practice of prayer

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Truthful Testimony!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Truthful Testimony!

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

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

This week we will focus our prayer time on God’s command to not give false testimony!  I believe that at the heart of this command is God’s desire for us to be truthful with one another and truthful about one another.  We live in a time where it seems so many people and groups go to great lengths in attempts to expose “wrongdoing” by others with little concern for facts and how their accusations impact lives that may be innocent.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how you use your testimony about others and about Him.  Pray that your words about others would be both truthful and loving and that your witness for Christ would give an honest representation of Him.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.

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

Please spend time each day praying about, and writing down, how God would have you live out that day’s aspect of prayer.

Sunday:  Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Devoted Interactions.  Pray that your devotion to one another would help you to always be truthful in your testimony about them and in your witness of Christ to them.  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10 (NIV)

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

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

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

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

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

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Possessions!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Possessions!

“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.  But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’  In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me.”
Malachi 3:8-9 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on God’s command to not steal!  As with all of God’s commands, our breaking this command is typically an issue of the heart as much as, or more than, a problem with our actions.  As we understand the source of our possessions and examine how we use them, we may discover times when we are guilty of stealing — from ourselves, from our family, from others, and/or from God!  As you pray this week, ask God to help you have His perspective on possessions and to fill you with a spirit of generosity.  Pray that you would not only not take things that belong to others but that you would not keep things that you are supposed to give.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time each day praying about, and writing down, how God would have you live out that day’s aspect of prayer.

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Treasured Possessions.  Pray that you would see yourself as God’s treasured possession.  Pray that you would always see people as having greater value than things.  “They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.”  Malachi 3:17 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Abundant Possessions.  Pray that you would not measure your life, or the lives of others, by the quantity of possessions that are held.  “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)

Wednesday:  Give Possessions.  Pray that you would be willing to give of your possessions and use them to make right any wrongs you have done.  “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’”  Luke 19:8 (NIV)

Thursday:  Received Possessions.  Pray that you would always recognize the true source of all possessions that you have.  “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”  1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

Friday:  Eternal Possessions.  Pray that the value you place on possessions would only be in reference to the good they do in proclaiming and sharing God’s kingdom.  “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”  Matthew 6:20 (NIV)

Saturday:  Shared Possessions.  Pray that God would give you a heart of compassion that learns to share possessions with those in need.  “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”  Acts 4:32 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Guard Your Heart!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Guard Your Heart!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on our need to guard our heart!  Jesus taught that the command to not commit adultery was more about a heart problem than it was a physical problem.  God’s desire is that we would learn to guard our heart and mind from the temptations that want to take root and destroy us.  It is much easier to blame someone else when we give in to temptation than admit we have failed to guard our heart in Christ Jesus.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only guard your heart and mind, but that you would not be a stumbling block in another person’s efforts to guard their heart.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time each day praying about, and writing down, how God would have you live out that day’s aspect of prayer.

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Guard Your Heart With Truthfulness.  Pray that you would have a heart guarded by words of truth.  Pray that you would both seek truth and speak truth at all times.  “He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.”  Psalm 15:2 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Guard Your Heart With God’s Counsel.  Pray that you would always heed the instructions of the Lord’s counsel.  Pray that your heart would be protected at all times by the counsel of God’s Word.  “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”  Psalm 16:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Guard Your Heart With a Steadfast Spirit.  Pray that you would not become weary in doing good but that God would put a steadfast spirit within you.  Pray that your heart would be protected by an unrelenting commitment to pursue God.  “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Thursday:  Guard Your Heart With Trust.  Pray that  you would learn to trust God completely even in the midst of bad news.  Pray that your trust of God would protect your heart from pursuing wrong actions.  “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”  Psalm 112:7 (NIV)

Friday:  Guard Your Heart With Understanding.  Pray that  you would have an understanding of God’s laws and their purpose in protecting you from sin.  Pray that an understanding of consequences would protect your heart from wrongful pursuits.  “Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”  Psalm 119:34 (NIV)

Saturday:  Guard Your Heart With Obedience.  Pray that your heart would be protected by a desire to obey God’s laws.  Pray that you would always have a steadfast determination to obey the commands of God through your entire life.  “My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.”  Psalm 119:112 (NIV)

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Value Life!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Value Life!

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on the character quality of Valuing Life!  Jesus taught that the command to not murder was intended to go far beyond a simple prohibition of taking a physical life.  God’s desire is that we would learn to value life and express that value in the way we treat others.  Life has inherent value because it is a part of God’s creative handiwork.  We can see the result of a society that rejects God — life quickly loses value because we have nothing left to base that value on.  Pray that you would value life and speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time each day praying about, and writing down, how God would have you live out that day’s aspect of prayer.

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Value the Choice of Life.  Pray that your value of life would be seen in the choices you make.  Pray that the people around you would choose life for the benefit of future generations. “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”  Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Value the Path of Life.  Pray that your diligence in walking the path of life would show the world the great value you place on this path.  “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”  Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Value a Blameless Life.  Pray that you would be blameless in your interactions with others so they would see the value of a blameless life and the value you place on their life.  “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; have trusted in the LORD without wavering.”  Psalm 26:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Value the Fountain of Life.  Pray that you would share with others the life you have found in Christ.  Pray that you would value the lives of the people around you enough to help them see the fountain of life.  “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”  Psalm 36:9 (NIV)

Friday:  Value the Brevity of Life.  Pray that you would value, and make good use of, the days that you live on earth.  Pray that an understanding of the brevity of life would help you make the most of the opportunities that God gives  you.  “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.”  Psalm 39:4 (NIV)

Saturday:  Value the Words of Life.  Pray that you would always share the words of life so that no one dies separated from God as a result of not hearing these words from you.  Pray that the people around you would value the words of life.  “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’” John 6:68-69 (NIV)

 

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Honor Parents

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Honor Parents

“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on some of the instructions that God gives about our need to honor our father and mother and some practical ways that we can do that.  Many times we hear God’s instructions regarding the relationship of children to their parents and we mistakenly think they no longer apply when the child becomes an adult.  I believe God wants children of all ages to honor parents of all ages regardless of the level of honor we “think” they deserve.  What that honor looks like may vary because of life choices our parents have made but their choices do not “let us off the hook” when it comes to our responsibility to give honor.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you give and show honor in a way that prepares you to honor Him more faithfully.  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 honor your parents.  Pray for God to show you how this command applies to you today.

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:  Honor Your Parents.  Pray that you would understand the connection God makes between honoring your parents and long life in His Land.  “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Protect Your Parents.  Pray that God would give you wisdom in being a protector of your parents, particularly as they age.  “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.”  Joshua 2:13 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Please Your Parents.   Pray that you would live you life in a way that pleases them and gives them reason to be glad.  “May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!”  Proverbs 23:25 (NIV)

Thursday:  Respect Your Parents.  Pray that your relationship with God would help you to have a greater understanding and practice of respect for your parents.  “Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.”  Leviticus 19:3 (NIV)

Friday:  Help Your Parents.  Pray that you would joyfully use your resources to be a help to your parents.  “But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”  Matthew 15:5-6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Obey Your Parents.  Pray that your desire to be obedient to God would lead you to be obedient to your parents.  “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Ephesians 6:1 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Rest

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Rest

“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.”
Exodus 34:21
“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Exodus 20:11 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on the subject of rest.  While the details of a Sabbath rest are spelled out in the laws given by God through Moses to the Israelites, God makes it clear that the need for rest is by His design.  Not only did God give instructions for rest, He modeled our need for rest when He rested on the seventh day from all of the work of creation.  This week we will be praying about various aspects of Biblical rest.  As you pray, ask God to help you make, and take, time on a regular basis to rest.  Pray that your times of rest would help you to grow in your relationship with God and your dependence on Him.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time praying each day about how you rest.  Pray that you would value rest in a way that 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:  Secure Rest.  Pray that a constant acknowledgement of God’s presence would help you to have a secure rest.  “I have set the LORD always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.   Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.”  Psalm 16:8-9 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Undisturbed Rest.  Pray that you would experience undisturbed rest as you learn to rest in the Lord.  “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”  Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Soul Rest.   Pray that you would always allow God to carry your burden with you so you would find rest for your soul.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  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 11:28-29 (NIV)

Thursday:  Quiet Rest.  Pray that you would learn the value and practice of finding quiet places to rest.  “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”  Mark 6:31 (NIV)

Friday:  Sabbath Rest.  Pray that you would understand God’s desire for you to have a regular time of rest.  “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.”  Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Hearts at Rest.  Pray that the way you love others would cause your heart to be at rest.  “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.”  1 John 3:18-19 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: God’s Name

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  God’s Name

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Deuteronomy 5:11 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on some of the instructions that God gives about  how to use His Name.  The Bible is filled with different ways that people have addressed God according to how He was made known to them.  There are also plenty of warnings about using His Name in an improper manner.  Fortunately, we also have clear instructions throughout scripture on how we ought to use God’s Name.  This week we will look at some of the things that David, a man after God’s own heart, says we should do with God’s Name.  As you pray, ask God to help you live a life that honors His Name and uses it properly.  Pray that your use of God’s Name would draw others to Him through His Son, 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 how you use the Name of God.  Pray that you would live in a way that honors His Name daily.  Thank you! 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Trust in the Name of God.  Pray that God would help you to recognize what your trust is in so that you can repent of a misplaced trust and trust fully in the name of God.  “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”  Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Seek the Name of God.  Pray that any shame you experience would cause you to seek the name of God.  Pray that the people around you would seek the name of God to remove their shame.  “Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name, O LORD.”  Psalm 83:16 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Fear the Name of God.   Pray that you would learn, and follow, the ways of the lord with a whole heart so you would have a proper fear of God’s name.  “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”  Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

Thursday:  Acknowledge the Name of God.  Pray that you would experience the protection of God because of your love for Him and your willingness to acknowledge His name.  “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”  Psalm 91:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Praise the Name of God.  Pray that your entire life would be filled daily with giving praise to the name of God.  “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”  Psalm 113:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Call On the Name of God.  Pray that you would learn to call on the name of God in all circumstances.  Pray that the people around you would also call on the name of God for salvation.  “Then I called on the name of the LORD: ‘O LORD, save me!’”  Psalm 116:4 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Praise God!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Praise God!

“Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.”
Psalm 150 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility to praise God.  The Bible is filled with instructions and commands for God’s people to praise Him.  As you pray, ask God to help you live a life of praise.  Pray that your praise of God would reflect a heart of worship and gratitude.  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 your life reflects an attitude of praise toward God.  Pray that you would live with an attitude and expression of praise in all that you do.  Thank you! 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Praise God Thankfully.  Praise God in your prayer time with thankfulness for who He is and for His righteousness that you have in Christ.  “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”  Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Praise God Sacrificially.  Pray that you would offer God a sacrifice of praise in the way you give and honor Him.  “I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.”  Psalm 54:6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Praise God Wholeheartedly.   Pray that you would hold nothing back in your expressions of praise to God.  “I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”  Psalm 86:12 (NIV)

Thursday:  Praise God Willingly.  Pray that your awareness of God’s laws would cause you to willingly praise God as you have a greater understanding of His love, mercy, and grace.  “Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.”  Psalm 119:108 (NIV)

Friday:  Praise God All Your Life.  Pray that you would always be found praising God each day that He gives you life.  “I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”  Psalm 146:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Praise God Together.  Pray that you would have a renewed commitment to gather regularly with other believers for the purpose of praising God together.  “Praise the LORD.  Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.”  Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: School Prayer

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  School Prayer

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  This week our prayer emphasis will focus on praying about the education of our children.  Education in math, science, language, and other school subjects are important but not nearly as important as our teaching the things of God to the next generations.  This week we will focus on praying for the various levels of primary education.  Each of them have an important part in preparing young people for the work God has created in advance for them to do.  I hear many people complain about prayer being removed from school but I’m also concerned, perhaps more so, about prayer for our schools not being present in our lives.  Pray that you would do your part in investing in the lives of young people.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time praying each day for the schools in your area.  Pray for the home schools, private schools, and public schools as they each meet a need in our educational system.  Thank you! 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Preschool Students and Families.  Pray that families of preschool aged children would find the best options possible to provide the foundational elements of education in these young lives.  Pray that these children and their families would experience the welcoming call of Jesus.  “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”  Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Preschool Staff and Teachers.  Pray for those who work with preschool students.  Pray that they would welcome these little ones in the name of Jesus.  Pray that those working with preschoolers would do so as ones welcoming God.  “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”  Mark 9:37 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Elementary School Students and Families.  Pray that God would reveal the mystery of life in Christ to these young students.  Pray that their families would have godly wisdom in choosing the schools that best meet the student’s needs.  “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’”  Matthew 11:25(NIV)

Thursday:  Elementary School Staff and Teachers.  Pray for those who work with elementary students on a regular basis as teachers, school staff, volunteers, and/or parents.  Pray that they would be filled with great patience as they teach and share their life.  “We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.  We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”  1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (NIV)

Friday:  Junior and Senior High School Students and Families.  Pray that teen and pre-teen students would know the value of obedience.  Pray that the families would work together in a manner that values each person.  Pray for wisdom in making schooling choices and choices regarding each students future beyond high school.  “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”  Colossians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Saturday:  Junior and Senior High School Staff and Teachers.  Pray for the staff and teachers who work with Jr/Sr high school students.  Pray that their teaching would be filled with godly wisdom.  Pray that they would recognize the importance of what they do and teach true wisdom that leads to life.  “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.”  Proverbs 13:14 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Judgment

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Judgment

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
1 Peter 4:17 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  This week our prayer emphasis will focus on some of what the Bible says about judgment.  The Bible has a lot to say about the judgments that God makes as well as the judgments that we ought to make.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you to understand the topic of judgment from His perspective.  Pray that you would be involved in making godly judgments and that you would be ready for God’s judgment.  Pray that the people around you would realize that God has made a way for there to be no condemnation in judgment for those who are found in Christ.   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 judgments you make and receive.  Pray that you would have a better understanding of God’s view of judgment and how that looks lived out in your life.  Thank you! 

Sunday: Pray for your church, its staff and leadership, and for all of the preaching and teaching that takes place.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Impartial Judgment.  Pray that you would seek to hear the whole story before making judgments in matters brought before you.  “Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”   Deuteronomy 1:17 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Righteous Judgment.  Pray that you would look to God for the foundation of righteous judgment.  Pray that you would follow this judgment wholeheartedly.  “Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.”  Psalm 94:15 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Good Judgment.  Pray that you would learn god judgment as you believe and follow the commands of God.  “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.”  Psalm 119:66 (NIV)

Thursday:  Sound Judgment.  Pray that your life would exemplify sound judgment and that you would allow nothing to take if from you.  “My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight.”  Proverbs 3:21 (NIV)

Friday:  Favorable Judgment.  Pray that you would experience the favorable judgment of God as one who belongs to Him.  “As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.”  Daniel 7:21-22 (NIV)

Saturday:  Truthful  Judgment.  Pray that you would always speak truth, especially in matters of judgment.  “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.”  Zechariah 8:16 (NIV)