“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Pray Noticeably!

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

As we continue the #PraySTRONG emphasis, we have focused on praying submissively, praying truthfully, praying repentantly, and praying observantly.  This week our prayer emphasis will focus on praying noticeably.  If the topic of praying noticeably sounds strange, I should probably point out that praying to be noticed and praying that is noticed aren’t the same thing.  A lifestyle of prayer isn’t designed to draw attention to yourself, but it ought to produce fruit in your life that helps others to see God more clearly.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the motives behind  your prayers.  Pray that the things you talk to God about would result in others noticing the work of God in your life.  Ask God to help your prayer life be an example that would lead people to seek greater depth in their relationship with God.  Ask God to help your practice of these daily prayer points help others to know they too can have meaningful conversations with God.  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 congregation and for 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 your prayer life be such that it draws attention to 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:  Pray Earnestly.  Ask God to help you pray earnestly for those whose situations may seem hopeless.  Pray that the earnestness of your prayers would help others notice how important prayer is to you.  Ask God to help you always keep on praying without giving up.  “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”  Acts 12:5 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Pray With Joy.  Ask God to fill you with joy about Him and about those you pray for.  Pray that your joy would be expressed, and even increased, because of the way you pray for all of those around you.  Pray that the joy in your prayers would be noticed by the people around you who need to experience God’s joy.  “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”  Philippians 1:4 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Pray For Restoration.  Ask God to help you notice those who are distant and need to be restored.  Pray that you would not only be restored to God, but that you would seek God’s help in seeing people restored to one another.  Pray that the restoration you have experienced would fill others with hope.  “I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.”  Hebrews 13:19 (NIV)

Thursday:  Pray During Times of Trouble.  Ask God to help you look to Him in times of trouble — whether it is trouble you face or trouble those around you experience.  Pray that you would know the praise of peace that comes to those who seek God in times of trouble.  Pray that others would notice the peace that is found in prayer.  “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”  James 5:13 (NIV)

Friday:  Pray With a Clear Mind.  Ask God to help you overcome distractions that keep you from praying as you ought.  Pray that you would recognize in the brevity of life the importance of praying with a clear mind and with self control.  Pray that others would notice the clarity that comes from a lifestyle of prayer.  “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”  1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Pray In the Holy Spirit.  Ask God to make you more aware of His Spirit’s presence in your life as you pray.  Pray that your faith would be built up as you allow God’s Spirit to intercede for you when it seems your words of prayer are inadequate.  Pray that your faith would be noticed as you choose to walk by the power of the Spirit each day.  “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”  Jude 1:20 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Pray Observantly!

“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
John 4:35 (NIV)

As we continue the #PraySTRONG emphasis, we have focused on praying submissively, praying truthfully, and praying repentantly.  This week our prayer emphasis will focus on praying observantly.  As we walk with God, it is important that we ask Him to open our eyes to the work He is doing — and to the work He has for us to do.  When we pray observantly, we learn to take notice of the things around us and we use those visual cues as prayer prompts.  As you pray this week, ask God to open your eyes to see Him.  Pray that you would see God more clearly, others more fully, and yourself more accurately.  Pray that you would live with open eyes as you interact with God and with people.  Pray that your open eyes would help you to see others as God sees them — and yourself as God sees you.  Pray that God’s presence would always be noticed by you and through you.  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 congregation and for 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 grow in the observation skills necessary to grow in a lifestyle of prayer.

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: Observe Your Need.  As you pray, ask God to give you clarity in your observation of the great need that is common among people.  Pray that your eyes would be open to your need for a covering that only  God can provide.  “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”  Genesis 3:7 (NIV)

Tuesday: Observe God’s Provision.  As you pray, ask God to help you observe all that He has provided as you acknowledge Him as the source of all good things.  Pray that you would see how you could be the instrument of God’s provision in the lives of others.  “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”  Genesis 21:19 (NIV)

Wednesday: Observe God’s Message.  As you pray, ask God to help you observe and pay attention to the many ways He communicates His message.  Pray that you would respond with appropriate worship to the message of  God’s Word.  “Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.”  Numbers 22:31 (NIV)

Thursday: Observe God’s Word.  As you pray, ask God to help you observe the wonder that is found in His Word.  Pray that the wonder of creation would help you to see the wonder of God throughout His word.  Pray that your eyes would be opened in a way that sees God’s law in a whole new light.  “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”  Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Friday: Observe God’s Promises.  As you pray, ask God to help you watch for the many ways that God keeps and fulfills His promises.  Pray for a life which shares the promises of God.  Pray that you would never tire of looking into the Word of God to consider the incredible promises God makes to His children.  “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.”  Psalm 119:148 (NIV)

Saturday:  Observe the Harvest.  As you pray, ask God to give you eyes which are observant to the harvest opportunities around you.  Pray that you would not miss your chances to make the most of every opportunity.  Pray that you would see the urgency of sharing Jesus with the people around you.  “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”  John 4:35 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Pray Repentantly!

“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)

As we continue the #PraySTRONG emphasis, we have focused on praying submissively and praying truthfully.  This week our prayer emphasis will focus on praying repentantly.  The Bible says all have sinned but the unfortunate truth is that we not only have sinned, we still sin even after coming to Christ.  Therefore, repentance is not only for the unsaved, but perhaps more importantly, it is for those of us who seek to walk with Christ daily.  Repentance is more than a change of action, although the Bible is clear that it must be visible in our actions.  It is a complete change of heart — a change of thinking about that which we are repenting of.  As you pray this week, ask God to help  you see the need for repentance in your life and that you would learn to see the things you are repenting of from God’s perspective.  Pray that you would have a greater understanding of God’s desire that everyone would come to repentance.  Pray for the humility needed to repent and to graciously help others recognize their need to repent.  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 congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

Missions Focus:  Pray for the work Tom Lemler is doing with Impact Prayer Ministry.  Pray for the effectiveness of the Impact Prayer Ministry resources as they are used around the world.  Pray for increased opportunities and support that will allow Impact Prayer Ministry to do all that is within God’s will.

“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 grow in a repentance that leads to a stronger prayer 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:  Repent in Godly Sorrow.  Pray that the sorrow you experience when doing wrong would be godly sorrow that leads you to repentance.  Pray with thanksgiving that the results of your repentance leaves you with no regrets.  “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”  2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Repent in Obedience.  Pray that you would be obedient to God’s command to repent even of acts done in ignorance.  Pray for the courage to seek God’s instruction and to follow it in full obedience.  Pray that your obedience would help others have a desire to repent.  “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”  Acts 17:30 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Repent of Pride.  Pray that God would help you to identify and repent of all traces of sinful pride in your life.  Pray that God’s grace would be showered upon you and those around you as you repent.  “Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD’s wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.”  2 Chronicles 32:26 (NIV)

Thursday:  Repent of Wickedness.  Pray that  you would turn to God and repent of all aspects of wickedness — even wickedness that currently only resides in your thoughts.  Pray for a clear mind that understands the need to be rid of all wickedness.  “Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”  Acts 8:22 (NIV)

Friday:  Repent for Refreshment.  Pray that your repentance would bring a time of refreshment in your life as you experience the penalty of your sins being wiped away.  Pray that the cleansing you receive from God would lead you to be an instrument of God’s refreshing.  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.’”  Acts 3:19 (NIV)

Saturday:  Repent for Restoration.  Pray that you would experience God’s restoration in your life as you turn to Him in repentance.  Pray that your restoration by God would help you to restore others who also repent.  “Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman.”  Jeremiah 15:19 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Pray Truthfully!

“Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’”  
John 18:37 (NIV)

As we continue to #PraySTRONG in 2020, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  This week our prayer focus will be on truth.  Matthew and John each record 30 times when Jesus used the phrase, “I tell you the truth”.  Truth is important to God and therefore ought to be important to us as his children when we talk with Him.  If praying submissively lays the foundation for our conversations with God, praying truthfully may well set the walls that provide the boundaries for our prayers.  As  you pray this week, ask God to fill you with His truth in all that you do, but especially in your conversations with Him.  Pray that you would trust God enough to be fully honest with Him in all things.  Pray that your honesty with God would help you to be more truthful in every area of your life.  Pray about how you can live out a truthful prayer life in a way that shows God’s love to the world.  Pray that your truthfulness with God would help you to live in greater unity with others.  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 congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

Missions Focus:  Pray for the work Tom Lemler is doing with Impact Prayer Ministry.  Pray for the effectiveness of the Impact Prayer Ministry resources as they are used around the world.  Pray for increased opportunities and support that will allow Impact Prayer Ministry to do all that is within God’s will.

“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 grow in the truthfulness that leads to a stronger prayer 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:  Truthful Speech.  Ask God to help your words be truthful as you talk with Him and as you talk with others.  Pray that you would be one who always speaks truth because that is what resides within you.  “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:  Truthful Learning.  Ask God to help your prayers contain the truth you have learned from His Word.  Pray that you would be a continual student of God’s Word as you learn truth from Him on a daily basis.  “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:  Truthful Walk.  Ask God to help you walk in with Him in such a way that your conversations with Him are always genuine.  Pray that you would be known by the people around you as one who walks in truth no matter what.  “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:  Truthful Protection.  Ask God to help you know His protection and to help you be honest about your need for His protection.  Pray that you would know the protection of having your life centered in the truth of God.  “Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.”  Psalm 40:11 (NIV)

Friday:  Truthful Guidance.  Ask God to guide you in truthfulness in all things, especially in the way you talk with Him and talk about Him.   Pray that you would seek God’s truth for your source of guidance in all things.  “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:  Truthful Judgment.  Ask God to help you talk with Him truthfully about the judgment you deserve and about how His mercy triumphs over that judgment.  Pray that you are always prepared by the blood of Jesus to be judged by the truth of God and His Word.  “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)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Pray Submissively!

“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)

As we continue a #PraySTRONG emphasis, over the next weeks I will expand the original #PraySTRONG prayer guide to spend a week focused specifically on each point.  This week we will be praying about submission and how it looks from God’s perspective.  Praying submissively takes work because both the praying part and the submissive part are under constant attack from our enemy.  Since God’s view of submission may not look like the world defines it, we would do well to learn from the One who “was heard because of His reverent submission.”  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding and willingness to live a submissive life.  Pray that you would learn submission not just in your interactions with God and others, but in the content and expectations of your prayers.  Pray for a greater understanding of how a lack of a submissive spirit can hinder your prayers.  Pray for the courage to wait on God to lift you up when your submissiveness to others is taken advantage of.  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 congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

Missions Focus:  Pray for the work Tom Lemler is doing with Impact Prayer Ministry.  Pray for the effectiveness of the Impact Prayer Ministry resources as they are used around the world.  Pray for increased opportunities and support that will allow Impact Prayer Ministry to do all that is within God’s will.

“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 grow in the submission that leads to a stronger prayer 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: Submit to Governing Authorities.  Pray that your submission to governing authorities would come from a recognition of God’s authority over all things.  Pray for wisdom to know how to live submissively when authorities are not always godly.  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  Romans 13:1 (NIV)

Tuesday: Submit to One Another.  Pray that your reverence for Christ in all things would help you submit to others.  Pray for a submissive spirit that looks out for the needs of others above your own.  Pray that you would not take advantage of the submissiveness of others.  “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

Wednesday: Submit to Discipline by God.  Pray that you would accept God’s discipline as the live-giving correction it is meant to be.  Pray that your response to discipline would help others to know the love of the Father.  “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!”  Hebrews 12:9 (NIV)

Thursday: Submit to Leaders.  Pray that your submission to leaders would make their work a joy.  Pray for godly leaders who lead out of their full submission to God.  “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”  Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

Friday: Submit to God.   Pray that you would submit to God in all things so that the devil has no foothold in your life.  Pray for the humility needed to see everything from God’s perspective.  Pray for a greater understanding of how your submissiveness to God helps you to resist the devil.  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  James 4:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Submit in Humility.   Pray that you would be filled with humility and grace as you learn to submit to the wisdom of those who are older.  Pray about how you will interact with others in a submissive way as you experience God’s grace.  “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. 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)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: #PraySTRONG!

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

As we finish out one year and move into the next, our prayer emphasis this week will begin a focus from Impact Prayer Ministry that I am calling #PraySTRONG 2020.  The “#______Strong” hashtag is often used on social media to rally a community or group of people around a person or cause.  Our main goal should be to lift up Jesus as the One we all must rally around, but prayer is one of the primary ways that we can come together to align ourselves with God’s will.  In fact, the prayer life of Jesus was so noticeable that it is the one thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to do.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn to pray according to His power and might rather than your own.  Pray that you would learn to have a strength in your prayers that comes from obedience rather than an American mindset of boldness.  Pray for the humility needed to seek God’s will rather than your own when you gather with others to pray.  Pray that others would see the transforming power of Jesus as they notice your lifestyle of prayer.  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 congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

Missions Focus:  Pray for the work Tom Lemler is doing with Impact Prayer Ministry.  Pray for the effectiveness of the Impact Prayer Ministry resources as they are used around the world.  Pray for increased opportunities and support that will allow Impact Prayer Ministry to do all that is within God’s will.

“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 grow strong in His mighty power.

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: Pray Submissively.  Pray that you would daily grow in submission to God’s will being done in your life.  Ask God to refine and shape your prayers so that they things you ask Him to do, and ask Him for, are things that are according to His will rather than your own desires.  “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:10 (NIV)

Tuesday: Pray Truthfully.  Pray that honesty would be the foundation and substance of your conversations with God.  Pray that the strength of your prayers would flow from an honesty in regard to your need for God’s mercy.  Ask God to help you be truthful as you pray for others.  “He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’“ (NIV)

Wednesday: Pray Repentantly.  Pray that you would always approach God with a heart that desires to change.  Ask God to help you become more trusting of His goodness as you change the direction of your life to have faith like a little child.  “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Pray Observantly.  Pray that God would open your eyes to see both the need and His provision for that need as you look at the people around you.  Ask God to open your eyes to see the opportunities for harvest that exist and to give you the wisdom to pray about your role in that harvest.  “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”  John 4:35 (NIV)

Friday: Pray Noticeably.  Pray that you would live in such a way that God is noticed in your life.  Ask God to help you to have a prayer life that draws attention to Him.  Pray about how your communication with God helps others to see His goodness and love.  “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Saturday:  Pray Globally.  Pray that you would be actively involved as a worker in God’s harvest field.  Pray for those who have answered the call to go to the “uttermost parts of the world” to share the good news of Jesus.  Ask God to help you have clarity in how you represent Him to the people around you wherever you go.  “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Matthew 9:38 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:15 (NIV)

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we will continue a prayer focus on who Jesus is beyond the manger.  The gift of God to us is definitely expressed through the Christmas story, but it doesn’t end there.  In fact, without the life, death, burial, and resurrection, the birth of Jesus is little more than an interesting event in time.  We celebrate not just a baby being born, but the coming of God to redeem mankind as He reconciles us to Himself.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus.  Pray that your celebration of the birth of Jesus would be magnified by who Jesus is in your life today.  Pray that you would be clear about who Jesus is, and what He has done for you, as you share Him with others.  Pray for a greater desire and practice of celebrating Jesus each day that you live.  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 congregation and for 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 know the gift of Jesus more fully.

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 Messiah.  Pray about how knowing Jesus as the One anointed by God should compel you to tell others about Him.  Pray for the courage, and urgency, to share the good news about the One you have found to be sent from God.  “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)

Tuesday: The Son of God.  Pray about how knowing Jesus as the Son of God helps you to have confidence and trust in His ability to do what He has said He will.  Pray that your life would give Jesus the honor that is due to Him as God’s Son.  Pray for a life of greater obedience to Jesus as God’s Son.  “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”  John 1:34 (NIV)

Wednesday: The Bread of Life.  Pray about how knowing Jesus as the bread of life will help you to be filled and satisfied.  Pray that you would be generous in sharing the bread you have found with the people around you who are in need.  “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’”  John 6:35 (NIV)

Thursday: The Way, the Truth, & the Life.  Pray about how knowing Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life will provide you with necessary direction each day you live.  Pray that your life, and words, would always direct people to Jesus as the true way to eternal life.  “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”  John 14:6 (NIV)

Friday: The Good Shepherd.  Pray about how knowing Jesus as the good shepherd will provide you with the comfort and protection that only He can.  Pray with gratitude as you consider how Jesus cares for you in your times of need.  Pray that you would share the good news of a good shepherd.  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11 (NIV)

Saturday:  The Lamb of God.  Pray about how knowing Jesus as the Lamb of God will give you confidence in His ability, and desire, to forgive your sins.  Pray that you would be bold about sharing the good news of forgiveness of sins that is made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus as the Lamb of God.  “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”  John 1:29 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Christmas 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 wrap around some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you give and receive this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  You’re 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 you share the real gift of Christmas with others.  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 congregation and for 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 know the gift of Jesus more fully.

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)

Saturday:  Gift 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)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: More Than Just a Name!

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  
Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will wrap around the wonderful name of God’s Son, Jesus.  While Shakespeare claimed that a rose by any other name would be just as sweet, God was very purposeful about the name He gave His Son.  In a culture that often rejects, ignores, or mocks the name of Jesus, God’s desire is that we would know Jesus and know that His Name is more than just a name.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you value and honor the name of Jesus.  Pray that you would know Jesus as more than just a name.  Pray that the reality of Jesus in your life would help others to call upon His name and find Him waiting with open arms.  Pray about how you view and use the name of Jesus.  Pray for a greater trust in God as you hold fast to the name of Jesus as the source of life and meaning.  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 congregation and for 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 know Jesus more fully and experience Him as more than just a name.

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: A Welcoming Name.  Pray that you would both know and share the name of Jesus as a welcoming name.  Pray about how God would have you welcome others into your life.  Pray for a heart that desires children of all ages, including your age, to be welcomed in the name of Jesus.  “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”  Matthew 18:5 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Family Name.  Pray and ask God to help you live with the confidence that comes from being a part of God’s family.  Pray that you would live as a child of God with siblings around the world and throughout all generations who have believed in the name of Jesus.  “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”  John 1:12 (NIV)

Wednesday: A Protective Name.  Ask God to help you know and trust the protection that Jesus prayed about you having in His name.  Even more than a physical protection, pray that your relationship with God and with one another would be protected by the name of Jesus.  “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.”  John 17:12 (NIV)

Thursday: A Forgiving Name.  Pray with thanksgiving for a God who has saved you from your sins through the name of His Son, Jesus.  Pray that you would forgive others with the same measure of forgiveness that you have received through the name of Jesus.  “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”  Acts 2:38 (NIV)

Friday: An Exclusive Name.  Pray for the courage to live and proclaim Jesus as the only way for a person to have a relationship with God.  Pray that you would know the open availability of the exclusive name of Jesus that offers salvation to all who would call upon Him.  “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)

Saturday:  An Exalted Name.  Pray that you would exalt the name of Jesus to the highest place in your life, just as God has exalted it above all others.  Pray that your conversations with others would always lift up the name of Jesus above all other things you talk about.  “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.”  Philippians 2:9 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Glimpse of Glory!

“And they were calling to one another:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’”  
Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on the glory of God and how He allows us to see glimpses of that glory each day.  When Isaiah was given a glimpse into the throne room of God, he heard the declaration that the “whole earth is full of His glory.”  While we view it through human eyes which are clouded and veiled, each day we are surrounded with opportunities to see glimpses of God’s glory.  As you pray this week, ask God to open your eyes to the glimpses of glory around you.  Pray that the way you live life in Christ would help others to see glimpses of God’s glory.  Pray that each glimpse of God’s glory would increase your longing for, and commitment to, the eternal glory that is yet to come.  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 congregation and for 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 grow in being aware of His glory.

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: Announced Glory.  Pray that your ears would be opened to hearing the proclamation of God’s glory.  Pray that your life and words would announce the glory of God to those around you.  “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”  Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)

Tuesday: Visible Glory.  Pray that you would gaze intently into the Word of God to see His glory revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your life would be changed fully by the visible presence of God’s glory living in you.  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14 (NIV)

Wednesday: Reflected Glory.  Pray to be still before the Lord in order to more accurately reflect His glory.  Pray that your desire to be more like Jesus would help others to see Him more accurately.  “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

Thursday: Light of Glory.  Pray that the light of God’s glory would daily direct your steps as you walk with Him.  Pray that you would live as one who has been called out of darkness and into the glory of God.  “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”  2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)

Friday: Called By God’s Glory.  Pray that you would live with contentment as you trust God to provide what is truly needed.  Pray that the people around you would pursue godliness as they respond to being called by God’s glory.  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”  2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Eternal Glory.  Pray that God would be the glory which illuminates the place where you live now just as He does the eternal home He is preparing you for.  Pray that your life would be fully illuminated by the glory of God shining in you just as it does in His eternal dwelling.  “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”  Revelation 21:23 (NIV)