“A Lifestyle of Prayer”
This week’s prayer focus: God’s Word!
“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)
This week’s prayer focus is about the usefulness of God’s Word in our life. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we have a list of some of the things that God says Scripture is useful for if we were to make use of it and apply it to everything we do. Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational — if they view it at all. In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to draw near to God and be transformed. As you pray, ask God to help you accurately evaluate how much time you spend reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God. Pray that your love for God’s Word would grow as your understanding of its usefulness grows. Pray that the usefulness of God’s Word in your life would cause you to share it at every opportunity. 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 living a life that is filled with the respect that God would have you show to Him and to others.
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: Origin of God’s Word. Pray that you would have a proper view of Scripture as coming from God and not from man. Pray that God’s Spirit would give you insight into what He has spoken through His Word. “For prophecy [God’s Word] never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21 (NIV)
Tuesday: Useful for Teaching. Pray that you would hold fast to God’s Word as useful in teaching you how to live a life pleasing to God. Pray that your devotion to the Word of God would prepare you to teach others. “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” Ezra 7:10 (NIV)
Wednesday: Useful for Rebuking. Pray that you would listen to the wise rebuke of God’s Word in your life. Pray that you would use God’s Word in wisely rebuking others when it is necessary. “It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:5 (NIV)
Thursday: Useful for Correcting. Pray that you would heed the correction that God desires to give you through His Word. Pray that God’s Word would be the basis for any correction of others that you do. “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” Job 5:17 (NIV)
Friday: Useful for Training. Pray that you would reject the myths of the world and seek to be trained by God’s Word. Pray that you would cling to God’s Word as the true source of training in godliness. “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” 1 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
Saturday: Useful for Equipping. Pray that the application of God’s Word in your life would equip you for every good work He desires. Pray that you would make God’s Word the very core of your task of helping others to be equipped for the work God has created for them to do. “May the God of peace . . . equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)

I began my walk under the ball field pavilion as the sun was beginning to warm the day. Prayed that the warmth of God’s love would shine brightly into, and out of, the lives of all who would come onto the camp property.
You can’t tell from the picture, but as I sat here praying I could hear the sounds of worship coming from the upper room of the dining hall building. Prayed that the campers would grow in their desire and expressions of worship that they offer to God.
Still one of my favorite spots on the property. Not sure how much it is used anymore, but for me it is representative of the teaching that takes place throughout the property. Prayed that God’s Word would continue to be shared in ways that are understood and accepted by each person who hears.
Prayed for the cabin moms and dads and the camp week cabin life. Prayed that each person would respect all others and that the necessary rest would take place to enhance the camp experience.
The picture doesn’t do it justice, but there are vines hanging down from this tree — vines that if left alone will eventually strangle and kill the tree. Prayed that God would reveal to each person the danger of sin and help them to repent of, and overcome, sin before it easily entangles them.
The spiderweb. One of the low-level initiatives. Prayed that campers, faculty, and staff would understand the importance of working together and gain an understanding of how each person fits into the family of God.
Continued to pray that the message of the cross of Christ would be presented clearly and accepted fully.
Prayed that God would use this prayer chapel as a constant reminder to keep a pursuit of God through prayer central in all camp activities and decisions.
The lake has become a swamp or wetland. Prayed that the joy of Christ would never dry up in the lives of those who know Him through the work of the camp.
As campers were transitioning from recreation to canteen time, prayed that they would honor and respect one another in the way they play. Prayed that their hunger for God would become greater than their hunger for the canteen snacks.
Prayed that the fruit of God’s Spirit would be evident in the lives of all the staff and faculty as they share God’s love with the campers.
This chipmunk was chattering quite loudly as a warning of my presence to anyone who would listen. Prayed that we would not be silent in warning others of the presence of danger — especially the danger of being found outside of a relationship with Christ.
Prayed that each person would know the beauty that God has created them with. Prayed that God’s transforming power would be at work in the lives of each camper.
Prayed that the fire of God’s Spirit would not grow cold in the lives of any of His children.