“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Be Thankful!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  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.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 

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 have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week’s prayer focus is on being thankful.  It is too easy to let the cares of the world steal our joy and thankfulness so this week we will pray about a variety of reasons to be thankful or things to be thankful for.  God connects our attitudes and conversations with one another with our life of thankfulness to Him.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as the body of believers who meet there.  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 the attitude and practice of thankfulness God has called you to.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for the work and ministry of Tom Lemler with Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Faithful Reputation.  Thank God for those people who inspire you because of their reputation of faith in Jesus — and pray to be one of them.  “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”  Romans 1:8

Tuesday: Changed Lives.  Thank God for the desire and strength to turn from sin and  live obediently to the truth.  “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.”  Romans 6:17

Wednesday: Received Grace.  Thank God for His amazing grace that He offers to all who would accept it and recognize it is that same grace that allows you to be thankful for the people around you.  “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Corinthians 1:4

Thursday: Real Victory.  Thank God for the victory over sin and death, as well as for the daily victories, through Jesus.  “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15:57

Friday: Shared Concern.  Thank God that He draws believers to a common concern for one another and pray that you would always remember it.  “I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.”  2 Corinthians 8:16

Saturday:  Generous Giving.  Thank God for the ability, and opportunity, to supply the needs of one another through His provision.  “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:12