“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Confidence!

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.  But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.’”
Jeremiah 17:5 & 7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with a confidence that can only come from God.  I suspect that at one time or another most of us have put our confidence in something that has disappointed or failed us.  God does not want us to live life in fear and doubt, but to live with confidence that is well placed because it comes from a trust in Him.  Yes, it may be easier to put our confidence in ourselves or in things we can control, but doing so will eventually always leave us feeling empty and disappointed.  Putting our confidence fully in God will always require faith, but it is a faith that will always be rewarded with His blessing.  As you pray, ask God to help you see just what, or who, it is that you tend to put your confidence in.  Pray that you would recognize your need to put your confidence in God above all else.  Pray that you would be able to live with confidence more fully each day as you allow God to increase your faith and trust in Him.  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’s help in living with confidence as you trust in 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:  Confidence in the Lord’s Goodness.  Pray that you would live with a confidence that comes from knowing God’s goodness.  Pray that God would open your eyes to see His goodness around you each day.  “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”  Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Confidence that Lasts Forever.  Pray that you would seek a life of righteousness that would fill you with quietness and confidence.  Pray that the fruit of God’s righteousness in you, through a quiet and peaceful life, would result in a confidence that lasts forever.  “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”  Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Confidence to Approach God.  Pray that your faith in Jesus would give you a confidence to approach God.  Pray that the freedom you have in Christ would fill you with confidence as you approach God.  “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”  Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

Thursday:  Confidence that is Rewarded.  Pray that you would have a confidence in the work of God that cannot be taken away.  Pray that you would hold fast to the confidence you have in Christ as you await your eternal reward.  “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”  Hebrews 10:35 (NIV)

Friday:  Confidence in the Lord’s Help.  Pray that your confidence in the Lord’s help would be greater than your fear of what people might do or say.  Pray that the Lord’s help would give you the confidence to overcome fear that is caused by those who oppose God.  “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Confidence on the Day of Judgment.  Pray that God’s love would be made complete in you so that you would have confidence on the day of judgment.  Pray that you would be diligent in sharing the love of God with others so that they could also have confidence on the day of judgment.  “In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.”  1 John 4:17 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Helping Others!

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about helping others.  Helping others is not just a good idea, it is a God idea!  God continually sets the example by helping us in our times of need and did so in the ultimate way by sending His Son, Jesus, to redeem us from our greatest need.  When natural disasters strike, I am always saddened by the great loss experienced by so many, but I am also encouraged by the publicity given to the outpouring of genuine help given to others in their time of need.  In times of great disaster, many people are convicted of their need to help and are often eager to find ways to do so.  I believe God wants us to not overlook those times, but to look beyond the disasters and see how He would have us help others each day even without a news team showing us how bad things are.  As  you pray, ask God to fill you with a compassion that leads to a desire to help others.  Pray that this desire would take root and grow into an action that produces fruit.  Pray that God would be honored in the way you help others.  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’s help in understanding how He would have you involved in helping 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:  Help Others According to Your Ability.  Pray that God would help you to accurately evaluate your ability to help others.  Pray that you would free yourself from the trap of comparison as you help others according to the ability God has given you.  “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.”  Acts 11:29 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Help Those Who Are Weak.  Pray that you would be mindful of the many ways in which a person might be weak.  Pray that you would have the courage to do the hard things that help those who are weak.  “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”  Acts 20:35 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Help Others By Your Prayers.  Ask God to help you to remember to pray for those who need His help.  Pray that you would pay attention during your prayer time for how God would have you help others.  “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.”  2 Corinthians 1:10-11 (NIV)

Thursday:  Help Others According to Their Need.  Pray that it would not only be  your actions, but also your words that help others according ot their need.  Pray that you would seek wisdom in knowing what others really need before you try to offer help.  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Friday:  Help Others to Get Along.  Pray that you would be a peacemaker when the people around you don’t get along.  Pray that your help would encourage others to resume their work for the gospel.  “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.  Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel.”  Philippians 4:2-3  (NIV)

Saturday:  Help Encourage Others.  Pray that you would be a help to those who encourage.  Pray that you would know the encouragement of being a helper.  “With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.”  1 Peter 5:12 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Labor!

“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him — for this is his lot.  Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 (NIV)

With this week beginning with Labor Day here in the United States, and Labour Day for our friends in Canada, if seemed fitting for the week’s prayer focus to be about labor from God’s point of view.  While we pause on a day designed to celebrate the worker; it is important to remember that the call to work, and the celebration of it, was God’s idea first.  Even the ability to find satisfaction in toilsome labor is a gift from God — and one that He desires we would accept.  And from God’s perspective, age isn’t a factor in the value He places on our labor.  It has more to do with faithfulness to Him rather than on the differences in the tasks we are able to do.  Young or old, looking for work or retired from work, in the “workforce” or out of the “workforce”, or anything in between the labels; God’s desire is that each of us would seek Him for the “good works He has created in advance for us to do.”  As you pray, ask God to fill you with satisfaction in the labor He has given you to do.  Pray that you would always “work for the Lord” even when your work tasks in life change.  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’s help in understanding His perspective on the labor He would have you do.

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:  Labor That Produces Good Fruit.  Pray that your labor would be a part of your walk with the Lord as He gives instruction on true prosperity.  Pray that you would experience the blessings that come from labor done with a healthy fear of the Lord.  “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.  You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”  Psalm 128:1-2 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Labor That Benefits Others.  Pray that your labor would be a benefit to others as you do the work God has created just for you.  Pray that you would always acknowledge the labor of others that you benefit from.  “Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.  I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”  John 4:37-38 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Labor That Is Rewarded.  Pray that you would be content in doing the labor God gives you to do.  Pray that you would know the reward that comes from each person doing their part.  “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.”  1 Corinthians 3:8 (NIV)

Thursday:  Labor That Is Not In Vain.  Pray that you would not be dissuaded from the work God has called you to.  Pray that you would hold fast to God’s promise that your labor is not in vain.  “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

Friday:  Faithful Labor Prompted By Love.  Pray that you would not forget the faithful work God has done through the people around you.  Pray that love would motivate the labor you do for others, and for the Lord.  “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Labor That Leads to Rest.  Pray that your labor in the Lord would give you confidence in knowing a day of rest is coming.  Pray that the work you do would be work that has results which you would want to follow you into eternity.  “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’  ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”  Revelation 14:13 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Overcoming Despair!

“Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:5 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about overcoming despair or feelings of being “downcast”.  I found it interesting that a word search of the NIV found few uses of the word despair, but plenty of examples of people who, in their despair, cried out to God.  Often they are described as being “downcast”, which I believe is an accurate term in describing despair.  Whatever the cause of our despair, God wants us to overcome it through His presence and the power of His Spirit within us.  This week we will consider some Bible characters who were feeling downcast and learn from their situations some keys in overcoming despair.  As you pray, consider God’s desire for you to overcome feelings of being downcast.  Pray that you would turn to God in good times, as well as in times of despair.  Pray that you would recognize the despair of others and ask God how He would have you bring His comfort and hope to them.  Pray for the courage to turn despair into hope as you put your faith and trust in Him.  Pray that you would be lifted up so you can help lift up others from their despair.  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’s help in overcoming despair in your life and in the lives of those around you.

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:  Overcoming Despair By Doing Right.  Pray that you would accurately examine your life for sin that could be causing your despair.  Pray for the courage to repent of sin and do what is right.  “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?”  Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Overcoming Despair Through Answered Prayer.  Pray that you would be diligent in going to God in prayer during times of despair.  Pray that God’s faithfulness in answering prayer would lift you from your despair.  “Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.’  She said, ‘May your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.”  1 Samuel 1:17-18 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Overcoming Despair By Remembering God’s Presence.  Pray that you would be reminded of God’s presence when your despair comes from feelings of being alone.  Pray that the presence of God, which surrounds you everywhere, would lift your soul.  “My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon — from Mount Mizar.”  Psalm 42:6 (NIV)

Thursday:  Overcoming Despair Through Deliberate Praise.  Pray that your hope in God would lead you to praise Him even in the midst of despair.  Pray that your life would be lived in a way that leads others to praise God for the hope He offers.  “Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”  Psalm 43:5 (NIV)

Friday:  Overcoming Despair Through Time With Jesus.  Pray that your despair would lead  you to a closer walk with Jesus.  Pray that God’s Word would burn within you as you examine it during times of despair.  “He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’  They stood still, their faces downcast.  They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’”  Luke 24:17, 32 (NIV)

Saturday:  Overcoming Despair Through the Comfort of Others.  Pray that you would experience the comfort of God through the presence of His people.  Pray that your presence would be a comfort to others who feel despair.  “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”  2 Corinthians 7:6 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Compassion!

 “Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains!  For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”
Isaiah 49:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with compassion.  Many times we try to substitute pity, instruction, warnings, judgment, or even good deeds for true compassion because we want to help but we don’t want to suffer.  Yet godly compassion means to suffer with those who are suffering so that they may receive the same comfort from us that we have received from God.  There is no greater example of compassion than Jesus coming to earth and suffering alongside mankind so that we may be comforted with the same comfort He received from His Father.  Living with compassion means that we will not only take notice of the suffering that takes place in our world, our neighborhoods, our churches, and our homes; we will join in suffering with those who hurt so that together we can find the comfort God desires for us.    We can learn a lot about the compassion we ought to  have by looking at the compassion God has for us.  As you pray this week, ask God to open your eyes to the sufferings of others.  Pray that you would have the courage to suffer with them — not for the purpose of having a pity party, but in order to find the avenues of comfort that are needed.  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’s help in living with compassion.

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 the Compassion to Forgive.   Pray that you would live with a greater understanding of the ‘suffering with us” that was required in order for God to forgive our sins.  Pray that your love for God and people would fill you with the compassion necessary to forgive.  “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”  Psalm 51:1 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Living With a Compassion that Gives Life.  Pray that you would allow God’s compassion to come to you in a way that brings life.  Pray that your delight in God’s law would lead you to show compassion to others in a way that leads them to the life God offers.  “Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.”  Psalm 119:77 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Living With a Compassion that Restores.  Pray that you would know the compassion of God that restores you to Himself.  Pray that you would deepen your compassion in order to restore those whom you may have abandoned.  “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.”  Isaiah 54:7 (NIV)

Thursday:  Living With a Compassion that Shows Mercy and True Justice.  Pray that your willingness to suffer with those who suffer would lead you to seek true justice for those who have been wronged.  Pray that this same compassion that seeks justice would be filled with great mercy.  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’”  Zechariah 7:9 (NIV)

Friday:  Living With Compassion for Those Who are Harassed and Helpless.  Pray that you would pay attention to the “crowds” and notice when their actions are the result of being harassed and helpless.  Pray that your compassion would cause you to suffer together with those being harassed as you help them find the Good Shepherd.  “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”  Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With Compassion for Those Who Need to Return Home.  Pray that you would know the joy of the Father’s compassion as He welcomes you back home.  Pray that you would have great compassion for those who are a long way from home and need to return.  “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”  Luke 15:20 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Strength!

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Most of us want to be strong.  We go to great lengths to hide our weaknesses so that we give the impression of strength in all things.  Sometimes we try so hard to be strong in our own power and ability that our mind and body can no longer stand the pressure we have placed upon it, and it begins to shut down.  This week’s prayer focus in on living with strength, but the strength that we must pursue come from God and not from our own might.  God wants us to live with His strength in such a way that the people around us see Him and glorify our Father who is in heaven.  As you pray this week, examine the times that your heart and flesh have failed you and ask God to show you why.  Pray that you would learn to “acknowledge God in all your ways” as you “lean not on your own understanding.”  Pray for the courage to admit your weaknesses so that you can allow God to fill you with His strength.  Pray that the strengthening you receive from God would be used by Him to also strengthen others.  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’s help in living with strength.

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 Strength to Walk a Perfect Way.   Pray that you would look to God to help you walk according to His perfect way.  Pray that God would give you the strength necessary to resist the temptations to walk in ways that are not perfect.  “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”  Psalm 18:32 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Living With the Strength of God’s Help.  Pray that your trust in God would help you to be strengthened by Him in all circumstances.  Pray that you would recognize the help God provides as you praise Him for the strength He gives.  “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”  Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Living With Strength that is Renewed by God.  Pray that you would know God as your source of renewal when your own strength begins to fade.  Pray that your hope in God would be strengthened during times of weakness.  “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.”  Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)

Thursday:  Living With the Strength to Proclaim God’s Message.  Pray that you would live with the Lord at your side to strengthen you.  Pray that God’s presence would give you the strength to proclaim His truth at every opportunity.  “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”  2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV)

Friday:  Living With the Strength to Serve Others.  Pray that you would recognize not only God’s calling, but also His equipping you to serve.  Pray that God would fill you with the strength to serve others so that He is praised through your efforts.  “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With Strength that Seems Small.  Pray that you would cling to God when your strength seems small.  Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, as the one who is the Door, when it feels like your strength is not enough.  “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”  Revelation 3:8 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Patience!

 “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

Before you ignore this week’s prayer guide or throw it out because you’ve heard or experienced horror stories about praying for patience, I want to remind you that living with patience is not only instructed by God but it is also part of His gift to us.  This week we will be praying about some qualities that God wants to grow within us as we live with patience.  We will also spend time praying about how God has equipped us to live with patience.  Part of the beauty that is present in all of God’s instructions, including living with patience, is that the ability to follow His instructions comes from Him.  While commanding us to be patient may seem like an impossible instruction to obey, He gives us everything we need to walk in complete obedience.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value of waiting patiently on Him each day.  Pray that you would allow the gifting of His Spirit to work within your life to produce a patience that doesn’t come naturally.  Pray that you would live with patience in such a way that others can imitate your obedience to God.  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’s help in living with patience.

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 Patience as You Cry Out to God.   Pray that  you would be confident of God listening to your cries even as you wait for His answer.  Pray that you would not become weary in the waiting as you cry out to God.  “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.”  Psalm 40:1 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Living With Patience in the Midst of Suffering.  Pray that you would learn patient endurance through the example of others being comforted in their distress.  Pray that you would live as an example to others as you live with patience in the midst of suffering.  “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.”  2 Corinthians 1:6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Living With Patience through God’s Spirit.  Pray that you would know God’s presence as you live with patience.  Pray that a growing patience in your life would be the result of God’s Spirit living within you.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Thursday:  Living With Patience With Everyone.  Pray that you would live with patience in every manner of interaction with others.  Pray that your patience with others would allow you to warn, encourage, and help them in appropriate ways according to their need.  “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Living With Patience to Receive What is Promised.  Pray that you would know the difference between patience and laziness — and choose patience.  Pray that your active waiting would prepare you to receive what God has promised to those who live by faith.  “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”  Hebrews 6:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With Patience as You Wait on the Lord’s Coming.  Pray that you would not become weary in doing good as you wait for the Lord’s return.  Pray that your patience would lead you to do the work which is appropriate for the current season.  “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.”  James 5:7 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Peace!

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ”
Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with peace.  Because we live in a world that seems dominated by conflict, peace can appear to be very elusive and even unattainable.  Yet God calls His children to do everything possible from their side to be at peace with everyone.  When Paul writes to the Romans, I don’t believe he is saying to only do what is right in the eyes of everyone — that would be pretty short list.  But putting into practice the things that everyone agrees are right, is a good starting point to living at peace with people.  While peace with others is not completely dependent on us, we can help that process by not creating unnecessary conflict.  But not only is peace with everyone about others, I believe it is also about living at peace with ourselves and with God.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a peace that can only come from the presence of His Spirit within you.  Pray that you would value those things that are universally right.  Pray that you would seek peace with others in a way that leads them to a true peace with God.  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’s help in living with peace.

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 Peace in Times of Trouble.   Pray that you would look to God for a peace that is beyond anything the world could offer.  Pray that you would be filled with God’s peace when trouble and fear come your way.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Living With Peace as You Trust in God.  Pray that you would put your hope in God so that He would fill you with a peace that comes from having a complete trust in Him.  Pray that this peace would overflow with a hope that the world can notice.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Living With Peace through God’s Spirit.  Pray that you would live a Spirit-filled life that would give you a peace that cannot be taken from you.  Pray that you would incorporate the fruit of God’s Spirit into your daily practice of living with peace.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Thursday:  Living With a Peace that Brings Unity.  Pray that you would work diligently at maintaining unity as God’s Spirit binds you together in peace.  Pray that your interactions with other believers would present a picture of unity through a common peace.  “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

Friday:  Living With a Peace that Prepares You to Move.  Pray that you would be prepared to take the gospel message with you because of its message of peace.  Pray that your readiness to go wherever God leads you would come from a belief in the gospel of peace.  “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With a Peace that Surpasses Understanding.  Pray that your prayer life would fill you with a peace that surpasses understanding.  Pray that God’s peace would always guard your heart and mind.  “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 4:6-7 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Courage!

“But Jesus immediately said to them:
‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’”
Matthew 14:27 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with courage.  Throughout scripture, we are commanded to take courage.  From the repeated message to Joshua to “be strong and courageous” to the words of Jesus, “Take courage! It is I.”, spoken to a group of frightened disciples; having courage seems to be something that followers of Jesus need to be reminded of.  For the Christian, living with courage is possible because we know the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.  God’s desire is that we be filled with a courage that comes from Him, but He also desires that others are filled with courage because of His presence in us.  We encourage one another, or fill one another with courage, as we share life and God’s Word in ways that are caring, constructive, and convicting — I know, sounds like a three-point sermon in the making, right?  As you pray, ask God to fill you with courage to live each day as you walk in obedience to Him.  Pray that His presence would not only fill you with courage, but would give you the ability to encourage others.  Pray that a life of courage would lead you to do the right things at all times.  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’s help in living with courage.

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 Courage to Pray.  Ask God to fill you with a view of Him that would require courage to approach Him in prayer.  Pray that you would be filled with the courage to trust your requests to the goodness of God.  “You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you.”  1 Chronicles 17:25  (NIV)

Tuesday:  Living With Visible Courage.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with a courage that is visible.  Pray that your courage would help others to see Jesus in you.  “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:  Living With Courage to Believe God.  Pray that you would have the courage to take God at His word in all things.  Pray that your faith would increase as you live with a courageous belief in God.  “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.”  Acts 27:25 (NIV)

Thursday:  Living With Courage to Speak.  Pray that you would  have the courage to speak about your life in Christ no matter where you are.  Pray that others would be encouraged to speak the word of God because of the courage they see in you.  “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”  Philippians 1:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Living With Sufficient Courage.  Pray that God would fill you with courage that is sufficient for each day.  Pray that your hope in Christ would give you enough courage to exalt Him in all circumstances. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”  Philippians 1:20 (NIV)

Saturday:  Living With Courage to Hold On To.  Pray that you would always hold on to the courage that God desires to place within you.  Pray that the faithfulness of Jesus over the things entrusted to Him would fill you with a courage that you will never let go of.   “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”  Hebrews 3:6 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living Pure!

“The voice spoke to him a second time,
‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’” 
Acts 10:15 (NIV)

“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”
John 15:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living pure.  While that may sound like a pretty tall order, we are made pure by the blood of Jesus and can be kept pure by the power of God at work in us through His Word and His Spirit.  Unfortunately, many people seem to be more concerned about the purity of their food and drink than they are about the purity of their life.  God has made us clean and wants us to remain clean through a continued relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus.  To live pure each day, however, requires some deliberate thought and action on our part.  We choose often each day whether we will live pure or not.  Many times we find ourselves not living in purity because we haven’t made the choice to do so.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you understand the absolute purity that exists because of the cleansing He has done in your life.  Pray that you would make wise decisions each day to maintain that purity.  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’s help in living pure as one who has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

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 Pure Through Godly Discernment.  Pray that a godly love would fill you with the discernment necessary to live a pure life.  Pray that your discernment would keep you pure in all of your relationships.  “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)

Tuesday:  Living Pure With Joy In Difficult Times.  Pray that you would be able to see beyond your trials to the pure joy that God wants to develop in your life.  Pray that you would live pure in the midst of difficulties as your faith grows through the testing.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”  James 1:2-3 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Living Pure In Our Religion.  Pray that you would live pure in the way you relate to God.  Pray that your practice of religion would be pure as you care for those who are overlooked and for yourself.  “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  James 1:27 (NIV)

Thursday:  Living Pure Through Wisdom From Heaven.  Pray that you would be filled with a wisdom from heaven that guides  you in all purity.  Pray that the way you live would show the people around you a glimpse of the purity that comes from godly wisdom.  “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”  James 3:17 (NIV)

Friday:  Living Pure By a Spiritual Diet.  Pray that you would crave the pure spiritual diet that will help you to grow in your salvation.  Pray that your taste of God would make you want more of His purity in the way you live.  “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”  1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Living Pure Through Our Hope in Jesus.  Pray that you would desire purity in your life because of the hope Jesus has placed in you.  Pray that you would be more like Christ.  “But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”  1 John 3:2-3 (NIV)