Lifestyle of Prayer: The Family!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: The Family!

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.” 
Psalm 22:27-28 (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 summer begins, we return to the topic of Family.  Pray that Deer Run is a place where each person is a valued part of this family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together.

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 each day praying about, and writing down, how God would have you live out that day’s aspect of prayer.    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: Children.  Pray for children to be brought up in the fear and knowledge of the Lord in a safe and nurturing environment.  Pray that each child, of any age, would honor their parents. 

Tuesday: Moms.  Pray that their work both in and out of the home would be filled with satisfaction and joy.  Pray that they would have godly patience with their children.

Wednesday: Dads.  Pray that they would be involved in the lives of their children in positive and wholesome ways.  Pray that they would teach their children about God by their words and actions.

Thursday: Marriage.  Pray that the marriages in our congregation and community would be strengthened and protected.  Pray that both husband and wife would feel loved and valued.

Friday: Grandparents.  Pray that they would be valued members of the family and church congregation.  Pray that their wisdom and experience would be passed on to the next generation.

SaturdaySingle Adults.  Some are single by choice, some not.  Pray that each would be filled with great peace and hope as they serve God and rely on Him to surround them with healthy relationships.

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Children

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: The Children!

“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)

“‘I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”
Mark 10:15-16 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  The plight of children has been on my mind a lot lately, so this week we will focus our prayer emphasis on the children. God has a lot to say about His concern for children. Many children are struggling with little or no perceived value — not just in far off places of the world, but in our own communities and neighborhoods. As you pray this week, listen intently for what God would have you do to show children the great value He places on them.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together. 

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 about each day’s specific focus for children. Pray for those on the front lines of representing Jesus to the children — parents, grandparents, youth workers, school teachers, school counselors, school staff, coaches, and all others who have consistent contact with young people each day.  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: Worshipful Children. Pray that the children would be worshippers of God. Pray that they would always know the value of true worship, regardless of their age. “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2

Tuesday: Kingdom Children. Pray that the children of this world would become children of God’s kingdom. Pray that they would never lose the innocent faith of a child. “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:3

Wednesday: Welcomed Children. Pray that the children around you today would know that Jesus welcomes them to Himself. Pray that nothing would hinder them from coming to Jesus. “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14

Thursday: Forgiven Children. Pray that the children who are living with great guilt would know the forgiveness that God offers. Pray that they would learn of that forgiveness from you. “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39

Friday: Obedient Children. Pray that the children of your community would learn the value of obedience. Pray that they would know what is right and choose to do it. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

Saturday: Faithful Children. Pray that the children who have come to Christ would remain faithful all the days of their life. Pray that they would be protected from the evil one. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

Lifestyle of Prayer: Children!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus: Children!

“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)

“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)

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. 

Use the topics this week to help you pray for your children, for the children in your extended family, for the children of the church you attend, for the children of the area in which you live, and for the children of the world. Pray for those who are devoting their time and resources to serve children in the name of Jesus.   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 child-like qualities God calls us to have as His children.  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: Worshipful Children.  Pray that we would never outgrow a wholehearted praise and worship of our God.  “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”  Psalm 8:2

Tuesday: Kingdom Children.  Pray that we would have the humility and innocence to become like little children.  “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”  Matthew 18:3

Wednesday: Welcomed Children.  Pray that we would welcome children to Jesus and feel welcomed as His children.  “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”  Matthew 19:14

Thursday: Forgiven Children.  Pray that we would faithfully share the promise of forgiveness of sin and the gift of God’s Spirit.  “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  Acts 2:39

Friday: Obedient Children.  Pray that we would be living examples of obedient children.  “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Ephesians 6:1

SaturdayFaithful Children.  Pray that we would experience the joy of hearing that those coming after us are walking in the truth.  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:4