practice of prayer

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Justice

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Justice

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.  Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor.  In your hearts do not think evil of each other.’”
Zechariah 7:9-10 (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 justice and how it ought to be evident in our life.  God has a lot to say about His justice, about the way we ought to treat others with justice, and about the consequences of rejecting true justice.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see and practice justice with all fairness and impartiality.  Pray that the people around you would receive justice as they turn to God to make all things right.  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 God’s view justice 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:  Follow Justice.  Pray that you would know the gift of God to you as you follow justice as a way of life.  “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 16:20 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Administer Justice.  Pray that you would be filled with godly wisdom to administer justice in every role of authority that you have.  “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.”  1 Kings 3:28 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Maintain Justice.  Pray that you would have the courage to constantly work at maintaining justice in all situations.   Pray that the people around you would see justice maintained in their life.  “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”  Psalm 106:3 (NIV)

Thursday:  Seek Justice.  Pray that you would actively seek justice, not only for yourself but for those who need your voice to speak for them.  “Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!  Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.  Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”  Isaiah 1:17 (NIV)

Friday:  Shepherd with Justice.  Pray that the people whom God has put in your life for you to watch over would receive justice from you.  Pray that  you would seek out those who need justice.  “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.”  Ezekiel 34:16 (NIV)

Saturday:  Proclaim Justice.  Pray that your Christ-like living would include proclaiming justice both near and far.  Pray that God would be delighted by the way you proclaim justice.  “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”  Matthew 12:18 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Being Strong!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Being Strong!

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
2 Chronicles 15:7 (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 being strong according to God’s definition.  Throughout scripture God is constantly calling for His children to be strong — at times even commanding them to be strong and courageous.  The strength that God calls for doesn’t always look like the world’s definition of strength so we will pray about adopting God’s view of strength.  As you pray, look for ways that your life can show godly strength to the people around you.  Pray for the courage to live strong each day that God gives 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 God’s view of being strong 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:  Be Strong in Patience.  Pray that you would have strength and courage in the times that God calls you to wait.  Pray that your times of waiting would strengthen your trust in the Lord. “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”  Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Be Strong in Hope.  Pray that you would be strong in hope as you continually put your faith in God.  Pray that your life would help others to see a living hope that is found in a relationship with Jesus.  “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”  Psalm 31:24 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Be Strong to the End.  Pray that you would not become weary in doing good and that your strength in Christ would keep you to the end.  “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV)

Thursday:  Be Strong in Weakness.  Pray that  you would allow the strength of Christ to be seen in the midst of your weaknesses.  “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)

Friday:  Be Strong in the Lord.  Pray that you would find all of your strength in the Lord and live according to His mighty power.  Pray that the people around you would know your strength comes from the Lord.  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”  Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)

Saturday:  Be Strong in Grace.  Pray that you would experience and give grace according to the strength that is found in Jesus.  Pray that your strength would flow from the grace you have received from Christ.  “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Repentance

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Repentance

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (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 repentance.  The Bible says all have sinned but the unfortunate truth is that we not only have sinned, we still sin even after coming to Christ.  Therefore, repentance is not only for the unsaved, but perhaps more importantly, it is for those of us who seek to walk with Christ daily.  Repentance is more than a change of action, although the Bible is clear that it must be visible in our actions.  It is a complete change of heart — a change of thinking about that which we are repenting of.  As you pray this week, pray that you would see the need for repentance in your life and that you would learn to see the things you are repenting of from God’s perspective. 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 things you need to repent of, the attitude you should have in repentance, and the joyful benefit of repentance that can be seen in your deeds.  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:  Repent in Godly Sorrow.  Pray that the sorrow you experience when doing wrong would be Godly sorrow that leads you to repentance.  “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”  2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Repent in Obedience.  Pray that you would be obedient to God’s command to repent even of acts done in ignorance.  “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”  Acts 17:30 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Repent of Pride.  Pray that God would help you to identify and repent of all traces of sinful pride in your life.  “Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD’s wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.”  2 Chronicles 32:26 (NIV)

Thursday:  Repent of Wickedness.  Pray that  you would turn to God and repent of all aspects of wickedness — even wickedness that currently only resides in your thoughts.  “Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”  Acts 8:22 (NIV)

Friday:  Repent for Refreshment.  Pray that your repentance would bring a time of refreshment in your life as you experience the penalty of your sins being wiped away.  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.’”  Acts 3:19 (NIV)

Saturday:  Repent for Restoration.  Pray that you would experience God’s restoration in your life as you turn to Him in repentance.  “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.”  Jeremiah 15:19 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Speak!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Speak!

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:27-28  (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 what we speak.  The Bible has much to say about what we speak and how we speak.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you speak the right things in the right way.  Pray that you would always look for, and make the most of, every opportunity to speak words of truth and life.  Pray that the people around you would know of your relationship with Jesus and seek that for themselves as they hear you speak.  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 speak and who God would have you speak to.  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:  Speak Plainly.  Pray that your ears would be opened to God’s Word and that your tongue would be set free to speak plainly.  “At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.”  Mark 7:35 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Speak Praise.  Pray that your mouth would be filled with praise of God every time you speak.  Pray that praise of God would continually flow from who you are.   “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.”  Luke 1:64 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Speak Boldly.  Pray that God would enable and empower you to speak boldly on His behalf even in the face of opposition.  Pray that you would not allow anything to keep you from speaking God’s Word with boldness.  “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”  Acts 4:29 (NIV)

Thursday:  Speak Encouragement.  Pray that God’s Word would fill you with words of encouragement for others.  “After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.’”  Acts 13:15 (NIV)

Friday:  Speak Wisdom.  Pray that you would have the maturity to see through the deceit of the wisdom of this age in order to speak true wisdom.  “We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.”  1 Corinthians 2:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Speak Truthfully.  Pray that you would actively put off all falsehood so that you would be free to speak truthfully to the people around you.  “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”  Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Your Path

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Your Path

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
Proverbs 4:18  (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 focus will be the path you take in life.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a way, a path, that leads to life eternal and one that leads to destruction.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the path that grows brighter each day.  Pray that you would always look for, and stay on, the path of the righteous.  Pray that the people around you would know of the good path and that they would follow it as they observe your life 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 path you take each day and where it leads you.  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: The Path of Life.  Pray that you would be filled with joy as you walk the path of life.  Pray that your joy would lead others to seek the path of life through Jesus.  “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)

Tuesday: The Path of Protection.  Pray that you would follow God’s path and trust Him to broaden it beneath your feet so that your walk is steady.  Pray that those around you would not stumble on the path.  “You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.”  Psalm 18:36 (NIV)

Wednesday: The Path of God’s Way.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s way so that your path would not be disrupted by the enemy.  Pray that you would teach others the way of God.  “Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.”  Psalm 27:11 (NIV)

Thursday: The Path of Freedom.  Pray that you would daily experience the freedom of walking in the path of God’s commands.  Pray that the people around you would see a heart set free in Christ.  “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”  Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

Friday: The Path of Light.  Pray that you would use God’s Word to illuminate the path you walk each day.  Pray that you would shine the light of God’s Word on the path that those around you walk.  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Saturday:  The Path of Justice.  Pray that your practice of administering mercy and justice would lead you on a path that is good.  Pray that you would continually grow in your understanding of God’s definition of justice.  “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path.”  Proverbs 2:9 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Sharing!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Sharing!

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Acts 20:35 (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 focus will be about sharing.  Many people can quote the final line of the above verse but far fewer actually live it.  Our culture seems to mock the very idea that there is a greater blessing to be had in sharing than in accumulating.  As you pray this week, look for opportunities to share each day.  Make the most of those opportunities as you share, not in accordance with your  view of your resources, but in accordance with the riches of God’s treasure within you.  Pray that Christ would be known through the generosity of His 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 about how and what you share with those around you.  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: Share In Your Master’s Happiness.  Pray that your faithfulness to Christ would produce a happiness that is the foundation of your willingness to share.  “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”  Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

Tuesday: Share What You Have.  Pray that you would be able to clearly see from God’s perspective what you have that He wants you to share.  “John answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.’”  Luke 3:11 (NIV)

Wednesday: Share With Those In Need.  Pray that you would notice when your brothers and sisters in Christ are in need.  Pray that you would have the wisdom to know how God wants you to share with them.  “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Thursday: Share the Gospel and Your Life.  Pray that you would share you life with people in a way that also shares the gospel.  “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 2:8 (NIV)

Friday: Share Willingly.  Pray that you would not only be a person who shares, but that you would do so willingly.  “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”  1 Timothy 6:18 (NIV)

Saturday:  Share Sacrificially.  Pray that you would see your sharing with others as a sacrifice that pleases God.  “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Suffering!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Suffering!

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”  
1 Peter 4:12-13 (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.  Jesus stated that we would have trouble in this world but we should not be overwhelmed, rather we should take heart because He has overcome the world.  This week our prayer emphasis will focus on praying about suffering as a Christian.  In our prayer time we will seek to learn how to rejoice in the suffering we experience because of our relationship with Christ.  As you pray, talk to God not only about your suffering but about how you can help and encourage others who suffer.  As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time praying each day about how you view the suffering that you and those around you experience.  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: Counted Worthy to Suffer.  Pray that you would not be ashamed of living with the name “Christian”.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus will always be worth more to you than avoiding suffering.  “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”  Acts 5:41 (NIV)

Tuesday: Rejoice in Suffering.  Pray that you would rejoice as you trust God to produce good things in you through your suffering.  “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”  Romans 5:3 (NIV)

Wednesday: Share in Suffering.  Pray that your suffering for the sake of Christ would help you realize that you will also share in His glory.  “Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”  Romans 8:17 (NIV)

Thursday: Comforted in Suffering.  Pray that you would be comforted in your suffering and that you would be a comfort to others in their suffering.  “And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”  2 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV)

Friday: Fellowship With Christ in Suffering.  Pray that you would see suffering for the sake of Christ as a fellowship with Him in His sufferings on your behalf.  “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Saturday:  Obedience in Suffering.  Pray that you would follow the example of Jesus and learn obedience to God through the suffering that you experience.  “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.”  Hebrews 5:8 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Called to Serve!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Called to Serve!

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  
Mark 10:42-45 (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.  As we consider the commands and example of Jesus, our prayer emphasis this week will be on serving.  As Christians, each one of us have been called by God to serve.  What are you doing to serve and who are you serving?  Pray that each of us would better grasp the necessity of serving as a way of life.  As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.

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

Please spend time praying each day about the call of Jesus for His followers to serve.  Pray for the courage to serve in the way God has created and called you to 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: Called to Share.  Pray that you would understand and practice your responsibility to share with those in need.  Pray for wisdom to know how to do that well.  “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: Called to Equip.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word so that you would be equipped, and be able to equip others, 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)

Wednesday: Called to Rebuke and Repent.  Pray for the wisdom and grace to rebuke others in love and to repent when you are rebuked.  “So watch yourselves.  ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.’”  Luke 17:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Called to Visit.  Pray that you would notice the stranger, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned and visit them as if you are visiting Christ.  “When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”  Matthew 25:38-39 (NIV)

Friday: Called to Encourage.  Pray that your life would be an encouragement to others as you meet together on a regular basis.  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

Saturday:  Called to Serve Like Christ.  Pray that you would follow the example of Christ in serving others for their benefit.  “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Lifestyle of Worship!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Lifestyle of Worship!

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides are training and equipping you in the practice of prayer.

This week we will focus on different aspects of worship from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone has an idea of what worship ought to be, but what does God say about it?  We have a tendency to make worship about what I want, like, or am comfortable with.  Real worship comes when I decide it’s all about God and what He says, wants, and desires and not about me!  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.

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

Please spend time praying each day for a heart that seeks God in a lifestyle of worship.  Pray this for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” 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: Exclusive Worship.  Pray that you would reject every temptation to worship anyone, or anything, but God.  “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”‘”  Matthew 4:10 (NIV)

Tuesday: Heart Involved Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would always come from a heart that seeks God and not just be following the motions of tradition — old or new.  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.   They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”  Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV)

Wednesday: True Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in both spirit and truth as a lifestyle, not confined to a specific place and time.  “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”  John 4:23 (NIV)

Thursday: Informed Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would draw you into a greater knowledge and intimacy with Him.  “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.”  Acts 17:23 (NIV)

Friday: Sacrificial Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in such a way as to “cost you something”.  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.”  Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Saturday:  Acceptable Worship.  Pray that your worship of God never forgets who He is compared to who we are.  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”  Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Fasting!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Fasting!

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”
Zechariah 8:19 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  While we’re on a string of not so popular topics, this week will focus on Fasting.  The spiritual discipline of fasting can be seen being taught and practiced throughout the Bible.  From Old Testament people of faith to Jesus to the early church, we can find examples of people going without food for a period of time for the purpose of spending time with God.  While fasting is often associated with times of great sorrow, when it is godly sorrow that leads to repentance the fasts that we participate in will become times of joy and gladness.  As you fast and pray, don’t focus on the repentance and change that you think others need to do.  Instead focus on the repentance and change that God desires for you to allow Him to make in your life.  Please prayerfully consider joining together in the practice of prayer and fasting to humbly seek God and turn to Him for all wisdom and direction.

“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, and listening to God, about how He desires to use the practice of fasting 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: Listen to God Through Fasting.  Pray that you would join with others in listening to God.  “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.  The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.”  2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (NIV)

Tuesday: Humble Ourselves Through Fasting.  Pray that your seeking of God would be done in humility.  “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.”  Ezra 8:21 (NIV)

Wednesday: Mourning Through Fasting.  Pray that you would go to God in times of sorrow and heartache.  “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”  Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

Thursday: Serve Others Through Fasting.  Pray that you would spend time regularly of “going without” with the purpose of serving others.  “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”  Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV)

Friday: Cry Out to God Through Fasting.  Pray that you would cry out to God as you participate in a holy fast with the leaders of your church community.  “Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly.  Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.”  Joel 1:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  Worship Through Fasting.  Pray that you would experience fasting as an act of worship.  “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”  Acts 13:2 (NIV)