“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: Building Up!

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” 
Ephesians 4:15-16

“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 we will focus on our task within the body of Christ to be involved in the Building Up process.  We all have work to do and we all have an important role in both growing up and building up ourselves and the individuals around us.  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 God’s call to be involved in Building Up.  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 Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: With Grace.  Pray that you would recognize  the power of God’s grace to continually build you up for the inheritance that is yours.  “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

Tuesday: Your Neighbor.  Pray that you would serve your neighbor in the name of Jesus that he would be built up.  “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”  Romans 15:2

Wednesday: The Church.  Pray that you would use, and grow, in the gifts God has given you and that your use of them would build up the church.  “So it is with you.  Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.”  1 Corinthians 14:12

Thursday: With Speech.  Pray that you would set a guard on your mouth so that your speech would build up those who listen.  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  Ephesians 4:29

Friday: Through Encouragement.  Pray that your interactions with people would be an encouragement that builds them up.  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Saturday:  In Faith.  Pray that you would seek God through His Spirit that you would be built up in faith through prayer.  “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”  Jude 1:20