“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Tell Others!

“Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’  So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”
Mark 5:19-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have us praying about some things God would have us to tell others, beginning with our family and extending to everyone around us wherever we go.  As we experience God’s work in our life, His expectation and command is that we would tell others about what He has done.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see, and tell, all He has done in your life.  Pray that you would notice, and make the most of, all of the opportunities that God gives you to tell others about Him.  Pray for the courage to speak truthfully about God with your family as God prepares you to share the good news of Jesus wherever you go.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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 tell others about all He has done in your 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:  Tell of God’s Wonders.  Pray for a heart that desires to praise God at all times as you share with others about the many wonders of God.  Pray that you would live with eyes that are open to seeing the many wonders of God that are displayed around us each day.  “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.”  Psalm 9:1 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Tell of God’s Righteousness.  Pray that you would always live with an amazement of the scope of God’s righteousness.  Pray that God would give you the words needed to tell others about how His righteousness has brought salvation to your life.  “My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.”  Psalm 71:15 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Tell of God’s Works.  Pray that you would never lose sight of the mighty works of God — both those you experience and those you read about.  Pray that you would be faithful in telling others, especially the next generations, of the mighty acts of God in your life and in scripture.  “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.”  Psalm 145:4 (NIV)

Thursday:  Tell of God’s Glorious Kingdom.   Pray that your life as a citizen of God’s kingdom would prepare you to tell others about that glorious kingdom.  Pray for the words that would express both the glory and might of God’s kingdom.  Pray for the ability to speak clearly as you tell others of God’s glorious kingdom.  “They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might.”  Psalm 145:11 (NIV)

Friday:  Tell of God’s Faithfulness.  Pray that you would always praise God throughout your entire life.  Pray that your praise of God would help your children, and all the generations following you, to know of God’s faithfulness.  Pray that everything about your life would tell others about God’s faithfulness.  “The living, the living — they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.”  Isaiah 38:19 (NIV)

Saturday:  Tell What You Have Found In Jesus.  Pray for the courage to tell others about everything you have found in Jesus.  Pray for a sense of urgency in helping others to know of the salvation that is found in  Christ.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity to share with others the good news of Jesus.  “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).”  John 1:41 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Undivided!

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
Mark 3:24-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have us praying about living an undivided life.  When accused of driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons, Jesus made it clear that being divided will bring about destruction.  God’s desire is that He would fill the center of our life to such an extent that there would be no room for division.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live an undivided life.  Pray that you and those around you would be undivided in your pursuit of God.  Pray for the courage and wisdom needed to seek and find a unity in Christ that overcomes the divisions stirred up by the enemy.  Pray about the way you represent Jesus to others so that the people around you would know of an undivided kingdom that God is calling them to.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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 undivided life in Christ.

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:  Undivided Heart.  Pray that you would always seek to learn the ways of God with an undivided heart.  Pray that your undivided heart would lead to a greater fear of the Lord.  Pray for the wisdom to live in such a way that others would see the value of living with an undivided heart.  “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”  Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Undivided Devotion.  Pray that you would be steadfast in your decision to be devoted to God and serve Him only.  Pray that the people around you would have no doubt about your devotion to God in all things.  “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”  Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Undivided Focus.  Pray that nothing would distract you from living a life focused on Jesus.  Pray that your faith would grow as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus in every situation.  Pray about how God would have you represent Jesus to others as you keep Him in focus throughout all of your relationships with others.  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”  Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Thursday:  Undivided Teaching.   Pray for the wisdom to see through the teachings of those who try to divide you from others and from God.  Pray that your teaching of others would be undivided as you base everything on the  Word of God.  “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”  Romans 16:17 (NIV)

Friday:  Undivided Mind.  Pray that you would grow in unity with all believers as you each live according to the mind of Christ.  Pray for a spirit of agreement with others as you think and live with an undivided mind.  “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Undivided Body.  Pray that you would live with a knowledge of the value that you have to God.  Pray that you would value others equally as important parts of the body of Christ.  Pray that the body of Christ would be undivided as each part shows concern for all of the other parts.  “So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”  1 Corinthians 12:25 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A New Love!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 (NIV)

As many people pause to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I bring back a prayer focus I first shared a few years ago — love.  This week we will spend some time praying about the love God has expressed toward us and about how we can live in such a way that we share it with others.  God has always instructed His people to love, so it must have been a little confusing to the disciples when Jesus told them He was giving them a new command — a command to love one another.  I believe the new part of the command, new because it had not been seen in such a clear way ever before, was to love as Jesus loved.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate how you love.  Pray that you would be so filled with God’s love that loving like Jesus would become more natural each day.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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 respond to His love with a new expression of love.

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:  Love God.  Pray that your love of God would always be the top priority of all the love you have.  Pray that God’s love for you would be the standard for the love you have for Him.  Pray that your love for God would grow each day.  “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.”  Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Love Your Neighbor.  Pray that you would focus more on loving your neighbor as God would want than on trying to define who that neighbor is — or isn’t.  Pray that  you would be the neighbor that shows love to all those in need.  Pray for the courage to love others in a way that values them.  “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:31 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Love Your Enemies.  Pray that the love of God within you would extend to those you disagree with — even with those who would be considered enemies.  Pray that the love God expressed toward you while you were an enemy would be expressed by you to those who may treat  you poorly.  “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

Thursday:  Love that Leads to Obedience.   Pray that you would be filled with a love that seeks to do the things that you know please God.  Pray that you would live with an obedient spirit that desires to obey the commands of God as an expression of your love.  Pray that your love for God would be seen by others as you live according to His Word.  “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”  John 14:15 (NIV)

Friday:  Love that Honors Others.  Pray that your love for others would be sincere as you look for the things that benefit them.  Pray that the way you honor others would reject evil and seek what is good.  Pray for the humility to honor others above yourself.  “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Love that Resolves Sin.  Pray that you would know the love of God that has resolved the multitude of sins in your life.  Pray that the way you love others would not use their sin against them but would help them be able to resolve that sin with God.  Pray that the depth of your love would lead to forgiveness — both a forgiveness you receive and a forgiveness you give.  “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”  1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Godly Portion!

“You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words.  I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.  I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.  I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.  Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.  At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.” 
Psalm 119:57-62 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will look at how we should respond to God being our portion in life.  I suppose our response to many things is a reflection of how satisfied we are with the portion of those things we have received.  In a similar manner, our contentment with God is reflected in how we respond to Him being our portion in life.  As  you pray this week, ask God to help you know Him as your portion — a portion that is completely satisfying and more than enough.  Pray that your response to God’s presence would be seen by others in a way that makes Him desirable to them.  Pray that your acceptance of God as your portion would result in appropriate responses and praise of God.  Pray that God’s generosity to you would be shared by you with others.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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 respond appropriately to Him being your portion in 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:  Obey God’s Words.  Pray that having the Lord as your portion would cause you to keep a promise to obey His words.  Pray that your willingness and desire to obey the words of God would help others know the contentment that can be found in Christ.  Pray that you would share God out of the abundant portion He has given you.  “You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words.”  Psalm 119:57 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Seek God’s Face.  Pray that God’s graciousness is known by you as you seek His face wholeheartedly.  Pray that you would know the fullness of God as your portion as you fully seek Him.  Pray that the people around you would know that God will be found when they seek Him as their portion in life.  “I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.”  Psalm 119:58 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Walk In God’s Ways.  Pray that an examination of your ways would direct your walk to follow the ways of God.  Pray for the courage to change your direction when your walk is not according to God’s laws.  Pray that you would be an example to others of God’s power to change the direction of a life that seeks Him as their portion.  “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.”  Psalm 119:59 (NIV)

Thursday:  Obey God’s Commands.  Pray that your life would be emptied of excuses so that you would promptly obey the commands of God.  As you obey God’s words, pray that you would not delay in obeying all of His commands.  Pray that your eagerness to obey God’s commands would help others to know the fullness of God’s portion in their life.  “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”  Psalm 119:60 (NIV)

Friday:  Remember God’s Law.  Pray that the distractions of the world we live in would never keep you from remembering the law of God.  Pray that the wickedness of others would not cause you to forget and neglect the laws of God.  Pray that your steadfast remembering, and keeping, of the laws of God would help others to see God as your portion.  “Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.”  Psalm 119:61 (NIV)

Saturday:  Thankful for God’s Righteousness.  Pray that words of thanksgiving would always be on your lips for the righteousness that God has expressed in His laws.  Pray that you would always know the goodness of God as you give thanks to Him.  Pray that your life of thankfulness with God as your portion would help others look to Him as their portion.  “At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.”  Psalm 119:62 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Unity!

“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)

With much recent talk about unity, this week we will focus on different aspects of unity from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of unity, if people would just agree with me (what I say, what I like, what I want, what I . . .) though really we just want conformity, not unity.  Real unity comes when we decide it’s all about what God says, wants, and desires and not about me!  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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 unity by His design.

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: Living With Unity of Mind.  Pray for a unity of mind among the people of God so that the work of the kingdom is not hindered.  Pray that the Word of God would be the source for the unity of mind you seek.  “Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.”  2 Chronicles 30:12  (NIV)

Tuesday: Living With Unity of Life.  Pray for unity in the individual families of your congregation and throughout the family of your congregation so that life together will be “good and pleasant”.  Pray that you would learn to live in unity while honoring the uniqueness of individuals.  Pray that a unity of life would help those around you see Jesus.  “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”  Psalm 133:1  (NIV)

Wednesday: Living With Complete Unity.  Pray that your pursuit of complete unity in Christ would help others to see Jesus and the love of God in you.  Pray that love would be the foundation of your unity in a world that needs to see the love of God in you.  “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”  John 17:23  (NIV)

Thursday: Living With Unity of Spirit.  Pray for a unity of spirit among your church family that is based on following Christ Jesus.  Pray that you would grow in endurance as God encourages and leads you to a greater unity through following Christ.  Pray that a unity of spirit would identify you as a follower of Christ.  “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)

Friday: Living With Unity of Faith.  Pray for the maturity to get along with one another as we all mature into a unity of faith.  Pray that your knowledge of Jesus would lead you to a unity of faith that results in growing into the fullness of Christ.  “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:13  (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With Perfect Unity.  Pray for a Christ-like love which will hold together in perfect unity all of the godly characteristics that God calls you to “put on” in your life.  Pray about how all of the goodness of God will come together in your life as you live in the presence of others in a way that imitates Jesus.  “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:14  (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Learning To Follow!

“It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” 
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on learning to follow.  It is easy to get caught up in the following of programs, personalities, a pursuit of information, and even our favorite authors.  Each of those can help us in our real pursuit, but only when they are used as tools to assist us in actually following God more closely.  While following God requires complete trust and faith, God has given us the tools of His Word, His Spirit, and prayer so that we are not following blindly.  As you pray, ask God to help you not only decide to follow Him, but to empower you to remain committed to that pursuit.  Pray that you would know the joy and peace that comes from following One who will always lead in the absolute best direction.  Pray that the way you follow God would serve as an example to others in their pursuit of His.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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.

January Prayer Focus:  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

“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 follow Him in everything.

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: Follow Justice.  Pray that you would treat everyone justly and follow the way of justice in all your relationships.  Pray that you would know and receive the possession of eternal life that God desires to give you as you follow justice in the place where you live.  “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 16:20 (NIV)

Tuesday: Follow Righteous Judgment.  Pray that you would reject favoritism and pursue judgments that are founded on God’s righteousness.  Pray that you would know the righteousness of God’s judgment.  Pray that you would live with an upright heart that leads you to follow the way of righteous judgment.  “Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.”  Psalm 94:15 (NIV)

Wednesday: Follow God’s Decrees.  Pray that your desire to be a person of God would lead you to carefully follow His decrees.  Pray that you would follow God’s decrees not only as one of “His people”, but also because He is your God.  “Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:20 (NIV)

Thursday: Follow Sacrificially.  Pray that you would have the courage to deny yourself as you follow God.  Pray that you would take on a life of godly sacrifice as you follow Jesus daily.  Pray that your sacrificial following of Jesus would lead others to follow Him.  “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”  Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Friday: Follow Godly Examples.  Pray that you would look to the wisdom and example of the people around you who are following Christ.  Pray for discernment to see what the example of Christ looks like today.  Pray that the way you follow Christ would serve as an example to the people around you who need to see what a Christ-follower looks like.  “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

Saturday:  Follow the Example of Jesus.  Pray that you would look to the life, and suffering, of Jesus to be your primary example for how to live this life.  Pray that you would pursue a relationship with Jesus that would lead you to daily follow in His steps.  Pray for the wisdom to follow the example of Jesus in such a way that others see Him through you.  “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”  1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: The Goodness of Justice!

“Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:7-8 (NIV)

As we pause this week to remember the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, we will spend time praying about the goodness of God’s justice.  As we remember a pursuit of equality with liberty and justice for all, we recognize that this way of life was first God’s calling for all of us.  God’s idea of justice is to make things right between us and Him and between us and one another.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see any areas of injustice that you have contributed to or allowed to continue by not acting or speaking out.  Pray that you would walk in humility as you “do justice” because it is good and pleases God.  Pray for the courage to stand alone if necessary in order to maintain justice.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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.

January Prayer Focus:  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

“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 know, and share, the goodness of His justice.

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: Justice Which Brings Blessing.  Pray that you would know and share the blessing of maintaining true justice.  Pray that you would look to God to know what is right, and ask Him to give you the courage to consistently do it.  Pray that the people around you would know the goodness of justice through the blessings it brings.  “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”  Psalm 106:3 (NIV)

Tuesday: Justice As a Light To the Nations.  Pray that you would live and practice a justice that is based on God’s Word.  Pray that your sharing in the justice of God would lift His light to all those around you.  Pray that you would share the true justice that is found in God’s Word.  “Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations.”  Isaiah 51:4 (NIV)

Wednesday: Justice That Does Not Fail.  Pray that you would never tire of doing what is right and just.  Pray that you would be involved in helping godly justice flow continually like a mighty river.  Pray that the people around you would know of God’s unending justice because they see it represented in you.  “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”  Amos 5:24 (NIV)

Thursday: Justice With Mercy and Compassion.  Pray that your administration of justice would be true and right as you use mercy and compassion as guides to how you treat others.  Pray that your motives would be pure as you seek true justice above any desire for revenge.  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’”  Zechariah 7:9 (NIV)

Friday: Justice For Those Who Cry Out to God.  Pray that you would experience the justice which comes from God as you live as one chosen by Him.  Pray that you would be available to God for the purpose of providing justice to those around you who continually cry out to Him.  “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”  Luke 18:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Justice In God’s Judgment.  Pray that you would be prepared for the justice found on the day of judgment.  Pray that your relationship with Christ has made you ready for His judgment.  Pray that you would know the certainty of God’s justice made sure by the resurrection of Christ.  “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”  Acts 17:31 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Look and See!

“See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice.  Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.  Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.”
Isaiah 32:1-3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on our need to open our eyes and see as God created us to see.  It is because of Jesus that we can truly open our eyes and have a glimpse of things from His perspective.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you look and see that which is important.  Pray that you would notice the things that God would have you notice.  Pray that your open eyes would result in obedient actions based on what you see.  Each day, pray about how God would have you actively look for what He wants you to see.  Pray for clarity of vision and focus as you walk with Christ each day.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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.

January Prayer Focus:  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

“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 eyes that are open to see.

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: Look and See God’s Provision.  Pray that you would be observant to how God cares for that which is His.  Pray that you would look and see the great value you have in God’s sight, and help others to see how valuable they are to God.  “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”  Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

Tuesday: Look and See the Missing.  Pray that you would notice when people are missing.  Pray that noticing the missing would compel you to look for them.  Pray that you would be actively involved in introducing people to a God who came to seek and save the lost.  “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”  Matthew 18:12 (NIV)

Wednesday: Look and See Your Own Faults.  Pray that God would help you to accurately look and see what is in your own heart and mind.  Pray that you would repent of your own sin as you seek to live in harmony with others.  Pray that you would treat others with the same compassion and forgiveness that you receive from God.  “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”  Luke 6:41 (NIV)

Thursday: Look and See the Lamb of God.  Pray that you would look intently into the Word of God and see Jesus as the Lamb of God who can take away your sin.  Pray that your life would reflect Jesus and that you would always proclaim Him to others as the Lamb of God.  “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”  John 1:29 (NIV)

Friday: Look and See the Opportunities for Harvest.  Pray that you would look and see both the lost and the opportunities for them to be reached.  Pray for the wisdom to make the most of every opportunity you have to share Jesus with others.  “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)

Saturday:  Look and See the Needs of Others.  Pray that you would humble yourself in order to see the needs of others.  Pray that you listen to God every time that He prompts you to do something about what He reveals when you look and see the needs of others.  Pray for wisdom as you consider the interests of others.  “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Ready For New!

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”
Revelation 21:5

As we head into a new year, this week’s prayer focus is about being ready for the new God desires to bring into your life.  I suspect that after the year we’ve had, many are longing for something new.  The good news is that God desires to make all things new — including you and I.  Whether COVID increases or disappears altogether, God wants us to be ready for the new thing He is doing in each of us.  Part of the beauty of God’s work in making us new is that He is not limited by the external circumstances of life that we often call difficulties.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see how He is working in your life to make something new.  Pray that you would consistently spend time with God so that He can make you ready for the new that is coming.  Pray that you would see the work of God in you and around you from a new perspective — an eternal perspective.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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.

January Prayer Focus:  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

“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 the new life He has called you 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: Ready For a New Command.  Pray that you would live out this new command so your love would not be ordinary, but would be Christ-like.  Pray that your love for people would help them be ready for God’s love.  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Tuesday: Ready For a New Life.  Pray that you would wake up each day ready to live the new life that you have in  Christ.  Pray that the new life you experience in Christ would compel you to share that message with others.  Pray that the people around you would be ready to accept the message of new life.  “‘Go, stand in the temple courts,’ he said, ‘and tell the people the full message of this new life.’” Acts 5:20 (NIV)

Wednesday: Ready For a New Teaching.  Pray that you would always open God’s Word with a willingness to understand teaching that might be new to you.  Pray that you would be prepared to give an explanation to others of the teachings of Jesus.  “Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?’”  Acts 17:19 (NIV)

Thursday: Ready For a New Covenant.  Pray that you would live by the power of God’s Spirit in order to be ready to live by His new covenant.  Pray that you understand fully the competence you have been given to share the new covenant with others.  “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”  2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

Friday: Ready For a New Creation.  Pray that God would help you fully set aside your old way of life so that you can live as a new creation.  Pray that your life in Christ would not be held back by a past that has been forgiven.  Pray that you would help others know they can live as a new creation.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Ready For a New Attitude.  Pray that the removal of your old self will be complete as you live fully in a new attitude by allowing Christ to complete a renewing of your mind.  Pray that your new attitude would help others be ready to accept God’s transformation of their attitude.  “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds.”  Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With WISDOM!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on some of the ways we can live with the wisdom that comes from above.  As we take our celebration of Jesus into a new year, we would do well to hold on to Jesus as the source and fullness of all wisdom.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with the wisdom He gives.  Pray that you would see how keeping Jesus at the center of your life will fill you with a wisdom which is beyond this world’s comprehension.  Pray that each day would lead you further into the awareness of wisdom as one of those “good and perfect gifts” which come from God.  Ask God to help the elements of wisdom you are praying about to fill you in such a way that His wisdom is made known to the people around  you.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  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.

January Prayer Focus:  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

“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 wisdom.

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: The Wonder In Wisdom.  Pray that you would be filled with wonder as you recognize the wisdom of God dwelling within you.  Pray that your life of godly wisdom would display the wonder of God to others.  Pray that you would never lose the wonder that comes from an encounter with Jesus.  “As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.”  Mark 9:15 (NIV)

Tuesday: The Insight In Wisdom.  Pray that your pursuit of godly wisdom would fill you with insight beyond your training.  Pray that the people around you would know Jesus as the source of the insightful wisdom you live with.  “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:13 (NIV)

Wednesday: The Service In Wisdom.  As you consider Jesus as the source of all lasting wisdom, pray that you would apply that wisdom in service to others.  Pray for the humility to use your wisdom in such a way that God is glorified and the people around you are served.  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45 (NIV)

Thursday: The Delight In Wisdom.  Pray that wisdom would fill you with delight because of Jesus.  Pray that you would know the delight God has in you because of your relationship with His Son.  Pray that you would delight in proclaiming justice and good news.  “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”  Matthew 12:18 (NIV)

Friday: The Obedience In Wisdom.  Pray that you would always know the wisdom of obedience to God.  Pray that the wisdom which God freely provides would lead you to a greater desire and practice of obedience.  Pray for the wisdom to always see Jesus as your example.  “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”  John 15:10 (NIV)

Saturday:  The More In Wisdom.  Pray for the wisdom to know what you can handle with God’s help at any given time.  Pray that you would constantly be aware of the “more” that God would have for you.  Pray that you would always seek to grow and learn as you allow God to fill you with His wisdom.  Pray that you would always listen to God’s wisdom, even when it seems too much for the time.  “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.”  John 16:12 (NIV)