practice of prayer

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Righteousness

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Righteousness!

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”
Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about the righteousness of God that ought to be reflected in our life.  Yes, it is true that the Bible says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.”  But that is a statement made about our own ability to be, and become, righteous.  We are not righteous, but we can be declared by God to be righteous because of our faith in the power of Christ’s blood to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  As you pray this week, ask God to help recognize, and admit, that you will never become righteous through your own efforts or deeds.  Pray that your obedient response to God’s Word would be what you rely on fully for righteousness to be credited to you by God.   Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the righteousness God desires for you to have through the power of His Spirit.

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:  Protected by Righteousness.  Pray that your heart would be protected by righteousness as you put on the full armor of God.  Pray that the righteousness you have in Christ would serve as you protection against the attacks of the evil one.  “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Pursue Righteousness.  Pray that you would be active in pursuing a life of righteousness along with others who seek God.  Pray that your pursuit of righteousness would include a deliberate fleeing from evil desires.  “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Trained in Righteousness.  Pray that you would be a good student of God’s Word so that it is used accurately in your life.  Pray that the training in righteousness you receive from God’s Word would equip you for every good work.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 

Thursday:  Harvest of Righteousness Through Discipline.  Pray that you would accept God’s discipline as a means of producing righteousness.  Pray that you would share with others the peace that you have because of God’s discipline.  “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 (NIV)

Friday:  Live for Righteousness.  Pray that you would understand the price paid to declare you righteous.  Pray that you would live for righteousness by dying to sin daily.  “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”  1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Home of Righteousness.  Pray that your eyes would remain fixed on a home of righteousness.  Pray that your desire for that home would lead you to pursue God’s righteousness each day.  “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”  2 Peter 3:13 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Holiness!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Holiness!

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about the holiness of God that ought to be reflected in our life.  Not only does God instruct us to live a life that rejects our evil desires, He says that we do so in order to be more like the One who has called us to Himself.  When Peter writes instructions for God’s children to live holy lives, he backs up the authority for the command with a quote of God telling His people to be holy because He is holy.  We’re His children, we ought to look and act like His children.  As you pray this week, ask God to  help you identify, and reject, the evil desires that are a temptation to you.  Pray that your desire to be more like your Father would be all the motivation you need to live a  holy life.  Pray that you would learn from Jesus on how to live a holy life that draws people to God rather than pushes them away.   Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the holiness of God and His desire for you to reflect that to the world.

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:  Worship God as Holy.  Pray that you would recognize, and express, God’s holiness in your worship of Him.  Pray that He would fill you with an understanding of all holiness coming from Him.  “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”  Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Live a Holy Life of Purity.  Pray that God would reveal any impurity in your life so that it can be removed.  Pray that you would actively pursue a life of holy purity.  “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”  1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Live as Part of a Holy Family.  Pray that you would be encouraged by being a part of God’s holy family.  Pray that you would recognize God’s holiness in the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ.  “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”  Hebrews 2:11 (NIV)

Thursday:  Live a Holy Life of Peace.  Pray that your reflection of God’s holiness would help you live at peace with everyone.  Pray that your efforts to live at peace and to be holy would help the people around you see Christ in you.  “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Live a Holy Life with Anticipation.  Pray that God would help you to keep in mind the end result of all the things that might appear to be valuable.  Pray that your anticipation of Christ’s return would motivate you in living a holy life.  “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”  2 Peter 3:11-12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Pray With a Holy Faith.  Pray that you would be filled with a faith that is completely holy.  Ask God to help you grow in your communication with Him through a holiness empowered by His Spirit living in you.  “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”  Jude 1:20 (NIV)

Bonus:  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the publishing ministry of Impact Prayer Ministry.  Pray that I would continue to listen to God for direction and that He would give me the time and words to finish the writing assignments He has me working on.

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Wonderful!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Wonderful!

“One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”
Psalm 145:4-5 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about our wonderful God.  Sometimes I think wonderful is one of those words that gets thrown around like awesome to describe things that may not always be filled with wonder or awe.  Our God and His works are wonderful not only because they are filled with great wonder, but because they ought to cause us to be filled with wonder as to why He would choose to love us so.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see Him as completely wonderful.  Pray that you would never tire of the depths of God’s wonder and love.  Pray that you would live in a way that is okay with never completely figuring out God — because you never will.  Pray that God working through you would display His wonder to the people you interact with on a daily basis.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the many wonderful things God has done in your life.

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:  Proclaiming God’s Wonderful Deeds.  Pray that your life and words would tell of the wonderful deeds God has done.  Pray that you would live a life of innocence because of God’s wonderful deed accomplished through Jesus.  “I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.”  Psalm 26:6-7 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Experiencing  God’s Wonderful Love.  Pray that you would recognize God’s wonderful love for you that He would rescue you when you were trapped in sin.  Pray that you would share God’s wonderful love with the people around you today.  “Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.”  Psalm 31:21 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Obeying God’s Wonderful Law.  Pray that you would have open eyes and an open heart as you examine God’s wonderful law.  Pray that you would set you heart and mind on obeying the laws of God.  “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.  Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.”  Psalm 119:18 & 129 (NIV) 

Thursday:  Made in a Wonderful Way.  Pray that you would recognize the incredible work God has done in creating you!  Pray that you would value all life because of the wonderful work God has done in making it.  “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Receiving Wonderful Counsel.  Pray that you would always turn to God as the source of all wonderful counsel.  Pray that you would apply and share God’s Word when you have opportunity to offer counsel to others.  “All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.”  Isaiah 28:29 (NIV)

Saturday:  Belonging to a Wonderful Light.  Pray that your life would shine brightly in a dark world because of the wonderful light you belong to.  Pray that you would declare God’s light in the midst of the great darkness we live in.  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Bonus:  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the publishing ministry of Impact Prayer Ministry.  Pray that I would continue to listen to God for direction and that He would give me the time and words to finish the writing assignments He has me working on.

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Wait!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Wait!

“Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.  He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”
1 Corinthians 1:7-9 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about an aspect of our Christian life that many people would rather not participate in — waiting!  Throughout scripture God calls His people to wait and to trust Him as they do so.  And before you dismiss that idea as being impossible, remember it is God who has given you every gift necessary to be able to wait with strength for the return of Christ.  As  you pray this week, ask God to help you use the gift of His Spirit to help you to wait when necessary.  Pray that you would learn a greater trust of God as you wait for His return.  Pray that your representation of Jesus would gain effectiveness as you wait on Him to work in and through you.  Pray that your practice of waiting would not keep you from doing when God calls you to act.   Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the waiting that God has both called you to and equipped you for.

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:  Wait in Expectation.  Pray with the expectation that God will respond as you lay your requests before Him.  Pray that you would continue to take your requests to God as you wait.  “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”  Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Wait with Strength.  Pray for the strength required to wait.  Pray that God’s Spirit would fill you with courage as you wait upon Him.  “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”  Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Wait with Hope.  Pray that God’s help and protection in your life would fill you with hope as you wait.  Pray that the people around you would come to place their hope in God to be their help and shield.  “We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.”  Psalm 33:20 (NIV)

Thursday:  Wait for God’s Deliverance.  Pray that you would learn to wait on the deliverance that God promises.  Pray that you would reject the temptation to take matters into your own hands when you are wronged.  “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’  Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.”  Proverbs 20:22 (NIV)

Friday:  Wait for God’s Blessing.  Pray that you would understand and experience the compassion of God as a great blessing in your life.  Pray that you would be blessed as you wait for God to make all things right.  “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  For the LORD is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him!”  Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

Saturday:  Wait for God’s Mercy.  Pray that you would remain in Christ as you wait for the fulfillment of His mercy in your life.  Pray that you would share God’s love with others as you wait for Christ to carry you into life eternal.  “Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”  Jude 1:21 (NIV)

Bonus:  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the publishing ministry of Impact Prayer Ministry.  Pray that I would continue to listen to God for direction and that He would give me the time and words to finish the writing assignments He has me working on.

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Gentleness

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Gentleness!

“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 (NIV)

This week we will focus on praying about the gentleness God’s Spirit should be producing in us.  The fruit of God’s Spirit is not a smorgasbord where we pick and choose the items we like and leave the ones we don’t care for.  With God’s Spirit in us, each of these characteristics ought to be growing in our life.  Most of these items seem to have little value in today’s culture but when worn well, the help the world see Christ in us.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you recognize times and situations when gentleness is most difficult for you to have.  Pray that you would learn to lean completely on God’s Spirit in those times when gentleness would not be your natural reaction.  Pray that your concern in letting the entire fruit of the Spirit be evident in your life would not be about how it makes you look to the people around you, but about how it makes God look to them.   Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the gentleness God desires for you to have through the power of His Spirit.

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:  Gentleness of God’s Presence.  Pray that you would seek times of stillness in your life in order to experience the gentleness of God.  Pray that the noise of life would not distract you from the gentle whispers of God.  “After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”  1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Gentleness with Words.  Pray that you would be careful with the words you use, especially when responding to what others ask or say.  Pray that you would use gentleness to diffuse anger.  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Gentleness from Jesus.  Pray that you would experience the gentleness of Jesus when you feel weak and weary.  Pray that you would share the gentleness of Jesus with the people around you who are weak and weary.  “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

Thursday:  Gentleness with Others.  Pray that your interactions with others would be marked by a gentleness that comes from a humble spirit.  Pray that your patience with others would help them see Jesus.  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Friday:  Gentleness that Shows.  Pray that the nearness of God in your life would help others see His gentleness through you.  Pray that God’s reputation would be more important than yours as you live a life of gentleness.  “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Saturday:  Gentleness in Sharing Your Faith.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would prepare you to give answers about your faith that are both truthful and gentle.  Pray that your gentleness in talking about the hope that is within you would draw others to Jesus.  “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”  1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Faithfulness

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Faithfulness!

“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 (NIV)

Our prayer focus will once again look at a specific part of the fruit of God’s Spirit.  The last few weeks we have focused on self-control, kindness, and goodness.  This week we will focus on praying about the faithfulness God’s Spirit should be producing in us.  The fruit of God’s Spirit within us brings great benefit to our lives but more importantly, our faithfulness is designed to help us represent God’s faithfulness to the people around us.  Many times Christians focus so much on the law that says, “Thou shall not” that we neglect an equally important focus on the Spirit which says, “Be!”.  As you pray, ask God to help you understand His faithfulness more fully so that you can live a life filled with greater faithfulness.  Pray that you would not just avoid evil, but that you would be faithful in doing good.  Pray that your faithfulness in all things would help others see God’s presence in your life and come to know His faithfulness to them.   Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the faithfulness God desires for you to have through the power of His Spirit.

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:  Faithfulness in Serving the One God.  Pray that God would help you recognize, and throw away, the gods that others serve.  Pray that you would daily choose to only serve the one true God.  “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Faithfulness in Giving.  Pray that God would fill you with His spirit of generosity.  Pray that your giving would be done with both joy and faithfulness.  “Hezekiah gave orders to prepare storerooms in the temple of the LORD, and this was done.  Then they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes and dedicated gifts.”  2 Chronicles 31:11-12 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Faithfulness in Hope and Humility.  Pray that pride would have no room to take root in your life.  Pray that your hope in God would draw you into a humble faithfulness.  “Love the LORD, all his saints!  The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”  Psalm 31:23-24 (NIV)

Thursday:  Faithfulness in Speaking God’s Word.  Pray that you would recognize the difference between your dreams and God’s Word.  Pray that you would faithfully, and accurately, share the Word of God.  “Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 23:28 (NIV)

Friday:  Faithfulness in Prayer.  Ask God to help you be faithful in in praying about everything.  Ask God to help you learn to pray about joy, affliction, and everything in between.  “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Faithfulness in Using God’s Gifts to Serve.  Pray that God would help you know His gifting in your life.  Pray that you would be faithful in using that gifting to serve others.  “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)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Goodness

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Goodness!

“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 (NIV)

Our prayer focus will continue a look at specific parts of the fruit of God’s Spirit.  The last couple of weeks we have focused on self-control and kindness.  This week we will focus on praying about the goodness God’s Spirit produces in us.  The fruit of God’s Spirit within us brings great benefit to our lives but more importantly, it is designed to help us represent Christ well to the people around us.  As with all parts of the fruit of the Spirit, God says there is no law against being good.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you understand goodness from His perspective.  Pray that you would allow His Spirit to produce goodness in you that overflows from your life.  Pray that you would have an increasing goodness in your life as you grow in Christ.  Pray that God’s goodness would be seen in a way that the people around you would be attracted to Jesus.   Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the goodness God desires for you to have through the power of His Spirit.

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:  Equipped by God’s Word for Goodness.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word so that you would be equipped for all goodness.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Goodness of Sharing Your Faith.  Pray that you would know the goodness of actively sharing your faith.  Pray that a sharing of your faith would help you to understand what you have in Christ.  “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”  Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Goodness that Pleases God.  Pray that you would seek to live with a goodness that honors God.  Pray that God’s goodness would be seen in the way you share with others.  “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

Thursday:  Live with the Wisdom and Humility of Goodness.  Pray that you would be filled with God’s wisdom that leads to goodness.  Pray that your goodness would come from wisdom that is expressed in humility.  “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  James 3:13 (NIV)

Friday:  Build a Reputation of Goodness.  Pray that God would help you see how the goodness of your deeds represent Him.  Pray that you would live in a way that glorifies God.  “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Imitate the Goodness of God.  Pray that you would know the difference between good and evil.  Pray that you would imitate the good that comes from God.  “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”  3 John 1:11 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Kindness

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Kindness!

“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 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will look at some of what the Bible says about receiving and expressing kindness that is produced by God’s Spirit living within us.  Expressions of genuine kindness generally get our attention because they have unfortunately became far too uncommon.  Simple acts of courtesy catch us by surprise because they are no longer expected.  The Bible talks about a time such as this when we show contempt for the kindness of God.  Our rejection, or ignoring, of God’s kindness typically leaves us unwilling to express kindness to others.  As you pray, ask God to help you connect with His Spirit within you in order for the fruit of kindness to be produced.  Pray that you would give great value to the kindness showed to you by God.  Pray that you would find ways to express His kindness to the people around you.   Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the kindness God desires for you to have through the power of His Spirit.

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:  Kindness for the Sake of Others.  Pray that you would look for opportunities to extend relationships by showing kindness that benefits others for the sake of someone else.  “David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’”  2 Samuel 9:1 (NIV)

Tuesday:  The Kindness of Correction.  Pray that you would learn to see godly correction as the kindness that it ought to be.  Pray that the kindness of correction would be graciously accepted.  “Let a righteous man strike me — it is a kindness; let him rebuke me — it is oil on my head.  My head will not refuse it.”  Psalm 141:5 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Kindness that Brings Opportunity.  Pray that your life of kindness would give you opportunity to share about the power of Jesus who produces kindness in you.  “If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”  Acts 4:9-10 (NIV)

Thursday:  Kindness that Brings Repentance.  Pray that you would have a greater understanding of the power of kindness, particularly God’s kindness, which leads people to repent.  “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”  Romans 2:4 (NIV)

Friday:  Clothed with Kindness.  Pray that you would deliberately put on kindness as a part of your daily “clothing” as a chosen one of God.  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Kindness of God that Brings Salvation.  Pray that you would share the message of salvation with others in a way that expresses its source being found in the kindness of God.  “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”  Titus 3:4-5 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Self-Control

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Self-Control!

“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 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will look at some of what the Bible says about living with self-control as part of the fruit that is produced by God’s Spirit living within us.  In a world that worships power and control, it is amazing how scarce self-control can be.  Of all the things in our life that we seek to have control over, the best place to start is to work on controlling our self through the power of God’s Spirit.  If most of us would put even half the effort into self-control that we do in trying to control others, not only would our life change for the good but the lives of those around us would change as well.  As you pray, ask God to continue to pour out His Spirit into you and fill you with the courage to bear the fruit that He produces.  Pray that your growing self-control would help the people around you see the work of Jesus in your life.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the self-control God desires for you to have through the power of His Spirit.

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:  Alert and Self-Controlled.  Pray that God’s Spirit would keep you alert so that you would notice the urgency of the times we live in.  Pray that self-control would help you pay attention to the spiritual needs of yourself and those around you.  “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.”  1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Self-Controlled Through Faith and Love.  Pray that your relationship with Christ would protect your self-control.  Pray that faith and love would control how you treat others.  “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”  1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Self-Controlled to Live Godly.  Pray that your self-control would help you reject the harmful things of this world.  Pray that you would live a life that honors God through the self-control that you possess.  “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”  Titus 2:12 (NIV)

Thursday:  Self-Controlled for Action.  Pray that your self-control would prepare you to be ready for the work God calls you to do.  Pray that the hope you have through God’s grace would  prepare you for action.  “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

Friday:  Self-Controlled to Pray.  Pray that your prayer life would grow through the fruit of self-control in your life.  Ask  God to help you be clear minded as you pray.  “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”  1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Increasing Self-Control.  Pray that God would increase your self-control so you will be more productive and effective as you walk with Him.  “. . . and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness . . ..  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 1:6,8 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Examine!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Examine!

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances.  But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NASB)

This week’s prayer focus is on the need to examine, and be examined.  The Bible teaches that we are examined by God and also need to examine ourselves.  Sadly, many people spend more time examining the food and drink that goes into their body than they do the things that they allow into, and out of, their mind and soul.  It is through prayer and rejoicing that God calls us to examine everything carefully.  This instruction is not only about examining, but about doing so according to the will and power of God.  It is about determining the difference between good and evil so that we will choose to cling to that which is good and reject all that is evil.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with His wisdom as you examine everything with great care.  Pray that you would pay attention to God’s examination of you that He does for your benefit.  Pray that you would spend time with God to honestly examine yourself according to His Word.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please spend time praying each day about the life you have in Christ.

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:  Examined By a Holy God.  Pray that you would live each day with an awareness that God is paying attention to you.  Pray that your life reflects Jesus in a way that you pass God’s examination of you.  “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne.  He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.”  Psalm 11:4 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Examine Your Attitude.  Pray that you would examine your words and actions carefully as they reveal your inner attitude.  “You have planted them, they have also taken root; they grow, they have even produced fruit.  You are near to their lips but far from their mind.  But You know me, O LORD; You see me; and You examine my heart’s attitude toward You.”  Jeremiah 12:2-3a (NIV)

Wednesday:  Examine Your Mind.  Pray that a careful examination of your mind would reveal a pattern of thoughts and actions that honor God.  Pray that your mind would direct you in deeds that deserve a good reward.  “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”  Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV)

Thursday:  Examine the Path You Are On.  Pray that you would examine the path of life you walk each day.  Pray that your careful examination of your ways would always return you to the way of the Lord.  “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.”  Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)

Friday:  Examine Your Relationship With Jesus.  Pray that you would examine yourself carefully in regard to your relationship with Jesus.  Pray that you would be refreshed because of your examination and communion with Jesus.  “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”  1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV)

Saturday:  Examine Your Faith.  Pray that a careful examination of your faith will fill you with the confidence of Christ in you.  Pray that you would cling to God in faith so you would never “fail” that test.  “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?”  2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)