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Lifestyle of Prayer: Authority of Jesus!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Authority of Jesus!

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  As  you pray, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.

“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 authority of Jesus and how you respond to it.   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:  All Authority in Heaven and on Earth.   Pray that you would open every aspect of your life to the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your life would be lived under the authority of Jesus.  “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”  Matthew 28:18  (NIV)

Tuesday:  Authority to Teach.  Pray that you would accept the teachings of Jesus as having authority in your life.  Pray that you would let God’s authority be present when you share scripture.  “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”  Mark 1:22 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Authority to Forgive Sins.  Pray that you would live with confidence because of the authority of Jesus to forgive sins.  Pray that you would help others to know the authority of Jesus over sin.  “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….”  Mark 2:10 (NIV)

Thursday:  Authority Over Evil Spirits.  Pray that you would look to Jesus as the One with authority over evil spirits and the attacks of Satan in your life and in the lives of others.  “All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!’”  Luke 4:36 (NIV)

Friday:  Authority to Judge.  Pray that you would have no reason to fear the authority of Jesus to judge.  Pray that the people around you would understand His authority to judge all things.  “And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”  John 5:27 (NIV)

Saturday:  Authority to Give Eternal Life.  Pray that you would never forget that it is Jesus who has the authority to give eternal life.  Pray that the people around you would come to know Jesus as the only way to life eternal.  “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.”  John 17:2 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Clothed In Christ!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Christian ‘Clothing’!

“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.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

What are you wearing today?  Why?  What does your choice of clothing say about you?  Like it or not, people often make assumptions about us based on what they see us wearing.  As a Christian, what are you wearing that would help people see Jesus?  This week our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis will focus on some characteristics that God says we should clothe ourselves with.  Pray that you would live as one chosen by God, holy and dearly loved!  As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.

“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 being clothed, both inwardly and outwardly, in a way that reflects the character of God as you wrap yourself in His love.   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: Clothed With Compassion.   Pray that your understanding of your own weaknesses would fill you with a compassion for others.  “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”  Psalm 103:13-14  (NIV)

Tuesday: Clothed With Kindness.  Pray that you would be observant to the needs of others so that you would show meaningful kindness.  “The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.”  Acts 28:2 (NIV)

Wednesday: Clothed With Humility.  Pray that you would see the value and importance of others as being greater than your own.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Clothed With Gentleness.  Pray that God’s presence in your life would clothe you with a gentleness that is obvious to all.  “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Friday: Clothed With Patience.  Pray for the courage to have patience with people as you wait upon the Lord.  “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”  Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Clothed With Forgiveness.  Pray that the forgiveness that you receive from God would overflow into forgiveness that you extend to others.  “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”  Mark 11:25 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Compassion!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Compassion!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

As I read the above verse, I had to consider how much of God’s characteristic of compassion is evident in my life.  The Bible says much about God’s desire to show compassion to people who would be lost without it!  For our Lifestyle of Prayer focus this week, we will look at some scriptures about God’s expression of compassion and pray about how we will show compassion to others.  As Christians we want to be obedient to God and to live like Christ, so this week we will pray about how our expression of compassion reflects the nature of God.  As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort. 

“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 having a heart of compassion that reflects the character of God.   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: Compassion Through True Justice.   Pray that you would see justice through the eyes of mercy and compassion.  Pray that you would learn to see justice as the process of making things right rather than a desire for revenge.  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'”  Zechariah 7:9  (NIV)

Tuesday: Compassion for the Helpless.  Pray that you would have a heart of compassion for the people around you who have no spiritual leader.  “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”  Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

Wednesday: Compassion for the Sick.  Pray that you would find ways to minister to and serve the sick.  Pray that your compassion for them would be genuine and helpful.  “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”  Matthew 14:14 (NIV)

Thursday: Compassion for the Hungry.  Pray for eyes that see those who are hungry.  Pray for the compassion to share both physical and spiritual food with the people who hunger.  “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.”  Mark 8:2 (NIV)

Friday: Compassion for the Lost/Missing.  Pray that you would be filled with a tender compassion for the people you know who are lost and/or missing from the fellowship of believers.  “So he got up and went to his father.  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)

Saturday:  Clothed with Compassion.  Pray that you would daily put on the clothing of compassion and the characteristics that are fitting for God’s chosen people.  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Work of Jesus on Earth!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Work of Jesus on Earth!

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn.”
Isaiah 61:1-2 (NIV)

The above words were written by Isaiah long before Jesus left His heavenly home to live as a man on earth.  Luke records Jesus standing in the synagogue reading that very passage and proclaiming, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”!  This week we will focus our prayer time on some of the work Jesus did when He came to earth — work we ought to be doing as His representatives!  As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.

“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 your life reflects the work and purpose of Jesus.   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: Live Anointed by God’s Spirit.  Pray that  your life would always reflect the anointing of God’s Spirit that is given to all Christians.  “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.”  1 John 2:20  (NIV)

Tuesday: Preach Good News to the Poor.  Pray that you would be eager to share the good news in all ways possible to the poor.  “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”  Galatians 2:10 (NIV)

Wednesday: Bind Up the Brokenhearted.  Pray that you would be an encourager to the weary as you help the brokenhearted find healing within a relationship with Jesus.  “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Proclaim Freedom for the Captive.  Pray that you would live as one who is free and actively proclaim that freedom to all who live in bondage.  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

Friday: Release the Blind from Darkness.  Pray that your eyes would be opened fully to the work of God in your life so that you would help others see the truth of Jesus.  “Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’”  John 9:39 (NIV)

Saturday:  Proclaim the Year of the Lord’s Favor.  Pray that you would daily recognize the Lord’s favor in your life and proclaim that favor to those around you.  “Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them.”  Psalm 106:4 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Whatever!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Whatever!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

How’s your thought life?  Do you realize how important and powerful your thoughts are?  Thoughts become ideas, ideas become actions, actions become habits, and the sum of your habits become your character — who you really are!  This week’s prayer focus is on the “Whatever” kind of things that ought to fill your thought life so that they become your character!  As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  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) 

Please spend time praying each day about your thought life and how God wants you to use it.   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: Whatever is True.  Pray that your thoughts would constantly run through the filter of God’s Word to maintain only thoughts that are true.  Pray that your life would be set apart by truth.  “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17  (NIV)

Tuesday: Whatever is Noble.  Pray that your thoughts would be productive as you think on things that will bear a great kingdom harvest.  “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”  Luke 8:15 (NIV)

Wednesday: Whatever is Right.  Pray that your thoughts would consistently be trained on doing what is right no matter what.  “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”  Genesis 4:7 (NIV)

Thursday: Whatever is Pure.  Pray that your thoughts would always be pure as you draw near to God for His cleansing.  “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  James 4:8 (NIV)

Friday: Whatever is Lovely.  Pray that your mind would be filled with the loveliness of God’s dwelling as you long for your eternal home.  “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”  Psalm 84:1-2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Whatever is Admirable.  Pray that your thoughts would be focused on an admiration of the work of Jesus in your life and in the lives of others.  “When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”  2 Thessalonians 1:10 (NKJV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Examples!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Examples!

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!  No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
1 Corinthians 10:11-13 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  Throughout scripture we are told to view various things as examples of God’s mercy, His judgment, His patience, His love, and the list goes on.  This week our focus will be on praying about the examples we learn from and the example we ought to be.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  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) 

Please spend time praying each day about what you have and about how God wants you to use it.   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: The Example to Serve Others.  Pray that you would have eyes that notice the needs of others and have a willingness to serve them.  “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  John 13:14-15 (NIV)

Tuesday: The Example of Faithfully Following Christ.  Pray that you would follow the example of faithful people and be an example of one who faithfully lives the teachings of scripture.  “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.  I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.”  1 Corinthians 11:1-2 (NIV)

Wednesday: The Example of Diligent Work.  Pray that your example as a worker would help others see Christ more clearly.  “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.”  2 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (NIV)

Thursday: The Example of God’s Mercy and Patience.  Pray that your life would be an expression to others of God’s mercy.  “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”  1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)

Friday: The Example of Integrity.  Pray that you would learn to live a life that is above reproach.  “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”  Titus 2:7-8 (NIV)

Saturday:  The Example of Christ-like Suffering.  Pray for courage to respond with humility when you suffer for the sake of Christ.  “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”  1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: What Do You Have?

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  What Do You Have?

“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”
1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  This week our focus will be on praying about what you have.  Sometimes we need to stop and examine just what it is we have, that God has given us, so we can better understand how to use it more effectively in the purpose for which it was given.  As you pray this week, spend time allowing God to examine and reveal more fully what it is you have and how He wants you to use it.  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.  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) 

Please spend time praying each day about what you have and about how God wants you to use it.   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: Where Did You Get What You Have?  Pray that you would always recognize the source of what you have is God and be thankful to Him.  “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)

Tuesday: What is In Your Hand?  Pray that God would help you see the value and usefulness of what you hold. “Moses answered, ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?’  Then the LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’  ‘A staff,’ he replied.  Exodus 4:1-2 (NIV)

Wednesday: What Do You Have Available?  Pray that God would open your eyes to the resources He has made available.  “Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’  ‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a little oil.’  Elisha said, ‘Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.’”  2 Kings 4:2-3 (NIV)

Thursday: What Have You Verified?  Pray that you would spread the news of Jesus because of all you have verified Him doing in your life.  “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”  Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see.”  Matthew 11:3-4 (NIV)

Friday: Do You Have Enough?  Pray that you would trust God to be enough for all circumstances.  “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

Saturday:  What Will You Do With What You Have?  Pray that you would be faithful in using what you have for the benefit of others for the purpose of building up the kingdom of God.  “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: In Christ (Week 5)!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  In Christ (Week 5)!

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
John 1:16 (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 will wrap up our January focus on some things the Bible says that we have in Christ.  This has been loosely based on a list I was recently given that appears to be copied out of a book.  I’ve not been able to find out what the book was, but I’ve adapted most of the daily topics from that list.  Continue to pray for one another each day.  Continue to pray for the work of missionaries around the world.  Continue to pray for the family.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.

“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 what you have in Christ and about how God wants you to use it.   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: I Am Free From My Sinful Flesh.  Pray that you would live as one who is free from your sinful flesh.  “In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”  Colossians 2:11-12 (NIV)

Tuesday: I Am Hidden With Christ.  Pray that your life would be so hidden in Christ that He is all that others see.  “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”  Colossians 3:3 (NIV)

Wednesday: I Have a Holy Calling.  Pray that you would take up your holy calling.  “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”  2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NIV)

Thursday: I Have a Brother.  Pray that you would value your identity in the family of God.  “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”  Hebrews 2:11 (NIV)

Friday: I Have An Understanding High Priest.  Pray for a greater trust in Jesus as your intermediary between you and God.  “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”  Hebrews 4:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  I Have Been Given Precious Promises.  Pray that you would understand and value the precious promises you have in Christ.  “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)