christian calling

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Practice!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Practice!

“He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’”
Luke 8:21 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about the things we practice — or at least some things we ought to practice.  While the old saying, “Practice makes perfect”, may be a bit of an exaggeration, consistent good practice does have a tendency to bring about consistent improvement.  Unfortunately, a practice of things which are evil will also make us “better” at doing those things.  Like it or not, we are going to be “practicing” something at all times so we would do well to make our practices be what God would want them to be.  We are identified by Jesus as part of His family when we put into practice the things given by His Father.  As you pray, ask God to help you examine the practices of your life.  Pray that you would spend time in God’s Word as you seek to put it into practice every day.  Pray that God would help you grow in the things that you ought to practice and to put away the things that you shouldn’t practice.  Pray that your practice of the things of God would be done in such a way that others would see Jesus more clearly in you.  Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 pray each day for God to help you practice the things that will draw you closer to Him.

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:  Practice Obedience.  Pray that you would not just know the precepts of God, but that you would make it your practice to obey them.  Pray that obedience to God would be something that you would continually grow in as you put it into practice each day.  “This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.”  Psalm 119:56 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Practice the Words of Jesus.  Pray that you would daily put into practice the words you hear from Jesus as you spend time in His Word.  Pray that others would see the wisdom that comes from practicing the words of Jesus.  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Practice Hospitality.  Pray that God would help you learn to share as you practice hospitality.  Pray for the courage to share with others as you welcome them into your life.  Pray that your practice of hospitality would help others know Jesus more fully.  “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Thursday:  Practice What You Learn.   Pray that you would pay attention to the good examples set by people of faith, and then put into practice the things you learn.  Pray that you would be one who lives life in a way that others would benefit by putting into practice the things they learn from you.  “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:9 (NIV)

Friday:  Practice Godliness.  Pray that you would know the value of practicing godliness as you see how its benefits exceed even physical training.  Pray that you would promote the practice of godliness in all things.  “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  Practice Your Religion.  Pray that you would have a practice of religion that is pleasing to God.  Pray that the practice of true religion would care for those whom God has given you responsibility for.  “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”  1 Timothy 5:4 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Faithful!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Faithful!

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being faithful.  I know of no greater pursuit in life than to live in such a way that when my time on earth is complete I hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”  It seems as if every day we are faced with one test or another regarding our decision to be faithful.  Being faithful requires a commitment beyond all others because it demands that we don’t give up.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how faithful you are even in the “little things” of life.  Pray that you would grow each day as you seek to be faithful in the things that matter to God.  Pray that you would look forward to the happiness that comes from being faithful, even if the journey toward that happiness seems long and difficult.  Pray that you would pay attention to the areas in your life that where faithfulness often seems elusive.  Pray for the courage to be faithful in all things — whether large or small.  Pray that you would know the joy of hearing Jesus say, “Well done!”  Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 pray each day for God to help you be faithful in all things.

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:  Faithful in Prayer.  Ask God to help you develop a lifestyle of prayer that keeps you from giving up.  Ask God to help you know how to pray in times of hope and in times of affliction — and in all times in between.  “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  Romans 12:11 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Faithful in Trust.  Pray that you would live in such a way that others trust you because you have been proven faithful.  Pray that you would remain steadfast in your trust of God because He has been proven faithful.  Pray that you would be faithful with the trust God has shown to you.  “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”  1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Faithful in Service.  Pray that you would seek God for the strength required to be faithful in serving.  Pray that you would grasp the importance of being chosen by God to be one of His faithful servants.  Pray that you would serve faithfully.  “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.”  1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

Thursday:  Faithful in Testimony.   Pray that you would be faithful regarding your testimony of God’s work in your life.  Pray that you would faithfully speak not only of the things God has done in your life, but also of the things He has promised to do.  “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future.”  Hebrews 3:5 (NIV)

Friday:  Faithful to Strangers.  Pray that you would be faithful in doing what God has called you to do for others regardless of how well you know them.  Pray that you would know the joy of doing good for strangers — perhaps even “entertaining angels unaware”.  “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.”  3 John 1:5 (NIV)

Saturday:  Faithful to Jesus.  Pray that you would patiently endure all of the trouble that comes in this life as you remain faithful to Jesus.  Pray that you would not follow the path of those who are headed for eternal torment.  Pray that God would give you the courage needed each day to remain faithful to Jesus.  “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.”  Revelation 14:12 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Above All!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Above All!

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about some things the Bible says are, or should be, above all in the life of every believer.  When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, and to us, he wanted to pass along what he had received from Jesus and emphasize that which was of first importance — the message of the gospel.  It is far too easy to get caught up in “lesser things” and miss that which is of “first importance”.  Good intentions are not the same as good priorities — intentions are what we would like to do, priorities are what we actually do.  When it comes to setting the priorities of what we will actually value above all else, God has given us His Son to both give the instruction and set the example.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just what it is that you tend to place above all in your life.  Pray that you would spend time in God’s Word daily as you seek His help in moving from good intentions to excellent priorities.  Pray that the things of God that you place above all else would be lived in such a way that people see Jesus in you.  Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 pray each day for God to help you understand the things which ought to be above all else.

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:  Christ.  Pray that you would recognize Christ as the One who is above all else.  Pray that you would always look to the One from above as the source and authority for what should be above all in your life.  Pray that above all, Christ would be the one you listen to.  “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.”  John 3:31(NIV)

Tuesday:  Exalt God.  Pray that your view of God would compel you to exalt Him above all.  Pray that God would help you live your life in such a way that He is exalted above all not just in your words, but in your life.  Pray that above all, God would be the only god in your life.  “For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.”  Psalm 97:9 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Guard Your Heart.  Pray for the wisdom and courage to guard your heart above all else.  Pray that God’s Word and His constant presence would fill you with His love as a protection to your heart.  Pray that above all, your life would flow from a guarded heart.  “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”  Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Thursday:  Mean What You Say.   Pray that you would pay attention to the actions that accompany your words.  Pray that above all the noise of the world, your words would reflect what you actually mean and what you actually do.  Pray that above all, you would speak with integrity.  “Above all, my brothers, do not swear — not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your ‘Yes’ be yes, and your ‘No,’ no, or you will be condemned.”  James 5:12(NIV)

Friday:  Love Deeply.  Pray that you would know the power of an “above all” kind of love.  Pray that your experience of this kind of love from Jesus would empower you to express this same love to others.  Pray that above all, you would love deeply. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”  1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  Understand the Source of Scripture.  Pray that you would know the importance of God as the source of scripture.  Pray that you would look to God as the authoritative source above all of mankind’s explanations and interpretations of scripture.  Pray that above all, God would be heard through scripture.  “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.”  2 Peter 1:20 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Called!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Called!

 “And you also are among those who are
called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being called.  The Bible has much to say not only about what we are called, but also about what we are called to.  If, like me, you grew up with an elementary school environment where “team captains” chose sides for most activities, you probably remember how much you longed to hear your name called.  Being called by a team’s captain meant that we not only had a place we belonged, but we had a task to do for the good of the team.  Knowing we have been called by God ought to fill us with great joy as we seek to live according to His calling in a kingdom where we belong and where we have work to do.  As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that you would listen to Him as you seek to discover the things He has called you to do.  Pray for the humility to understand the calling is by God’s grace and is not just for you but for all who would respond to His call.  Pray that you would always seek to do your part as God works His calling out in your life.  Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 pray each day for God to help you understand more fully who you are called and what you have been called to.

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:  Called to Serve.  Pray that you would experience the freedom that comes as a result of being called by God.  Pray that you would not only know your calling, but that you would understand its purpose in serving others.  “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”  Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Called to Peace.  Pray that God would help you to see how His calling has made you part of one body — His body.  Pray that the unity of being one body would lead you to a thankful pursuit of the peace you have been called to.  “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Called Out of Darkness.  Pray for an understanding of what you’ve been called out of in order for you to belong to God.  Pray that you would give praise to God for bringing you into His light and out of the world’s darkness by His calling.  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Thursday:  Called to Eternal Glory.   Pray that you would be able to see beyond the temporary nature of this life in order to know the eternal glory you have been called to.  Pray for the endurance to live up to the calling that leads to eternal glory.  “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”  1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

Friday:  Called by God’s Goodness.  Pray that your knowledge of God would fill you with all that you truly need for life.  Pray that you would live with the assurance of being called by God’s goodness rather than by your own merit.  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”  2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Called a Child of God.  Pray that you would know the great love of God as one who is called His child.  Pray that you would live as one known by God even when the world has no idea who you are.  “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”  1 John 3:1 (NIV)