“A Lifestyle of Prayer”
Knowing the Son!
“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’”
Matthew 17:5 (NIV)
As we grow in following Jesus, our prayer focus this week will be on knowing Him. We often think of the various aspects of Jesus as expressed in 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 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.
“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 really know Jesus as you follow Him.
Sunday: Pray for your church staff, the preaching and teaching that takes place, the church leadership, the volunteers that are helping in so many areas, the spiritual and financial health of the congregation, and the work of the missions ministry of the church. Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.
Monday: The 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)
