“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Being Thankful!

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”  
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being thankful.  God indicates that our thankfulness will greatly influence our desire and ability to worship Him in an acceptable manner.  While it is easy to use this season of Thanksgiving here in the United States to encourage people to be more thankful, gratitude should be a characteristic the Christian excels at all year long.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in being thankful.  Pray that you would learn to express your thanks to God as you recognize the work of His hand in your life.  Pray that you would grow in your appreciation, and the expression of that appreciation, for the work God is doing in others.  Pray that God would show you ways to give thanks in all circumstances — even the circumstances you aren’t necessarily thankful for.  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 thankful.

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: Thankful for God’s Righteousness.  Pray that you would grow in your appreciation of God’s righteousness.  Pray that you would learn to praise God with thankfulness for His words and actions which are always right.  “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”  Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Thankful for God’s Goodness and Love.  Pray that your thankfulness would increase as you recognize the goodness of God.  Pray that you would know, and share, the enduring love of God that leads to a growing attitude of thankfulness in all who experience it.  “Praise the LORD.  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  Psalm 106:1 (NIV)

Wednesday: Thankful for Victory In Christ.  Pray that you would live with thankfulness as you hold fast to the victory that you have in Jesus.  Pray that you would live as one who has been given victory, then in thankfulness share the source of that victory with others at every opportunity you have.  “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

Thursday: Thankful In Prayer.  Pray that you would practice being thankful in every aspect of your prayer life.  Pray that your worry would be replaced by thankfulness as you take all circumstances of your life to God in prayer.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Friday: Thankful for Purposeful Work.  Pray that you would trust God to use your gifts and abilities for His glory as you thank Him for purpose.  Pray that you would help others to know of the purpose God has for them as they do all in the name of Jesus.  “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Thankful for One Another.  Pray with thankfulness for one another.  Ask God to help you remember people specifically and thankfully in your prayers.  Pray that you would be consistent in praying for the people He has surrounded you with in every area of your life.  “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”  1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Purpose!

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”  
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on finding greater meaning in life through a better understanding of God’s purposes.  It is easy to get so invested in our own plans and ideas that we become frustrated when our plans are thwarted so that God’s purpose will prevail.  Our life as a Christian ought to be a continual surrendering of our self so that God’s good will and purposes can be easily fulfilled in us.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live a surrendered life.  Pray that you would constantly look to Him as the one to define your meaning and purpose as you walk this earth.  Pray for the courage to pray, “Not my will but thine be done.” — and mean it.  Pray that you would learn to rejoice in the accomplishment of God’s purposes even when it goes against what you had planned.  Pray that God would fill you with the humility and wisdom to constantly grow into the likeness of Christ so that your desires would become more in line with the good purposes of God.  Pray for an openness in listening to God, and to others, as you seek plans which are better than your own.   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 acknowledge and live according to His purpose.

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: Fulfilled Purpose.  Pray that you would live with confidence in a God who will fulfill His purpose in you.  Pray for a willingness to wait upon the Lord when if feels like His work isn’t being completed according to your timetable.  “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands.”  Psalm 138:8 (NIV)

Tuesday: Eternal Purpose.  Pray that your life would fulfill the eternal purpose of God as you live with, and share, a wisdom that can only come from Him.  Pray that you would look to Jesus and lift Him up as the key to knowing the wisdom of  God.  “His intent was that the manifold wisdom of God should be made known according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Ephesians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Wednesday: Common Purpose.  Pray that you would join with others in having a common purpose based on each of you taking on the attitude of Christ Jesus.  Pray for a life of joy for you and for those around you as you live with unity by each of you becoming more Christ-like.  “Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”  Philippians 2:2 (NIV)

Thursday: Good Purpose.  Pray for a submissive spirit that expects the good purposes of God to be at work in your life.  Pray for the humility needed to see God’s plans and purpose as being above your own and always for your good.  “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”  Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

Friday: Communicated Purpose.  Pray that you would live in such a way that others would know of God’s purpose at work in your life.  Pray that you would see the purpose of God at work through the lives of the people you read about in the Bible, and through the lives of faithful people around you.  “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance.”  2 Timothy 3:10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Unchanging Purpose.  Pray that you would hold fast to the unchanging nature of God as you discover His purpose for you.  Pray that you would be bold about sharing the unchanging purpose of God that desires all would come to know Him.  “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.”  Hebrews 6:17 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Responding To God’s Mercy!

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”  
Daniel 4:37 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on responding to God’s mercy and goodness with lessons learned from a somewhat unlikely source — the king of Babylon.  While it can be easy to cheer when God punishes the wicked, many question why God would then turn around and lift up the very people who were brought down by their own pride.  Yet God’s mercy is good news to all of us when we truly look deep within ourselves with the same view that God has, and then see how we have needed both the discipline and restoration that God offers.  As you pray this week, ask God to give you a clearer view of His love for all people.  Pray that you would not become bitter when God opposes your pride, but would welcome His discipline as the means of bringing mercy and restoration.  Pray that your response to God’s goodness would lift Him up in the eyes of those around you.  Pray that you would learn to imitate God as you extend mercy to others in the same measure it has been shown to 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 acknowledge His goodness and mercy in the midst of discipline.

Extra Prayer Focus for the Week:  Impact Prayer Ministry & ICOM.  Tom Lemler will be traveling to Kansas City this week with an Impact Prayer Ministry display for the International Conference on Missions.

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: Praise God.  Pray that God’s mercy would lead you to live a life that praises Him.  Praise God for the healing and salvation that God brings even in the midst of the discipline you need.  “Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”  Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)

Tuesday: Exalt God.  Pray that you would be one who lifts God above all else in your life.  Pray that the restoration that comes as a result of God’s discipline would lead you to exalt Him always.  “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, ‘Let God be exalted!’”  Psalm 70:4 (NIV)

Wednesday: Glorify God.  Pray that you would glorify God as one who keeps his promises throughout all generations.  Pray that God’s mercy in the midst of discipline would result in the giving of glory to Him.  “Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy.”  Romans 15:8-9 (NIV)

Thursday: Imitate God’s Righteousness.  Pray that you would always acknowledge, and accept, the “rightness” of God in His discipline of you.  Pray that you would be one who proclaims God is right and then seeks to live according to His righteousness.  “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.”  1 John 3:7 (NIV)

Friday: Practice Godly Justice.  Pray that you would learn from God about how to practice true justice.  Pray for the courage to do what you can to make things right for those who are oppressed.  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’”  Zechariah 7:9 (NIV)

Saturday:  Walk Humbly.  Pray for a heart that considers yourself accurately as a valued servant of God.  Pray for the humility needed to not think too highly of yourself, or too poorly either.  Pray that you would find joy in lifting up others rather than yourself.  “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 14:11 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Trusting God!

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”  
Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on trusting God, especially in the “even if” times of life.  Because God’s ways are so much higher and purer than ours, He often acts in ways which are different from our expectations.  It is easier to trust Him when He does what we think He should, but learning to trust Him even if He acts in a different way is where our faith is often put to the test.  As you pray this week, ask God to remind you of the times He brought you through tough circumstances even when it was not in the way you expected or wanted.  Pray that your trust in God, and trust of God, would grow even as you grow in relationship with Him.  Pray for the courage to stand for what is right, and the wisdom to do so in humility, as you trust God to always do what is best.  Pray for the ability to see specific areas of your life in which your trust of God needs to grow.  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 your trust of 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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Trust God in Your Giving.  Pray that your giving is done with a sacrificial attitude that reflects your trust in God.  Pray that you would honor God with your giving as you “decide in your heart” to trust Him to supply your needs.  Pray that God’s Word would be your standard for what are “right sacrifices” in your giving.  “Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.”  Psalm 4:5

Tuesday: Trust God in Conflict.  Pray that you would seek God during times of conflict and trust Him to be your source of deliverance and protection.  Pray for the courage to look beyond, and above, the conflict resolution offered by people as you trust God to bring peace in the midst of conflict.  “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”  Psalm 20:7

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

Thursday: Trust God When You’re Afraid.  Pray that you would not forget God’s everlasting presence when you face times of fear.  Pray that you would learn to always look to God when you experience times of fear.  Pray that your trust in God would grow as you learn to walk with Him through the circumstances of life which make you afraid.  “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”  Psalm 56:3

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

Saturday:  Trust God During Persecution.  Pray that you would have a confidence in God’s word so that it will be your answer in times of persecution.  Pray that your answers during times of persecution would be words and actions which honor Christ.  Pray that the promises of God’s Word would give you hope as you trust in Him.  “Then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word.”  Psalm 119:42

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Doing God’s Will (Week Two)!

 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 
Romans 12:2

This week will be the second of two weeks that our prayer focus is on not just knowing God’s will, but actually doing it.  It seems that whenever the topic of God’s will comes up in a group of any size, it invariably centers around an uncertainty of knowing God’s will.  It becomes so easy to get caught up in the things we don’t know that we fail to do what is known.  Over these two weeks we are praying about how we will do some things that God clearly says is His will.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to do the good you know you ought to do.  Pray that you would be faithful to God’s Word as you walk through the mysteries of life.  Pray for the courage to not let what you don’t know keep you from doing what you know is right.  Pray that your daily walk with God will transform your heart and mind so you will accurately test and know His perfect will.  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 understand and do His will.

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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: The Good Purpose of God’s Will.  Pray that you would allow God’s will to work in you to accomplish His good purpose.  Pray that you would see others as people God acts through according to His good purpose.  Pray for the faith to always trust in the purposes of God.  “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”  Philippians 2:3

Tuesday: Knowledge of God’s Will.  Pray that your time spent with Jesus would fill you with the wisdom and understanding necessary for a knowledge of God’s will.  Pray that you would not tire of praying for others to be filled with a knowledge of God’s will.  “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  Colossians 1:9

Wednesday: Stand Firm in God’s Will.  Pray that you would stand firm in the will of God and faithfully wrestle in prayer that others would stand firm also.  Pray that you would mature in Christ as you stand firm in His will.  “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”  Colossians 4:12

Thursday: Sanctified by God’s Will.  Pray that you would obey God’s will for you to be sanctified and avoid sexual impurity.  Pray for the courage to live as one set apart for God’s use.  Pray that you would help others know God’s will regarding the purity of their life.  “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.”  1 Thessalonians 4:3

Friday: Giving Thanks as God’s Will.  Pray that you would be joyful as you pray continually and give thanks for all things according to God’s will.  Pray that God would transform your attitude as He helps you see reasons to be thankful each day.  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Saturday:  Result of Living by God’s Will.  Pray that you would remain steadfast in doing the will of God so that you would receive the eternal reward.  Pray that you would live an awareness of what is temporary and what is eternal as you seek to do the will of God.  “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”  1 John 2:17

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Doing God’s Will (Week One)!

 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 
Romans 12:2

This week will be the first of two weeks that our prayer focus will be on not just knowing God’s will, but actually doing it.  It seems that whenever the topic of God’s will comes up in a group of any size, it invariably centers around an uncertainty of knowing God’s will.  It becomes so easy to get caught up in the things we don’t know that we fail to do what is known.  Over these next two weeks we will be praying about how we will do some things that God clearly says is His will.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to do the good you know you ought to do.  Pray that you would be faithful to God’s Word as you walk through the mysteries of life.  Pray for the courage to not let what you don’t know keep you from doing what you know is right.  Pray that your daily walk with God will transform your heart and mind so you will accurately test and know His perfect will.  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 understand and do His will.

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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Choose God’s Will.  Pray that you would choose to do God’s will as you examine the teaching of Jesus.  Pray that the teaching you receive from others would be according to God’s Word and that you would test the words of people in order to choose what is right.  “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”  John 7:17

Tuesday: Proclaim God’s Will.  Pray that God’s Spirit would give you the boldness to proclaim the will of God.  Pray that you would examine the scriptures daily to know the certainty of the truth you proclaim.  Pray for peace to replace the fear that keeps you from fully proclaiming the will of God.  “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.”  Acts 20:27

Wednesday: Pray by God’s Will.  Pray with thanksgiving for a Spirit who intercedes through our prayers according to God’s will.  Pray that a searching of your heart by God would reveal a presence of His Spirit and a desire to do His will.  “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”  Romans 8:27

Thursday: Give by God’s Will.  Pray that your giving of yourself to God and to others would be done in keeping with the will of God.  Pray for a heart of generosity that comes through a life fully surrendered to God and a desire to do His will.  “And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”  2 Corinthians 8:5

Friday: Rescued by God’s Will.  Pray with gratitude and rejoicing that it has been God’s will to rescue you from sin and the present evil age.  Pray about how you will carry the message of God’s rescue to others.  “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”  Galatians 1:3-4

Saturday:  Obedience as God’s Will.  Pray that your obedience to those over you would be done in the same way as you obey God according to  His will.  Pray for the integrity to live a life of obedience no matter who is or isn’t watching.  Pray that your obedience will help others see Jesus.  “Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.”  Ephesians 6:6

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Growing In Fellowship!

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

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

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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Chosen By God!

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on living as one chosen by God.  If you are wondering if that is you, the answer is yes!  God has chosen all as He issues the invitation to come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is up to each one of us to decide if we will accept His choosing, or reject it.  While we do nothing to earn being chosen by God, our response to God’s choosing ought to result in a transformed life that exhibits growing characteristics that represent Jesus well.  As you pray this week, be thankful that you have been chosen by God.  Pray that you would grow in your desire and practice of “being dressed” like Christ.  Pray that your practice of putting on the things of Christ would help you get along with others.  Pray for the courage to live as one called by God as you represent Jesus in a world that desperately needs to see and know Him.  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 live as one who has been chosen by 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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Chosen To Be Compassionate.   Pray that God’s compassion toward you would lead you to have compassion for others.  Pray that you would live as one chosen by God to be compassionate to everyone who chooses to return home to God.  “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”  Luke 15:20 (NIV)

Tuesday: Chosen To Be Kind.  Pray that the Lord’s kindness to you would be your example in how you treat others.  Pray for the courage to treat others with kindness, especially when you disagree.  Pray that a practice of kindness would guide how you instruct others.  “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”  2 Timothy 2:24 (NIV)

Wednesday: Chosen To Be Humble.  Pray that God would help you to accurately examine your motives.  Pray for the humility that considers others to be better than yourself.  Pray that you would represent God well as you reflect the humility that has been shown to us by Jesus.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Chosen To Be Gentle.  Pray that being chosen by God would lead you to a life of gentleness.  Pray that you would grow in gentleness as you grow in your relationship with God.  Pray that the people around you would see God at work in your life as you live with a gentleness that is obvious to all.  “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Friday: Chosen To Be Patient.  Pray for God’s help in overcoming the human frustrations that accompany dealing with people . . .including yourself.  Pray that you would learn to be patient with everyone, especially those who are struggling in their life.  “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  Chosen To Be Forgiving.  Pray that you would live each day with an awareness of the forgiveness you have in Christ.  Pray that God’s grace extended toward you would lead you to be a person who forgives others.  Pray that you would know the freedom that comes through forgiving and being forgiven.  “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Better Things!

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on pursuing better things.  For me, this story of Mary and Martha serves as a consistent reminder to choose what is better when life has me “worried and upset about many things”.  It doesn’t necessarily take bad things to distract us from that which is better — it just takes busy things.  The better things God desires for you will always revolve around knowing Christ and making Him known.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how distracted you are.  Pray that you would be accurate in your evaluation of what keeps you from the better things.  Pray for the courage to set aside unnecessary good things that have become a distraction from the better things.  Pray for wisdom in doing the good things God has called you to while not losing your pursuit of the better things.  Pray that you would be one who encourages others in their pursuit of 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 you pursue the better things He has for those who are His.

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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Better Knowledge.   Pray for the wisdom to pursue God in a way that gives you a better knowledge of Him, not just a knowledge about Him.  Pray that knowing Christ more fully would be a daily “better thing” that you pursue.  “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”  Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Better Attitude.  Pray that God would help you examine your attitude toward others — all others.  Pray for the courage to look out for the needs of others above your own as you choose to live with a better attitude — the attitude of Christ.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Wednesday: Better Hope.  Pray for God’s help in seeing and understanding the various things that drive the hope that you live with.  Pray that you would exchange all of the lesser things of hope for the better hope found by drawing near to God.  “The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.”  Hebrews 7:18-19 (NIV)

Thursday: Better Promises.  Pray that your life would always be built on the better promises which come from Jesus.  Pray that your reliance on the better promises of Jesus would result in better promises by you to others.  “But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.”  Hebrews 8:5 (NIV)

Friday: Better Country.  Pray that you would never lose sight of the better country to which you have been called.  Pray that your life would help others see, and know, a country better than any on earth awaits those who belong to God.  “They were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16 (NIV)

Saturday:  Better Suffering.  In a world full of trouble, pray that the suffering you experience would not be the result of evil done by you.  Pray that you would learn a “better suffering” that comes from doing the good God has called you to even when the world around you disapproves.  “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”  1 Peter 3:17 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Revelation Blessings!

“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. ” 
Revelation 1:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on some blessings that can be ours if we take to heart the message God has given us in the book of Revelation.  As with any book, starting at the beginning facilitates a better understanding of what comes in later chapters.  In the opening of this book, God declares a blessing to those who read the words of Revelation and He expands that blessing in the lives of those who absorb the words and take them to heart.  We do this by living according to what is written.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you look for the promised blessings in the midst of His Word.  Pray that you would understand the times in which we live as you seek to share the blessings of Christ with others.  Pray about how you present God’s Word to others — both in the way you speak and in the way you live.  Pray that you would not become distracted from the promised blessings of God by things you don’t understand.  Pray that the people around you would turn to God and receive His blessings.  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 blessings that belong to those who read and practice His Word.

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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Blessed For Eternity.  Pray that you would know the comfort of God’s blessing as He gives rest to the faithful.  Pray that you would be found in Christ when your life on earth ends.  “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”  Revelation 14:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: Blessed By Being Ready.  Pray that you would live with an awareness of the impending return of Jesus.  Pray that you would live life each day clothed with a readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”  Revelation 16:15 (NIV)

Wednesday: Blessed To Be Invited.  Pray that you would realize the blessing that comes through the invitation of God to all who would respond.  Pray that you would share the true words of God as you share His invitation with others.  “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’”  Revelation 19:9 (NIV)

Thursday: Blessed By Christ’s Resurrection.  Pray that you would know the blessing that was accomplished through the resurrection of Jesus.  Pray that you would live a resurrected life in the holiness that God desires.  “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”  Revelation 20:6 (NIV)

Friday: Blessed By Obedience.  Pray that an expectation of the return of Jesus would increase your desire to be obedient to His Word.  Pray that God would help you know and understand His Word as you seek to do what He says.  “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”  Revelation 22:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Blessed By Being Cleansed.  Pray that you would live as one whose life has been cleansed from the stains of sin by the blood of Jesus.  Pray that you would recognize the filth of this world and the cleansing that is needed each day.  “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”  Revelation 22:14 (NIV)