“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  What God Hates

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)

If I were to ask the question, “What does God hate?”, without posting the above verses, I suspect I would get a list of what people consider to be “big” sins while the “everyday” stuff would be noticeably absent.  This week we will pray about some things that the Bible says God hates.  As you pray, ask God to help you examine your inner thoughts, as well as your life, to “see if there is any offensive way” in you.  Pray that God would purify your heart and mind of the things He hates.  Pray that your realization of the presence of these things would amplify your view of the incredible love God has for mankind.  Pray for the courage to remove the “logs” of sin from your life before you help your brothers and sisters recognize the sin they need to deal with.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day that God would give you His perspective on the things He hates.

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Haughty Eyes.  While we may not use the word haughty very often, we all recognize that look of pride.  Pray that your eyes would be filled with humility.  “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!”  Proverbs 21:4 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Lying Tongue.  Pray that you would be truthful in the words you say to, and about, others.  Pray that  God would be delighted with your speech.  “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.”  Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Shedding of Innocent Blood.  As you consider Jesus equating hatred with murder, pray that you would not be guilty of shedding innocent blood with your actions or with you attitude.  “So you will purge from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.”  Deuteronomy 21:9 (NIV)

Thursday:  Wicked Schemes.   Pray that you would not fall to the schemes of the wicked.  Pray that you would live life in a straightforward manner and not be known as a schemer.  “Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.”  Psalm 119:150 (NIV)

Friday:  A Rush to Evil.  Pray that you would think before you act so that God would help you avoid evil.  Pray that a pursuit of peace would keep you from being attracted to evil.  “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”  Psalm 34:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  False Witness.  Pray that you would not be deceived by someone’s false testimony about another.  Pray that you would not be involved in speaking, or listening to, false testimony.  “A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.”  Proverbs 21:28 (NIV)

Extra Prayer Focus:  Divisiveness.  Pray that you would seek unity through the Word and Spirit 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)