practice of prayer

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Life In Christ!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Life In Christ!

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
1 John 5:11-13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the life we have in Christ.  As we reflect on the lessons learned from the events leading up to, and including, the resurrection of Jesus, it is good to examine  how well our life reflects the price that was paid.  Most of us have things that we protect and value because of the worth that we have given them.  We may even have things that we like to display for others to admire and appreciate because of how much they mean to us.  Nothing should have more value to us or be appreciated in a greater way than the life we have in Christ.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you more fully understand the treasure that has been given through the eternal life you have in Christ.  Pray that you would know and practice appropriate ways to not only protect that treasure, but to display it in ways that attract others 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 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:  A Worthy Life.  Pray that your life would bear good fruit because of the life you have in Christ.  Pray that you would live a worthy life through the fruit God produces in you.  “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”  Colossians 1:10 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Respected Life.  Pray that God would help you to stay focused on the work He has created for you to do.  Pray that you would live your life in Christ in a way that is respected.  “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”  1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Wednesday:  A Good Life.  Pray that you would seek a good life defined by a wisdom and understanding that comes from God.  Pray that your daily tasks would always be done with 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)

Thursday:  A Supplied Life.  Pray that you would look to God to supply all that you need to live a godly life.  Pray that you would daily worship God as your supplier of everything good.  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”  2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Friday:  A Proclaimed Life.  Pray that your daily experience with the life of Christ in you would lead you to proclaim this life to others.  Pray for the courage share what God is doing in your life.  “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”  1 John 1:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Sacrificial Life.  Pray that you would always remember the great sacrifice that Jesus made on your behalf.  Pray that you would live that same spirit of sacrifice in your interactions with the people around you.  “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”  1 John 3:16 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Guard Your Steps!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Guard Your Steps!

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.  Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.  Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.  God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on aligning our lives with God’s desire that we Guard our Steps.  Last week I went on a hike that included a lot of steps — both the normal steps of walking and the many steps of a hillside staircase.  I find that my hikes are much more likely to end up where I want to be if after I set the course, I allow the trails and trail map to direct my steps.  While venturing off the directed path may lead to some short-term enjoyment, it often also leads me away from where I really want to go.  When we decide to follow Jesus and pursue a course that leads to everlasting life, the best way to have confidence in reaching our goal is to guard our steps and keep them on the path that God has laid out for us in His Word.  As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a commitment to allowing Him to direct your steps each day.  Pray that you would pay attention to the path He has marked out and be diligent in following it.  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 type of steps you take in your walk with God.

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:  Firm Steps.  Pray that the course of your day would be filled with firm steps as you hold on to the Lord’s hand.  Pray that your ways would be a delight to the Lord.  “If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Steps Prepared by Righteousness.  Pray that your steps today will have been prepared by righteous decisions.  Pray that your work would yield a great harvest of righteousness.  “The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.  Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”  Psalm 85:12-13 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Steps of Consideration.  Pray that you would consider the direction of each of your steps today.  Pray that a careful look at your steps would turn you toward an immediate obedience to God’s commands.  “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.  I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”  Psalm 119:59-60 (NIV)

Thursday:  Unhindered Steps.  Pray that your steps today would be filled with wisdom.  Pray that your walk with God would be unhindered as you pursue God’s wisdom.  “I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”  Proverbs 4:11-12 (NIV)

Friday:  Thought-filled Steps.  Pray that you would give careful thought to each step you take today.  Pray that you would test every step against God’s Word so that you are not deceived in your walk.  “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.”  Proverbs 14:15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Followed Steps.  Pray that your steps would follow the example of Christ in all things.  Pray for the courage to walk obediently even when it is accompanied by suffering.  “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?  But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”  1 Peter 2:20-21 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Sing a New Song!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Sing a New Song!

“Praise the LORD.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.”
Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the songs that fill our heart as well as those that come from our mouth.  Music seems to be able to reach into most people in a way that little else can.  The songs that fill our soul and are expressed in a variety of ways, reflect off the waters that run deep within us.  I believe we ought to carefully guard the songs we allow into our heart and mind as they greatly influence the song we sing to our God.  Throughout scripture God talks about us singing a new song.  I think His call for us to sing a new song is because just as His mercies are new every day, our expressions of appreciation and worship should be new every day.  As you pray, ask God to help you evaluate the songs of your life.  Pray that you would not just sing, but live your life as a new song to God.  Pray that the song of your life would be acceptable worship to God in every circumstance.  Pray for a greater understanding and expression of the new song God desires to put in your mouth.  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 song of your life and how it honors God.

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:  A Song of Praise.  Pray that your life would be a song of praise to God.  Pray that your praise would be more about offering your life to God than giving any other sacrifice.  “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.  This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.”  Psalm 69:30-31 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Song of Wonder.  Pray that eyes and ears would be open to see and hear the wonders of God.  Pray that you would consistently express to others the marvelous work God has done in bringing salvation to you.  “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”  Psalm 98:1 (NIV)

Wednesday:  A Song of Obedience.  Pray that the songs you allow to fill your heart and mind would be reminders of God’s decrees.  Pray that you would live obediently to the laws of God as you keep them on your lips.  “Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.  In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law.”  Psalm 119:54-55 (NIV)

Thursday:  A Song of Strength.  Pray that your songs about God would strengthen you in times of trouble.  Pray that you would be filled with courage through your songs.  “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”  Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)

Friday:  A Song of Joy.  Pray that God would fill your heart with joy as you sings songs of comfort.  Pray that your awareness of God’s compassion would fill you with joy.  “Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains!  For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”  Isaiah 49:13 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Song of Thanksgiving.  Pray that God would help you let go of the things you cling to which have no lasting value.  Pray that God would fill you with a song of thanksgiving as you recognize it is your relationship with Him that has greatest value.  “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.  But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.  Salvation comes from the LORD.”  Jonah 2:8-9 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Reconciled!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Reconciled!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on our being reconciled to God with the task of facilitating reconciliation with others.  Each month I receive a bank statement and my accounting software asks me to reconcile my account.  The purpose, I think, is to bring my record of expenditures and deposits into balance and agreement with what the bank has recorded.  Webster’s dictionary says that reconcile means “to bring one thing into correspondence with another.”  When we are reconciled to God, it is through the blood of Jesus that the line of communication has been opened between us and God.  It is only through Christ that we can be brought into balance and agreement with God.  As we are reconciled to God, He calls us to be involved in not only helping others to experience reconciliation with God, but to work at the ministry of reconciliation with one another.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you walk in balance with Him.  Pray about the reconciliation you need with God and with others.  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 both the reconciliation that you have in Christ and any aspect of your life where you need to work at being reconciled to someone.

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:  Reconciled Before Worship.  Pray that you would  have the courage to be reconciled to others so that your worship would be pleasing and acceptable to God.  “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”  Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Reconciled with Adversaries.  Pray that you would make a sincere effort to be reconciled to those who are against you.  “As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.”  Luke 12:58 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Reconciled with One Another.  Pray that you would listen to the attempts of people when they try to help you be reconciled to others.  “The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’”  Acts 7:26 (NIV)

Thursday:  Reconciled through Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would always seek to be reconciled to God through Jesus and that you would see Jesus as the means for all reconciliation.  “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”  Romans 5:10-11 (NIV)

Friday:  Ambassador of Reconciliation.  Pray that you would actively be involved in calling people to be reconciled to God.  “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

Saturday:  Reconciled to Be Holy.  Pray that you would value the cost of reconciliation by pursuing a holy life in Christ.  “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”  Colossians 1:22 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Redeemed!
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Lifestyle of Prayer: Redeemed!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Redeemed!

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on being redeemed.  I was born at the end of an era where you could save up “green stamps” in little booklets and send them in to a “redemption center” to receive back things that were much more useful.  When I think of being redeemed, I do think about God buying me back after I wandered into the slavery of sin but I also think of turning in all the useless pieces of my life to God and getting back something that has great use and value to Him, and to myself and others.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value of being redeemed.  Pray that you would have the wisdom and courage to live each day as one who is redeemed by God.  Pray that you would view each person you see this week as one who God has redeemed and/or desires to do so.  Pray that your view of God’s redemptive work in your life would help you to see others through His eyes.  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 recognizing, and living, the redemption 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.  Pray that God will use the Impact Prayer Ministry display at the CCCA camp conference this week for His purposes.

Monday:  Redeemed from Condemnation.  Pray that you would live as a servant of God and take refuge in Him.  Pray that you would live free from condemnation because you are fully hidden in Christ.  “The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”  Psalm 34:22 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Redeemed through Love and Mercy.  Pray that you would experience the love and mercy of God when you are distressed.  Pray that you would reflect God’s love and mercy to each person you meet this week.  “In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.  In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”  Isaiah 63:9 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Redeemed from Death.  Pray that you would live with a confidence that comes from being redeemed from death.  Pray that you would help others know how to be free from the sting of the grave.  “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.  Where, O death, are your plagues?  Where, O grave, is your destruction?”  Hosea 13:14 (NIV)

Thursday:  Redeemed for Blessing.  Pray that you would look beyond mere physical things and experience the true blessing of God’s Spirit that is given to those He redeems.  “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”  Galatians 3:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Redeemed from Wickedness.  Pray that you would be reminded with every temptation that you have been redeemed from all wickedness.  Pray that your redemption would lead you in an eagerness to do good.  “Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”  Titus 2:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  Redeemed by the Blood of Christ.  Pray that you would have a greater understanding of the value you have that God would redeem you with the blood of His Son, Jesus.  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”  1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Instruction!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Instruction!

“The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.”
Matthew 21:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the topic of instruction.  It seems most people don’t like to take, or follow, instruction but everyone is more than happy to give it.  You’re probably familiar with the saying, “If all else fails, read the instructions.”  While somewhat humorous on the surface, far too many Christians try to live their daily walk in such a manner.  We do things on our own and it is not until we are in trouble or “all else has failed” that we bother to read God’s Word and/or pray.  God has a lot to say — not only in the instruction directed toward us, but in the how and why we ought to give and receive instruction.  The disciples had their moments of doubt and responses to Jesus that were less than ideal, but more often than not their response when directly asked by Jesus to do something was, “because you said so, I will do it.”  We spend so much time trying to justify why we don’t follow instructions that I imagine God longs to hear that response from us, “Because You say so, I will do it.”  As you pray this week, ask God to help you joyfully follow His instruction.  Pray that you would be actively involved in passing His instruction along to others.  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 instruction from God that you need to follow and share with others.

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.  Pray for the opportunity I have coming up in a week to put more prayer-based resources into the hands of camp leaders.

Monday:  Competent Instruction.  Pray that you would be filled with the things of God that make you competent to instruct others.  Pray that you would receive instruction from competent sources.  “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”  Romans 15:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Received Instruction.  Pray that you would take note of those that you receive godly instruction from.  Pray that your received instruction from God’s Word would lead you to a willingness to share.  “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”  Galatians 6:6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Impartial Instruction.  Pray that you would follow God’s instructions without partiality.  Pray that you would also be impartial in the sharing of such instruction with all who need to hear.  “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.”  1 Timothy 5:21 (NIV)

Thursday:  Gentle Instruction.  Pray that God would help you to both give and receive instruction with great gentleness.  “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”  2 Timothy 2:24-25 (NIV)

Friday:  Careful Instruction.  Pray that you would be prepared to accurately share the instruction of God’s Word.  Pray that you would take great care in the way you handle the Word of God.  “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.”  2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Foundational Instruction.  Pray that you would accept, and teach, the foundational instruction necessary for a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus.  “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”  Hebrews 6:1-2 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Restored!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Restored!

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on being restored.  I remember as a pre-teen boy wanting to restore one of several cars from the fifties that had been abandoned in a woods near the house.  It never happened because while I had the desire, I had no ability.  Most of them probably would have been considered lost causes due to a variety of issues including trees growing up through them.  It is comforting to know that regardless of how much of a lost cause I may look like, God still has the ability and desire to restore me to Himself.  As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with the hope of His glory as He continues His work of restoration in your life even through suffering.  Pray that you realize His current restoration work in your life as well as anticipate the complete restoration when you see Jesus face to face.  Pray that you would carry with you a message of restoration to the people around you who are losing, or have lost, hope.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time praying each day about how God has restored you and about how He can use you to help others know they too can be restored.

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.  Pray for the opportunity I have coming up in a couple of weeks to put more prayer-based resources into the hands of camp leaders.

Monday:  Restored to Joy.  Pray that God would fill you with an indescribable joy because of the salvation you have in Christ.  Pray that your joy would be sustained by a steadfast spirit within you.  “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”  Psalm 51:12 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Restored to Life.  Pray that you would have a confident hope in Christ that even the midst of great troubles, and even death, God will restore you to life with Him through His Son, Jesus.  “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”  Psalm 71:20 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Restored Through Repentance to Serve God.  Pray that you would always repent of any sin and wrongdoing that keeps you from serving God.  “Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.'”  Jeremiah 15:19 (NIV)

Thursday:  Restored by the Return of Jesus.  Pray for a patient understanding that complete restoration will not take place until Jesus returns.  Pray that you would be involved in living the process of restoration until that time.  “He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”  Acts 3:21 (NIV)

Friday:  Restored Gently.  Pray that the restoration you receive from God would help you be willing to restore others with gentleness.  Pray that your compassion in restoring others would not lead you to participate in wrongdoing.  “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”  Galatians 6:1 (NIV)

Saturday:  Restored Through Prayer.  Thank God for the opportunity to pray for one another in their times of need.  Pray that you would be more diligent in praying that the people around you would be fully restored to Christ.  “And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.”  Philemon 1:22 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: On Guard!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  On Guard

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.  It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.   Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back — whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”
Mark 13:32-37 (NIV)

Anyone that has ever been in a battle understands the need for constant vigilance — to always be on guard.  But the truth is, we are all in a daily battle that is taking place over the eternal destination of our souls.  Paul writes of our need to wage war, not with the weapons of the world, but with the spiritual armor of God.  This week our prayer focus will be on our need to constantly be On Guard.  As you pray, ask God to help you be aware of the attempts of the enemy to destroy you.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with His presence in a way that gives you the strength, wisdom, and courage to always be on guard.  Pray that your desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection would be greater than any other desire you have.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time praying each day about how you are doing at living life On Guard.

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:  On Guard Against Betrayers.  Pray that God would protect your heart and mind from the damage caused by betrayers.  Pray that your trust of God would fill you with peace.  “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.”  Matthew 10:17 (NIV)

Tuesday:  On Guard Against False Teaching.  Pray that God would help you to be devoted to His teachings so that false teaching would not deceive you.  “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect — if that were possible.  So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”  Mark 13:22-23 (NIV)

Wednesday:  On Guard Against Hypocrisy.  Pray that God would surround you with people whose lives match their words.  Pray that you would always be on guard against the temptation to be someone different than who God says you are.  “Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.’”  Luke 12:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  On Guard Against Greed.  Pray that you would always be on guard against the desire to measure yourself, and others, by the things that are owned.  “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”  Luke 12:15 (NIV)

Friday:  On Guard Against Opposition.  Pray that God would help you to see the source of any opposition you face.  Pray that you would be on guard against those who would oppose the message of the gospel.  “Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.  You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.”  2 Timothy 4:14-15 (NIV)

Saturday:  On Guard Against Error.  Pray that the confidence you have in Christ would not make you blind to the temptation of error others may entice you with.  “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.”  2 Peter 3:17 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Trust
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Lifestyle of Prayer: Trust

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Trust

“Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
Psalm 20:6-7 (NIV)

If you have ever placed your trust in something, or someone, and then felt that the trust given was misplaced or betrayed, you are not alone.  The nature of our human flesh and man-made things almost guarantees that you will not only be let down multiple times in your life, but that you will also let others down more than once.  This week our prayer focus is on Trust and some of the things it ought to produce in our life from God’s perspective.  When we put our trust in the only One who is completely trustworthy, it produces some great qualities in our life.  As we learn to trust God with our relationships, fears, weaknesses, and all the big and little aspects of our life, we begin to exhibit character traits that represent Jesus well to the world.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you trust Him with all of the things that have filled you with doubt.  Pray that you would experience His faithfulness as your trust grows each day.   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 what your level of trust is producing.

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:  Trust that Produces Strength.  Pray that God would give you a stillness in the midst of turmoil.  Pray that you would live with a lifestyle of repentance and rest because of your trust in God.  “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’”  Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Trust that Produces Faithfulness.  Pray that you would remain faithful to the things of God which have been entrusted to you.  Pray that your faithfulness would reflect a life lived as a servant of God.  “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.   Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”  1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Trust that Produces Peace.  Pray that you would always turn to God in complete trust of the work He has done through His Son, Jesus.  Pray that God’s Spirit within you would fill you with peace in the midst of turmoil as you trust in Him.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”  John 14:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Trust that Produces Humility.  Pray that your life would exhibit meekness and humility because of your trust in God.  Pray that the people around you would recognize in you a humility that comes from your relationship with Jesus.  “But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD.”  Zephaniah 3:12 (NIV)

Friday:  Trust that Produces Care.  Pray that you would learn to trust God as your refuge in times of trouble.  Pray that the people around you would see God’s goodness as you trust Him.  “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”  Nahum 1:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Trust that Produces Joy and Hope.  Pray that you would be filled with great joy as you trust God.  Pray that the hope He gives you through His Spirit would overflow as a witness to the people around you each day.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: What God Hates
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Lifestyle of Prayer: What God Hates

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  What God Hates

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)

If I were to ask the question, “What does God hate?”, without posting the above verses, I suspect I would get a list of what people consider to be “big” sins while the “everyday” stuff would be noticeably absent.  This week we will pray about some things that the Bible says God hates.  As you pray, ask God to help you examine your inner thoughts, as well as your life, to “see if there is any offensive way” in you.  Pray that God would purify your heart and mind of the things He hates.  Pray that your realization of the presence of these things would amplify your view of the incredible love God has for mankind.  Pray for the courage to remove the “logs” of sin from your life before you help your brothers and sisters recognize the sin they need to deal with.  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 that God would give you His perspective on the things He hates.

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:  Haughty Eyes.  While we may not use the word haughty very often, we all recognize that look of pride.  Pray that your eyes would be filled with humility.  “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!”  Proverbs 21:4 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Lying Tongue.  Pray that you would be truthful in the words you say to, and about, others.  Pray that  God would be delighted with your speech.  “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.”  Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Shedding of Innocent Blood.  As you consider Jesus equating hatred with murder, pray that you would not be guilty of shedding innocent blood with your actions or with you attitude.  “So you will purge from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.”  Deuteronomy 21:9 (NIV)

Thursday:  Wicked Schemes.   Pray that you would not fall to the schemes of the wicked.  Pray that you would live life in a straightforward manner and not be known as a schemer.  “Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.”  Psalm 119:150 (NIV)

Friday:  A Rush to Evil.  Pray that you would think before you act so that God would help you avoid evil.  Pray that a pursuit of peace would keep you from being attracted to evil.  “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”  Psalm 34:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  False Witness.  Pray that you would not be deceived by someone’s false testimony about another.  Pray that you would not be involved in speaking, or listening to, false testimony.  “A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.”  Proverbs 21:28 (NIV)

Extra Prayer Focus:  Divisiveness.  Pray that you would seek unity through the Word and Spirit of God.  “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”  Romans 16:17 (NIV)