Prayer Guides

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Suffering!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Suffering!

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”  
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  Jesus stated that we would have trouble in this world but we should not be overwhelmed, rather we should take heart because He has overcome the world.  This week our prayer emphasis will focus on praying about suffering as a Christian.  In our prayer time we will seek to learn how to rejoice in the suffering we experience because of our relationship with Christ.  As you pray, talk to God not only about your suffering but about how you can help and encourage others who suffer.  As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“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 about how you view the suffering that you and those around you experience.  Thank you! 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Counted Worthy to Suffer.  Pray that you would not be ashamed of living with the name “Christian”.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus will always be worth more to you than avoiding suffering.  “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”  Acts 5:41 (NIV)

Tuesday: Rejoice in Suffering.  Pray that you would rejoice as you trust God to produce good things in you through your suffering.  “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”  Romans 5:3 (NIV)

Wednesday: Share in Suffering.  Pray that your suffering for the sake of Christ would help you realize that you will also share in His glory.  “Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”  Romans 8:17 (NIV)

Thursday: Comforted in Suffering.  Pray that you would be comforted in your suffering and that you would be a comfort to others in their suffering.  “And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”  2 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV)

Friday: Fellowship With Christ in Suffering.  Pray that you would see suffering for the sake of Christ as a fellowship with Him in His sufferings on your behalf.  “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:  Obedience in Suffering.  Pray that you would follow the example of Jesus and learn obedience to God through the suffering that you experience.  “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.”  Hebrews 5:8 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Called to Serve!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Called to Serve!

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  
Mark 10:42-45 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  As we consider the commands and example of Jesus, our prayer emphasis this week will be on serving.  As Christians, each one of us have been called by God to serve.  What are you doing to serve and who are you serving?  Pray that each of us would better grasp the necessity of serving as a way of life.  As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.

“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 about the call of Jesus for His followers to serve.  Pray for the courage to serve in the way God has created and called you to do.   Thank you! 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Called to Share.  Pray that you would understand and practice your responsibility to share with those in need.  Pray for wisdom to know how to do that well.  “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: Called to Equip.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word so that you would be equipped, and be able to equip others, for every good work.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Wednesday: Called to Rebuke and Repent.  Pray for the wisdom and grace to rebuke others in love and to repent when you are rebuked.  “So watch yourselves.  ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.’”  Luke 17:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Called to Visit.  Pray that you would notice the stranger, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned and visit them as if you are visiting Christ.  “When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”  Matthew 25:38-39 (NIV)

Friday: Called to Encourage.  Pray that your life would be an encouragement to others as you meet together on a regular basis.  “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:  Called to Serve Like Christ.  Pray that you would follow the example of Christ in serving others for their benefit.  “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Lifestyle of Worship!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Lifestyle of Worship!

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides are training and equipping you in the practice of prayer.

This week we will focus on different aspects of worship from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone has an idea of what worship ought to be, but what does God say about it?  We have a tendency to make worship about what I want, like, or am comfortable with.  Real worship comes when I decide it’s all about God and what He says, wants, and desires and not about me!  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.

“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 for a heart that seeks God in a lifestyle of worship.  Pray this for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you! 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Exclusive Worship.  Pray that you would reject every temptation to worship anyone, or anything, but God.  “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”‘”  Matthew 4:10 (NIV)

Tuesday: Heart Involved Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would always come from a heart that seeks God and not just be following the motions of tradition — old or new.  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.   They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”  Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV)

Wednesday: True Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in both spirit and truth as a lifestyle, not confined to a specific place and time.  “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”  John 4:23 (NIV)

Thursday: Informed Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would draw you into a greater knowledge and intimacy with Him.  “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.”  Acts 17:23 (NIV)

Friday: Sacrificial Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in such a way as to “cost you something”.  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.”  Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Saturday:  Acceptable Worship.  Pray that your worship of God never forgets who He is compared to who we are.  “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)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Fasting!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Fasting!

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”
Zechariah 8:19 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  While we’re on a string of not so popular topics, this week will focus on Fasting.  The spiritual discipline of fasting can be seen being taught and practiced throughout the Bible.  From Old Testament people of faith to Jesus to the early church, we can find examples of people going without food for a period of time for the purpose of spending time with God.  While fasting is often associated with times of great sorrow, when it is godly sorrow that leads to repentance the fasts that we participate in will become times of joy and gladness.  As you fast and pray, don’t focus on the repentance and change that you think others need to do.  Instead focus on the repentance and change that God desires for you to allow Him to make in your life.  Please prayerfully consider joining together in the practice of prayer and fasting to humbly seek God and turn to Him for all wisdom and direction.

“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, and listening to God, about how He desires to use the practice of fasting in your life. Thank you! 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry. 

Monday: Listen to God Through Fasting.  Pray that you would join with others in listening to God.  “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.  The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.”  2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (NIV)

Tuesday: Humble Ourselves Through Fasting.  Pray that your seeking of God would be done in humility.  “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.”  Ezra 8:21 (NIV)

Wednesday: Mourning Through Fasting.  Pray that you would go to God in times of sorrow and heartache.  “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”  Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

Thursday: Serve Others Through Fasting.  Pray that you would spend time regularly of “going without” with the purpose of serving others.  “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”  Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV)

Friday: Cry Out to God Through Fasting.  Pray that you would cry out to God as you participate in a holy fast with the leaders of your church community.  “Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly.  Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.”  Joel 1:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  Worship Through Fasting.  Pray that you would experience fasting as an act of worship.  “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”  Acts 13:2 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Patience!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Patience!

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  Last week’s prayer focus was on submission so while we are on topics people often like to avoid, this week we will focus on praying about Patience!  God’s Word has a lot to say about His patience and the patience that we ought to have.  As we pray this week, we will look at six verses dealing with some attributes of patience.  God says that it is wisdom that gives us patience, so as we seek to grow in the area of patience perhaps we should ask God for wisdom which He promises to give to us generously and without finding fault.  Pray that you would see patience from God’s point of view and how it is a practice we all should participate in as we seek to be more Christ-like.

“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 have Christ-like patience in your interactions with everyone.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all those you know.  Thank you!

 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry. 

 

Monday: Patience as an Attribute of Love.  Pray that the love of God would abound in your life and overflow in the form of patience as you share God’s love with others.  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”  1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

Tuesday: Patience as a Fruit of God’s Spirit.  Pray that you would experience continual growth of the Spirit’s fruit in your life as you exhibit patience in your interactions with others.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”  Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

Wednesday: Patience with Everyone.  Pray that you would be filled with patience as speak with those who idle, timid, and weak.  “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)

Thursday: Patience in Sharing the Word.  Pray that you would be a “preacher of the Word” by the way you live and speak and that your doing so would be done with great patience.  “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.”  2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Friday: Patience in Standing Firm to the End.   Pray that you would  never lose sight of your eternal reward and that you would have the patience to stand firm until the end.  “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”  James 5:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  Patience with Purpose.   Pray that you would have an understanding of the purpose of God’s patience in wanting people to come to repentance.  Pray that you would adopt that purpose as you are patient with others.  “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) 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Submission!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Submission!

“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 to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  The Bible says that Jesus was heard by His Father because of His reverent submission.  Yet submission is a word and topic that we tend to avoid in the church and in our personal lives because it may sound demeaning to give up our rights in preference to someone else.  Or God’s Word is pulled out to insist that women are to be submissive while ignoring the submission that all of us are called to by God.  This week we will focus on praying about submission from God’s point of view and how it is a practice we all should participate in as we seek to be more Christ-like.

“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 for a Christ-like submissive spirit and action to be always present in your life.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all those you know.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  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.  “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.    “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.  “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.  “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.  “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.  “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)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: One Another (Week 2)!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  One Another (Week 2)!

“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 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  In the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.  It seems that the implied answer from God is, “Yes, you should have been!”.  The Bible is full of encouragement and commands to apply in our relationships with one another.  So, we will spend a second week of our “Lifestyle of Prayer” focused again on some important characteristics to pray for “one another”.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life as well.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“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)

Extra Prayer Focus:  Pray each day this week that the bureaucratic red-tape surrounding a new drug, GM604, would be dissolved so that individuals with ALS, such as my friend Anita, would be allowed the chance to see if it would help them.

Please spend time praying each day for the “one another” characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank You!

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Submit to one another.  Pray that God would help you to consider the needs of others above your own.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would help you to submit to others.  “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

Tuesday: Teach and Admonish one another.  Pray that you would both give and receive teaching and admonishment.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Wednesday: Forgive one another.  Pray that the forgiveness you have received from God would help you to forgive others.  “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Thursday: Encourage one another.  Pray that you would gather with fellow believers for the purpose of encouraging one another.  Pray that your heart would not be hardened by sin.  “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

Friday: Spur one another on.   Pray that your faith would challenge others to love and good deeds as their faith challenges you to be more Christ-like.  “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  Hebrews 10:23-24 (NIV)

Saturday:  Fellowship with one another.   Pray that you would seek out fellowship with others who are walking in the light of Jesus.  “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  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 1:6-7 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: One Another (Week 1)!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  One Another (Week 1)!

“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 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  In the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.  It seems that the implied answer from God is, “Yes, you should have been!”.  The Bible is full of encouragement and commands to apply in our relationships with one another.  So, we will spend two weeks of our “Lifestyle of Prayer” focused again on a dozen important characteristics to pray for “one another”.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life as well.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“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)

Extra Prayer Focus:  Pray each day this week that the bureaucratic red-tape surrounding a new drug, GM604, would be dissolved so that individuals with ALS, such as my friend Anita, would be allowed the chance to see if it would help them.

Please spend time praying each day for the “one another” characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank You!

 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Love one another.  Pray that your love for people would help them to know you as a disciple of Jesus.  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Tuesday: Be devoted to and honor one another.  Pray that you would show proper devotion and honor to others.  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:10-13 (NIV)

Wednesday: Accept one another.  Pray that God would be praised because you accept others in the same way Christ accepted you.   “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”  Romans 15:5-7 (NIV)

Thursday: Serve one another.  Pray that you would be eager to serve others with the freedom you have in Christ.  “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”  Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Friday: Bear with one another.  Pray that you would “put up” with others as they “put up” with you.  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:2-3

Saturday:  Be kind and compassionate to one another.   Pray that your words and attitude would show kindness to others.  “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Spiritual Training!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Spiritual Training!

“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”  
Luke 6:40 (NIV) 

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  This week our prayer focus will be on Spiritual Training.  To be like Jesus, we must be fully trained by Jesus and live according to that training.  I believe this is a great follow-up to last week’s focus on living a life that is truly set apart for God’s exclusive use.  As one who is sanctified, your training will equip you to daily live a life that reflects the One who is training you.  As you pray this week, listen for how God would have you live a life of continual spiritual training.  Continue to pray for one another each day.  Continue to pray for the work of our supported missions.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort. 

“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 (NIV) 

Extra Prayer Focus:  Pray each day this week that the bureaucratic red-tape surrounding a new drug, GM604, would be dissolved so that individuals with ALS, such as my friend Anita, would be allowed the chance to see if it would help them.

 

Please spend time praying each day for God’s work of spiritual training to be present in your life.  Thank You!

 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

  

Monday:  Trained to be like your Teacher.  Pray that you would pay close attention to where your training is coming from.  Pray that you would become more like Jesus because you are being trained by His Word.  “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”  Luke 6:40 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Trained for an Eternal Crown.  Pray that you would not lose sight of the results to be had through your spiritual training.  “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”  1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Trained in Godliness.  Pray that you would train your mind and body to be godly in all things.  “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

Thursday:  Trained by Scripture.  Pray that God’s Word would be the standard for all of your spiritual training.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Friday:  Trained to Distinguish Good from Evil.  Pray that your constant exposure to the things of God would help you to easily know the difference between something that is good and something that is evil.  “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”  Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  Trained by Discipline.  Pray that you would understand, and welcome, God’s discipline in your life as part of your spiritual training.  “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) 

Lifestyle of Prayer: Sanctified!
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Lifestyle of Prayer: Sanctified!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Sanctified!

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.  For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.  Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”  
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  This week our prayer focus will be on God’s desire for His children to be set apart — sanctified.  We are instructed by scripture to not be of the world even as we live in the world.  I believe the key to being able to do that is to live a life that is truly set apart for God’s exclusive use.  As you pray this week, listen for how God would have you live in a way that honors His calling for you to be sanctified.  Continue to pray for one another each day.  Continue to pray for the work of our supported missions.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.

“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 (NIV)

Please spend time praying each day for God’s work of sanctification to be complete in your life. Thank You!

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Sanctified by Truth.  Pray that you would spend consistent time in God’s Word so that its truth will stand out in your life.  “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”  John 17:17-18 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Sanctified for an Inheritance.  Pray that you would always be mindful of the inheritance that awaits those who are being built up by God’s grace.  “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”  Acts 20:32 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Sanctified by Faith.  Pray that your faith in Jesus will set you apart to proclaim forgiveness of sins to those who would have their eyes opened.  “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”  Acts 26:17-18 (NIV)

Thursday:  Sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  Pray that you would pay attention to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.  “I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:15-16 (NIV)

Friday:  Sanctified in Christ Jesus.  Pray that you would live as part of the body which has been sanctified in Christ Jesus.  “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours.”  1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Sanctified by the God of Peace.  Pray that you would know a complete peace as one who has been thoroughly sanctified by God.  “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV)