prayer focus

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Weakness!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

This week’s prayer focus:  Weakness!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  This week we will focus on praying about some things that God says about Weakness.  God’s view of weakness seems to be radically different from that of most people today.  In the times when I am overcome with weakness, I need to remember the help that God gives through His Spirit, His power, and His people.  As you pray this week, jot down situations where you know you have seen God use your weakness for His glory.  Make a note of weakness that you continue to struggle with seeing how God will ever use them.  Write down ways that you can be a help and encouragement to the people around you who also struggle with their weaknesses.  Pray that you would seek God with the action steps you need to take in each of those journaled areas.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

Please spend time praying each day for God’s direction in responding to that day’s weakness focus.  With that focus in mind, pray 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: Our Weakness in Prayer Helped by the Spirit.  Pray that you would trust the Spirit to know your heart in prayer when you struggle with the words to use.  “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”  Romans 8:26 (NIV)

Tuesday: Boasting in Weakness.  Pray that you would use God’s working in your weaknesses as opportunities to tell others about the power of Jesus.  Pray that any boasting you do would be based on God’s glory and not yours.  “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”  2 Corinthians 11:30 (NIV)

Wednesday: Grace that is Sufficient for our Weakness.  Pray that you would trust and allow God’s power to be perfected in your weakness through His grace.  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Thursday: Delighting in Weakness that Makes us Strong.  Pray that you would learn to see the value of weaknesses and difficulties to show the strength of Christ to the world.  “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: Living by God’s Power through Weakness.  Pray that you would live according to the power of the resurrection in the midst of your weaknesses.  “For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.”  2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

Saturday:  One who Understands our Weakness.  Pray that you would always cast all your cares on Jesus, the one who understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses.  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.”  Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Protection Revisited!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

This week’s prayer focus:  Protection!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event.  This week we will again pray for wisdom to properly use the armor God has given us.  Please note the closing verse — it’s all meant to be used in the context of continual prayer!  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  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 6:10-18 (NIV)

Please spend time praying each day for godly wisdom in using the piece of armor listed.  With that focus in mind, pray 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: Protected by Truth.  Pray that God would help you to speak truth in love.  Pray that He would lead you in removing any elements of falsehood from your life.  Pray that truth, God’s truth, would be central in the lives of each person you pray for today.

Tuesday: Protected by Righteousness.  Pray that you would be confident that the righteousness you have in Christ will protect your heart and soul.  Pray that God would help you to remove any sense that somehow you may have enough righteousness on your own.  Pray that righteousness, God’s righteousness, would be found in the life of each person you pray for today.

Wednesday: Protected by the Gospel of Peace.  Pray that you would be filled with a peace that passes all understanding because of the gospel of Jesus.  Pray that God would help you to be a peacemaker as you live and share the gospel.  Pray that peace, God’s peace would fill each person you pray for today.

Thursday: Protected by Faith.  Pray that you would have an unwavering faith that will protect you from the accusations of Satan.  Pray that God will help you to deal with, and dismiss, any doubts that the enemy tries to plant in your mind.  Pray that faith, faith in God, will encourage each person you pray for today.

Friday: Protected by Salvation.  Pray that the salvation you have in Christ will protect your mind from the deceitfulness of Satan.  Pray that God would remind you that you are His when the enemy tries to convince you that God couldn’t save you.  Pray that salvation, God’s salvation, would be known by each person you pray for today.

Saturday:  Protected by the Word of God.  Pray that you would be an active student of God’s Word.  Pray that you would allow His Spirit to instruct your understanding so that you would accurately handle the Word of God.  Pray that the Word of God would illuminate the life of each person you pray for today.

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Peace Revisited (Week 2)!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

This week’s prayer focus:  Peace!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event. I have not often repeated these weekly prayer guides, but this week is a return to the second part of a two-week focus on praying for peace from God’s perspective because I need the reminder.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of peace, but few actually obtain it because we want peace according to our definition and standards rather than God’s.  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.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” 
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)

” 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.    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: Choose peace.  Pray for courage to choose peace whenever possible.  Pray that the peace you choose would be contagious.  “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18 (NIV)

Tuesday: Work at peace.  Pray for the strength to continually work at peace.  Pray that your efforts would lead to peace for yourself and others.  “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”  Romans 14:19 (NIV)

Wednesday: Live in peace.  Pray for a unity among believers that will help each one to live in peace.  Pray that God’s peace would be evident to others.  “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”  2 Corinthians 13:11  (NIV)

Thursday: Spirit produced peace.  Pray that peace would be an obvious part of the fruit God’s Spirit is producing in you.  Pray that you would not be a hindrance to peace.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Friday: Peace beyond understanding.  Pray for peace to exist in times when the world would say peace makes no sense.  Pray that this peace will guard your heart and mind during times of struggle.  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

Saturday:  Peace from discipline.  Pray that you would allow God’s discipline in your life to produce a harvest of peace.  Pray that the training you receive at God’s hand would spread peace to others.  “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Peace Revisited (Week 1)!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

This week’s prayer focus:  Peace!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

As we continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event. I have not often repeated these weekly prayer guides, but this week we will return to a two-week focus on praying for peace from God’s perspective because I need the reminder.  It seems nearly everyone loves the idea of peace, but few actually obtain it because we want peace according to our definition and standards rather than God’s.  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.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” 
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)

” 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.    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: Peacemakers.   Pray that you would accept just how “God-like” it is to be a peacemaker and that you would put that quality into practice consistently.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Tuesday: Peace with one another.  Pray that you would recognize the importance of being at peace with one another and make the effort to flavor your surroundings with peace.  “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”  Mark 9:50 (NIV)

Wednesday: Paths of peace.  Pray that  you will notice, and walk on, the paths of peace that are illuminated through your relationship with Jesus  “because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven  to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79 (NIV)

Thursday: Peace through surrender.  Pray for the courage to seek peace in all situations on God’s terms.  “If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.  In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:32-33 (NIV)

Friday: Peace that overcomes.  Pray for peace in the midst of trouble knowing that Jesus has overcome whatever the world throws at you.  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 (NIV)

Saturday:  Peace with God.  Pray that God will  help you to share your faith that has brought you into peace with God.  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Security!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

This week’s prayer focus:  Security!

“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.  And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.”
Micah 5:4 (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 we will focus our prayer time on the topic of Security!  Most of us try to build a sense of security around us but we are often building it with materials and things that will not last.  The Bible warns us about having a false sense of security that comes from trusting in our own strengths, abilities, and wisdom.  This week we will spend time praying about some areas that God says He will secure!  If you desire true lasting security, these areas will be a good place to start.   Pray that your church congregation is a place where each person is a valued part of the family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.

” 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.    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:  A Secured Covenant.  Praise God that the blood of Jesus has secured for us an everlasting covenant. Pray for those who are not yet right with God and therefore living outside of this covenant. “Is not my house right with God?  Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part?  Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?”  2 Samuel 23:5 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Secured Righteousness.  Pray for a righteousness that stands secure in the midst of violence.  Pray that God’s searching of your heart and mind would make your righteousness in Him secure.  “O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.”  Psalm 7:9 (NIV)

Wednesday:  A Secured Position.  Pray for courage to feel secure in the position God has placed you.  Pray that you would recognize the assigned work God has prepared for you to do.  “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.”  Psalm 16:5 (NIV)

Thursday:  A Secured Rest.  Pray for comfort in knowing you have a secured rest because of the resurrection of Jesus.  Pray that your gladness would cause other to seek a secured rest.  “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”  Psalm 16:9-10 (NIV)

Friday:  A Secured Fortress.  Pray that you would always see the Lord as a place of security and refuge for you and your family.  Pray that the people around you would come to know the security that it sound in Christ.  “He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”  Proverbs 14:26 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Secured Hope.  Pray that your faith in Jesus would always serve as an anchor for your hope.  Pray that the people around you would seek a secured hope.  “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”  Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Courage!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

This week’s prayer focus:  Courage!

 “Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7 (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 we will focus our prayer time on Courage!  It has been said that godly courage is not so much an absence of fear, but rather the faithfulness of doing what is right even in the midst of fear.  Pray for a better understanding of courage from God’s perspective.  Pray that you would not allow fear to undermine your obedience to God.  Pray that your life would help to fill others with courage.  Pray that your church congregation is a place where each person is a valued part of the family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.

” 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.    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:  Courage from God’s Presence.  Pray that you would be filled with courage through an awareness of God’s abiding presence in your life.  Pray that the people around you would know that your courage comes from God’s presence.  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Courage to Pray.  Pray that the work of God in your life would give you courage to take everything to God in prayer, trusting Him to do what’s best.  “You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you.”  1 Chronicles 17:25 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Courage to Work.  Pray that God would fill you with the courage to do the good work He has created for you to do.  “David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.”  1  Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)

Thursday:  Courage through the Support of Others.  Pray that you would have courage because of the support of fellow believers.  Pray that your life would fill others with courage as you support them.  “Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”  Ezra 10:4 (NIV)

Friday:  Courage to Speak.  Pray that you would be filled with the courage to fearlessly share the gospel.  Pray that people would have the courage to listen.  “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”  Philippians 1:14 (NIV)

Saturday:  Courage to be Faithful.  Pray that you would have the courage to be faithful to the things of God as Christ is faithful to the things of His Father.  “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”  Hebrews 3:6 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Life!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

This week’s prayer focus:  Life!

 

“The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
Genesis 2:7 (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 we will focus our prayer time on Life!  Our relationship with God, and our view of His creation of us, greatly influences the value we place on life.  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 that your church congregation is a place where each person is a valued part of the family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.

 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.    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:  Choose 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:  Path of Life.  Pray that you would seek God as the path that leads to life.  Pray that the people around you would see God’s joy in you as you follow His 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:  Blameless Life.  Pray that your trust of God would lead you in a blameless life.  Pray that the people around you would see your faithfulness to God and have no valid accusations against you.  “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; have trusted in the LORD without wavering.”  Psalm 26:1 (NIV)

Thursday:  Fountain of Life.  Pray that God’s presence would spring up within you as your fountain of life.  Pray that the people around you would see the light of God through you.  “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”  Psalm 36:9 (NIV)

Friday:  Fleeting Life.  Pray that your understanding of a fleeting life would cause you to value each opportunity God gives you.  Pray that the people around you would not put off the important decision of pursuing God.  “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:  Preserved Life.  Pray that you would experience the protection of the Lord through your complete surrender to Him.  Pray that the people around you would have life that is preserved through their relationship with Jesus.  “The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.”  Psalm 41:2 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Friendship!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus:  Friendship!

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return or their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”
Ecclesiastes 4 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 we will focus our prayer time on some things that God says about friendship.  God created us for community and declared at creation that it is not good for man to be alone.  Even knowing that, most of us struggle at times with having healthy friendships.  This week we will look at, and pray about, some characteristics that go into friendships that honor God.  Pray that your church congregation is a place where each person is a valued part of the family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.

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.    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:  Face to Face Friendship.  Pray that you would always seek the face of God in the midst of your friendships.  Pray for those who are watching your face to face relationship with God.  “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.”  Exodus 33:11 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Intercessory Friendship.  Pray that you would be diligent in lifting the needs of your friends before God.  Pray that you would have people in your life that intercede on your behalf.  “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.”  Job 16:20-21 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Careful Friendship.  Pray that you would choose your friendships carefully.  Pray that you would be the kind of friend that leads people in the correct direction.  “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”  Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)

Thursday:  Pleasant Friendship.  Pray that your friends would be refreshed by godly counsel from you.  Pray for friendships that bring joy and enjoyment.  “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.”  Proverbs 27:9 (NIV)

Friday:  Sacrificial Friendship.  Pray that you would continually learn to put the needs of your friends above your own.  Pray that your friends would have a greater understanding of God’s love because of your sacrificial friendship.  “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13 (NIV)

Saturday:  God’s Friendship.  Pray that your actions would always show a belief in God that would make you known as God’s friend.  Pray that you would understand God’s perspective on belief, action, and friendship.  “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”  James 2:23 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Obey!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus:  Obey!

“But Samuel replied:  ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
1 Samuel 15:22  (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 we will focus our prayer time on some things that God says about obedience.  It seems that having excuses for not obeying is nothing new.  King Saul used the excuse that worshipping God was somehow more important than obeying  God — God didn’t agree.  Pray that you would live a life that sees to be obedient to God.  Pray that your church congregation is a place where each person is a valued part of the family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.

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.    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: Teach Obedience.  Pray that you would be a faithful disciple of Jesus in the way you teach others to obey all He commanded.  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Tuesday: Blessing from Obedience.  Pray that you would always listen to the word of God with a desire to obey what He says.  Pray that you would be a blessing to others because of your obedience to the word of God.  “He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”  Luke 11:28 (NIV)

Wednesday: Holy Spirit for those who Obey.  Pray that you would recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life through your obedience to God.  Pray that the people around you would know God’s presence in them through their obedience.  “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”  Acts 5:32 (NIV)

Thursday: Obey Parents.  Pray that you would be faithful in honoring and obeying your parents — regardless of your age or theirs.  Pray that the people around you would understand how much it pleases God for them to be obedient to their parents.  “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”  Colossians 3:20 (NIV)

Friday: Obey Leaders.  Pray that you would obey the leaders that God has placed in positions of authority over you.  “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”  Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

Saturday:  Obey God’s Commands to Express Love.  Pray that your love for God would always be expressed in your willingness to obey Him.  “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”  1 John 5:3 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Choose!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus:  Choose!

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.  But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15 (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 we will focus our prayer time on the choices we make!  Every day we make choices that determine, or show, who we really serve.  Our prayer life should help us to be in line with God’s will so our choices will honor Him.  Pray that you would regard no choice as too insignificant for prayer.   Pray that your church congregation is a place where each person is a valued part of the family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.

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.    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: Choose Instruction.  Pray that you would always value godly instruction.  Pray that you would choose the instruction of God’s wisdom over anything else you may value.  “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.”  Proverbs 8:10 (NIV)

Tuesday: Choose Knowledge.  Pray that you would choose knowledge based on the truth of God’s Word.  Pray that your choice of this knowledge would help others see Jesus.  “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.”  Proverbs 8:10 (NIV)

Wednesday: Choose Understanding.  Pray that you would choose an understanding that can only come from God.  Pray that you would choose to apply that understanding in all of your interactions with people.  “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!”  Proverbs 16:16 (NIV)

Thursday: Choose What Pleases the Lord.  Pray that your life would be lived choosing the things that please the Lord.  “For this is what the LORD says: ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant — to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.'”  Isaiah 56:4-5 (NIV)

Friday: Choose Spirit-filled Workers.  Pray that you would choose to value God’s presence in the lives of people.  Pray that you would choose to be one who is full of the Spirit and wisdom.  “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.”  Acts 6:3 (NIV)

Saturday:  Choose Faithful Messengers.  Pray that you would choose, and be, a faithful messenger in carrying the gospel.  “Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers.”  Acts 15:22 (NIV)