obedience

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Guard Your Heart!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Guard Your Heart!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on our need to guard our heart!  Jesus taught that the command to not commit adultery was more about a heart problem than it was a physical problem.  God’s desire is that we would learn to guard our heart and mind from the temptations that want to take root and destroy us.  It is much easier to blame someone else when we give in to temptation than admit we have failed to guard our heart in Christ Jesus.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only guard your heart and mind, but that you would not be a stumbling block in another person’s efforts to guard their heart.  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 each day praying about, and writing down, how God would have you live out that day’s aspect of prayer.

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:  Guard Your Heart With Truthfulness.  Pray that you would have a heart guarded by words of truth.  Pray that you would both seek truth and speak truth at all times.  “He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.”  Psalm 15:2 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Guard Your Heart With God’s Counsel.  Pray that you would always heed the instructions of the Lord’s counsel.  Pray that your heart would be protected at all times by the counsel of God’s Word.  “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”  Psalm 16:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Guard Your Heart With a Steadfast Spirit.  Pray that you would not become weary in doing good but that God would put a steadfast spirit within you.  Pray that your heart would be protected by an unrelenting commitment to pursue God.  “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Thursday:  Guard Your Heart With Trust.  Pray that  you would learn to trust God completely even in the midst of bad news.  Pray that your trust of God would protect your heart from pursuing wrong actions.  “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”  Psalm 112:7 (NIV)

Friday:  Guard Your Heart With Understanding.  Pray that  you would have an understanding of God’s laws and their purpose in protecting you from sin.  Pray that an understanding of consequences would protect your heart from wrongful pursuits.  “Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”  Psalm 119:34 (NIV)

Saturday:  Guard Your Heart With Obedience.  Pray that your heart would be protected by a desire to obey God’s laws.  Pray that you would always have a steadfast determination to obey the commands of God through your entire life.  “My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.”  Psalm 119:112 (NIV)

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Honor Parents

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Honor Parents

“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on some of the instructions that God gives about our need to honor our father and mother and some practical ways that we can do that.  Many times we hear God’s instructions regarding the relationship of children to their parents and we mistakenly think they no longer apply when the child becomes an adult.  I believe God wants children of all ages to honor parents of all ages regardless of the level of honor we “think” they deserve.  What that honor looks like may vary because of life choices our parents have made but their choices do not “let us off the hook” when it comes to our responsibility to give honor.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you give and show honor in a way that prepares you to honor Him more faithfully.  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 about how you honor your parents.  Pray for God to show you how this command applies to you today.

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:  Honor Your Parents.  Pray that you would understand the connection God makes between honoring your parents and long life in His Land.  “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Protect Your Parents.  Pray that God would give you wisdom in being a protector of your parents, particularly as they age.  “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.”  Joshua 2:13 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Please Your Parents.   Pray that you would live you life in a way that pleases them and gives them reason to be glad.  “May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!”  Proverbs 23:25 (NIV)

Thursday:  Respect Your Parents.  Pray that your relationship with God would help you to have a greater understanding and practice of respect for your parents.  “Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.”  Leviticus 19:3 (NIV)

Friday:  Help Your Parents.  Pray that you would joyfully use your resources to be a help to your parents.  “But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”  Matthew 15:5-6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Obey Your Parents.  Pray that your desire to be obedient to God would lead you to be obedient to your parents.  “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Ephesians 6:1 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Suffering!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Suffering!

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”  
1 Peter 4:12-13 (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.  Jesus stated that we would have trouble in this world but we should not be overwhelmed, rather we should take heart because He has overcome the world.  This week our prayer emphasis will focus on praying about suffering as a Christian.  In our prayer time we will seek to learn how to rejoice in the suffering we experience because of our relationship with Christ.  As you pray, talk to God not only about your suffering but about how you can help and encourage others who suffer.  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.  

“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 about how you view the suffering that you and those around you experience.  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: Counted Worthy to Suffer.  Pray that you would not be ashamed of living with the name “Christian”.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus will always be worth more to you than avoiding suffering.  “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”  Acts 5:41 (NIV)

Tuesday: Rejoice in Suffering.  Pray that you would rejoice as you trust God to produce good things in you through your suffering.  “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”  Romans 5:3 (NIV)

Wednesday: Share in Suffering.  Pray that your suffering for the sake of Christ would help you realize that you will also share in His glory.  “Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”  Romans 8:17 (NIV)

Thursday: Comforted in Suffering.  Pray that you would be comforted in your suffering and that you would be a comfort to others in their suffering.  “And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”  2 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV)

Friday: Fellowship With Christ in Suffering.  Pray that you would see suffering for the sake of Christ as a fellowship with Him in His sufferings on your behalf.  “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Saturday:  Obedience in Suffering.  Pray that you would follow the example of Jesus and learn obedience to God through the suffering that you experience.  “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.”  Hebrews 5:8 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Obey!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus:  Obey!

“But Samuel replied:  ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
1 Samuel 15:22  (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 time on some things that God says about obedience.  It seems that having excuses for not obeying is nothing new.  King Saul used the excuse that worshipping God was somehow more important than obeying  God — God didn’t agree.  Pray that you would live a life that sees to be obedient to God.  Pray that your church congregation is a place where each person is a valued part of the family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.

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 each day praying about, and writing down, how God would have you live out that day’s aspect of prayer.    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: Teach Obedience.  Pray that you would be a faithful disciple of Jesus in the way you teach others to obey all He commanded.  “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 28:19-20 (NIV)

Tuesday: Blessing from Obedience.  Pray that you would always listen to the word of God with a desire to obey what He says.  Pray that you would be a blessing to others because of your obedience to the word of God.  “He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”  Luke 11:28 (NIV)

Wednesday: Holy Spirit for those who Obey.  Pray that you would recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life through your obedience to God.  Pray that the people around you would know God’s presence in them through their obedience.  “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”  Acts 5:32 (NIV)

Thursday: Obey Parents.  Pray that you would be faithful in honoring and obeying your parents — regardless of your age or theirs.  Pray that the people around you would understand how much it pleases God for them to be obedient to their parents.  “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”  Colossians 3:20 (NIV)

Friday: Obey Leaders.  Pray that you would obey the leaders that God has placed in positions of authority over you.  “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”  Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Obey God’s Commands to Express Love.  Pray that your love for God would always be expressed in your willingness to obey Him.  “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”  1 John 5:3 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: God’s Will (2)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: God’s Will!

“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)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 
Romans 12:2

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 will be the second of two weeks that our prayer focus will be on God’s Will.  Pray that your daily walk with God will transform your heart and mind so you will accurately test and know His perfect will.  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 on Renewal.  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 Good Purpose of God’s Will.  Pray that you would allow God’s will to work in you to accomplish His good purpose.  “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”  Philippians 2:3

Tuesday: Knowledge of God’s Will.  Pray that your time spent with Jesus would fill you with the wisdom and understanding necessary for a knowledge of God’s will.  “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  Colossians 1:9

Wednesday: Stand Firm in God’s Will.  Pray that you would stand firm in the will of God and faithfully wrestle in prayer that others would stand firm also.  “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”  Colossians 4:12

Thursday: Sanctified by God’s Will.  Pray that you would obey God’s will for you to be sanctified and avoid sexual impurity.  “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.”  1 Thessalonians 4:3

Friday: Giving Thanks as God’s Will.  Pray that you would be joyful as you pray continually and give thanks for all things according to God’s will.  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

Saturday:  Result of Living by God’s Will.  Pray that you would remain steadfast in doing the will of God so that you would receive the eternal reward.  “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”  1 John 2:17

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: God’s Will (1)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: God’s Will!

“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)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 
Romans 12:2

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 will be the first of two weeks that our prayer focus will be on God’s Will.  Pray that your daily walk with God will transform your heart and mind so you will accurately test and know His perfect will.  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 on Renewal.  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: Choosing God’s Will.  Pray that you would choose to do God’s will as you examine the teaching of Jesus.  “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”  John 7:17

Tuesday: Proclaim God’s Will.  Pray that God’s Spirit would give you the boldness to proclaim the will of God.  “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.”  Acts 20:27

Wednesday: Intercession by God’s Will.  Pray with thanksgiving for a Spirit who intercedes through our prayers according to God’s will.  “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”  Romans 8:27

Thursday: Giving by God’s Will.  Pray that your giving of yourself to God and to others would be done in keeping with the will of God.  “And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”  2 Corinthians 8:5

Friday: Rescued by God’s Will.  Pray with gratitude and rejoicing that it has been God’s will to rescue you from sin and the present evil age.   “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”  Galatians 1:3-4

Saturday:  Obedience as God’s Will.  Pray that your obedience to those over you would be done in the same way as you obey God according to  His will.  “Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.”  Ephesians 6:6