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Lifestyle of Prayer: Unity

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Unity!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  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.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“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 focus on different aspects of unity from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of unity, if people would just agree with me — what I say, what I like, what I want, what I . . . — really we just want conformity, not unity.  Real unity comes when we decide it’s all about what God says, wants, and desires and not about me!  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   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.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 godly wisdom in applying that day’s “unity” quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

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

Monday: Unity of mind.  Pray for a unity of mind among the people of God so that the work of the kingdom is not hindered.  “Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.”  2 Chronicles 30:12

Tuesday: Unity of life.  Pray for unity in the families of our congregation and in the family of our congregation so that life together will be “good and pleasant”.   “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”  Psalm 133:1

Wednesday: Complete unity.  Pray that your pursuit of complete unity in Christ would help others to see Jesus and the love of God in you.  “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”  John 17:23

Thursday: Unity of spirit.  Pray for a unity of spirit among our church family that is based on our following Christ Jesus..  “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5

Friday: Unity of faith.  Pray for the maturity to get along with one another as we mature into a unity of faith through our knowledge  of, and relationship with, Jesus.  “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:13

Saturday:  Perfect unity.  Pray for a Christ-like love which will hold together in perfect unity all of the godly characteristics that God calls you to “put on” in your life.   “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:14

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Peace (2)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Peace!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  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.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“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 finish the two-week focus on praying for peace from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of peace, but few actually obtain it because we want peace according to our definition and standards rather than God’s.  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   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 for godly wisdom in applying that day’s “peace” quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

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

Monday: Choose peace.  Pray for courage to choose peace whenever possible.  Pray that the peace you choose would be contagious.  “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18

Tuesday: Work at peace.  Pray for the strength to continually work at peace.  Pray that your efforts would lead to peace for yourself and others.  “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”  Romans 14:19

Wednesday: Live in peace.  Pray for a unity among believers that will help each one to live in peace.  Pray that God’s peace would be evident to others.  “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”  2 Corinthians 13:11

Thursday: Spirit produced peace.  Pray that peace would be an obvious part of the fruit God’s Spirit is producing in you.  Pray that you would not be a hindrance to peace.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

Friday: Peace beyond understanding.  Pray for peace to exist in times when the world would say peace makes no sense.  Pray that this peace will guard your heart and mind during times of struggle.  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7

Saturday:  Peace from discipline.  Pray that you would allow God’s discipline in your life to produce a harvest of peace.  Pray that the training you receive at God’s hand would spread peace to others.  “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:11

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Peace (1)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Peace!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  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.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“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 two-week focus on praying for peace from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of peace, but few actually obtain it because we want peace according to our definition and standards rather than God’s.  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   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.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do. 

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 godly wisdom in applying that day’s “peace” quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

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

Monday: Peacemakers.   Pray that you would accept just how “God-like” it is to be a peacemaker and that you would put that quality into practice consistently.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9

Tuesday: Peace with one another.  Pray that you would recognize the importance of being at peace with one another and make the effort to flavor your surroundings with peace.  “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”  Mark 9:50

Wednesday: Paths of peace.  Pray that  you will notice, and walk on, the paths of peace that are illuminated through your relationship with Jesus  “because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven  to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79 

Thursday: Peace through surrender.  Pray for the courage to seek peace in all situations on God’s terms.  “If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.  In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:32-33

Friday: Peace that overcomes.  Pray for peace in the midst of trouble knowing that Jesus has overcome whatever the world throws at you.  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Saturday:  Peace with God.  Pray that God will  help you to share your faith that has brought you into peace with God.  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Pray For . . .

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  Pray For . . .

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  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.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“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 focus on some examples or commands from the New Testament of things/people to pray for.  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.  Some of the days will be easier than others to both pray and to listen for God’s voice on how to respond.  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.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 godly wisdom in applying that day’s quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

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

Monday: Persecutors.  Pray for the courage to respond with Christ-like love to those who persecute you.  Pray for wisdom to know when to speak up and when to be silent.  “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5:44

Tuesday: Children.  Pray for the children in your life and around you each day.  Pray that you, the church, and the world would understand, and share, the value that Jesus placed on children.  “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.”  Matthew 19:13

Wednesday: Open Doors.  Pray that God would open doors of opportunity for you to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would notice and make use of every open door.  “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”  Colossians 4:3 

Thursday: Worthy Purpose.  Pray that God would reveal clearly the good works He created in advance for you to do.  Pray for the boldness to do them.  “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”  2 Thessalonians 1:11

Friday: Clear Conscience.  Pray that your interactions with all people are conducted so that your conscience is clear before God.  Pray that your obedience to God is such that you can live with a clear conscience.  “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”  Hebrews 13:18

Saturday:  Healing.  Pray for the courage to deal with any sin you have against another.  Pray that God would bring spiritual, and even physical, healing to all who are afflicted.  “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  James 5:16

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: One Thing!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  One Thing!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  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.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“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 pray about some “One Thing”s that God emphasizes in His Word.  As you consider each day’s topic, pray that God would help you to see the application lesson of that “One Thing” in your life and in the lives of those you pray for.  It is so easy to get distracted and miss the importance of the “One Thing”s that God directs us to.  As you pray, pray for clarity and focus to pursue God whole-heartedly.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 godly wisdom in applying that day’s quality for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

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

Monday: One Request.  Pray that your requests of God would be refined to that which is most important.  “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”  Psalm 27:4

Tuesday: One Reputation.  Pray that your work as an ambassador of Jesus Christ would uphold the reputation of God.  “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.  Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.”  Psalm 62:11-12

Wednesday: One Need.  Pray that you would hear, and listen to, God — asking Him to reveal any “one thing” that stands between you and Him.  “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'”  Luke 6:9 

Thursday: One Admission.  Pray that you would have the courage to admit any areas of blindness so that Jesus can bring sight to you.  “He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!'”  John 9:25

Friday: One Goal.  Pray that you would not be distracted by your past, or the present, as you press on to reach the goal of eternal life.  “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

Saturday:  One Reminder.  Pray that God would help you to not judge His timetable but to learn patience for those who are lost.  “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”  2 Peter 3:8

 

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: What Does God Want?

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus:  What Does God Want?

“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV)

“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 pray specifically about what God wants as we look at Deuteronomy 10:12-13.  As you consider each day’s topic, pray that God would help that quality to grow in your life and in the lives of others.  We will begin the week praying for a submissive will that not only seeks to know what God wants, but that has the desire to do it.  Keep Monday’s prayer focus in mind each day as it sets the foundation for the value of the rest of the topics for the week.  Pray that the question, “What does God want?”, is more than a nice catch-phrase but becomes the driving force in all your decisions.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 godly wisdom in applying that day’s quality.  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: What does God want?  Pray that the significance of doing God’s will is never lost in your life nor in the life of the church.  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 7:21

Tuesday: Fear God.  Pray that the fear of the Lord would help make what God wants matter in your life, in the life of the church, and in our nation.  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”  Proverbs 1:7

Wednesday: Walk with God.  Thank God for His forgiveness that allows you to walk with Him.  Pray that your walk with God would be a good example to others.  “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.”  Genesis 3:8 

Thursday: Love God.  Pray that your love of God would be complete and with everything you have.  Pray for courage to love God in the way He deserves.  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  Mark 12:30

Friday: Serve God.  Pray that your desire to serve God would be seen in the way you serve people.  “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

Saturday:  Obey God.  Pray that as you seek to know what God wants, that you would have the strength and courage to do it.  “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”  Luke 6:46

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Psalm 23

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Psalm 23!

“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 use the 23rd Psalm as the basis for our daily prayer focus.  As you consider each day’s emphasis, remember it is David (a man after God’s own heart) who wrote these words.  Pray about its application in your life and about how  you can lift up Jesus so that others would know God as their shepherd.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 godly wisdom in applying that day’s quality.  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: Contentment.  Praise God for being a supplier of every good thing.  Pray for a contentment that is learned from trusting God.  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”  Psalm 23:1

Tuesday: Rest.  Thank God for understanding, and commanding, your need for rest.  Pray for times of internal quiet when you can rest fully in God’s love for you.  “He makes me lie down beside quiet waters”.  Psalm 23:2

Wednesday: Purity.  Rejoice that God can restore the purity of a soul.  Pray for courage and wisdom to discern good from evil in order to make right choices.  “He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3 

Thursday: Peace.  Acknowledge God’s presence as the source of true and lasting peace.  Pray that the comfort of God’s leading and correction would be evident in your life as you represent Jesus to others.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalm 23:4

Friday: Confidence.  Give glory to God for calling us to himself, even while we were enemies with him.  Pray that God would give you confidence to feast at his banquet in a way that your enemies would notice and see Jesus.  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”  Psalm 23:5

Saturday:  Hope.  Worship God for being a faithful keeper of all his promises.  Pray that God’s goodness and mercy would not only follow you, but flow from you each day that he gives you life.  “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6

 

 

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Prayers In Luke

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Prayers In Luke!

“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 focus on some aspects of prayer that are recorded for us in Luke’s gospel.  We will look at the elements of prayer that Luke noticed in the life of Jesus.  Use each day’s focus to pray and seek God about where, how, and why you pray.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  

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 focused the element of prayer suggested.  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: Secluded places.  Pray that God would draw you to places where distractions are removed as you seek fellowship with Him.  When you find yourself alone, use the time to pray.  “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”  Luke 5:16

Tuesday: Extended prayer time.  Plan times when you can spend extended time with God in prayer.  Pray that communication with God would become so natural and desirable that a night in prayer would be enjoyable and even seen as normal.  “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”  Luke 6:12

Wednesday: Clear focus.  Ask God for undivided focus when you pray, even when others are around.  Pray that your prayer life would be genuine conversation between you and God.  “Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?'”  Luke 9:18

Thursday: Mountaintop prayers.  Pray that your pursuit of God would lead you to the mountaintop with Him.  Pray for courage to leave the ordinary to pursue an extraordinary relationship with God.  “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”  Luke 9:28

Friday: Exemplary prayers.  Pray that God would use your prayer life to draw others to learn, and practice, genuine communication with God.  “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.'”  Luke 11:1

Saturday:  Consistent prayer.  Pray for consistency in your prayer life.  Pray for a faith that would pursue God without giving up.  “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”  Luke 18:1

 

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: The Church Family

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: The Church Family!

“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 focus on praying for the various aspects of the church family.  Each day will emphasize a category of people to pray for that are, or could be, a part of your church family.  Pray specifically for the people you know in each category.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do. 

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 focused around the group of people 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: Visitors that come.  Pray that you would notice visitors and be welcoming.  Pray that our visitors would be encouraged to pursue Jesus.  “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.”  Colossians 2:2

Tuesday: Members.  Pray that each member would be growing in faith and equipped to share their faith.  “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6-7

Wednesday: Deacons.  Spend time thanking God for deacons who serve with diligence.  Pray that they would receive the respect due them.  “Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.”  1 Timothy 3:8

Thursday: Elders.  Thank God for elders who desire a noble task.  Pray that their task is made easier by a congregation that lives out their connection with God.  “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.”  1 Timothy 3:1

Friday: Teachers.  Pray for God’s wisdom and protection for those who teach.  “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  James 3:1

Saturday:  Visitors to invite.  Pray for those God would have you share your faith with.  Pray for courage to invite people to attend church with you.  “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.”  Matthew 22:9

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: A Prayer Lesson From Jesus

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Prayer Lesson From Jesus!

Week of March 31, 2013

“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 be using the teaching of Jesus on prayer found in Matthew 6 as the basis for our daily prayer emphasis.  We will break down the model prayer of Jesus as a guide on how to pray each day for our friends, family, co-workers, classmates, neighbors, strangers, church family, self, and anyone else that God brings across our path.  Pray each day for the individuals of Deer Run as well as the body of Deer Run.  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 focused around the words of Jesus spoken in the model prayer.  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, March 31: David Honeycutt, Paul Stearns, Kristen Nicks,  volunteers, the preaching & teaching at DRCC, and the DRCC finances.

Monday, April 1: Start with proper focus.  Pray that your focus would be on pursuing and knowing God.  Ask God to help you pray from a pure heart and motive.  “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”  Matthew 6:7-8

Tuesday, April 2: Honor God.  Pray that God’s name would be honored and respected — not only in your prayers, but in your life.  Pray for the people you meet today, that they would respect the name of God.   “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.'”  Matthew 6:9

Wednesday, April 3: Seek God’s will in everything.  Pray that God’s will would be seen and done in your life.  Pray God’s will for the people you interact with today — that none should perish but all would come to repentance.  “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:10 

Thursday, April 4: Ask, and trust, God for your daily needs.  Pray for your specific daily needs.  Pray that God would fill you with the bread of life — His son, Jesus.  Pray for the needs of the people in your life today.  “Give us today our daily bread.”  Matthew 6:11

Friday, April 5: Seek forgiveness and seek to forgive.  Agree with God about your sin and ask for His forgiveness.  Pray for those who have sinned against you and for those you have sinned against — that forgiveness would be both extended and accepted  “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”  Matthew 6:12

Saturday, April 6:  Protection from the attacks of satan.  Pray for the courage to resist temptation.  Pray for the wisdom to take the “way of escape” when necessary.  “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”  Matthew 6:13

Sunday, April 7: David Honeycutt, Paul Stearns, Kristen Nicks, volunteers, the preaching & teaching at DRCC, and the DRCC finances.