one another

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Truthful Testimony!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Truthful Testimony!

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
Deuteronomy 5:20 (NIV)

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'”
Zechariah 7:9 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on God’s command to not give false testimony!  I believe that at the heart of this command is God’s desire for us to be truthful with one another and truthful about one another.  We live in a time where it seems so many people and groups go to great lengths in attempts to expose “wrongdoing” by others with little concern for facts and how their accusations impact lives that may be innocent.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how you use your testimony about others and about Him.  Pray that your words about others would be both truthful and loving and that your witness for Christ would give an honest representation of Him.  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:  Devoted Interactions.  Pray that your devotion to one another would help you to always be truthful in your testimony about them and in your witness of Christ to them.  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Instructional Testimony.  Pray that you would allow God’s Spirit to fill you with knowledge and truth as you instruct others.  “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”  Romans 15:14 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Unifying Testimony.  Pray that your testimony about others would lead to a greater unity and agreement among fellow believers.  “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”  1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)

Thursday:  Forgiving Testimony.  Pray that you would be filled with a forgiving spirit and attitude to help you not speak falsely about others.  “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Friday:  Sympathetic and Harmonious Testimony.  Pray that you would seek a greater understanding of others in order to be sympathetic rather than condemning in your testimony about them with a goal of harmony among people.  “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”  1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

Saturday:  Humble Testimony.   Pray that you would be filled with humility as you have opportunity to speak about others and about God.  “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”  1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: One Another (Week 2)!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  One Another (Week 2)!

“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)

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.  In the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.  It seems that the implied answer from God is, “Yes, you should have been!”.  The Bible is full of encouragement and commands to apply in our relationships with one another.  So, we will spend a second week of our “Lifestyle of Prayer” focused again on some important characteristics to pray for “one another”.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life as well.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“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)

Extra Prayer Focus:  Pray each day this week that the bureaucratic red-tape surrounding a new drug, GM604, would be dissolved so that individuals with ALS, such as my friend Anita, would be allowed the chance to see if it would help them.

Please spend time praying each day for the “one another” characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  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: Submit to one another.  Pray that God would help you to consider the needs of others above your own.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would help you to submit to others.  “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

Tuesday: Teach and Admonish one another.  Pray that you would both give and receive teaching and admonishment.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Wednesday: Forgive one another.  Pray that the forgiveness you have received from God would help you to forgive others.  “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Thursday: Encourage one another.  Pray that you would gather with fellow believers for the purpose of encouraging one another.  Pray that your heart would not be hardened by sin.  “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

Friday: Spur one another on.   Pray that your faith would challenge others to love and good deeds as their faith challenges you to be more Christ-like.  “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  Hebrews 10:23-24 (NIV)

Saturday:  Fellowship with one another.   Pray that you would seek out fellowship with others who are walking in the light of Jesus.  “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”  1 John 1:6-7 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: One Another (Week 1)!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  One Another (Week 1)!

“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)

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.  In the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.  It seems that the implied answer from God is, “Yes, you should have been!”.  The Bible is full of encouragement and commands to apply in our relationships with one another.  So, we will spend two weeks of our “Lifestyle of Prayer” focused again on a dozen important characteristics to pray for “one another”.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life as well.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“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)

Extra Prayer Focus:  Pray each day this week that the bureaucratic red-tape surrounding a new drug, GM604, would be dissolved so that individuals with ALS, such as my friend Anita, would be allowed the chance to see if it would help them.

Please spend time praying each day for the “one another” characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  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: Love one another.  Pray that your love for people would help them to know you as a disciple of Jesus.  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Tuesday: Be devoted to and honor one another.  Pray that you would show proper devotion and honor to others.  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:10-13 (NIV)

Wednesday: Accept one another.  Pray that God would be praised because you accept others in the same way Christ accepted you.   “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”  Romans 15:5-7 (NIV)

Thursday: Serve one another.  Pray that you would be eager to serve others with the freedom you have in Christ.  “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”  Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Friday: Bear with one another.  Pray that you would “put up” with others as they “put up” with you.  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:2-3

Saturday:  Be kind and compassionate to one another.   Pray that your words and attitude would show kindness to others.  “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Beatitudes (2)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: The Beatitudes!

“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)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer.  This week we continue a focus of using the Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes, as a prayer guide!  Pray that God would give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

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 for the characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Peacemakers.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9

Tuesday: The Persecuted.  “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:10

Wednesday: The Insulted.  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:11-12

Thursday: The Falsely Accused.   “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:11-12

Friday: Being “Salty”.  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”  Matthew 5:13

Saturday:  Being “Light”.  “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Beatitudes (1)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: The Beatitudes!

“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)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer.  This week we will begin a focus of using the Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes, as a prayer guide!  Pray that God would give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

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 for the characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: The poor in spirit.  Pray for the poor in spirit to recognize the riches they have in Jesus.  Pray that the poverty you feel in  your spirit would be filled with God’s Spirit.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3

Tuesday: Those who mourn.  Pray that God’s comfort would be felt by those who mourn.  Pray that your mourning would receive God’s comfort so you may comfort others.  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”  Matthew 5:4

Wednesday: The meek.  Pray that whatever power you have would be under God’s control.  Pray that godly meekness would be learned and practiced.  “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”  Matthew 5:5

Thursday: Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.   Pray that your desires would be for the things of God.  Pray for opportunities to share with others from that which God has filled you.  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”  Matthew 5:6

Friday: The merciful.  Pray that you would extend mercy to others as freely as God extends His mercy to you.  Pray that God’s mercy would be received by those you pray for today.   “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”  Matthew 5:7

Saturday:  The pure in heart.  Pray that your heart would be pure from God’s view.  Pray that your dealings with others would come from a pure heart.  Pray that God would purify the hearts of those you pray for today.    “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”  Matthew 5:8

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: One Another (2)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: One Another!

“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)

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.  In the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.  It seems that the implied answer from God is, “Yes, you should have been!”.  The Bible is full of encouragement and commands to apply in our relationships with one another.  So, we will spend a second week of our “Lifestyle of Prayer” focused on six more important characteristics to pray for “one another”.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life as well.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

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 for the “one another” characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Submit to one another.  Pray that God would help you to consider the needs of others above your own.  “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  Ephesians 5:21

Tuesday: Teach and Admonish one another.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16

Wednesday: Forgive one another.  “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:13

Thursday: Encourage one another.  “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  Hebrews 3:13

Friday: Spur one another on.   “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  Hebrews 10:23-24

Saturday:  Fellowship with one another.   “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”  1 John 1:6-7

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: One Another (1)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: One Another!

“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)

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.  In the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.  It seems that the implied answer from God is, “Yes, you should have been!”.  The Bible is full of encouragement and commands to apply in our relationships with one another.  So, we will spend two weeks of our “Lifestyle of Prayer” focused on a dozen important characteristics to pray for “one another”.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life as well.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

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 for the “one another” characteristic listed.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Love one another.  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35

Tuesday: Be devoted to and honor one another.  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:10-13

Wednesday: Accept one another.  “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”  Romans 15:5-7

Thursday: Serve one another.  You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.  ”  Galatians 5:13

Friday: Bear with one another.   “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:2-3

Saturday:  Be kind and compassionate to one another.   “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32.