“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living As Family!

“God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” 
Psalm 68:6 (NIV)

As a follow-up to last week’s prayer focus about God being a Father to the fatherless, this week we will be praying about being the family God sets the lonely in.  As you pray this week, pray with thanksgiving for the family God provides in your loneliness.  Pray about how God would have you to be the family that is needed by the lonely around you.  Pray for each role that exists within families and ask God to help you be faithful no matter what season of life you are in.  Pray for a heart of compassion and consideration for each part of the family.  Pray for families to be strengthened and valued.  Pray for the families within the church and for the family that is the church.  Pray that you would know and share the joy of being set free as a part of God’s family.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 live as part of a godly family.

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: Children.  Pray for children to be brought up in the fear and knowledge of the Lord in a safe and nurturing environment.  Pray that each child, of any age, would honor their parents.  Pray for the wisdom to help children know they are valued greatly by God.  “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.”  Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

Tuesday: Moms.  Pray that the work done by moms, both in and out of the home, would be filled with satisfaction and joy.  Pray that mothers would have godly patience with their children.  Pray that your life would give your mom, and the women around you, reason to rejoice.  “May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!”  Proverbs 23:25 (NIV)

Wednesday: Dads.  Pray that dads would be involved in the lives of their children in positive and wholesome ways.  Pray that they would teach their children about God by their words and actions.  Pray that you would live in such a way that you are a delight to your father.  “The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.”  Proverbs 23:24 (NIV)

Thursday: Marriage.  Pray that the marriages in your congregation and community would be strengthened and protected.  Pray that both husband and wife would feel loved and valued.  Pray for the courage to live in purity in all of your relationships.  “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”  Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)

Friday: Grandparents.  Pray that grandparents would be valued members of the family and church congregation.  Pray that their wisdom and experience would be passed on to the next generation.  Pray for the humility to treat those older than you with respect and understanding.  “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”  1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Single Adults.  Some are single by choice, some not.  Pray that each would be filled with great peace and hope as they serve God and rely on Him to surround them with healthy relationships.  Pray that God would fill their desire as only He can — whether that desire is to stay single or be married.  “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 7:35 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Father to the Fatherless!

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” 
Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV)

As we celebrate Father’s Day to begin the week, this week we will focus our prayer emphasis on God’s concern for the fatherless.  As we pray to be more Christ-like, we must pray that our response to the fatherless would be the same as God’s.  There are many in our community who live as fatherless regardless of the presence of a dad in their life.  Pray that God would equip us to help men to live as fathers who honor God and their family.  Pray for the courage and desire to be fathers for those who have none.  Pray for those on the front lines of representing Jesus to the fatherless — youth workers, school teachers, school counselors, school staff, coaches, and all others who have consistent contact with young people each day.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 live with His heart for the fatherless.

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:  Defend the Fatherless.  Pray for the courage and wisdom to stand up for the fatherless when it comes to them having their needs met.  Pray that your love of people would be seen in the ways you defend and provide for the fatherless.  Pray that God is seen in you as you take up the cause of the fatherless.  “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.”  Deuteronomy 10:18 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Provide Justice to the Fatherless.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity to see that the fatherless around you receive justice.  Pray that you would be mindful of how your actions either help or hinder true justice for the fatherless.  Pray that you would have wisdom in being an advocate for those with no voice.  “Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice.”  Deuteronomy 24:17 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Rescue the Fatherless.  Pray that you would have ears to hear the cries of the fatherless.  As you hear their cries, pray that you would rescue them in their time of need.  Pray that God would cause His heart of compassion to grow within you each time you hear the cries of those who have no help.   “Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him.”  Job 29:12 (NIV)

Thursday:  Help the Fatherless.  Pray that you would accurately reflect the character of God as you provide help to the fatherless.  Pray that God’s love and compassion would be seen in you as learn to help those who have no one to help them.  Pray that you would trust in God’s help when you are in need.  “The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”  Psalm 10:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Sustain the Fatherless.  Pray that God would fill you with an attitude of generosity as He provides ways for you to sustain the fatherless.  Pray that you would be one to watch over and care for the fatherless in a way that accurately reflects God’s love.  “The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”  Psalm 146:9 (NIV)

Saturday:  Show Compassion to the Fatherless.  Pray that your approach to the fatherless around you would be filled with the same compassion that God has for them.  Pray that you would know the compassion of God in a way that causes you to reject the worship of anything you can do.  “We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” Hosea 14:3 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Be Encouraged (Week Two)!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

This week we look at part two of a two week focus on being encouraged for the purpose of encouraging one another.  The distractions of this world are more than enough to bring discouragement to anyone, so it is important that we keep our eyes focused on the power of God to encourage us so that we can encourage others.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be encouraged through your relationship with Him.  Pray that you would know God as the source of courage in the midst of any and all discouragement.  Pray that you would be open to the encouragement God sends your way through the people around you.  Pray about how God would use you to be a more effective encourager to the people in your life.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 be encouraged so you can encourage others.

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:  Be Encouraged by God.  Pray that you would follow Christ in such a way that you experience the encouragement that comes from God. Pray that the encouragement  you receive from God would fill you with a spirit of unity with fellow believers.  “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Be Encouraged by Good News.  Pray that you would be encouraged by the good news that is reported to you about others.  Pray that you would be a bearer of good news about people, and about God, that would be an encouragement to others.  “I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.”  Ephesians 6:22 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Be Encouraged by Being United With Christ.  Pray that you would daily know the comfort and encouragement that comes from being in Christ.  Pray that the encouragement you have from being united with Christ would compel you to live like Christ in encouraging others.  “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion.”  Philippians 2:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Be Encouraged by Sound Doctrine.  Pray that you would be encouraged as you hold firmly to the sound doctrine of scripture.  Pray that you would share sound doctrine in such a way that it encourages others.  “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”  Titus 1:9 (NIV)

Friday:  Be Encouraged by Love.  Pray that you would know the encouragement that comes from being loved.  Pray that your love for people would be an encouragement to them.  Pray love would bring joy and refreshment to you and to the people around you.  “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”  Philemon 1:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Be Encouraged by Meeting Together.  Pray that you would always see value in meeting together for encouragement.  Pray that you would find ways to meet with others to be encouraged and to encourage them.  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Be Encouraged (Week One)!

“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)

This week we begin a two week focus on being encouraged for the purpose of encouraging one another.  The distractions of this world are more than enough to bring discouragement to anyone, so it is important that we keep our eyes focused on the power of God to encourage us so that we can encourage others.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be encouraged through your relationship with Him.  Pray that you would know God as the source of courage in the midst of any and all discouragement.  Pray that you would be open to the encouragement God sends your way through the people around you.  Pray about how God would use you to be a more effective encourager to the people in your life.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 to be encouraged so that you can encourage others.

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:  Be Encouraged by the Lord.  Pray that you, and the people around you, would be encouraged by a God that listens to your cries.  Pray for the courage to cry out to God when you are in distress.  Pray that God’s presence in you would make you a better listener to those who cry out.  “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”  Psalm 10:17 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Be Encouraged by the Holy Spirit.  Pray that the encouragement received from the Holy Spirit would bring godly strength and spiritual growth into your life.  Pray that you would allow the Spirit to work through you in encouraging others.  “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”  Acts 9:31 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Be Encouraged to Remain True.  Pray that God’s grace would be an encouragement to you to remain true to the Lord.  Pray that you would grow in being a minister of God’s grace.  Pray about how you will encourage others to remain true to God.  “When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”  Acts 11:23 (NIV)

Thursday:  Be Encouraged by Words.  Pray that you would hear encouraging words from the people you learn from.  Pray that the words you speak would be an encouragement to those who hear.  Pray that God’s Word would be at the heart of the words you are encouraged by and that you encourage others with.  “He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece.”  Acts 20:2 (NIV)

Friday:  Be Encouraged by the Faith of Others.  Pray that you would take notice of those around you who live by faith and be encouraged by their examples.  Pray that  your faith in God would be an encouragement to others as their faith is an encouragement to you.  “That you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”  Romans 1:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Be Encouraged by Scripture.  Pray that you would consistently spend time in God’s Word to find the encouragement it contains for you.  Pray that you would use the truth of Scripture to encourage others with a hope in Christ.  “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  Romans 15:4 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Protected!

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

As we pause to remember and honor the sacrifices made by so many to secure and protect the freedoms we enjoy, our prayer focus this week will be on the protection available to us by putting on the full armor of God.  As you pray this week, thank God for those who have given their life in service to their country.  Pray that you would give value to their sacrifice by living with the protection of God’s armor.  Pray that you would live a life of thankfulness for the freedoms you have while not allowing those freedoms to become your God.  Pray that you would resist evil by using the protective armor God has provided.  Pray that you would be willing to sacrifice whatever is needed so that other would know of real freedom in Christ.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 daily put on the full armor of God.

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:  Protected By Truth.  Pray that God would help you to speak truth in love.  Pray that He would lead you in removing any elements of falsehood from your life.  Pray that truth, God’s truth, would be central in the lives of each person you pray for today.  “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”  Ephesians 6:14a (NIV)

Tuesday:  Protected By Righteousness.  Pray that you would be confident that the righteousness you have in Christ will protect your heart and soul.  Pray that righteousness, God’s righteousness, would be found in the life of each person you pray for today.  “Stand firm then, . . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”  Ephesians 6:14b (NIV)

Wednesday:  Protected By the Gospel of Peace.  Pray that you would be filled with a peace that passes all understanding because of the gospel of Jesus.  Pray that God would help you to be a peacemaker as you live and share the gospel.  Pray that peace, God’s peace would fill each person you pray for today.  “Stand firm then, with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  Ephesians 6:15 (NIV)

Thursday:  Protected By Faith.  Pray that you would have an unwavering faith that will protect you from the accusations of Satan.  Pray that God will help you to deal with, and dismiss, any doubts that the enemy tries to plant in your mind.  Pray that faith, faith in God, will encourage each person you pray for today.  “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”  Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)

Friday:  Protected By Salvation.  Pray that the salvation you have in Christ will protect your mind from the deceitfulness of Satan.  Pray that God would remind you that you are His when the enemy tries to convince you that God couldn’t save you.  Pray that salvation, God’s salvation, would be known by each person you pray for today.  “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Protected By Prayer.  Pray that you would be an active listener of God’s Spirit as you pray for others.  Pray that you would allow His Spirit to instruct your understanding so that you would pray as you ought.  Pray that the Word of God would illuminate the life of each person you pray for today.  “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Walk & Pray!

“’I will strengthen them in the LORD and in his name they will walk,’ declares the LORD.”
Zechariah 10:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will have a very different look and feel to it as you are encouraged to get out and pray for your neighbors.  Take some time this week to pray by either physically walking or visually walking through your neighborhood.

The purpose of a prayer walk is to allow God to use the things you see and hear in your home, school, church, community, or wherever you are, to speak to you about how you should pray.  A walk may reveal things for you to rejoice about as you recognize God’s creativity and goodness.  It may also give you things to pray about as you notice mankind’s mark that has been left on the world.  Either way, there is much we can learn about prayer as we walk, watch, listen, and respond.

Here are some steps to help you in your prayer walk.

1. Take a note pad or index cards to jot down things that God brings to your mind.
2. As you begin, spend time in prayer asking God to clear your mind and spirit of any distractions so that you may listen to Him
3. Pray as you walk. There may be times that you pray out loud and other times you may pray silently.  Use your senses and God’s spirit to know what to pray about.
4. As you pray, ask God to bring scriptures to your mind to pray for the area you’re in. Jot these down as you go.
5. Even though you are trying not to stand out, don’t avoid people. They may be someone you need to pray for.  Listen to God and listen to them if contact is made.  Jot down any follow-up that God may prompt you is necessary.
6. Relax. To quote Brennan Manning in Ragamuffin Gospel, “Just as a child can not do bad coloring, a Christian can not do bad praying.”

“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 walk, listen, and pray.

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:  Pray for Ears to Hear  ~  What do you hear?  Sirens, laughter, crying, birds, silence, conversation?  What are people saying to you?  Prayer requests, hurts, joy, nothing?  Pray for ears that hear beyond the surface so you would know how to pray.  “Then Jesus said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’”  Mark 4:9 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Pray for Eyes to See  ~  What do you see?  Beauty, trash, broken things, acts of kindness?  What do you see that isn’t being said?  Fear, loneliness, anger, sadness?  Pray for eyes that see the harvest opportunities.  “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”  John 4:35 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Pray for a Mind to Know  ~  What do you think?  How do you interpret what you see and hear?  Pray for a mind that is transformed by God’s will.  “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 (NIV)

Thursday:  Pray for a Heart of Compassion  ~  How do you feel?  What emotions are brought up by what you see and hear?  How would a heart of compassion respond?  Pray that your heart would always seek God’s face so that it would not become hardened.  “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’  Your face, LORD, I will seek.”  Psalm 27:8 (NIV)

Friday:  Pray for a Spirit to Discern  ~  What does the spirit within you sense is going on?  What is God’s Spirit saying to you?  Pray that you would live in step with God’s Spirit.  “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God”  1 John 4:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Pray for a Lifestyle of Listening ~ The more we practice using all of these listening techniques to direct our prayer time, and during our prayer time, the more we develop a lifestyle of prayer.  Pray for God’s help in becoming a better listener as you spend time praying for others.  “Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen and understand.’”  Matthew 15:10 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Learning to Rejoice!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be on God’s command that we rejoice always.  While we may not say it out loud, most of us have a problem with this command — we don’t always feel like rejoicing.  Right there in the middle of the command to rejoice always, the secret to being able to do that is revealed — “in the Lord”.  When we live each day and moment of our life “in the Lord”, we are able to rejoice because of His presence with us and His working in us.  As you pray, ask God to help you live with an awareness of His presence each moment of your life.  Pray that you would learn to rejoice, even in difficult times, because of His presence that goes with you at all times.  Pray for the endurance to overcome feelings that would keep you from rejoicing and to see the eternal joy that God has called you to.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 learn to rejoice . . . and then to actually do it.

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:  Rejoice Always.  Pray for God’s help to live in the Lord each day so that you are able to rejoice always.  Pray that you would see beyond the temporary difficulties and distractions that the enemy uses to steal your joy.  Pray that you would pay attention to God’s reminders which call you to rejoice always.  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Rejoice With Gentleness.  Pray that you would rejoice in ways that make your gentleness obvious to those around you.  Pray that you would be mindful of God’s presence as you put aside the pride and boasting that often accompanies the rejoicing of the world.  Pray that your rejoicing would represent Jesus well.  “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Rejoice Without Worry.  Pray that you would take all of your cares to God as you learn to rejoice without worry.  Pray for a growing trust in God that helps you to overcome the things of this world which give cause for great concern.  Pray that a life of rejoicing would help you to overcome all sources of worry.  “Do not be anxious about anything.”  Philippians 4:6a (NIV)

Thursday:  Rejoice Prayerfully.  Ask God to help you be prayerful at all times.  Pray for a heart that desires to communicate with God about your needs and the needs of others.  Pray that you would be able to rejoice prayerfully as you watch God work through the many  requests that you take to Him.  “In everything, by prayer and petition, . . . present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6b (NIV)

Friday:  Rejoice With Thankfulness.  Ask God to help you rejoice with thankfulness as you talk with Him in prayer.  Pray that a life of rejoicing would help you to grow in thankfulness — even in thankfulness as you present your requests to God.  Pray about how your thankfulness is representing Jesus.  “In everything, . . . with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6b (NIV)

Saturday:  Rejoice In Peace.  Pray that you would live with the peace of God that helps you to rejoice.  Pray that your heart and mind would be guarded by God’s peace in such a way that nothing would be able to steal your joy.  Pray that you would rejoice in the mysteries of God’s peace.  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Learning to Serve!

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”
Mark 10:43-44 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on learning to serve.  God makes it clear in His Word that we serve Him when we serve people.  While the world often defines greatness based on power and who you have serving you, God says that to be great you must become servant of all.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only see opportunities to serve but to give you the courage to actually serve.  Pray for a spirit of humility to guide you as you serve people wherever you are.  Pray that God’s love would be seen and felt through you as you serve.  Pray that your commitment to serving would be an example for others.  Pray about how God would use your service to teach and train others to join in a lifestyle that serves.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 learn to serve . . . and then to actually serve.

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:  Serve In The Spirit.  Pray that you would know the freedom in Christ that enables you to serve in the way of the Spirit.  Pray that each believer would experience the freedom found by serving in the Spirit.  “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”  Romans 7:6 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Serve With Power.  Pray for the courage to serve in God’s power even when you feel weak.  Pray that your eyes would be opened to how God desires show His power through your weaknesses.  “For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.”  2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Serve One Another.  Pray that you would look for opportunities to use you freedom to serve others rather than yourself.  Pray for the compassion needed to serve one another even when you think you are free not to.  “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)

Thursday:  Serve Wholeheartedly.  Pray that you would serve others with a whole heart, just as you would if it were Jesus being served.  Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as you serve.  Pray that you would know the joy and contentment that comes from serving wholeheartedly.  “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.”  Ephesians 6:7 (NIV)

Friday:  Serve Faithfully.  Pray that you would be faithful in using God’s gifting in your life to serve others.  Pray that your faithfulness in serving would be based on God’s faithfulness to you.  Pray that God would help you to know His grace more fully.  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”  1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Serve Eagerly.  Pray that you would eagerly desire, and look for, opportunities to serve.  Pray not only for elders who serve eagerly, but to be one who eagerly serves all those who might look to you as an example.  “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.”  1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Press On!

“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.  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Philippians 3:10-12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our need to keep our eyes on Jesus and press on.  As we consider the power of God to raise Jesus from the dead, it is important to stay focused on our faithful pursuit of knowing that power in Christ.  As  you pray this week, ask God to help you overcome the distractions that keep you from pressing on as you ought.  Pray for a greater understanding of the growth you still need.  Pray for a willingness to continue pursuing the things of God which help you be more like Jesus each day.  Pray that the people around you would see the power of God at work in you in a way that increases their desire to know Christ.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 press on in your life with Christ.

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:  Press On To Win.  Pray for the wisdom and discernment needed to see beyond the temporary treasures of this world as you press on toward victory.  Pray that your pursuit of winning would be focused on Jesus and would include an invitation for others to join you.  “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Press On To Maturity.  Pray that you would pursue a mature view of all things.  Pray for a spirit of understanding to bring peace in the midst of your relationships as each person presses on toward maturity.  “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”  Philippians 3:15 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Press On To Consistency.  Pray that your life would consistently display the fruit of all you have learned in Christ.  Pray that the distractions of this world would not lead you to giving up on putting into practice the things you know.  Pray that your consistency in faith would help others see Jesus through you.  “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”  Philippians 3:16 (NIV)

Thursday:  Press On According To Instruction.  Pray that you would learn from the godly examples found in scripture and the ones around you today.  Pray that you would honor those who live according to God’s instructions as you learn from them.  “Join with others in following my example and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”  Philippians 3:17 (NIV)

Friday:  Press On With Compassion.  Pray that your heart would always remain soft when aware of the plight of others.  Pray for a growing compassion for all people and especially for those who do not know Christ.  Pray that you would press on with compassion.  “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”  Philippians 3:18 (NIV)

Saturday:  Press On Toward Heaven.  Pray that you would live as one who knows your real citizenship is in heaven.  Pray that your would daily press on in a life that lives for, and looks for, the fulfillment of God’s promise.  Pray that you would press on in the way you share with others about a heavenly citizenship.  “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 3:20 (NIV)

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A New Walk!

“We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4 (ASV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on the new walk God has called us into as His children.  Throughout the brief letters we know of as 1, 2, & 3 John, we find some good instruction regarding what this new walk ought to look like.  As you pray this week, ask  God to help you examine your current walk for its level of “newness”.  Pray that you would be both buried and raised with Christ in order to experience His help in living this new walk.  Pray that your walk with Christ would help others to see and know how to live in ways that honor Him.  Pray that your old way of life would remain buried as you find contentment and joy in the new walk God has called you to.  Pray for the courage to live according to this new walk even when it feels like you walk alone.  Please continue to pray for patience and understanding with one another as we all journey through these times of confusion knowing God is not the author of confusion.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 your walk with Christ.

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:  Walk In the Light.  Pray that the light of Jesus would both fill and guide each step of your life.  Pray that your common path with others walking in the light of Jesus would create meaningful fellowship with one another.  Pray that your life would be a testimony to others about the light of Jesus.  “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” 1 John 1:7a (NIV)

Tuesday:  Walk In Purity.  Pray that you would allow God’s light to penetrate all parts of your life for the purpose of purifying you from sin.  Pray that you would know the power of the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from sin.  Pray that you would help others to know that they too can walk in purity.  “But if we walk in the light . . . the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7b (NIV)

Wednesday:  Walk Like Jesus.  Pray that your claims to live in Christ would always be backed up with a walk that imitates Jesus.  Pray that you would continually study and learn about the life of Jesus from God’s Word so that you would know how to walk like Him.  Pray that the people around you would see in you a good representation of Jesus by the way you live.  “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 (NIV)

Thursday:  Walk In Obedience.  Pray that your love of God would abound and lead you into a growing and willing obedience to His commands.  Pray that the people around you would know of your love for God and for them by they way you live out a life which is obedient to God.  “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.” 2 John 1:6a (NIV)

Friday:  Walk In Love.  Pray that you would know the message of God’s love as foundational to His commands.  Pray that your love for God would grow as you seek to walk with Him each day.  Pray that your message to others, through your words and your life, would lead them to know God’s love and your love.  “As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 1:6b (NIV)

Saturday:  Walk In Truth.  Pray that you would always be faithful in pursuing the truth found in God’s Word.  Pray that your choice to walk in truth would fill others with great joy.  Pray for the wisdom needed to not only know truth, but to walk in it each day.  “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.” 3 John 1:3 (NIV)