Prayer Guides

November 13, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Acceptable Things!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Acceptable Things!

“All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.  To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
Proverbs 21:2-3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about some things that God says are acceptable to Him and should be acceptable ways for His children.  Often it seems like everyone wants us to settle for something that we know isn’t the best.  Compromise has become a way of life as we determine what we can get by with.  We adjust our behavior based on what is acceptable wherever we might be.  Unfortunately, we often carry that over into our relationship with God but rather than find out what is acceptable to Him, we attempt to relate to God based on what is acceptable to the people around us.  This week we will be praying about our response, our gift, our saying, our worship, our religion, and our testimony as we consider what would make them acceptable to God.  As you pray, ask God to help you to know what is good and right in His sight.  Pray that you would seek to live a life that is acceptable to Him regardless of how others may view it.  Pray for the courage to do the right things so you don’t have to try making up for doing the wrong things.  Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation as well as 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 that your life would be lived in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to God.

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:  Acceptable Response.  Pray that your response to God would be based on His Word and instruction so that it is acceptable to Him.  Pray that you would call people to an acceptable response when they consider the work of God in their lives.  “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”  Acts 2:41 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Acceptable Gift.  Pray that your giving would be done with a cheerful heart according to what you have received.  Pray that your gift to God would be accepted as generous because you have given Him your all.  “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”  2 Corinthians 8:12 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Acceptable Saying.  Pray that the statement of your life would be a saying that is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would acknowledge your need of God.  “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.”  1  Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

Thursday:  Acceptable Worship.  Pray that you would offer to God worship which is acceptable.  Pray that your worship would be consumed by God as pleasing to Him.  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”  Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

Friday:  Acceptable Religion.  Pray that your religious practices would be accepted by God because you look after those who are in need.  Pray that you would seek God’s help in remaining pure and unpolluted.  “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  James 1:27 (NIV)

Saturday:  Acceptable Testimony.  Pray that the testimony you give about God would be found acceptable because it is true.  Pray that God’s testimony about Jesus would always be greater to you than what people may say.  “We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.”  1 John 5:9 (NIV)

November 6, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Power!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Power!

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about some aspects of the power of God that should be visible in these “jars of clay” that we walk around in.  Power has the ability to go to our head rather quickly and fill us with pride, so in God’s great wisdom He pours His power into weak earthen vessels, us, so that it becomes obvious the power that is at work in us is from Him and not our own.  When we see the power of God at work in those who are hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down; we become keenly aware that there is a power at work that could only come from God.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the humility necessary to allow His power to dwell and work in you.  Pray that you would use the power of God within you wisely as you strengthen and encourage others.  Ask God to help you be careful in the way you represent His power so that you would not become guilty of making others believe it is your power that they see at work.  Pray that God’s power within you would help you to not be crushed, in despair, abandoned, or destroyed.  Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation as well as 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 that your life would be lived in a way that overcomes through the power of God living in  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 me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.  

Monday:  Power to be a Witness.  Pray that the power of God’s Spirit within you would compel you to be a witness for Christ wherever you go.  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Power to be a Servant.  Pray that the grace you have received from God would give you the power to serve others on His behalf.  Pray that God’s power would work within you to make you a servant of the gospel.  “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.”  Ephesians 3:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Power to Grasp the Love of Christ.  Pray that you would experience the power that helps you to know the incredible love of Christ.  Pray that the power of the love of Christ would be seen in you.  “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”  Ephesians 3:18 (NIV)

Thursday:  Power to do Immeasurably More.  Pray that you would look to God for the power to do His will in ways that exceed what you can imagine.  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”  Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Friday:  Power to do Faithful Work.  Pray that your intentions born of faith would be fueled by the power of God in order to be accomplished.  “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”  2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NIV)

Saturday:  Power for a Godly Life.  Pray that your life would be lived by the power of God so that you would reflect His nature in all things.  Pray that God’s glory and goodness would fill you with everything you need.  “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)

October 30, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Overcome!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Overcome!

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Revelation 2:7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be on some things that Jesus says awaits those who overcome.  The problem most people have with the idea of being an overcomer is that it implies there is some difficulty that needs to be overcome.  While we may want a life of ease and comfort, Jesus says that life as a follower of Him will be filled with trouble, misunderstandings, and even persecution.  While that is not news that anyone really wants to hear, Jesus also tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world.  When John wrote the messages from Jesus to the seven churches that we read of early in the book of Revelation, He ends each message with a promise for those who overcome.  As you pray this week, ask God to empower you to be an overcomer.  Pray that you would recognize, and value, what awaits those who overcome.  Pray that you would face whatever hardship comes your way with the courage that comes from knowing the crown of life is given to those who overcome.

“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 that your life would be lived in a way that overcomes through the power of God living in  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 me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.  

Monday:  Overcome Death.  Pray that you would listen to the message of God’s Spirit as He calls you to overcome in a way that gives victory over death.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”  Revelation 2:11 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Overcome the Past.  Pray that you would feast on the spiritual manna and rejoice in a new name that frees you from the past.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”  Revelation 2:17 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Overcome Oppression.  Pray that you would be faithful in doing God’s will as He empowers you to overcome oppression with His authority.  “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations — ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ — just as I have received authority from my Father.”  Revelation 2:26-27 (NIV)

Thursday:  Overcome Abandonment.  Pray that you would overcome in a way that gives you a permanent place of belonging with those who are pure-.  “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.”  Revelation 3:5 (NIV) 

Friday:  Overcome Wandering.  Pray that you would find a place of belonging in the temple of God so you would have no need to wander away from Him.  “He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.”  Revelation 3:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Overcome Weariness.  Pray that you would overcome everything that would keep you from being able to sit and rest at the throne of Jesus.  “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.”  Revelation 3:21 (NIV)

October 23, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Refuge!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Refuge!

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.  For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
Psalm 5:11-12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the refuge we have available to us in Christ.  Each day we will pray about some aspect of the refuge God has promised to be for those who draw near to Him.  As we consider God as our refuge, we will also pray about how we should reflect His character by being a refuge for those in need.  Throughout scripture God has given His people instruction to care for the foreigner, the alien, the stranger — the refugee, if you will — but he also calls for His people to seek Him for wisdom in knowing the difference between those in need and those being deceitful in their claims (i.e. Joshua 9).  As you pray this week, trust God to be your refuge in all of your times of need as well as in your times of contentment.  Pray that you would live in such a way that your life would show others the true value of seeking refuge in God.  Pray that your compassion would outweigh your cynicism when it comes to providing refuge for those in need.  Pray that God would fill you with wisdom that would be able to see truth.

“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 that your life would be lived in a way that takes refuge in God and shares that same refuge with those in need.

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:  Refuge From Pursuers.  Pray that you would recognize all forms of danger that pursue you.  Pray that you would find refuge in God when that which pursues you tries to separate you from Him.  “O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me.”  Psalm 7:1 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Refuge From Oppression.  Pray that you would be able to endure any oppression because of the refuge you have in God.  Pray that you would be one who provides a refuge for those around you who are oppressed as you share with them about a God of refuge.  “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”  Psalm 9:9 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Refuge From Shame.  Pray that your relationship with God would be a refuge from shame as you live in righteousness.  Pray that you would share a message of righteousness that would be a refuge from shame for others.  “In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.”  Psalm 31:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Refuge From Condemnation.  Pray that you would live as a servant of God who is redeemed from condemnation.  Pray that you would not be one who condemns those who take refuge in God.  “The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”  Psalm 34:22 (NIV) 

Friday:  Refuge From the Wicked.  Pray that you would be rescued from the wicked as you take refuge in God.  Pray that the people around you would experience the refuge of God when the wicked come against them.  “The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”  Psalm 37:40 (NIV)

Saturday:  Refuge From Death.  Pray that you would have confidence in the refuge you have from death that has been provided through Christ.  Pray that you would proclaim the message of hope that God has provided a refuge from death.  “When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.”  Proverbs 14:32 (NIV)

October 16, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Victory!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Victory!

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on not just the victory we have in Christ, but how we ought to live victorious lives each day.  Living in a college town I do not have to follow sports to know if the local football team wins or loses on a particular weekend — the entire atmosphere of the area is different based on whether the fans feel part of something victorious or something defeated.  But it’s not just in sports that our lives reflect our identification with being, or not being, victorious — most churches I visit give off a clear impression of whether the body as a whole feels victorious or defeated.  Yes, there are losses that may be noticeable but they don’t have to define us.  Loss of people.  Loss of influence.  Loss of finances.  Loss of freedoms.  Loss of peace.  Loss of joy.  The list could go on, but the point is that when we focus on the losses, we tend to forget that God has already declared us victorious and calls us to live like victors!  As you pray, ask God to help you always remember the victory you have in Christ.  Pray that you would live as one who has claimed the victory that God desires to give His children.

“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 that your life would be lived in a way that represents the victory you have in Christ.

Sunday: Pray for your church staff, the preaching and teaching that takes place, the church leadership, the volunteers that are helping in so many areas, the spiritual and financial health of the congregation, and the work of the missions ministry of the church.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.  

Monday:  Victory For the Faithful.  Pray that you would cling to the victory that awaits those who walk in blameless ways.  Pray that God would guard your path as you walk in faithfulness to Him.  “He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”  Proverbs 2:7-8 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Victory Through Wise Counsel.  Pray that you would live victoriously because of the quality of counsel you surround yourself with.  Pray that you would always seek advice from God first and be sure your human advisers give godly advice.  “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”  Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Victory By the Lord.  Pray that you would live with an understanding of where true victory comes from.  Pray that your preparations for battle would always understand that it is the Lord who will be able to give victory.  “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.”  Proverbs 21:31(NIV)

Thursday:  Victory For Justice.  Pray that your hope for justice that prevails would rest fully in Jesus.  Pray that your life would reflect the heart of Jesus as you seek victory for justice.  “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.  In his name the nations will put their hope.”  Matthew 12:20-21 (NIV) 

Friday:  Victory Over Death.  Pray that you would live a life that reflects your knowledge that the power of death has been defeated.  Pray that you would be able to grieve as one with great hope, knowing that the victory over death has been won by Jesus.  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”  1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)

Saturday:  Victory That Overcomes the World.  Pray that you would live each day in with a faith that overcomes.  Pray that the appearance of success in the world would not distract you from true victory that is found through faith in Christ.  “Everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”  1 John 5:4 (NIV)

October 9, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Prosperity!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Prosperity!

“Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.  You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.”
Psalm 128:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on prosperity from God’s perspective.  As with many things, it is difficult to find balance when you hear people, even Christians, talk about the topic of prosperity.  I know Christians who believe that God desires to prosper them financially and it is only a lack of faith that would keep that from happening.  I also know Christians who believe that God has called them to a vow of poverty and any accumulation of material possessions would be a sin.  But what does God’s Word say?  We actually find examples of each type of person in scripture but more importantly, we find God’s view of the prosperity He desires for us has a greater eternal perspective than we often pay attention to.  As you pray, ask God to show you how He has already prospered you.  Pray that you would fully seek the things of God and in so doing, you would have a prosperity that lasts for eternity.

“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 that your life would be filled with the qualities necessary for prosperity from God’s perspective.

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:  Prosper Through Obedience.  Pray that you would spend time knowing, and keeping, God’s commands.  Pray that you would prosper in obedience to Him.  “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”  Proverbs 3:1-2 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Prosper Through Generosity.  Ask God to give you a heart of generosity that notices, and responds to, the needs of others.  Pray that you would experience the generosity of God, and others, in your times of need.  “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”  Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Prosper Through Righteousness.  Pray that you would pursue a righteousness in Christ that leads to an eternal prosperity.  Pray that you would pursue righteousness above any temporary prosperity.  “Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.”  Proverbs 13:21 (NIV)

Thursday:  Prosper Through Instruction.  Pray that you would be one who listens to godly instruction.  Pray that you would trust in the Lord to prosper you in the correct way as you follow His instruction.  “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”  Proverbs 16:20 (NIV)

Friday:  Prosper Through Understanding.  Ask God to fill you with the wisdom that He promises to give.  Pray that He would give you the understanding necessary to use wisdom well.  Pray that your love of wisdom and understanding will give you God’s view of prosperity.  “He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.”  Proverbs 19:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  Prosper Through Contentment.  Pray that you would learn to be content as you trust God to provide your greatest needs.  Pray that you would seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness as you trust Him to bring a proper prosperity to your life.  “A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.”  Proverbs 28:25 (NIV)

October 2, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Endurance!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Endurance!

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)

This week’s prayer focus is on endurance.  Jesus is not only the author and perfecter of our faith, He set the example of enduring all things because something better was coming.  God has surrounded us with faithful witnesses who have shown us how to live life with endurance.  Endurance as we journey through this life is a big deal because Jesus has said it is those who are faithful to the end who will receive the crown of life.  As we grow in endurance, God has not only given us an example but has given us the tools necessary to endure with great faith.  As you pray, ask God to give you all that you need to endure whatever your day brings.  Pray that your faithful endurance would lead you in paths of righteousness.

“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 spend time praying each day that you would be filled with the endurance that God desires for 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 me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.  

Monday: An Enduring Fear of the Lord.  Pray that you would always hold fast to a healthy fear of the Lord.  Pray that a proper fear of the Lord would lead you to follow God’s commands.  “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.”  Psalm 19:9 (NIV)

Tuesday:  An Enduring Inheritance.  Pray that you would keep your mind and eyes focused on the inheritance that awaits those who belong to God.  Pray that your blameless walk would lead you to an enduring inheritance.  “The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.”  Psalm 37:18 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Trusting Endurance.  Pray that your trust of God would endure through all things.  Pray that your faith would not be shaken by the troubles which you face in this world.  “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”  Psalm 125:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Truthful Endurance.  Pray that your words and life would speak truth which endures forever.  Pray that you would reject the temptation of momentary untruthfulness.  “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”  Proverbs 12:19 (NIV) 

Friday:  Hope-Filled Endurance.  Pray that you would work with endurance because of your hope in Christ.  Pray that you would remember and honor those who have lived lives of hope-filled endurance through their faith.  “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Patient Endurance.  Pray that your obedience to God’s commands would help you learn to endure patiently as you wait for the day of Christ’s return.  Pray that your faithfulness would fill you with a patient endurance as you serve others. “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.”  Revelation 14:12 (NIV)

September 25, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Perfection!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Perfection!

“Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”  
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus in on perfection — not that we have already obtained it, but that we are being made perfect in Christ!  While we are often told that perfection is not a reasonable goal, that is only true when we allow mankind to define perfection rather than God.  When God defines perfection; it is not only a reasonable goal, it is a goal each believer must keep in view as they press on.  Perfection from God’s view is that each of us would become more and more like Christ in all we do and say.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see perfection from His point of view rather than the world’s.  Pray that you would not become weary in the process of becoming perfect.  Pray that your pursuit of Godly perfection would be done in complete humility and not become a stumbling block of pride.

“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 spend time praying about each day’s aspect of living a life of perfection that honors God in everything you do.

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 Perfect Way.  Pray that God would give you the strength to walk in a perfect way each day.  Pray that the people around you would see Christ in you by the way you live.  “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”  Psalm 18:32 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Perfect Law.  Pray that you would view God’s law as being perfect in all situations.  Pray that your pursuit of living according to God’s perfect law would refresh your soul.  “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.  The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”  Psalm 19:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  A Perfect Peace.  Pray that God would give you a perfect peace in all circumstances as you hold fast to Him.  Pray that you would learn to trust God in all things as He fills you with a peace that surpasses understanding.  “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”  Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

Thursday:  A Perfect Example.  Pray that you would always look to God as the only perfect example of being perfect.  Pray that your faith would help you believe that God’s command to be perfect is something that can be done.  “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48 (NIV) 

Friday:  A Perfect Unity.  Pray that the love of God within you would draw together all good things in perfect unity.  Pray that your love for others will keep all of the Godly characteristics within you working in unity.  “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Perfect Gift.  Pray that you would recognize, and honor, the true source of every perfect gift.  Pray that you would recognize life, your life and the lives of others, as being a perfect gift that has come from above.  “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 1:17 (NIV)

September 18, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Humility!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Humility!

“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the LORD’s anger.”  
Zephaniah 2:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus in on the humility that God calls us to have as His children.  Throughout scripture, God calls us to humble ourselves and to live in humility with one another.  When we voluntarily humble ourselves, God promises to lift us up in ways that we could never do on our own.  True humility is not thinking less of ourselves than we ought to, but it is thinking of ourselves according to our relationship with God.  When we have an accurate view of God and how we relate to Him as His children, we can then have an accurate view of ourselves and of others.  As you pray, ask God to help remove all traces of pride from your life so that you can live in complete humility.  Pray that you would daily humble yourself as you ought and allow God to lift you up to the position He has created for you.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time each day praying about living with a humility that honors God in everything you do.

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: Humility that Leads to Honor.  Pray that you would seek humility that leads to honor rather than seeking honor for yourself.  Pray that a fear of the Lord would give you the wisdom needed to humble yourself before God.  “The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”  Proverbs 15:33 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Serve with Humility.  Pray that you would serve the Lord with humility in everything you do.  Pray that your humility would carry you through any testing that you face.  “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.”  Acts 20:19 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Unselfish Humility.  Pray that humility would drive selfishness far from you.  Pray that your view of others would be positive because of your life of humility.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  Philippians 2:3 (NIV) 

Thursday:  Humility that Brings Wisdom.  Pray that you would seek to live with a humility that brings wisdom.  Pray that God would fill you with the desire to reject all forms of pride as you live a life of humility.  “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

Friday:  Humility that Comes from Wisdom.  Pray that godly wisdom would lead you to doing good deeds in humility.  Pray that others would see godly wisdom in your life by the way you live with humility.  “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  James 3:13 (NIV)

Saturday:  Humility with One Another.  Pray that you would live with humility in your relationships with others.  Pray that you would put on humility each day in order to receive grace from God.  “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)

September 11, 2016 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Don’t Give Up!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Don’t Give Up!

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 (NIV)

While Jesus did say that whoever does not give up everything he has cannot be His disciple, there are “things” that the Bible tells us not to give up.  Our prayer focus this week will look at some of those things that we are to hold on to as we continue our journey in life.  As we choose to give up everything that is about self as we surrender to Jesus, we also hold fast to everything that is Jesus in our life.  God calls us to a life of faithfulness which means we live in a constant pursuit of Him without ever giving up.  So, while we give up every selfish desire and everything that is not of God, we hold fast to all that is good and everything that God puts within us for our benefit and for the benefit of others.  As you pray, ask God to embolden you by His Spirit to surrender everything of you to Him and to hold fast to everything of Him that is in you.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

As you pray this week, ask God to help you in pursuing Him without giving up.

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: Don’t Give Up on God.  Pray that you would hold fast to God and His Word, even when the nation around you seems to have forgotten and/or rejected them.  Pray that you would not give up on doing the work of God that He has called you to.  “For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law.  But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”  2 Chronicles 15:3,7  (NIV)

Tuesday: Don’t Give Up Praying.  Ask God to help you to pray when you feel like giving up.  Pray that you would be faithful in going to God in prayer in all times and about all things.  “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”  Luke 18:1 (NIV)

Wednesday: Don’t Give Up Doing Good.  Pray that you would always do good as a reflection of God’s goodness in you.  Pray that you would turn to God for His refreshing when you begin to feel weary.  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Thursday: Don’t Give Up on Godly Doctrine.  Pray that you would pay attention to how you live and not give up on sound doctrine.  Pray that you would never give up on sharing your life, and the sound doctrine you live, with others.  “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”  1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)

Friday: Don’t Give Up Meeting Together.   Pray that you would be an encourager as you remain faithful in meeting with other believers.  Pray that you would look for opportunities to meet together with others, both to be encouraged and to encourage them.  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

Saturday:  Don’t Give Up on God’s Will.  Pray that you would remain faithful in doing the things scripture teaches are the will of God.  Pray that the promises of God would help you remain committed to doing His will.  “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”  Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)