“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A House of Prayer!

“And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.'”
Mark 11:17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have us praying about what it looks like to live as the house of God — a HOUSE of prayer!  When we read of Jesus clearing the temple and proclaiming it to be a house of prayer, we would do well to look beyond a physical building and consider the cleansing He wants, and needs, to do in our life.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with a greater awareness of His presence each day.  Pray that you would not only allow Jesus to fully cleanse your life, but that He would fill your cleansed house with His Spirit.  Ask God to help you grow in a lifestyle of prayer as He longs for His dwelling within you to be a house of prayer.  Pray that your life would be an example to others of what living as the temple of God can look like.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 to be a house of prayer for all nations.

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:  Living As God’s House.  Pray that your decisions in life would be a reflection of God’s Spirit living within you.  Pray that being God’s temple would help you to live with a greater awareness of the purity that He demands.  Pray that the people around you would know the transforming power of God taking up residence within us.  “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Home of Prayer.  Ask God to help you be committed to making your home a place of prayer.  Pray that becoming a house of prayer would begin in the place where you live.  “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed.”  Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

Wednesday:  An Occupation of Prayer.  Ask God to help you be occupied with the practice of prayer at all times.  Pray that nothing would distract you from making your conversations with God be a part of everything you 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)

Thursday:  An Understanding of Prayer.  Ask God to give  you a greater understanding of prayer through His Word and His Spirit as you learn from Jesus.  Pray that your understanding of prayer would lead others to a greater desire to pray.  “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’”  Luke 11:1 (NIV)

Friday:  A Submission of Prayer.  Ask God to give you a submissive spirit within your prayer life.  Pray that you would be fully open to God’s will in the midst of everything you pray about.  “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”  Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  An Encouragement of Prayer.  Ask God to encourage you through your times of prayer.  Pray that you would know the protection of God that comes with living as a house of prayer.  Pray that God’s Spirit within you would help you to overcome the weakness of your flesh.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  Mark 14:38 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living the Good Life!

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’”
Mark 10:17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have us praying about living the good life according to God’s perspective.  Many times we think of goodness according to our own definitions of who or what is good.  When we seek eternal life through Christ, His goodness becomes the standard we must use to evaluate our life.  As you pray this week, ask God to open your eyes to see the attractiveness of His goodness.  Pray that His goodness in you would help others to see Jesus more clearly.  Pray that the good life you seek would come from a transformed life and be more than just a whitewashed surface.  Pray for a growing trust in a God who specializes in things thought impossible.  Pray about how God would have you share with others about living a good life in Christ. Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 know Him as the true source of goodness.

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:  Know God’s Goodness.  Pray that your acknowledgement of Jesus as good would always recognize Him as God.  Pray that you would know, and share, the goodness of God as you find Him to be the source of all that is truly good.  Pray that you would seek to imitate God’s goodness.  “’Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good — except God alone.’”  Mark 10:18 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Know God’s Commands.  Pray that you would be a willing student of God’s Word.  Pray for a growing knowledge and understanding of the commands of God.  Pray that you would know God’s laws as good.  “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”  Mark 10:19 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Keep God’s Commands.  Pray for a conviction and desire to obey God’s Word.  Pray that you would accurately evaluate how well you keep the commands of God.  Pray about how God would have you to know His goodness through your willing obedience to His commands.  “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”  Mark 10:20 (NIV)

Thursday:  Know God’s Love.  Pray that you would never forget God’s love for you.  Pray that you would see people through the eyes of Jesus as He looks upon them with love.  Pray that you would find the goodness of life as you grow in your practice of knowing and sharing the love of God.  Pray about how God would have you share His love with others.  “Jesus looked at him and loved him.”  Mark 10:21a (NIV)

Friday:  Be Sacrificially Generous.  Pray that you would seek God’s help in discovering the things you lack.  Pray for the courage to live with the generosity toward others that God has shown to you.  Pray that the treasures you seek would be found in God.  “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  Mark 10:21b (NIV)

Saturday:  Trust God With the Impossible.  Pray that your limitations would never cause you to give up pursuing the good life.  Pray for a growing faith that trusts God’s ability to do the impossible.  Pray that your pursuit of the good life would trust in what God will do rather than in what you are capable of.  “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”  Mark 10:27 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Win, Lose, and Draw!

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
Mark 8:35 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have us praying about priorities — how we win, what we must lose, and where we draw strength from in order to choose wisely.  In a world that defines success by how much of its goods you can accumulate, following Jesus redefines our priorities when it comes to how we can really win by losing.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you draw from His well the gifts that lead to eternal life.  Pray that you would live a life that is fully surrendered to God.  Pray that you would value all that you gain through a life that is given to God.  Pray that your life would help others to see all that can be gained by giving themselves fully to God.  Pray for a life of faithfulness that consistently draws near to God in all things.  Pray that you would always allow God to set your priorities in all things.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 draw near to Him as you win by losing.

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:  Win the Heavenly Prize.  Pray for the discernment needed to stay focused on the heavenward calling God has extended to all who would accept it.  Pray that winning the heavenly prize found in Christ would be your greatest priority in life . . . worth more to you than anything else.  “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Lose Control of Your Life.  Pray that you would willingly surrender control of your life so that it would be found in Christ.  Pray that you would help others know the value of losing as a way to truly find what is most important.  Pray that you would always allow God to have control in your life.  “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”  Matthew 16:25 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Draw From the Well of Living Water.  Pray that your thirst would be satisfied as you turn to Jesus as your source of living water.  Pray for the humility needed to share with others about the only source of life-giving water — the deep well of living water that is Jesus.  “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?”  John 4:11 (NIV)

Thursday:  Win People to Jesus.   Pray that your idea of winning would lead you to consider the needs of others above your own.  Pray that your life would be lived in a freedom that shares Jesus with others.  Pray that many people would be won to Christ through your witness.  “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”  1 Corinthians 9:19 (NIV)

Friday:  Lose Your Trust In Things.  Pray that you would have the courage to lose your trust in the things this world tends to value the most.  Pray that your priorities would be realigned toward the things of God.  Pray that your life would help others to see how knowing Christ far exceeds the value of any loss of worldly things.  “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.”  Philippians 3:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  Draw Near to God.  Pray that your definitions of winning and losing would be defined clearly by God as you draw near to Him with a whole heart.  Pray that your priorities would be purified and that your life would be washed clean as you experience God drawing near to you in response to your desire for Him.  “Draw near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  James 4:8 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Tell Others!

“Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’  So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”
Mark 5:19-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have us praying about some things God would have us to tell others, beginning with our family and extending to everyone around us wherever we go.  As we experience God’s work in our life, His expectation and command is that we would tell others about what He has done.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see, and tell, all He has done in your life.  Pray that you would notice, and make the most of, all of the opportunities that God gives you to tell others about Him.  Pray for the courage to speak truthfully about God with your family as God prepares you to share the good news of Jesus wherever you go.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 tell others about all He has done 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:  Tell of God’s Wonders.  Pray for a heart that desires to praise God at all times as you share with others about the many wonders of God.  Pray that you would live with eyes that are open to seeing the many wonders of God that are displayed around us each day.  “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.”  Psalm 9:1 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Tell of God’s Righteousness.  Pray that you would always live with an amazement of the scope of God’s righteousness.  Pray that God would give you the words needed to tell others about how His righteousness has brought salvation to your life.  “My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.”  Psalm 71:15 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Tell of God’s Works.  Pray that you would never lose sight of the mighty works of God — both those you experience and those you read about.  Pray that you would be faithful in telling others, especially the next generations, of the mighty acts of God in your life and in scripture.  “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.”  Psalm 145:4 (NIV)

Thursday:  Tell of God’s Glorious Kingdom.   Pray that your life as a citizen of God’s kingdom would prepare you to tell others about that glorious kingdom.  Pray for the words that would express both the glory and might of God’s kingdom.  Pray for the ability to speak clearly as you tell others of God’s glorious kingdom.  “They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might.”  Psalm 145:11 (NIV)

Friday:  Tell of God’s Faithfulness.  Pray that you would always praise God throughout your entire life.  Pray that your praise of God would help your children, and all the generations following you, to know of God’s faithfulness.  Pray that everything about your life would tell others about God’s faithfulness.  “The living, the living — they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.”  Isaiah 38:19 (NIV)

Saturday:  Tell What You Have Found In Jesus.  Pray for the courage to tell others about everything you have found in Jesus.  Pray for a sense of urgency in helping others to know of the salvation that is found in  Christ.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity to share with others the good news of Jesus.  “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).”  John 1:41 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Undivided!

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
Mark 3:24-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have us praying about living an undivided life.  When accused of driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons, Jesus made it clear that being divided will bring about destruction.  God’s desire is that He would fill the center of our life to such an extent that there would be no room for division.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live an undivided life.  Pray that you and those around you would be undivided in your pursuit of God.  Pray for the courage and wisdom needed to seek and find a unity in Christ that overcomes the divisions stirred up by the enemy.  Pray about the way you represent Jesus to others so that the people around you would know of an undivided kingdom that God is calling them to.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 an undivided life in Christ.

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:  Undivided Heart.  Pray that you would always seek to learn the ways of God with an undivided heart.  Pray that your undivided heart would lead to a greater fear of the Lord.  Pray for the wisdom to live in such a way that others would see the value of living with an undivided heart.  “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”  Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Undivided Devotion.  Pray that you would be steadfast in your decision to be devoted to God and serve Him only.  Pray that the people around you would have no doubt about your devotion to God in all things.  “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”  Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Undivided Focus.  Pray that nothing would distract you from living a life focused on Jesus.  Pray that your faith would grow as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus in every situation.  Pray about how God would have you represent Jesus to others as you keep Him in focus throughout all of your relationships with others.  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”  Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Thursday:  Undivided Teaching.   Pray for the wisdom to see through the teachings of those who try to divide you from others and from God.  Pray that your teaching of others would be undivided as you base everything on the  Word of God.  “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”  Romans 16:17 (NIV)

Friday:  Undivided Mind.  Pray that you would grow in unity with all believers as you each live according to the mind of Christ.  Pray for a spirit of agreement with others as you think and live with an undivided mind.  “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Undivided Body.  Pray that you would live with a knowledge of the value that you have to God.  Pray that you would value others equally as important parts of the body of Christ.  Pray that the body of Christ would be undivided as each part shows concern for all of the other parts.  “So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”  1 Corinthians 12:25 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A New Love!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 (NIV)

As many people pause to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I bring back a prayer focus I first shared a few years ago — love.  This week we will spend some time praying about the love God has expressed toward us and about how we can live in such a way that we share it with others.  God has always instructed His people to love, so it must have been a little confusing to the disciples when Jesus told them He was giving them a new command — a command to love one another.  I believe the new part of the command, new because it had not been seen in such a clear way ever before, was to love as Jesus loved.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate how you love.  Pray that you would be so filled with God’s love that loving like Jesus would become more natural each day.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 respond to His love with a new expression of love.

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:  Love God.  Pray that your love of God would always be the top priority of all the love you have.  Pray that God’s love for you would be the standard for the love you have for Him.  Pray that your love for God would grow each day.  “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.”  Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Love Your Neighbor.  Pray that you would focus more on loving your neighbor as God would want than on trying to define who that neighbor is — or isn’t.  Pray that  you would be the neighbor that shows love to all those in need.  Pray for the courage to love others in a way that values them.  “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:31 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Love Your Enemies.  Pray that the love of God within you would extend to those you disagree with — even with those who would be considered enemies.  Pray that the love God expressed toward you while you were an enemy would be expressed by you to those who may treat  you poorly.  “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

Thursday:  Love that Leads to Obedience.   Pray that you would be filled with a love that seeks to do the things that you know please God.  Pray that you would live with an obedient spirit that desires to obey the commands of God as an expression of your love.  Pray that your love for God would be seen by others as you live according to His Word.  “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”  John 14:15 (NIV)

Friday:  Love that Honors Others.  Pray that your love for others would be sincere as you look for the things that benefit them.  Pray that the way you honor others would reject evil and seek what is good.  Pray for the humility to honor others above yourself.  “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Love that Resolves Sin.  Pray that you would know the love of God that has resolved the multitude of sins in your life.  Pray that the way you love others would not use their sin against them but would help them be able to resolve that sin with God.  Pray that the depth of your love would lead to forgiveness — both a forgiveness you receive and a forgiveness you give.  “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”  1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Godly Portion!

“You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words.  I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.  I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.  I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.  Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.  At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.” 
Psalm 119:57-62 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will look at how we should respond to God being our portion in life.  I suppose our response to many things is a reflection of how satisfied we are with the portion of those things we have received.  In a similar manner, our contentment with God is reflected in how we respond to Him being our portion in life.  As  you pray this week, ask God to help you know Him as your portion — a portion that is completely satisfying and more than enough.  Pray that your response to God’s presence would be seen by others in a way that makes Him desirable to them.  Pray that your acceptance of God as your portion would result in appropriate responses and praise of God.  Pray that God’s generosity to you would be shared by you with others.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 respond appropriately to Him being your portion in 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:  Obey God’s Words.  Pray that having the Lord as your portion would cause you to keep a promise to obey His words.  Pray that your willingness and desire to obey the words of God would help others know the contentment that can be found in Christ.  Pray that you would share God out of the abundant portion He has given you.  “You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words.”  Psalm 119:57 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Seek God’s Face.  Pray that God’s graciousness is known by you as you seek His face wholeheartedly.  Pray that you would know the fullness of God as your portion as you fully seek Him.  Pray that the people around you would know that God will be found when they seek Him as their portion in life.  “I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.”  Psalm 119:58 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Walk In God’s Ways.  Pray that an examination of your ways would direct your walk to follow the ways of God.  Pray for the courage to change your direction when your walk is not according to God’s laws.  Pray that you would be an example to others of God’s power to change the direction of a life that seeks Him as their portion.  “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.”  Psalm 119:59 (NIV)

Thursday:  Obey God’s Commands.  Pray that your life would be emptied of excuses so that you would promptly obey the commands of God.  As you obey God’s words, pray that you would not delay in obeying all of His commands.  Pray that your eagerness to obey God’s commands would help others to know the fullness of God’s portion in their life.  “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”  Psalm 119:60 (NIV)

Friday:  Remember God’s Law.  Pray that the distractions of the world we live in would never keep you from remembering the law of God.  Pray that the wickedness of others would not cause you to forget and neglect the laws of God.  Pray that your steadfast remembering, and keeping, of the laws of God would help others to see God as your portion.  “Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.”  Psalm 119:61 (NIV)

Saturday:  Thankful for God’s Righteousness.  Pray that words of thanksgiving would always be on your lips for the righteousness that God has expressed in His laws.  Pray that you would always know the goodness of God as you give thanks to Him.  Pray that your life of thankfulness with God as your portion would help others look to Him as their portion.  “At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.”  Psalm 119:62 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With 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)

With much recent talk about unity, 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 . . .) though 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.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 unity by His design.

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: Living With Unity of Mind.  Pray for a unity of mind among the people of God so that the work of the kingdom is not hindered.  Pray that the Word of God would be the source for the unity of mind you seek.  “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  (NIV)

Tuesday: Living With Unity of Life.  Pray for unity in the individual families of your congregation and throughout the family of your congregation so that life together will be “good and pleasant”.  Pray that you would learn to live in unity while honoring the uniqueness of individuals.  Pray that a unity of life would help those around you see Jesus.  “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”  Psalm 133:1  (NIV)

Wednesday: Living With Complete Unity.  Pray that your pursuit of complete unity in Christ would help others to see Jesus and the love of God in you.  Pray that love would be the foundation of your unity in a world that needs to see 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  (NIV)

Thursday: Living With Unity of Spirit.  Pray for a unity of spirit among your church family that is based on following Christ Jesus.  Pray that you would grow in endurance as God encourages and leads you to a greater unity through following Christ.  Pray that a unity of spirit would identify you as a follower of Christ.  “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5  (NIV)

Friday: Living With Unity of Faith.  Pray for the maturity to get along with one another as we all mature into a unity of faith.  Pray that your knowledge of Jesus would lead you to a unity of faith that results in growing into the fullness of Christ.  “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  (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With 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.  Pray about how all of the goodness of God will come together in your life as you live in the presence of others in a way that imitates Jesus.  “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:14  (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Learning To Follow!

“It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” 
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on learning to follow.  It is easy to get caught up in the following of programs, personalities, a pursuit of information, and even our favorite authors.  Each of those can help us in our real pursuit, but only when they are used as tools to assist us in actually following God more closely.  While following God requires complete trust and faith, God has given us the tools of His Word, His Spirit, and prayer so that we are not following blindly.  As you pray, ask God to help you not only decide to follow Him, but to empower you to remain committed to that pursuit.  Pray that you would know the joy and peace that comes from following One who will always lead in the absolute best direction.  Pray that the way you follow God would serve as an example to others in their pursuit of His.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

January Prayer Focus:  “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)

“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 follow Him in everything.

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: Follow Justice.  Pray that you would treat everyone justly and follow the way of justice in all your relationships.  Pray that you would know and receive the possession of eternal life that God desires to give you as you follow justice in the place where you live.  “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 16:20 (NIV)

Tuesday: Follow Righteous Judgment.  Pray that you would reject favoritism and pursue judgments that are founded on God’s righteousness.  Pray that you would know the righteousness of God’s judgment.  Pray that you would live with an upright heart that leads you to follow the way of righteous judgment.  “Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.”  Psalm 94:15 (NIV)

Wednesday: Follow God’s Decrees.  Pray that your desire to be a person of God would lead you to carefully follow His decrees.  Pray that you would follow God’s decrees not only as one of “His people”, but also because He is your God.  “Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:20 (NIV)

Thursday: Follow Sacrificially.  Pray that you would have the courage to deny yourself as you follow God.  Pray that you would take on a life of godly sacrifice as you follow Jesus daily.  Pray that your sacrificial following of Jesus would lead others to follow Him.  “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”  Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Friday: Follow Godly Examples.  Pray that you would look to the wisdom and example of the people around you who are following Christ.  Pray for discernment to see what the example of Christ looks like today.  Pray that the way you follow Christ would serve as an example to the people around you who need to see what a Christ-follower looks like.  “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

Saturday:  Follow the Example of Jesus.  Pray that you would look to the life, and suffering, of Jesus to be your primary example for how to live this life.  Pray that you would pursue a relationship with Jesus that would lead you to daily follow in His steps.  Pray for the wisdom to follow the example of Jesus in such a way that others see Him through you.  “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”  1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: The Goodness of Justice!

“Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:7-8 (NIV)

As we pause this week to remember the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, we will spend time praying about the goodness of God’s justice.  As we remember a pursuit of equality with liberty and justice for all, we recognize that this way of life was first God’s calling for all of us.  God’s idea of justice is to make things right between us and Him and between us and one another.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see any areas of injustice that you have contributed to or allowed to continue by not acting or speaking out.  Pray that you would walk in humility as you “do justice” because it is good and pleases God.  Pray for the courage to stand alone if necessary in order to maintain justice.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

January Prayer Focus:  “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)

“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 know, and share, the goodness of His justice.

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: Justice Which Brings Blessing.  Pray that you would know and share the blessing of maintaining true justice.  Pray that you would look to God to know what is right, and ask Him to give you the courage to consistently do it.  Pray that the people around you would know the goodness of justice through the blessings it brings.  “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”  Psalm 106:3 (NIV)

Tuesday: Justice As a Light To the Nations.  Pray that you would live and practice a justice that is based on God’s Word.  Pray that your sharing in the justice of God would lift His light to all those around you.  Pray that you would share the true justice that is found in God’s Word.  “Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations.”  Isaiah 51:4 (NIV)

Wednesday: Justice That Does Not Fail.  Pray that you would never tire of doing what is right and just.  Pray that you would be involved in helping godly justice flow continually like a mighty river.  Pray that the people around you would know of God’s unending justice because they see it represented in you.  “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”  Amos 5:24 (NIV)

Thursday: Justice With Mercy and Compassion.  Pray that your administration of justice would be true and right as you use mercy and compassion as guides to how you treat others.  Pray that your motives would be pure as you seek true justice above any desire for revenge.  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’”  Zechariah 7:9 (NIV)

Friday: Justice For Those Who Cry Out to God.  Pray that you would experience the justice which comes from God as you live as one chosen by Him.  Pray that you would be available to God for the purpose of providing justice to those around you who continually cry out to Him.  “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”  Luke 18:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Justice In God’s Judgment.  Pray that you would be prepared for the justice found on the day of judgment.  Pray that your relationship with Christ has made you ready for His judgment.  Pray that you would know the certainty of God’s justice made sure by the resurrection of Christ.  “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”  Acts 17:31 (NIV)