“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Productive Life!

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 
2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about some of the qualities which God says are necessary for an effective and productive life.  I suspect that nearly everyone wants to live a life that matter — a life that makes a difference to others.  As we pray this week, we will talk with God about some attributes He says are key in making our knowledge of Jesus useful.  As you pray, ask God to help you start with a foundation of faith that will help these qualities grow and build upon each other.  Pray that you would lead a productive life because of God’s presence in you.  Pray for an increasing humility which will allow the necessary character traits to grow more fully in your life.  Pray about how God would have you share with others in ways that encourage and build them up for greater effectiveness.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 live an effective and productive life.

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:  A Productive Goodness.  Pray that your faith would produce a goodness that can instruct others in the things of God.  Pray that your eyes would be opened to the goodness of God in others.  Pray about how God would want His goodness to be seen in you.  “I myself am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”  Romans 15:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Productive Knowledge.  Pray that God’s grace would produce within you a knowledge of Jesus that will transform every part of your life.  Pray for a knowledge that glorifies God rather than self.  Pray for the humility needed to give God the credit for all your knowledge.  “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!”  2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Wednesday:  A Productive Self-Control.  Pray for ever-increasing self-control to provide the protection God designed it for.  Pray for God’s Spirit to be evident in your life through the self-control which you possess as His gift.  Pray that the people around you would see a clearer image of Jesus through your self-control.  “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”  Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

Thursday:  A Productive Perseverance.  Pray that your growth in Christ would help you to persevere in faith.  Pray that you would grow to maturity as you learn perseverance through the faithfulness of God.  Pray that your example of faithfulness in all things would help others know Jesus.  “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:4 (NIV)

Friday:  A Productive Godliness.  Pray that your training and growth in godliness would fill you with hope for today and for eternity.  Pray that the presence of God within you would produce a godliness that others can know and pursue for themselves.  “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:  A Productive Kindness and Love.  Pray that God’s kindness and love would be reflected in the way you show kindness and love to the people around you.  Pray for the wisdom to live as one set free . . . and as one who shares the freedom of God with others.  Pray for God’s help in doing all things with love.  “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.”  Hosea 11:4 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Walking Together!

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We write this to make our joy complete.” 
1 John 1:3-4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about walking together in greater fellowship with one another as we grow in our walk with God.  When we consider the divisive nature of this world it should be clear that we need more than this world can offer if we want to walk together with anyone.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your walk with Him.  Pray for a greater fellowship with others through a common sharing of the things God has done.  Pray for a growing joy as you walk through life together with God and with one another.  Pray for wisdom in representing Jesus to others through the way you live life each day.  Pray for a growing circle of those you walk together with.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 live as one who walks together in fellowship with Him and one another.

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:  Walking In the Light of God.  Pray that God and His Word would always be the light that you walk by each day.  Pray that your words and your life would consistently declare the light of God to the people you find yourself walking together with in this life.  “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”  1 John 1:5 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Walking In Fellowship.  Pray that your walking in fellowship with God would be more than just words but would reflect an obedience to His Word.  Pray for a fellowship with God that influences and strengthens your ability to walk in fellowship with the people around you.  “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”  1 John 1:6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Walking In Purity.  Pray that you would know the freedom that comes from being purified by the blood of Jesus.  Pray that living in the purity of God’s forgiveness would lead you to a greater purity in the way you walk together with others.  “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”  1 John 1:7 (NIV)

Thursday:  Walking In Truth.  Pray for the desire and ability to really be honest with God about everything in your life — even the things you may think are hidden.  Pray for the courage and humility needed to walk with others in ways that are filled with God’s truth.  Pray for a discerning wisdom that will help you walk in truth with others.  “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”  1 John 1:8 (NIV)

Friday:  Walking In Forgiveness.  Pray for the courage to agree with God about any and all sin in your life.  Pray for a confidence in God’s ability and desire to forgive and cleanse you.  Pray that an awareness of God’s forgiveness in your life would help you to walk in forgiveness with others.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Saturday:  Walking In God’s Word.  Pray that you would live with honesty as you make God’s Word central in your life.  Pray for the strength and courage needed to always make God’s Word the standard by which you live.  Pray that your walk with God would help you to walk in  God’s Word with others.  “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”  1 John 1:10 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Set Free!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 
John 8:36 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about living as those who have been set free.  God wants each one of us to live free in ways that build up and encourage one another.  In God’s kingdom, our freedom comes through complete surrender to Him and an acknowledgement of our total dependence on the work Christ has done on our behalf.  Our freedom in Christ allows us to serve people in ways that benefit them according to their need.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you understand how the freedom that He offers is different from the world’s view of freedom.  Pray that you would be careful how you use your freedom.  Pray that you would know true freedom that is found through gazing into the perfect law of God’s Word and doing what it says.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 live as one who has been set free.

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:  Set Free to Proclaim Freedom to Others.  Pray that you would proclaim freedom to others because it is the right thing to do.  Pray that you would repent of any attitudes that would hold others captive in your thoughts.  “Recently you repented and did what is right in my sight: Each of you proclaimed freedom to his countrymen. You even made a covenant before me in the house that bears my Name.”  Jeremiah 34:15 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Set Free by God’s Spirit.  Pray that you would walk by the Spirit as you live in the freedom He gives.  Pray that you would know the presence of God dwelling within you through His Spirit.  Pray that your interactions with others would be guided by the freedom found in being united by God’s Spirit.  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Set Free to Serve One Another.  Pray that you would be careful in how you use your freedom.  Pray that all selfishness would be banished from your life as you serve others.  Pray that you would grow in the joy of being set free to serve 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)

Thursday:  Set Free to Approach God.  Pray that you would live with the confidence to approach God in perfect freedom.  Praise God for setting you free to approach Him through Christ.  Pray that your freedom would be used to help others know that they can also approach God with confidence through Jesus Christ.  “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”  Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

Friday:  Set Free by God’s Perfect Law.  Pray that you would be more than a casual observer of God’s Word, that you would gaze into it intently.  Pray that you would not only look intently into God’s Word, but that you would live as one set free to do what it says.  “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.”  James 1:25 (NIV)

Saturday:  Set Free to Serve God.  Pray that your life would be lived as a servant of God.  Pray that you would not use your freedom to hide sin in your life.  Pray that God would help you to share the good news of being set free to serve God.  Pray for the courage and wisdom needed to freely serve God.  “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”  1 Peter 2:16 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living As Family!

“God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” 
Psalm 68:6 (NIV)

As a follow-up to last week’s prayer focus about God being a Father to the fatherless, this week we will be praying about being the family God sets the lonely in.  As you pray this week, pray with thanksgiving for the family God provides in your loneliness.  Pray about how God would have you to be the family that is needed by the lonely around you.  Pray for each role that exists within families and ask God to help you be faithful no matter what season of life you are in.  Pray for a heart of compassion and consideration for each part of the family.  Pray for families to be strengthened and valued.  Pray for the families within the church and for the family that is the church.  Pray that you would know and share the joy of being set free as a part of God’s family.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 live as part of a godly family.

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: 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.  Pray for the wisdom to help children know they are valued greatly by God.  “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.”  Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

Tuesday: Moms.  Pray that the work done by moms, both in and out of the home, would be filled with satisfaction and joy.  Pray that mothers would have godly patience with their children.  Pray that your life would give your mom, and the women around you, reason to rejoice.  “May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!”  Proverbs 23:25 (NIV)

Wednesday: Dads.  Pray that dads 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.  Pray that you would live in such a way that you are a delight to your father.  “The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.”  Proverbs 23:24 (NIV)

Thursday: Marriage.  Pray that the marriages in your congregation and community would be strengthened and protected.  Pray that both husband and wife would feel loved and valued.  Pray for the courage to live in purity in all of your relationships.  “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”  Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)

Friday: Grandparents.  Pray that grandparents would be valued members of the family and church congregation.  Pray that their wisdom and experience would be passed on to the next generation.  Pray for the humility to treat those older than you with respect and understanding.  “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”  1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Single 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.  Pray that God would fill their desire as only He can — whether that desire is to stay single or be married.  “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 7:35 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Father to the Fatherless!

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” 
Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV)

As we celebrate Father’s Day to begin the week, this week we will focus our prayer emphasis on God’s concern for the fatherless.  As we pray to be more Christ-like, we must pray that our response to the fatherless would be the same as God’s.  There are many in our community who live as fatherless regardless of the presence of a dad in their life.  Pray that God would equip us to help men to live as fathers who honor God and their family.  Pray for the courage and desire to be fathers for those who have none.  Pray for those on the front lines of representing Jesus to the fatherless — youth workers, school teachers, school counselors, school staff, coaches, and all others who have consistent contact with young people each day.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 live with His heart for the fatherless.

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:  Defend the Fatherless.  Pray for the courage and wisdom to stand up for the fatherless when it comes to them having their needs met.  Pray that your love of people would be seen in the ways you defend and provide for the fatherless.  Pray that God is seen in you as you take up the cause of the fatherless.  “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.”  Deuteronomy 10:18 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Provide Justice to the Fatherless.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity to see that the fatherless around you receive justice.  Pray that you would be mindful of how your actions either help or hinder true justice for the fatherless.  Pray that you would have wisdom in being an advocate for those with no voice.  “Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice.”  Deuteronomy 24:17 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Rescue the Fatherless.  Pray that you would have ears to hear the cries of the fatherless.  As you hear their cries, pray that you would rescue them in their time of need.  Pray that God would cause His heart of compassion to grow within you each time you hear the cries of those who have no help.   “Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him.”  Job 29:12 (NIV)

Thursday:  Help the Fatherless.  Pray that you would accurately reflect the character of God as you provide help to the fatherless.  Pray that God’s love and compassion would be seen in you as learn to help those who have no one to help them.  Pray that you would trust in God’s help when you are in need.  “The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”  Psalm 10:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Sustain the Fatherless.  Pray that God would fill you with an attitude of generosity as He provides ways for you to sustain the fatherless.  Pray that you would be one to watch over and care for the fatherless in a way that accurately reflects God’s love.  “The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”  Psalm 146:9 (NIV)

Saturday:  Show Compassion to the Fatherless.  Pray that your approach to the fatherless around you would be filled with the same compassion that God has for them.  Pray that you would know the compassion of God in a way that causes you to reject the worship of anything you can do.  “We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” Hosea 14:3 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Be Encouraged (Week Two)!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

This week we look at part two of a two week focus on being encouraged for the purpose of encouraging one another.  The distractions of this world are more than enough to bring discouragement to anyone, so it is important that we keep our eyes focused on the power of God to encourage us so that we can encourage others.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be encouraged through your relationship with Him.  Pray that you would know God as the source of courage in the midst of any and all discouragement.  Pray that you would be open to the encouragement God sends your way through the people around you.  Pray about how God would use you to be a more effective encourager to the people in your life.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 encouraged so you can encourage others.

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:  Be Encouraged by God.  Pray that you would follow Christ in such a way that you experience the encouragement that comes from God. Pray that the encouragement  you receive from God would fill you with a spirit of unity with fellow believers.  “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Be Encouraged by Good News.  Pray that you would be encouraged by the good news that is reported to you about others.  Pray that you would be a bearer of good news about people, and about God, that would be an encouragement to others.  “I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.”  Ephesians 6:22 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Be Encouraged by Being United With Christ.  Pray that you would daily know the comfort and encouragement that comes from being in Christ.  Pray that the encouragement you have from being united with Christ would compel you to live like Christ in encouraging others.  “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion.”  Philippians 2:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Be Encouraged by Sound Doctrine.  Pray that you would be encouraged as you hold firmly to the sound doctrine of scripture.  Pray that you would share sound doctrine in such a way that it encourages others.  “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”  Titus 1:9 (NIV)

Friday:  Be Encouraged by Love.  Pray that you would know the encouragement that comes from being loved.  Pray that your love for people would be an encouragement to them.  Pray love would bring joy and refreshment to you and to the people around you.  “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”  Philemon 1:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Be Encouraged by Meeting Together.  Pray that you would always see value in meeting together for encouragement.  Pray that you would find ways to meet with others to be encouraged and to encourage them.  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Be Encouraged (Week One)!

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” 
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

This week we begin a two week focus on being encouraged for the purpose of encouraging one another.  The distractions of this world are more than enough to bring discouragement to anyone, so it is important that we keep our eyes focused on the power of God to encourage us so that we can encourage others.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be encouraged through your relationship with Him.  Pray that you would know God as the source of courage in the midst of any and all discouragement.  Pray that you would be open to the encouragement God sends your way through the people around you.  Pray about how God would use you to be a more effective encourager to the people in your life.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 to be encouraged so that you can encourage others.

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:  Be Encouraged by the Lord.  Pray that you, and the people around you, would be encouraged by a God that listens to your cries.  Pray for the courage to cry out to God when you are in distress.  Pray that God’s presence in you would make you a better listener to those who cry out.  “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”  Psalm 10:17 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Be Encouraged by the Holy Spirit.  Pray that the encouragement received from the Holy Spirit would bring godly strength and spiritual growth into your life.  Pray that you would allow the Spirit to work through you in encouraging others.  “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”  Acts 9:31 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Be Encouraged to Remain True.  Pray that God’s grace would be an encouragement to you to remain true to the Lord.  Pray that you would grow in being a minister of God’s grace.  Pray about how you will encourage others to remain true to God.  “When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”  Acts 11:23 (NIV)

Thursday:  Be Encouraged by Words.  Pray that you would hear encouraging words from the people you learn from.  Pray that the words you speak would be an encouragement to those who hear.  Pray that God’s Word would be at the heart of the words you are encouraged by and that you encourage others with.  “He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece.”  Acts 20:2 (NIV)

Friday:  Be Encouraged by the Faith of Others.  Pray that you would take notice of those around you who live by faith and be encouraged by their examples.  Pray that  your faith in God would be an encouragement to others as their faith is an encouragement to you.  “That you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”  Romans 1:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Be Encouraged by Scripture.  Pray that you would consistently spend time in God’s Word to find the encouragement it contains for you.  Pray that you would use the truth of Scripture to encourage others with a hope in Christ.  “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  Romans 15:4 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Protected!

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

As we pause to remember and honor the sacrifices made by so many to secure and protect the freedoms we enjoy, our prayer focus this week will be on the protection available to us by putting on the full armor of God.  As you pray this week, thank God for those who have given their life in service to their country.  Pray that you would give value to their sacrifice by living with the protection of God’s armor.  Pray that you would live a life of thankfulness for the freedoms you have while not allowing those freedoms to become your God.  Pray that you would resist evil by using the protective armor God has provided.  Pray that you would be willing to sacrifice whatever is needed so that other would know of real freedom in Christ.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 daily put on the full armor of God.

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:  Protected By Truth.  Pray that God would help you to speak truth in love.  Pray that He would lead you in removing any elements of falsehood from your life.  Pray that truth, God’s truth, would be central in the lives of each person you pray for today.  “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”  Ephesians 6:14a (NIV)

Tuesday:  Protected By Righteousness.  Pray that you would be confident that the righteousness you have in Christ will protect your heart and soul.  Pray that righteousness, God’s righteousness, would be found in the life of each person you pray for today.  “Stand firm then, . . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”  Ephesians 6:14b (NIV)

Wednesday:  Protected By the Gospel of Peace.  Pray that you would be filled with a peace that passes all understanding because of the gospel of Jesus.  Pray that God would help you to be a peacemaker as you live and share the gospel.  Pray that peace, God’s peace would fill each person you pray for today.  “Stand firm then, with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  Ephesians 6:15 (NIV)

Thursday:  Protected By Faith.  Pray that you would have an unwavering faith that will protect you from the accusations of Satan.  Pray that God will help you to deal with, and dismiss, any doubts that the enemy tries to plant in your mind.  Pray that faith, faith in God, will encourage each person you pray for today.  “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”  Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)

Friday:  Protected By Salvation.  Pray that the salvation you have in Christ will protect your mind from the deceitfulness of Satan.  Pray that God would remind you that you are His when the enemy tries to convince you that God couldn’t save you.  Pray that salvation, God’s salvation, would be known by each person you pray for today.  “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Protected By Prayer.  Pray that you would be an active listener of God’s Spirit as you pray for others.  Pray that you would allow His Spirit to instruct your understanding so that you would pray as you ought.  Pray that the Word of God would illuminate the life of each person you pray for today.  “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Walk & Pray!

“’I will strengthen them in the LORD and in his name they will walk,’ declares the LORD.”
Zechariah 10:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have a very different look and feel to it as you are encouraged to get out and pray for your neighbors.  Take some time this week to pray by either physically walking or visually walking through your neighborhood.

The purpose of a prayer walk is to allow God to use the things you see and hear in your home, school, church, community, or wherever you are, to speak to you about how you should pray.  A walk may reveal things for you to rejoice about as you recognize God’s creativity and goodness.  It may also give you things to pray about as you notice mankind’s mark that has been left on the world.  Either way, there is much we can learn about prayer as we walk, watch, listen, and respond.

Here are some steps to help you in your prayer walk.

1. Take a note pad or index cards to jot down things that God brings to your mind.
2. As you begin, spend time in prayer asking God to clear your mind and spirit of any distractions so that you may listen to Him
3. Pray as you walk. There may be times that you pray out loud and other times you may pray silently.  Use your senses and God’s spirit to know what to pray about.
4. As you pray, ask God to bring scriptures to your mind to pray for the area you’re in. Jot these down as you go.
5. Even though you are trying not to stand out, don’t avoid people. They may be someone you need to pray for.  Listen to God and listen to them if contact is made.  Jot down any follow-up that God may prompt you is necessary.
6. Relax. To quote Brennan Manning in Ragamuffin Gospel, “Just as a child can not do bad coloring, a Christian can not do bad praying.”

“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 walk, listen, and pray.

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:  Pray for Ears to Hear  ~  What do you hear?  Sirens, laughter, crying, birds, silence, conversation?  What are people saying to you?  Prayer requests, hurts, joy, nothing?  Pray for ears that hear beyond the surface so you would know how to pray.  “Then Jesus said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’”  Mark 4:9 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Pray for Eyes to See  ~  What do you see?  Beauty, trash, broken things, acts of kindness?  What do you see that isn’t being said?  Fear, loneliness, anger, sadness?  Pray for eyes that see the harvest opportunities.  “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”  John 4:35 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Pray for a Mind to Know  ~  What do you think?  How do you interpret what you see and hear?  Pray for a mind that is transformed by God’s will.  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Thursday:  Pray for a Heart of Compassion  ~  How do you feel?  What emotions are brought up by what you see and hear?  How would a heart of compassion respond?  Pray that your heart would always seek God’s face so that it would not become hardened.  “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’  Your face, LORD, I will seek.”  Psalm 27:8 (NIV)

Friday:  Pray for a Spirit to Discern  ~  What does the spirit within you sense is going on?  What is God’s Spirit saying to you?  Pray that you would live in step with God’s Spirit.  “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God”  1 John 4:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Pray for a Lifestyle of Listening ~ The more we practice using all of these listening techniques to direct our prayer time, and during our prayer time, the more we develop a lifestyle of prayer.  Pray for God’s help in becoming a better listener as you spend time praying for others.  “Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen and understand.’”  Matthew 15:10 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Learning to Rejoice!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be on God’s command that we rejoice always.  While we may not say it out loud, most of us have a problem with this command — we don’t always feel like rejoicing.  Right there in the middle of the command to rejoice always, the secret to being able to do that is revealed — “in the Lord”.  When we live each day and moment of our life “in the Lord”, we are able to rejoice because of His presence with us and His working in us.  As you pray, ask God to help you live with an awareness of His presence each moment of your life.  Pray that you would learn to rejoice, even in difficult times, because of His presence that goes with you at all times.  Pray for the endurance to overcome feelings that would keep you from rejoicing and to see the eternal joy that God has called you to.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 learn to rejoice . . . and then to actually do it.

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:  Rejoice Always.  Pray for God’s help to live in the Lord each day so that you are able to rejoice always.  Pray that you would see beyond the temporary difficulties and distractions that the enemy uses to steal your joy.  Pray that you would pay attention to God’s reminders which call you to rejoice always.  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Rejoice With Gentleness.  Pray that you would rejoice in ways that make your gentleness obvious to those around you.  Pray that you would be mindful of God’s presence as you put aside the pride and boasting that often accompanies the rejoicing of the world.  Pray that your rejoicing would represent Jesus well.  “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Rejoice Without Worry.  Pray that you would take all of your cares to God as you learn to rejoice without worry.  Pray for a growing trust in God that helps you to overcome the things of this world which give cause for great concern.  Pray that a life of rejoicing would help you to overcome all sources of worry.  “Do not be anxious about anything.”  Philippians 4:6a (NIV)

Thursday:  Rejoice Prayerfully.  Ask God to help you be prayerful at all times.  Pray for a heart that desires to communicate with God about your needs and the needs of others.  Pray that you would be able to rejoice prayerfully as you watch God work through the many  requests that you take to Him.  “In everything, by prayer and petition, . . . present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6b (NIV)

Friday:  Rejoice With Thankfulness.  Ask God to help you rejoice with thankfulness as you talk with Him in prayer.  Pray that a life of rejoicing would help you to grow in thankfulness — even in thankfulness as you present your requests to God.  Pray about how your thankfulness is representing Jesus.  “In everything, . . . with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6b (NIV)

Saturday:  Rejoice In Peace.  Pray that you would live with the peace of God that helps you to rejoice.  Pray that your heart and mind would be guarded by God’s peace in such a way that nothing would be able to steal your joy.  Pray that you would rejoice in the mysteries of God’s peace.  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7 (NIV)