“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: The Least . . . Your Response!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  This week we will focus our prayer emphasis on our response to people who are often considered “the least”.  As you pray each day, pray that your daily walk with God will transform your heart and mind so you will not just hear what God would have you to do, but that you would do it!  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together. 

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 about each day’s specific focus of your response to “the least”.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past year.  Thank you!

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: The Hungry.  Pray that God would help you to see, and respond to, true hunger in its various forms.  Pray that you make the most of the opportunities to meet the needs of those who hunger physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”  Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Tuesday: The Thirsty.  Pray that your life would be a refreshment to those who thirst.  Pray that your heart would be open to helping resolve the causes of physical, emotional, and spiritual thirst.  “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”  Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Wednesday: The Stranger.  Pray that God would put within  you an attitude that would welcome strangers to discover Jesus.  Pray for wisdom in how to minister to strangers.  “I was a stranger and you invited me in.”  Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Thursday: The Naked.  Pray that God would open your eyes to see those who live exposed.  Pray that you would respond to God’s call to provide covering for those who are in need.  “I needed clothes and you clothed me.”  Matthew 25:36 (NIV)

Friday: The Sick.  Pray that you would be filled with compassion for those who are sick.  Pray that your compassion would lead you to be involved in providing care according to their needs.  “I was sick and you looked after me.”  Matthew 25:36 (NIV)

Saturday:  The Prisoner.  Pray for those who live in prisons of various kinds.  Pray that you would not let their prison keep you from loving them as you ought.  “I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  Matthew 25:36 (NIV)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)