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Lifestyle of Prayer: Freedom!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Freedom!

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19 (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 we will focus our prayer emphasis on the subject of freedom.  Jesus came to proclaim freedom, but not necessarily in the way we might think of freedom.  The freedom we have in Christ is complete freedom for sure, but not the complete freedom to do whatever we want that rebels against the Word of God.  Pray that you would experience, and share, the true freedom that is found in Christ.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together.

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: Freedom through God’s Precepts.  Pray that you would seek, and follow, God’s precepts.  Pray that the people around you would see you living in the freedom of God’s commands.  “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.  Psalm 119:45 (NIV)

Tuesday: Freedom through the Spirit of the Lord.  Pray that God’s Spirit in you would fill you with true freedom.  Pray that the people around you would encounter the freedom of God’s Spirit through you.  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

Wednesday: Freedom from the Slavery of Sin.  Pray that you would walk as free and not return to the burden of sin.  Pray that the people around you would experience freedom from sin through Christ.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Thursday: Freedom to Serve One Another.  Pray that you would  use your freedom to serve others.  Pray that the people around you would come to know of freedom in Christ because of the way you serve.  “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”  Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Friday: Freedom to Approach God.  Pray that you would have the confidence to approach God because of the freedom He has given.  Pray that the people around you would have the confidence to approach God in complete freedom.  “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”  Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

Saturday:  Freedom through the Perfect Law.  Pray that you would both look into God’s law and do it so that you would experience freedom.  Pray that the people around you would turn to God’s perfect law for freedom.  “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.”  James 1:25 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Favor!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Favor!

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19 (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 we will focus our prayer emphasis on the subject of favor.  Jesus stated that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of one coming to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.  How does the Lord’s favor impact how you respond to Him and to the people around you?  Pray that you would have a better understanding and practice of favor extended and received.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together.

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: Favor in Giving.  Pray that your giving is done in a manner that God looks upon with favor.  Pray that the people around you would see that God comes first in your life.  “Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering.”  Genesis 4:4 (NIV)

Tuesday: Favor through Humility.  Pray that you would always humbly seek God’s favor.  Pray that the people around you would see both your humility and God’s favor upon you.  “In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.”  2 Chronicles 33:12 (NIV)

Wednesday: Favor of God’s Protection.  Pray that your pursuit of God’s righteousness would shield you with God’s favor.  Pray that the people around you would see God’s favor upon you as you pursue righteousness through Jesus.  “For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”  Psalm 5:12 (NIV)

Thursday: Favor of Salvation through God’s Love.  Pray for a confidence of salvation through God’s love and favor.  Pray that the people around you would come to know Gods love and favor resulting in salvation for them.  “But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.”  Psalm 69:13 (NIV)

Friday: Favor with God and Man.  Pray that your life would always grow in finding favor with God and man.  “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”  Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)

Saturday:  Favor as a community of Believers.  Pray that your interaction with other believers would be blessed with God’s favor.  “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Honor!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Honor!

“Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
Romans 13:7 (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 emphasis on the subject of honor.  Most of us want honor but many times we struggle with how to give honor and how to live with honor.  The honor that we give and receive can only be proper when it flows from the honor that we give God.  Pray that God’s Spirit would fill you with a proper view and practice of honor when it comes to God, people, and yourself.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together.

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: Honor Father and Mother.  Pray that you would faithfully live out this command throughout your entire life (I don’t read any qualifiers in the text).  Pray that the people around you would know you as one who honors your parents at all times.  “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: Honor God for Deliverance from Trouble.  Pray that you would recognize daily how God has delivered you and honor Him for it.  Pray that the people around you would see how God delivers you in the midst of trouble.  “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”  Psalm 50:14-15 (NIV)

Wednesday: Honor God with your Wealth.  Pray that you would always honor God with your possessions and not just your words.  Pray that the people around you would be blessed because you honor God with your possessions.  “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”  Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)

Thursday: Honor Others Above Yourself.  Pray that you would live with the humility that honors others above yourself.  Pray that the people around you would be honored by you.  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Friday: Honor God with Your Body.  Pray that the way you use and treat your body would honor the price God paid for it.  Pray that the people around you would recognize the honor you give God by the way you live.  “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”  1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV)

Saturday:  Honor Faithful Christian Workers.  Pray that you would notice and honor faithful servants of Christ.  “Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.”  Philippians 2:29-30 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Belonging!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Belonging!

“You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.“
1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 (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 emphasis on the subject of belonging.  Most of us have times in our life when we struggle with feelings of not fitting in or knowing where we belong.  God has a lot to say about where we belong as His children.  This week, pray that your sense of belonging would be restored and refreshed.  Pray that God would use you to help others know that they too belong.   Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together.

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: Belonging to Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would recognize the value you have as one who has been called to belong to Jesus.  Pray that the people around you would know you as one who belongs to Christ.  “And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”  Romans 1:6 (NIV)

Tuesday: Belonging to One Another.  Pray that you would live as a valuable part of the Body of Christ as you belong to one another.  Pray that the people around you see the value you place on others who are part of the Body.  “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”  Romans 12:5

Wednesday: Belonging to the Lord.  Pray that your life would be lived for the Lord in all that you do.  Pray that the people around you would know you as one who belongs to the Lord no mater what.  “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”  Romans 14:8 (NIV)

Thursday: Belonging to the Day.  Pray that your actions would express to others that you belong to the day because you have put aside the deeds of darkness.  Pray that the people around you  would know you as one who is self-controlled.  “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”  1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)

Friday: Belonging to God.  Pray that you would declare the praises of God as one who has been chosen to belong to Him.  Pray that the people around you would hear from you how belonging to God has transformed your life.  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Saturday:  Belonging to the Truth.  Pray that your heart would be at rest as you belong to the truth.  Pray that the people around you would know rest through the 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 3:19 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: The Family!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: The Family!

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.” 
Psalm 22:27-28 (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.   As summer begins, we return to the topic of Family.  Pray that Deer Run is a place where each person is a valued part of this family, regardless of how they fit in their “real” family.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together.

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: Children.  Pray for children to be brought up in the fear and knowledge of the Lord in a safe and nurturing environment.  Pray that each child, of any age, would honor their parents. 

Tuesday: Moms.  Pray that their work both in and out of the home would be filled with satisfaction and joy.  Pray that they would have godly patience with their children.

Wednesday: Dads.  Pray that they would be involved in the lives of their children in positive and wholesome ways.  Pray that they would teach their children about God by their words and actions.

Thursday: Marriage.  Pray that the marriages in our congregation and community would be strengthened and protected.  Pray that both husband and wife would feel loved and valued.

Friday: Grandparents.  Pray that they would be valued members of the family and church congregation.  Pray that their wisdom and experience would be passed on to the next generation.

Saturday:  Single Adults.  Some are single by choice, some not.  Pray that each would be filled with great peace and hope as they serve God and rely on Him to surround them with healthy relationships.

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Sayings From the Cross

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 This week’s prayer focus: Sayings From the Cross!

“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.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  This week we return to the words of Jesus from the cross to help us focus our prayer time each day!  As we approach Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray this week.  Use the topics this week to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.   Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together.

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 focused around the words of Jesus spoken from the cross.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.    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: Father, forgive them.  Pray that the people you see today would realize and accept the Father’s forgiveness.  “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”  Luke 23:34

Tuesday: You will be with me.  Pray that the people you interact with today would have a desire to know, and be known, by Jesus.  “Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”  Luke 23:43

Wednesday: Behold, your son.  Pray about how God would have you respond to those with no family.  “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”  John 19:26-27

Thursday: Why have you forsaken me.  Pray for those who feel forsaken by God, that you would represent Jesus well to them.  “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’–which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”  Matthew 27:46

Friday: I thirst.  Pray that the people you see today would have a real thirst for the things of God.  “Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”  John 19:28

Saturday:  It is finished.  Pray that you would be actively involved in helping people be ready for the time their life on earth is finished.  “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  John 19:30  “Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.”  Luke 23:46

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Lifestyle of Prayer: The Children

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: The Children!

“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)

“‘I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”
Mark 10:15-16 (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.  The plight of children has been on my mind a lot lately, so this week we will focus our prayer emphasis on the children. God has a lot to say about His concern for children. Many children are struggling with little or no perceived value — not just in far off places of the world, but in our own communities and neighborhoods. As you pray this week, listen intently for what God would have you do to show children the great value He places on them.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together. 

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 about each day’s specific focus for children. Pray for those on the front lines of representing Jesus to the children — parents, grandparents, youth workers, school teachers, school counselors, school staff, coaches, and all others who have consistent contact with young people each day.  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: Worshipful Children. Pray that the children would be worshippers of God. Pray that they would always know the value of true worship, regardless of their age. “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2

Tuesday: Kingdom Children. Pray that the children of this world would become children of God’s kingdom. Pray that they would never lose the innocent faith of a child. “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:3

Wednesday: Welcomed Children. Pray that the children around you today would know that Jesus welcomes them to Himself. Pray that nothing would hinder them from coming to 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

Thursday: Forgiven Children. Pray that the children who are living with great guilt would know the forgiveness that God offers. Pray that they would learn of that forgiveness from you. “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39

Friday: Obedient Children. Pray that the children of your community would learn the value of obedience. Pray that they would know what is right and choose to do it. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

Saturday: Faithful Children. Pray that the children who have come to Christ would remain faithful all the days of their life. Pray that they would be protected from the evil one. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

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Lifestyle of Prayer: The Fatherless

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: The Fatherless!

“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)

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 (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 emphasis on the fatherless. God has a lot to say about His concern for the fatherless or orphans. As we pray to be more Christ-like, we must pray that our response to the fatherless would be the same as God’s. There are many in our community who live as fatherless regardless of the presence of a dad in their life. Pray that God would equip us to help men to live as fathers and to be fathers for those who have none.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together. 

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 about each day’s specific focus of your response to “the fatherless”. Pray for those on the front lines of representing Jesus to the fatherless — youth workers, school teachers, school counselors, school staff, coaches, and all others who have consistent contact with young people each day.  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: Defend. Pray for the courage to stand up for the fatherless when it comes to them having their needs met. “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18 (NIV)

Tuesday: Provide Justice. Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity to see that the fatherless around you receive justice. “Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice.” Deuteronomy 24:17 (NIV)

Wednesday: Rescue. Pray that you would have ears to hear the cries of the fatherless. As you hear their cries, pray that you would rescue them in their time of need.  “Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him.” Job 29:12 (NIV)

Thursday: Help. Pray that you would accurately reflect the character of God as you provide help to the fatherless. “The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.” Psalm 10:14 (NIV)

Friday: Sustain. Pray that God would fill you with an attitude of generosity as He provides ways for you to sustain the fatherless. Pray that you would be one to watch over their needs. “The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” Psalm 146:9 (NIV)

Saturday: Show Compassion. Pray that your approach to the fatherless around you would be filled with the same compassion that God has for them. “We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” Hosea 14:3(NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: The Least

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: The Least . . . Your Response!

“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)

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:40 (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 emphasis on our response to people who are often considered “the least”.  As you pray each day, pray that your daily walk with God will transform your heart and mind so you will not just hear what God would have you to do, but that you would do it!  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together. 

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 about each day’s specific focus of your response to “the least”.  With that focus in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past year.  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 Hungry.  Pray that God would help you to see, and respond to, true hunger in its various forms.  Pray that you make the most of the opportunities to meet the needs of those who hunger physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”  Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Tuesday: The Thirsty.  Pray that your life would be a refreshment to those who thirst.  Pray that your heart would be open to helping resolve the causes of physical, emotional, and spiritual thirst.  “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”  Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Wednesday: The Stranger.  Pray that God would put within  you an attitude that would welcome strangers to discover Jesus.  Pray for wisdom in how to minister to strangers.  “I was a stranger and you invited me in.”  Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Thursday: The Naked.  Pray that God would open your eyes to see those who live exposed.  Pray that you would respond to God’s call to provide covering for those who are in need.  “I needed clothes and you clothed me.”  Matthew 25:36 (NIV)

Friday: The Sick.  Pray that you would be filled with compassion for those who are sick.  Pray that your compassion would lead you to be involved in providing care according to their needs.  “I was sick and you looked after me.”  Matthew 25:36 (NIV)

Saturday:  The Prisoner.  Pray for those who live in prisons of various kinds.  Pray that you would not let their prison keep you from loving them as you ought.  “I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  Matthew 25:36 (NIV)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: The World

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: The World!

“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)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17

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 on the world.  If you look around and see any amount of news reporting, it doesn’t take long to realize the people of this world are in desperate need of Jesus.  Because of that, spend time each day praying for the Christians in each part of the world as they face the challenges of sharing Christ where they are.   Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as for the body of believers that meet together. 

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)

This week’s prayer guide will be a little different from what most have been as you will praying about the same things each day; just focused on a different part of the world.  Given that Antarctica has no permanent human inhabitants, we will focus on the other six continents this week. 

Please spend time praying each day about the specific area of the world that is that day’s emphasis.  Pray that the people of that continent would see Jesus accurately represented in the lives of Christians.  Pray that the Christian workers on that continent would be bold about doing the work God has called them to.  Pray for governments who would allow Christians to live and share their faith in peace.  Pray that Christian leaders would stay focused on their task of proclaiming the gospel.  Pray that God’s name would be lifted up in the way that Christians live.  Pray that the persecution of Christians that exists in many parts of the world would cease as the peoples of the world come to know Christ.  

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

Monday: Asia 

Tuesday: Africa

Wednesday: North America 

Thursday: South America 

Friday: Europe 

Saturday:  Australia