March 30, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: The One Who Is Lord!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

The One Who Is Lord!

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 2:36 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will consider the position of Jesus as Lord of all. It has been said that every one of us make the choice each day as to whether Jesus is Lord of all or not Lord at all. This is a choice we make with our life more than our words, because sometimes our words aren’t as accurate as they ought to be. While the word or title of lord is used in many contexts throughout Scripture and in the world today, most English translations of the Bible use the word LORD to signify the personal name of God. It is in this context of Jesus being God that He is indeed Lord of all. As you pray this week, ask God to strengthen your conviction regarding Jesus being both Lord and Christ. Pray that your life would show a submission to the Lordship of Jesus in all things. Pray for a consistency in your actions that would match your words proclaiming Jesus as Lord. Pray that you would know the righteousness and compassion of the One who is Lord of all. Pray that you would live in such a way that the people around you would learn to call upon the Lord and be saved.

“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 pray each day for God to help you acknowledge Jesus as Lord in the way you live.

Sunday: Pray for your church staff, the preaching and teaching that takes place, the church leadership, the volunteers that are helping in so many areas, the spiritual and financial health of the congregation, and the work of the missions ministry of the church. Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Lord Of All Blessing. Pray that you would know the blessings of the Lord which are given without partiality. Pray that the way you bless others would always display a unity which overcomes the divisions of this world. Pray for all people to call upon the name of the Lord. “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.” Romans 10:12 (NIV)

Tuesday: Lord Of All Comfort. Pray that Jesus would be the source and substance of the comfort you need in any situation. Pray that the comfort you receive from God would be reflected in the way He comforts others through you. Praise God for providing His Spirit as the Comforter. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV)

Wednesday: Lord Of All Grace. Pray that you would be aware of the unmerited favor God extends to you through His great love. Pray that Jesus would be Lord not only in the grace you receive, but also in the way you extend grace to those around you. “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

Thursday: Lord Of All Work. Pray that all of your work, whether paid or unpaid, would be done with a full awareness of Jesus being the Lord of that work. Pray that the way you work would help others see your reverence for Christ. Pray that your desire to please Christ would exceed your desire to please self or others. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Friday: Lord Of All Peace. Pray that you would know Jesus as the One who brings peace that surpasses understanding. Pray that you would rejoice in God’s ability to bring peace in the way that is just right for every circumstance for you and for the people around you. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

Saturday: Lord Of All Strength. Pray that you would know the strength of the Lord and His ability to empower you as His messenger even through your weakness. Pray that you would not only be strengthened by God, but that you would know the power of His Word to overcome all obstacles. “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” 2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV)

March 23, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: What Does Your Life Say?

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

What Does Your Life Say?

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about what is being said through the various areas of our life so that no one would have legitimate reasons to look down on us. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who really wants to be looked down upon, but I have encountered many that seemed to do little to keep that from happening — in fact, there are times I’m sure I’ve been one of those. God says that a good way to keep people from looking down on us for superficial reasons is to build a life of godly character. As you pray this week, ask God to help you to accurately examine what is being said by your life. Pray that you would have the courage to live above reproach in every area of your life. Pray for wisdom in applying God’s Word in ways that make you an example without being pretentious. Pray for the humility needed to help others grow even as you work on your own example. Pray that Jesus would always be visible through the way you live.

“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 pray each day for God to help you live as a godly example for others.

Monday: A Life Beyond Appearances. Pray that your relationship with Jesus would be the most noticeable thing about you. Pray for the courage and humility needed to let Jesus shine through your human weaknesses. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Life Of Speech. Pray that the graciousness of your speech would rise above what people might expect. Pray for the wisdom to see how the words you use are heard by people — both people who are similar to you and people who may be very different from you. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Wednesday: A Life Of Wisdom. Pray that your life would reveal to others a wisdom and understanding that can only come from God. Pray that you would live with humility in such a way that people would see the hand of God present in the way you live life. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 (NIV)

Thursday: A Life Of Love. Pray that you would know the fullness of God’s love expressed through Jesus Christ so that you would love others with the same fullness. Pray that you would continually grow in the way you express love, using the sacrificial love of Jesus as your example. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16 (NIV)

Friday: A Life Of Faith. Pray that you would live with a faith that can be seen in what you do. Pray that the things you do each day would be consistent with your expressed faith. Pray that others would see your faith active within your deeds so that they would be encouraged in their faith. “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” James 2:22 (NIV)

Saturday: A Life Of Purity. Pray that you would choose actions that are pure and right, even when doing so is not easy. Pray that the value you place on purity would be part of your godly reputation. Pray for the courage to live by a standard God would consider pure rather than settling for the world’s definition of purity. “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.” Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)

March 16, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Those Who Are Sent!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Those Who Are Sent!

“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”
Luke 10:2 (NIV)

As we continue our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis, this week’s focus is to pray not only for those who are sent, but also praying about how you can be both a sender and one who is sent. When Jesus asks His disciples to pray for workers to be sent out into the harvest field, the answer to their prayers was that He sent them! As we prayed last week about being on mission with God, we are reminded that some people are sent to foreign lands and others are sent into the everyday workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods which are common parts of life. As you pray this week, ask God to help you be obedient in sharing Jesus everywhere you are sent. Pray that you would understand the circumstances of where you are so that you would accomplish the purpose God has for sending you there. Pray for the wisdom and courage to be both one who sends and one who is sent. Pray for humility to recognize the whose harvest field you have been sent to and who the harvest belongs to.

“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 pray each day for God to help live as one who is sent.

Monday: Sent To Invite. Pray that you would be actively involved in reminding people of God’s invitation for all to come to Him and find rest. Pray that your life would be lived in such a way that your invitations for others to encounter Jesus would be attractive to them. “At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’” Luke 14:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Sent Into the World. Pray for courage to live as one sent by Jesus into the world to be His representative. Pray that your life would reflect to others the work accomplished by Jesus through His ministry on earth. Pray that the vastness of the world would not distract you from noticing the part of the world you currently live in. “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18 (NIV)

Wednesday: Sent To Help. Pray for the wisdom needed to be a helper to those who would sent you and to those you are sent to. Pray that God would surround you with people to help you do the things you can’t do on your own. Pray for eyes which are opened to the needs of others. “He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.” Acts 19:22 (NIV)

Thursday: Sent To Preach. Pray that you would live as one sent to proclaim the good news of Jesus through both your actions and your words. Pray that you would be involved in sending others to proclaim Jesus in places you can’t be. “And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15 (NIV)

Friday: Sent From God. Pray that your words and actions would carry a sincerity which comes from God. Pray that God would purify you from all selfishness so that your words to others would always be representative of one being sent by God. “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” 2 Corinthians 2:17 (NIV)

Saturday: Sent To Strengthen. Pray that you would carry with you the good news of Jesus in ways which strengthen others. Pray that you would be strengthened by the influence and example of others as they share with you the work of God in their life. “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.” 1 Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV)

March 9, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: On Mission With God!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

On Mission With God!

“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 our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis, this week’s focus is a reminder to pray for the mission work supported by you and your congregation. God expects every believer to be involved in sharing the good news of Jesus everywhere we go. For some, that calling is to a coworker in a community that you’ve spent your entire life in. For others, that calling is to take the gospel message to a people group in a distant land that you’ve never been to until responding in obedience to God’s calling. For many, that calling is somewhere between those two examples as we carry the gospel message everywhere we go. As we pray about the spread of the gospel, we also pray about our part in taking the message of Jesus to all the world. Our involvement in missions ought to be an integral part of who we are as a Christian. We give financially to missions so that their work would not be hindered by a lack of resources. We pray fervently for missions so that we would hear how God wants to work through them, and through us in partnership with them.

“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 pray each day for God to help you participate in His mission.

Monday: Encouragement. Pray that God would help you find ways to encourage those directly involved in mission work throughout the world. Pray that you would be known as one who refreshes the hearts of others. Pray that those being served by our missions would be encouraged. “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 1:7 (NIV)

Tuesday: Provision: Pray that each mission would have all that is needed for their work as Christians around the world are “credited” with being the instrument God uses to meet the needs of missionaries. Pray that you would know God’s provision as you give to others. “Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:17, 19 (NIV)

Wednesday: Wisdom: Pray for a wisdom that comes from God as our missionaries make decisions. Pray for the patience that is required to know God’s wisdom. Pray that the good news of Jesus being shared through our missions would be accepted as godly wisdom. “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.” 2 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Thursday: Effectiveness: Pray that the work of missionaries would be effective in reaching people with the good news of Jesus. Pray for a knowledge of doors which have been opened for effective work. Pray that an obedience to those open doors would bear much fruit for the kingdom. “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (NIV)

Friday: Boldness: Pray that the missionaries, and yourself, would be filled with a boldness to proclaim the gospel as we ought. Pray for the courage to fear God more than the threats of men. Pray for a spirit of love to fill the bold message of the gospel. “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Acts 4:29 (NIV)

Saturday: Faithfulness: Pray for missionaries to be great examples of faithfulness and that they would be filled with joy by the faithfulness of those who hear the message from them. Pray for a faithfulness to the knowledge of the truth in both message and practice. “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.” 3 John 1:3 (NIV)

March 2, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Godly Compassion!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Godly Compassion!

“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”
Jonah 4:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about knowing God’s compassion so that we can share it with others. Many times we try to substitute pity, instruction, warnings, judgment, or even good deeds for true compassion because we want to help but we don’t want to suffer. Yet godly compassion means to suffer with those who are suffering so that they may receive the same comfort from us that we have received from God. We can learn a lot about the compassion we ought to have by looking at the compassion God has for us. As you pray this week, ask God to open your eyes to the sufferings of others. Pray that you would have the courage to suffer with them — not for the purpose of having a pity party, but in order to find the avenues of comfort that are needed. Pray that you would follow Jesus in a way which shares His compassion through you to others. Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“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 pray each day for God to help you know His compassion and share His compassion.

Monday: Compassion of True Justice. Pray for a greater understanding of how God’s compassion has made it possible for you to be made right with Him. Pray that you would see justice through the eyes of mercy and compassion. Pray that you would learn to see justice as the process of making things right rather than a desire for revenge. “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” Zechariah 7:9 (NIV)

Tuesday: Compassion for the Helpless. Pray that you would know the compassion of God as the Good Shepherd of all who know and follow His voice. Pray that you would have a heart of compassion for the people around you who have no spiritual leader. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

Wednesday: Compassion for the Sick. Pray for eyes that see people who are hurting and for a heart that is moved to compassion for them. Pray that you would find ways to minister to and serve the sick. Pray that your compassion for them would be genuine and helpful. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14 (NIV)

Thursday: Compassion for the Hungry. Pray that you would recognize the ways God has satisfied your hunger. Pray for eyes that see the true hunger experienced by the people around you. Pray for the compassion to share both physical and spiritual food with the people who hunger. “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.” Mark 8:2 (NIV)

Friday: Compassion for the Lost/Missing. Pray that you would be filled with a tender compassion for the people you know who are lost and/or missing from the fellowship of believers. “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (NIV)

Saturday: Clothed with Compassion. Pray that you would daily put on the clothing of compassion and the characteristics that are fitting for God’s chosen people. Pray that people would recognize you as belonging to God as they experience the way you treat them. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

February 23, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: The One Who Heals!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

The One Who Heals!

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
Matthew 8:16 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on knowing Jesus as the One who heals. As Jesus encountered people, He not only taught them, He had compassion on them and healed them in every way imaginable. While casting out demons and healing the sick was important work done by Jesus as He was here on earth, the most valuable work was the spiritual healing made possible by His death, burial, and resurrection. Far too often in our prayers, we focus on a good thing — the physical healing of people — and miss a better thing, the spiritual healing of ourselves and others. As you pray this week, focus on praying about some aspects of healing that you ought to seek for yourself and others. Pray that God would cover you in His grace as you seek forgiveness and healing of anything that would hinder your prayers. Ask God to help you spend at least as much time praying for the spiritual well-being of people as you do praying for their physical health.

“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 pray each day for God to help you experience and share the healing which comes through Jesus.

Monday: Healed By God’s Mercy. Pray that you would seek, and know, the mercy of God when you need healing from sin, and from the effects of sin, in your life. Pray that you would help others know of God’s healing as you extend the same mercy to them that you have received from God. “I said, ‘O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you.’” Psalm 41:4 (NIV)

Tuesday: Healed By God’s Word. Pray that you would know the power of God’s Word that can heal you from the deadly grasp of the grave. Pray that your trust in God and His Word would lead you to share with others about the healing that can be had through the hearing and doing of God’s Word. “He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” Psalm 107:20 (NIV)

Wednesday: Healed By Pleasant Words. Pray that you would speak pleasant words and know the healing that you will both give and receive in doing so. Pray that you would guard the words you allow into your life so the ones which take root in your heart and mind would bring healing. “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

Thursday: Healed By Confession and Prayer. Pray that you would have wisdom in agreeing with those you have sinned against or those who have wronged you. Ask God to help you pray with and for others, especially those you are in disagreement with. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)

Friday: Healed By Christ’s Sacrifice. Pray that you would know the complete healing that was purchased for you by the blood of Jesus. Pray that you would be healed from the power of sin in order to live a righteous life. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

Saturday: Healing For the Soul. Pray that you would experience a wellness of the soul that brings healing. Pray that things would go well for those around you as they experience a soul that is well. Pray that a wellness of the soul would bring benefit to your physical well-being. “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2 (NIV)

February 16, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Correct Path!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

The Correct Path!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on finding, walking, and proclaiming the correct path. If you’ve ever followed a path or road which abruptly ended in a place no where near your intended destination, you likely understand the importance of following the correct path. While Jesus states few will find the correct path, it is not because the path is hidden but rather many are not looking for it. As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the path which leads to life so that you can walk on it every day. Pray that you would actively seek God’s guidance as you spend time in His Word and in prayer. Pray that your life would be evident to others in a way which points them to Jesus as the path of life. Pray for wisdom in avoiding all the enticements of the path of destruction. Pray for the humility to repent and change when you discover the path you are on is not correct.

“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 pray each day for God to help you find, walk, and proclaim the correct path.

Monday: A Guided Path. Pray that God would help you notice, and follow, His guidance on the path that leads to life. Pray that you would pay attention to the primary tools of God’s guidance for your life today — His Spirit and His Word. “By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.” Nehemiah 9:19 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Joyful Path. Pray that you would know the pleasure of walking the correct path with God. Pray that you life would be filled with joy as you experience God’s presence with you. Pray that your joy would be complete as you share with others about the path of life. “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: A Good Path. Pray that you would turn to God, rather than to the world, for an understanding of what is truly right, just, and fair. Pray that you would find the goodness of God displayed in your life as you walk the path set forth by Him. Pray that you would know the goodness of a life which treats others fairly. “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path.” Proverbs 2:9 (NIV)

Thursday: A Righteous Path. Pray for a clear understanding and pursuit of a righteousness which can only be found as you walk with God. Pray that you would choose to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ which leads to eternal life. Pray for wisdom in walking the path of righteousness as you seek eternity with God. “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.” Proverbs 12:28 (NIV)

Friday: A Wise Path. Pray that you would desire godly wisdom as more valuable than all the wisdom of the world. Pray for a listening spirit and mind which can hear the instructions of God regarding the path you take. Pray that the emotions of your heart would not lead you astray as you choose to listen to the wisdom of God for direction. “Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.” Proverbs 23:19 (NIV)

Saturday: A Level Path. Pray that you would see how God levels your path toward Him even when the circumstances of life make the path seem difficult. Pray that you would look for the good path which, regardless of difficulty, will not bring you harm. Pray the smoothness of you path would be evident not by the lack of difficulty, but by the presence of God. “The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth.” Isaiah 26:7 (NIV)

February 9, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Fasting Made New!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Fasting Made New!

“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)

This week we will focus our prayer time on growing in the practice of prayer and fasting. While there are many who believe fasting is simply an Old Testament practice, we find Jesus giving new instruction about prayer and fasting as He teaches in what we call the Sermon On the Mount. God’s desire is that our practice of prayer and fasting brings us closer to Him in ways that He is made more visible rather than us. As you pray this week, ask God to help you consider the role fasting should have in your relationship with Him. Pray that you would practice humility in all spiritual disciplines as you desire relationship with God over the showmanship of the world. Pray that fasting, or any spiritual discipline, would be a joy rather than a burden as you deepen your desire for the things of God. Pray that your growing relationship with Jesus would lead to a greater love of truth and peace.

“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 pray each day for God to help you understand the value of fasting in your pursuit of Him.

Monday: A New Listening. Pray that you would join with others in listening to God when the circumstances of life alarm you. Pray that God would help you to know how fasting with purpose can lead to a greater listening to Him. Pray for wisdom in asking others to join you in fasting. “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NIV)

Tuesday: A New Humility. Pray that your seeking of God would be done in humility. Ask God to help you know the value of fasting in seeking His help and direction. Pray that your requests of God would always be made with reverence. “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: A New Mourning. Pray that you would be serious about going to God in times of sorrow and heartache. Pray for the patience to wait before God when life is filled with loss. Pray that your times of mourning and fasting would prepare you to hear God. “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: A New Serving. Pray that you would regularly spend time of “going without” for the purpose of serving others. Pray that you would always seek God’s purpose to be accomplished through the fasting you do. “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?” Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)

Friday: A New Cry. Pray that you would cry out to God as you ask others to join you in seeking Him. Pray that you would know the sacredness of coming together with others in fasting to cry out to God. “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: A New Worship. Pray that you would experience fasting as an act of worship. Pray for clarity in understanding what God wants to accomplish in your times of fasting. Pray that you would listen for what God wants you to know and what He wants you to share with others. “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)

February 2, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Beyond What Was Heard!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Beyond What Was Heard!

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on gazing into God’s Word to discover how His heart ought to define the way we apply that which we have heard. God’s desire is that we know Him in a way that surpasses the legalistic righteousness of those who know the letter of the law without understanding its intent. Applying that which you have heard is only useful if you understand what the One speaking meant. As you pray this week, pray not only for ears which hear the Word of God, but also for a heart which seeks His help in understanding and doing His will. Pray that you would grow in knowing how God’s laws are meant to help us know Him. Pray for a compassionate response to people as they learn to apply God’s Word in their life. Pray for wisdom in overcoming the entanglements of sin before they grow into an overwhelming destructive force in your life.

“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 pray each day for God to help you know a pursuit of Him helps you more fully understand what you have heard from His Word.

Monday: Beyond Murder. Pray that you would see beyond the act of murder to know how the harboring of anger also destroys lives. Pray for the courage and humility to settle differences and forgive those you may be angry with. Pray for God’s help in learning how to deal with anger in ways that don’t lead to sin. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder’.” Matthew 5:21 (NIV)

Tuesday: Beyond Adultery. Pray that you would see beyond the unfaithfulness of adultery to know how lust creates a destructive unfaithfulness also. Pray for a purity of sight and actions which would keep your desires from leading you into sin. Pray for a growing faithfulness to God in all things. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’“ Matthew 5:27 (NIV)

Wednesday: Beyond Selfishness. Pray that you would see beyond the rejection of marriage vows to see how selfishness leads to the breakdown of many relationships. Pray that you would protect the relationships of others. Pray that you would have the courage to work at maintaining and growing godly relationships. “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’“ Matthew 5:31 (NIV)

Thursday: Beyond Promises. Pray that you would see beyond the distinctions of oaths so that you would know the value of keeping your word at all times. Pray that you would give careful thought to your words so that your actions are consistent with what you say. “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’“ Matthew 5:33 (NIV)

Friday: Beyond Revenge. Pray that you would see beyond the desire for revenge as you choose to consider the needs of others to be more important than your own. Pray that you would find joy in letting God deal with those who do evil and seek to harm you. Pray for a growing spirit of generosity to replace the desire for revenge. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’“ Matthew 5:38 (NIV)

Saturday: Beyond Hatred. Pray that you would see beyond the expectation to hate those who are enemies as you learn to love people the way God loves you. Pray for those who would persecute and mistreat you. Pray that the love you have for those who love you would also be displayed in the way you love those you don’t get along with. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’“ Matthew 5:43 (NIV)

January 26, 2025 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Blessed Life!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Blessed Life!

“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)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide! Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize. When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down. The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth. As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed. As you pray about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you. Pray for the people in your life. Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind. Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“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 pray each day for God to help you know real blessing in the routines of life.

Monday: Blessed are Those Who Mourn. Pray that your realization and expression of loss would lead you to the comfort of God’s love. Pray that your mourning would receive God’s comfort so you may comfort others. Pray that your life would share the good news of God’s comfort as you interact with those who mourn. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

Tuesday: Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness. Pray that your hunger and thirst for the things of God would fill you with His righteousness. Pray that your desires would always be turned to the things which are right. Pray for opportunities to share with others from the righteousness which God has filled you with. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Wednesday: Blessed are the Merciful. Pray for God’s help in being merciful as you encounter those who are in need. Pray that God would fill you with an understanding of your need for mercy in such a way that you would show mercy to others. Pray that God’s mercy would be received by those you pray for today. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

Thursday: Blessed are the Pure In Heart. Pray that your desire to see God would lead you to a cleansing of your heart through the blood of Jesus. Pray that your dealings with others would come from a pure heart. Pray that God would purify the hearts of those you pray for today so that they would see God. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

Friday: Blessed are the Peacemakers. Pray that you would look for ways to make peace in the situations you face. Pray that being a child of God would lead you to being a peacemaker where you live. Pray that your life would be an example to others as they seek peace in all of their relationships. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Saturday: Blessed are The Persecuted. Pray that you would understand the difference between being persecuted for righteousness and just being treated badly. Pray that God’s blessings would help you to do right no matter what as you live as a citizen of God’s kingdom. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 (NIV)