest in Christ.  “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.”  1 John 3:19 (NIV)

August 21, 2022 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Claiming God’s Promises!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Claiming God’s Promises!

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on claiming some of the promises of God.  Promises in the Bible can be difficult for many people to grasp.  Sometimes we tend to define the promise according to our understanding and what we want.  When God promises comfort, how often do we want it to mean we would never experience a pain that would require His comfort?  Even if we understand the nature of the promise accurately, we often expect the promise to be fulfilled in keeping with our timetable rather than God’s.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His “great and precious” promises.  Pray that you would hold fast to His promises, especially when it takes longer for them to be fulfilled than what you would like.  Pray for the heart, mind, and eyes to see how God has not only extended His promises to you, but calls you to share in extending His promises to others.

“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’s help in recognizing and claiming God’s promises.

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:  Promised Peace.  Pray that you would listen to God and find a peace in Him that the world cannot take away.  Pray that you would hold on to God’s promise of peace in the midst of trouble.  Pray that you would share God’s peace with others as you fully reject a life built on folly.  “I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints — but let them not return to folly.”  Psalm 85:8 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Promised Salvation.  Pray that you would know the unfailing love of God that gives the promise of salvation that is based on His goodness.  Pray about how God would have you love others in a way that reflects His love.  Pray that you would share with others about the salvation God has brought to you as you live for Him.  “May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise.”  Psalm 119:41 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Promised Graciousness.  Pray that you would know the graciousness of God as you seek Him with a whole heart.  Pray with thanksgiving for the many ways God extends His grace to you.  Pray that you would learn to be gracious with others as you realize how much you experience the graciousness of God’s promises to you.  “I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.”  Psalm 119:58 (NIV)

Thursday:  Promised Comfort.  Pray that a recognition of God’s unfailing love would comfort you in your times of greatest pain.  Pray that you would always seek God to be your comfort.  Pray that you would be obedient in comforting others with the comfort God has given you according to His promises.  “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”  Psalm 119:76 (NIV)

Friday:  Promised Deliverance.  Pray that you would always turn to God as the one who can meet your needs “according to His riches in glory.”  Pray that you would fully consider how God has delivered you as you share His promises of deliverance to the people around you.  “May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.”  Psalm 119:170 (NIV)

Saturday:  Promised Eternal Life.  Pray that you would always hold fast to the greatest promise of God — eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would have the courage to speak boldly with others about eternal life as a promise which we can hold on to because the One who promises is faithful.  “And this is what he promised us — even eternal life.”  1 John 2:25 (NIV)