September 14, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Go In Faith!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Go In Faith!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living in faith so that we would participate in the Great Commission everywhere we go. When we choose to follow Jesus, the result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that we are obedient in doing everything Christ commanded. Part of that obedience involves a steadfast faith which leads us in taking the good news of Jesus to others everywhere we go. As you pray this week, ask God to help you walk by faith in your witness for Him. Pray that God would help you know and follow His commands in a way that shares them with others. Pray that you would consider how your obedience helps to spread the gospel to everyone you meet. Pray that you would be involved in teaching others the very things you have learned through your relationship with Jesus. Pray that God would empower you with the courage that comes from His presence with you always.

“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 go in faith as you follow 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: Go In Fellowship. Pray that you would grow in your desire to seek fellowship with others as you go about life. Pray for a willingness to gather with others in obedience to God’s Word. Pray that your fellowship with others would help strengthen all who gather in the name of Jesus. “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.” Matthew 28:16 (NIV)

Tuesday: Go In Authority. Pray that God’s authority would be taken seriously by all believers — especially in regards to fulfilling His commands. Pray for a submissive spirit to the authority of Jesus as you go and do the things He has commanded. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” Matthew 28:18 (NIV)

Wednesday: Go In Involvement. Pray that you would recognize the importance of being involved with the death of Christ in order to be raised with Christ. Pray that you would be involved in the important work of God which is accomplished by Him in baptism. “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Go In Teaching. Pray that your teaching remains impartial and true to the Word of God. Pray that your obedience to the truth of God’s Word would be reflected in the way you teach others. “‘Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.’” Matthew 22:16 (NIV)

Friday: Go In Help. Pray that you would recognize the constant presence of God as your help in time of need. Pray that your daily walk with God would help others know His nearness and availability. Pray that God’s help would fill you with great contentment. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Saturday: Go Everywhere. Pray that God would help you to see the opportunities in your daily life to proclaim a living faith in Jesus. Pray that you would know the nearness of God’s kingdom as you live a resurrected life. Pray that the message of Jesus would be seen in you and heard from you everywhere you go. “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’” Matthew 10:7 (NIV)

September 7, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Dying To Live!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Dying To Live!

“But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same.”
Matthew 26:35 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to die to self so that we may live for Christ even as He lives in us. Over the few years Jesus spent with His disciples, He began to slowly reveal His purpose in coming to earth was to die so that they might live. Just as His death, burial, and resurrection brought life, it is our dying to self so that Christ can live in us which brings us life. As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the things you must die to in order to experience the fullness of life which is only found in Christ. Pray that you would not cling to the things of this world which result in eternal death, but rather seek first the things of God’s kingdom which bring eternal life. Pray that your commitment to dying with Christ would be so steadfast that nothing would move you from it. Pray that you would always keep your eyes on Jesus as you trust His promise that all who are buried with Him will surely rise with Him. Pray for the courage to truly live for Christ as you daily choose to die to self.

“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 die to self so that you might truly live.

Monday: Die To Live. Pray that you would understand the importance of taking up your cross daily and choosing to die with Christ. Pray that your life would be lived for Christ in every way as you choose a life of surrender to Him. Pray that you would help others know the importance of dying with Christ in order to live. “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Romans 6:8 (NIV)

Tuesday: Die Daily. Pray that you would choose each day to die to self in a way which serves others and glorifies Jesus. Pray that your concern for others would be evident in the way you choose to sacrifice your own desires because of your love for them. “I die every day–I mean that, brothers — just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:31 (NIV)

Wednesday: Die To Gain. Pray that you would make a deliberate choice to live for Christ in such a way that He is what your life is all about. Pray that your life in Christ would reveal to you just how much you have gained by dying to self. Pray that you would not fear physical death at its proper time as you understand the eternal gain. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

Thursday: Die To This World. Pray that your decision to be joined with Christ in His death would remind you that you no longer belong to this world. Pray about how God would have you daily choose His ways rather than following the ways of this world. “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules? Colossians 2:20 (NIV)

Friday: Die To Sin. Pray that you would consider yourself to be dead to sin so that you would choose righteousness in all things. Pray with thankfulness for the work Jesus did on the cross which allows your sin to be put to death. Pray that you would live as one set free from sin. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

Saturday: Die In the Lord. Pray that you would live, and die, in the Lord and receive His blessing when your time on earth is done. Pray that your work for the Lord would be faithful as you look forward to reaping the reward of rest. “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)

August 31, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Prepared For Trial!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Prepared For Trial!

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”
1 Peter 4:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about asking for God’s help in being prepared for the trials you will face in life. After His arrest in the garden, Jesus was tried and sentenced to death. As we consider the various elements of what was going on in the pretense of a trial which found Him guilty, we see things that we face on a regular basis. It is in these daily trials that we are tested to see how prepared we really are. As you pray this week, ask God to help you be aware of the various testings and trials you will face. Pray that you would be prepared for each trial as you consider how Jesus endured all that He faced. Pray that your response to those who appear to be the source of your trials would be a godly response. Pray for the courage and wisdom to speak when needed and to be silent when needed. Pray that you would learn any and all lessons that God desires to teach you through the trials of life. Pray that your life would be a witness to others of how God helps His children in the midst of their trials.

“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 grow in being prepared for the trials of life.

Monday: Prepared For Testimony. Pray that you would not be puffed up by flattering testimony nor torn down by false testimony about you. Pray for a life which becomes a true testimony of Jesus within you regardless of the testimony of others. “Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’” Matthew 26:62(NIV)

Tuesday: Prepared For Rejection. Pray that the acceptance of you by Jesus would protect you from the damage caused by people’s rejection. Pray for the proper response of godly sorrow when you discover you’ve rejected Jesus by your denial. “Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75 (NIV)

Wednesday: Prepared For Insults. Pray that pride would not keep you from repentance when you feel insulted by the actions of others. Pray about how God would have you live with a purity of thoughts and actions which would speak over the insults of others. “The chief priests picked up the coins and said, ‘It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.’” Matthew 27:6 (NIV)

Thursday: Prepared For Accusations. Pray that you would live in such a way that the accusations against you have no cause to stick. Pray for a confidence in what God has done in your life so that you would not need to defend yourself against every accusation. “When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.” Matthew 27:12 (NIV)

Friday: Prepared For Loneliness. Pray that you would live with an awareness of God’s presence to help you when you feel all alone. Pray for the peace which comes from being chosen by God when others might choose anyone else over you. “Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” Matthew 27:26 (NIV)

Saturday: Prepared For Trial. Pray that you would hold fast to God’s promise in the midst of every trial that you face. Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as the One who gives the crown of life to all who are faithful to the end through all of the trials and tests of life. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)

August 24, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Need To Pray!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

The Need To Pray!

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to pray! If prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area. I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”. If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that. But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task. When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him. As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are. Pray that you would understand your need for God’s help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts. Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray so that you would not fall into temptation. Pray that your relationship with God would grow as your practice of prayer grows.

“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 grow in recognizing your need to pray.

Monday: Pray Earnestly. Ask God to help you pray earnestly for those whose situations may seem hopeless. Pray that you would be serious in the content of your prayers and in the expectation that God will act for the good of His children. Ask God to help you always keep on praying without giving up. “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:5 (NIV)

Tuesday: Pray With Joy. Ask God to fill you with joy about Him and about those you pray for. Pray that your joy would be expressed, and even increased, because of the way you pray for all of those around you. Pray that you would live in such a way that others would be filled with joy in their prayers for you. “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” Philippians 1:4 (NIV)

Wednesday: Pray For Restoration. Ask God to help you notice those who are distant and need to be restored. Pray that you would not only be restored to God, but that you would seek God’s help in seeing people restored to one another. Pray about specific individuals and situations in which you need to be restored. “I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.” Hebrews 13:19 (NIV)

Thursday: Pray During Times of Trouble. Ask God to help you look to Him in times of trouble — whether it is trouble you face or trouble those around you experience. Pray that you would know the praise of peace that comes to those who seek God in times of trouble. Pray for the courage to have others pray for you during times of trouble. “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” James 5:13 (NIV)

Friday: Pray With a Clear Mind. Ask God to help you overcome distractions that keep you from praying as you ought. Pray that you would recognize the nearness of the end of this age so you would know the importance of praying with a clear mind and with self control. “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)

Saturday: Pray In the Holy Spirit. Ask God to make you more aware of His Spirit’s presence in your life as you pray for your own needs and for the needs of others. Pray that your faith would be built up as you allow God’s Spirit to intercede for you when it seems your words of prayer are inadequate. “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 1:20 (NIV)

August 17, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Life of Sharing!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Life of Sharing!

“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”
1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be on God’s instruction that we share what we have been given. Sharing is not usually an easy concept to do or to teach. James says that it is our selfishness that often keeps us from receiving from God the things we ask for. Many times we live by two standards. One that sets forth what we believe God ought to share with us — everything. And the other standard is what we feel we ought to share with others — only what we decide they deserve. It is when we begin to see everything we have as gifts from God that we realize we are only being called to share His gifts. My gifts and abilities are limited, so any gift that would originate with me has limits as well. God, however, is not limited so His gifts are able to accomplish their purpose as He shares them with us and we share them with others. As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn to share in the way He would desire. Pray that your sharing would be done in ways that benefit the needs of others.

“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 grow in the ways you share.

Monday: Share With Those In Need. Pray for wisdom in knowing how God would have you share with those in need. Pray that you would use the things God has given you in a way that benefits others. Pray that God would help you learn and practice hospitality as a means of sharing with others. “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: Share What You Have. Pray that you would be able to clearly see from God’s perspective what you have so that you would know what you can share. Pray for a willingness to share the things you have which exceed what others have. that He wants you to share. “John answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.’” Luke 3:11 (NIV)

Wednesday: Share the Gospel. Pray that God would fill you with a love for people that makes it a delight to share the gospel with them. Pray that the way you live your life would complement your sharing of the gospel. “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)

Thursday: Share Generously. Pray that you would learn to give generously, not just with things and money, but with your time and good deeds. Pray that God would fill you with a willingness to share in a way that expresses God’s generosity to you. “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18 (NIV)

Friday: Share Sacrificially. Pray that you would always remember to do the good that God requires of you, especially when dong so costs you more than you really wanted to give. Pray that your sharing with others would be offered to God as a pleasing sacrifice to Him. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

Saturday: Share With Those Who Teach. Pray that your sharing with them would honor those who instruct you in God’s Word. Pray that you would find ways to share with those you learn from. Pray that you would share instruction with those who would listen. “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” Galatians 6:6 (NIV)

August 10, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Not So Secret Plot!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Not So Secret Plot!

“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Matthew 26:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the promises of God. As Jesus lived on earth, the religious leaders would plot against Him, somehow thinking they could get the upper hand, not realizing that their plans were not a secret to Jesus. He not only knew the plotting that was being done, He knew how those plots would fulfill His promises. When God promises comfort, how often do we want it to mean we would never experience a pain that would require His comfort? Even if we understand the nature of the promise accurately, we often expect the promise to be fulfilled in keeping with our timetable rather than God’s. As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His “great and precious” promises. Pray that you would hold fast to His promises, especially when it takes longer for them to be fulfilled than what you would like. Pray for the heart, mind, and eyes to see how God has not only extended His promises to you, but calls you to share in extending His promises to others.

“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 trust, His promises.

Monday: Promised Peace. Pray that you would listen to God and find a peace in Him that the world cannot take away. Pray that you would share God’s peace with others as you fully reject a life built on folly. Pray that the plots of others would not lead you to give up your peace. “I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints — but let them not return to folly.” Psalm 85:8 (NIV)

Tuesday: Promised Salvation. Pray that you would know the unfailing love of God that gives the promise of salvation. Pray that you would share with others about the salvation God has brought to you as you live for Him. Pray that you would overcome the plots of the enemy which plant seeds of doubt. “May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise.” Psalm 119:41 (NIV)

Wednesday: Promised Graciousness. Pray that you would know the graciousness of God as you seek Him with a whole heart. Pray that you would learn to be gracious with others as you realize how much you experience the graciousness of God’s promises to you. “I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.” Psalm 119:58 (NIV)

Thursday: Promised Comfort. Pray that a recognition of God’s unfailing love would comfort you in your times of greatest pain. Pray that you would be obedient in comforting others with the comfort God has given you according to His promises. Pray for an awareness of how the enemy wants to destroy the comfort you receive from God’s promises. “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:76 (NIV)

Friday: Promised Deliverance. Pray that you would always turn to God as the one who can meet your needs “according to His riches in glory.” Pray that you would fully consider how God has delivered you as you share His promises of deliverance to the people around you. “May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.” Psalm 119:170 (NIV)

Saturday: Promised Eternal Life. Pray that you would always hold fast to the greatest promise of God — eternal life through Jesus Christ. Pray that you would have the courage to speak boldly with others about eternal life as a promise which we can hold on to because the One who promises is faithful. “And this is what he promised us — even eternal life.” 1 John 2:25 (NIV)

August 3, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Keeping Watch!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Keeping Watch!

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on the instruction of Jesus for us to keep watch. As Jesus taught during the week leading up to His crucifixion, He spent time instructing His followers to keep watch. His teaching found in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew is a good reminder for all of us to live life keeping watch. When we learn to watch, we often find ourselves learning to also wait as we long for the very thing we don’t yet see. As you pray this week, ask God to open your eyes to the things He would have you see. Pray for a heart, mind, and spirit that keep watch and are not distracted by the noise of the world. Pray that you would be an active participant in keeping watch rather than a passive bystander to what goes on around you. Pray for godly patience as your watching for the return of Christ requires you to wait. Pray that keeping watch would help you to be found ready when Christ returns.

“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 keep watch as you wait for the return of Christ.

Monday: Watch With Wisdom. Pray that you would be filled with godly wisdom as you watch for the return of Christ. Pray that your wisdom would lead you to be prepared as your watching is done in a period of waiting. Pray that God would help you share with others about the wisdom of preparation. “The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.” Matthew 25:4 (NIV)

Tuesday: Watch With Awareness. Pray that you would live with an awareness of the importance of what you have in Christ. Pray about how God wants you to hold fast to that which you have, even as you share with others about the coming return of Christ. “’No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’” Matthew 25:9 (NIV)

Wednesday: Watch With Trust. Pray about how you are using the things entrusted to you by God as you watch for the return of Christ. Pray that you would be a trusted servant of God as you faithfully use the gifts He has placed in your life. “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.” Matthew 25:14 (NIV)

Thursday: Watch With Compassion. Pray that your watching for the return of Christ would be done with an eye toward the needs of others. Pray about how you can express compassion for others in all that you do. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Friday: Watch With Humility. Pray that your deeds of compassion would be done with humility. Pray for a humility which serves others with no expectation of recognition. Pray that you would love others as an expression of your love for Christ. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?’” Matthew 25:37 (NIV)

Saturday: Keep On Watching. Pray that you would persevere in waiting and watching for the return of Christ. Pray that nothing would distract you from taking care of the Master’s business as you watch for His return. Pray that your faithfulness to Jesus would endure as you keep on watching for His return. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.” Matthew 25:19 (NIV)

July 27, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Growing Together!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Growing Together!

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we do life together. The early believers met together in public and they met together in their homes. The nature of their coming together was such that they enjoyed “favor with all the people.” The result of such favor was that “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the value of one another as we live this Christian life together. Pray that you would interact with others in ways that promote favor and goodwill among people. Pray that God would help you to see how your interactions with other believers can be a fruitful witness for the cause of Christ. Pray that you would find joy in the coming together of the body of Christ whenever you have the opportunity to be together. Pray for a spirit of unity within the body of Christ.

“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 grow together with other believers.

Monday: Growing Together In Prayer. Ask God to help you give greater value to the practice of praying together. Pray that you would be faithful in joining in prayer with others, and for others, even when you are not able to be with them in person. “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:14 (NIV)

Tuesday: Growing Together With Joy. Pray that you would bring joy to others when you are together. Pray that you would know the refreshing from God that can come through joining together with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for a growing desire to meet together in ways which share joy. “By God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.” Romans 15:32 (NIV)

Wednesday: Growing Together As God’s Dwelling. Pray that you would see yourself not only as an individual dwelling of God’s Spirit, but also as a part of the larger community of His body. Pray for eyes which see the household of God being built together with those who are in Christ. “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22 (NIV)

Thursday: Growing Together In Unity. Pray that you would clothe yourself in the love necessary to grow in unity. Pray for a heart of love that would bind together all of the good things that Christ has put within you. Pray that you would grow in the things which promote unity. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NIV)

Friday: Growing Together For Perfection. Pray that your life in Christ would follow in the footsteps of those who have lived by faith so that together each would be made perfect. Pray that your walk of faith would be perfected by those who follow in your footsteps. “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:40 (NIV)

Saturday: Growing Together For Truth. Pray that you would be welcoming and supportive of those who risk much to take the good news of Jesus to people both near and far. Pray that you would be deliberate about working together with others to share the truth of Jesus wherever you go. “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.” 3 John 1:8 (NIV)

July 20, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Seeing the Signs!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Seeing the Signs!

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’”
Matthew 24:3 (NIV)

This week our prayer focus will be on our need to pay attention to the happenings of life from the view of an eternal perspective. We often see in Scripture that Jesus noticed things which were different from what others paid attention to. When we become distracted by the things of this world, Jesus desires to turn our attention to the things we ought to watch out for. The goal is not to frighten us, but to challenge us with the need to be ready for eternity as we notice the signs of a failing world. As you pray this week, ask God to help you be aware of the attempts of the enemy to destroy you. Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with His presence in a way that gives you the strength, wisdom, and courage to always be watchful. Pray that your desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection would be greater than any other desire you have. Pray that seeing the signs would encourage you rather than frighten you.

“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 see, and respond appropriately to, the signs leading to the return of Jesus.

Monday: Seeing the Suffering. Pray that your eyes would be opened to the sufferings people experience because of their faith. Pray that an awareness of the sufferings of others would lead you to greater compassion as you see the return of Jesus nearing. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” Matthew 24:9 (NIV)

Tuesday: Seeing the Illusion. Pray that your walk with Jesus would be genuine so that the imposters of this world would not deceive you. Pray that God’s Spirit would help you see through the illusions brought forth by the evil one. “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect — if that were possible.” Matthew 24:24 (NIV)

Wednesday: Seeing the Gathering. Pray that you would heed the call of God to gather with fellow believers now as you look toward the final gathering. Pray that you would see the value of being ready for the gathering of all those who belong to Christ. “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” Matthew 24:31 (NIV)

Thursday: Seeing the Night. Pray that you would realize the darkness of the night in which we live. Pray that you would keep watch through the night as you long for the day of Christ’s return. “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.” Matthew 24:43 (NIV)

Friday: Seeing the Sorrow. Pray that you would see, and avoid, the sorrow which will come upon all those who reject the Son. Pray for a genuine faith in Jesus which obeys Him wholeheartedly so that no seeds of hypocrisy could grow. Pray that your life would lead others to Jesus so they too can avoid the coming sorrow. “He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:51 (NIV)

Saturday: Seeing the Signs. Pray that you would be ready at all times for the return of Jesus. Pray that you would see the signs of the end approaching and be motivated to share Jesus with others. Pray for a readiness that exists in your life because of the work of Jesus so that you are always prepared whether you expect it to be now or later. “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

July 13, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Changed By Woe!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Changed By Woe!

“See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.”
2 Corinthians 7:11 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on some of the things produced in our life by the woe we experience. I suspect that most of us are much more aware of the sorrow we experience than the sorrow we cause. As I read scripture, it appears that both the woe we experience and the woe we cause can be either godly sorrow or worldly sorrow. One of the clearest ways to determine the true source of the woe is to examine just what it produces. As you pray this week, ask God to help you see how a godly sorrow produces in you a variety of necessary things. Pray that you would be a truthful messenger of God so that any sorrow you produce in others would be of the godly kind. Pray for a growing desire to endure whatever it takes to bring about a maturity in your thoughts and actions. Pray that God would use the sorrow you experience in order to help shape you more and more into the image of Christ. Pray that God would use you to make Jesus known to those who are filled with great woe.

“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 respond to godly sorrow — the woe in your life.

Monday: A Changed Earnestness. Pray that your godly sorrow would produce an earnestness in your communication with God. Pray for the humility to be earnest with those who have added to your sorrow and with those whose sorrow has been increased by you. “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:44 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Changed Eagerness. Pray that your godly sorrow would create an eagerness in your life to know real truth. Pray that you would be eager to understand the accuracy of God’s Word. “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 (NIV)

Wednesday: A Changed Indignation. Pray that your godly sorrow would lead you to an indignation that challenges your incorrect attitudes. Pray for the courage to stand up for those who are being overlooked, neglected, or even rejected. “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.” Mark 10:13 (NIV)

Thursday: A Changed Longing. Pray that your godly sorrow would cause an intense longing to be reconciled with others. Pray for a growing desire to connect with people that you may not have seen in person for some time. Pray that your longing for others would help them to know the longing God has for each of us. “When we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:17 (NIV)

Friday: A Changed Concern. Pray that your godly sorrow would produce in you a great concern for others. Pray that you would find ways to express your concern as you serve and care for people. Pray that your concern for others would bring them great joy. “He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” 2 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV)

Saturday: A Changed Readiness For Justice. Pray that your godly sorrow would prepare you to know true justice. Pray that you would grow in your understanding of how justice, mercy, and compassion work together. Pray about how God would have you share with others the good news of being made right with God through the work of Jesus Christ. “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” Zechariah 7:9 (NIV)