September 29, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Vision of Judgment!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Vision of Judgment!

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

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on some of what the Bible says about judgment. The Bible has a lot to say about the judgments that God makes as well as the judgments that we ought to make. Because the Bible says, “judge not lest you be judged”, there are many who think it is unfair to make any kind of determination as to right and wrong. Yes, not only is there a judgment to come, God equips us with His Word and His Spirit to make judgments every day so that we would grow in our alignment with Him. As you pray this week, ask God to help you to understand the topic of judgment from His perspective. Pray that you would be involved in making godly judgments and that you would be ready for God’s judgment. Pray that the people around you would realize that God has made a way for there to be no condemnation in judgment for those who are found in Christ.

“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 one with good sense of judgment, both now and in regard to the judgment to come.

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

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

Wednesday: Good Judgment. Pray that you would learn good judgment as you believe and follow the commands of God. Pray that your life would reflect to others the goodness of God’s judgments. Pray for a knowledge that is both good and godly in content and practice. “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.” Psalm 119:66 (NIV)

Thursday: Sound Judgment. Pray that your life would exemplify sound judgment and that you would allow nothing to take if from you. Pray for a steadfast spirit that would help your judgments stand up to the test of God’s Word, as well as to the test of time. “My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight.” Proverbs 3:21 (NIV)

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

Saturday: Truthful Judgment. Pray that you would always speak truth, especially in matters of judgment. Pray for a justice system that would honor God in the way judgments are decided and given. Pray about how God would have you involved in making truth known. “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.” Zechariah 8:16 (NIV)

September 22, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Vision To Serve!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Vision To Serve!

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. . . . So he said, ‘These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.’”
Zechariah 4:6 & 14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living with a vision to serve. God makes it clear in His Word that we serve Him when we serve people. While the world often defines greatness based on power and who you have serving you, God says that to be great you must become servant of all. As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only see opportunities to serve but to give you the courage to actually serve. Pray for a spirit of humility to guide you as you serve people wherever you are. Pray that God’s love would be seen and felt through you as you serve. Pray that your commitment to serving would be an example for others. Pray about how God would use your service to teach and train others to join in a lifestyle that serves. 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 live as one with a vision to serve.

Monday: Serve In The Spirit. Pray that you would know the freedom in Christ that enables you to serve in the way of the Spirit. Pray that each believer would experience the freedom found by serving in the Spirit. “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Romans 7:6 (NIV)

Tuesday: Serve With Power. Pray for the courage to serve in God’s power even when you feel weak. Pray that your eyes would be opened to how God desires show His power through 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)

Wednesday: Serve One Another. Pray that you would look for opportunities to use you freedom to serve others rather than yourself. Pray for the compassion needed to serve one another even when you think you are free not to. “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)

Thursday: Serve Wholeheartedly. Pray that you would serve others with a whole heart, just as you would if it were Jesus being served. Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as you serve. Pray that you would know the joy and contentment that comes from serving wholeheartedly. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” Ephesians 6:7 (NIV)

Friday: Serve Faithfully. Pray that you would be faithful in using God’s gifting in your life to serve others. Pray that your faithfulness in serving would be based on God’s faithfulness to you. Pray that God would help you to know His grace more fully. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Saturday: Serve Eagerly. Pray that you would eagerly desire, and look for, opportunities to serve. Pray not only for elders who serve eagerly, but to be one who eagerly serves all those who might look to you as an example. “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.” 1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)

September 15, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Vision To Be Clean!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Vision To Be Clean!

“The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ Then he said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.’”
Zechariah 3:4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being cleansed by God. While we spend much time emphasizing the cleansing of our bodies and the things we can touch, God is even more concerned about our living as those who are fully cleansed from the inside out. As you pray this week, ask God to increase your desire to “ascend the hill of the Lord”. Pray that your life would be fully open to God as you look for areas that may need some extra cleansing this week. Pray that you would worship God only and would always reject the idols of this world. Pray for the courage to reject that which is false and to resist the temptation to compromise with the enemy. Pray that your life would be a shining example of one who walks with God each day. Pray for the wisdom to know what needs to be cleansed from your life . . . and for the humility to be one who is fully cleansed by God. Pray that you would always speak words of healing and cleansing to the people around you.

“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 one cleansed by Him.

Monday: Cleansed of All Sin. Pray that you would be aware of the sin in your life that needs the cleansing only God can give. Pray for the humility to reject all seeds of rebellion that the enemy tries to plant in your life. Pray that your life would share a message of forgiveness of sins made possible by the cleansing power of Jesus. “I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.” Jeremiah 33:8 (NIV)

Tuesday: Cleansed Through Compassion. Pray that you would experience and be aware of the compassion of Jesus as He reaches out to you. Pray that your desire for a complete cleansing would be met by an openness to receive that which God offers through His great compassion. “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’” Mark 1:41 (NIV)

Wednesday: Cleansed By the Word. Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word as you allow it’s message and it’s Author to cleanse you completely. Pray that you would live as one who has been cleansed by the Word of God. Pray that you would “accurately divide the Word of Truth” as you share it with others. “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Cleansed To Be Useful. Pray that you would live as one useful to God as you allow Him to cleanse you fully. Pray for eyes that see, and a willingness to do, the good works God has prepared in advance for you to do. Thank God for making you useful to Him, and to others, through His cleansing. “If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)

Friday: Cleansed By the Blood of Jesus. Pray that you would know the completeness of God’s forgiveness as you are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Pray that your obedience to Christ would fill you with the assurance of being fully cleansed by His blood in accordance with His laws. “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22 (NIV)

Saturday: Cleansed Conscience. Pray that you would live life seeking to be near to God each day. Pray that God’s cleansing of your life would include a cleansing of your conscience through your faith in His accomplished work. Pray that you be cleansed completely by the washing that God offers to you. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)

September 8, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Vision To Grow!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Vision To Grow!

“Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.”
Zechariah 2:11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to grow! Far too often we think of church growth as being all about increasing attendance in a church building. The Bible says God adds to the number those who are being saved, so we can’t ignore numerical growth. However, when the Bible talks about our need to grow, it is most often talking about the individual Christian growing so that the body as a whole will be healthy. When we spend time with God seeking to grow in Christ, we find that we are less distracted by the things the enemy will use in an attempt to keep us from maturing. As you pray this week, ask God to help you see how you need to grow. Pray that you would never lose sight of the need for growth in your life. Pray that you would experience healthy growth in Christ that will benefit the entire body of Christ. Pray that your growth would be according to the instruction from your Head, Christ.

“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 grow.

Monday: Grow By God’s Power. Pray that you would know and follow the source of true growth. Pray that you would be actively involved in helping your growth even as you trust God’s power to cause it. Pray that the people around you would grow by God’s power. “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7 (NIV)

Tuesday: Grow In Love. Pray that you would grow in love as you care about how others grow by you doing your part in the body. Pray that you would live in a way that everything is held together by godly love. “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

Wednesday: Grow In Knowledge. Pray that you would grow in knowledge where it counts — knowledge of God. Pray that your knowledge would help you live a life that pleases the Lord. “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10 (NIV)

Thursday: Grow In Faith. Pray that you would grow in the faith required to love others as you ought. Pray that you would live by faith in a way that increases your love for others. Pray that you would be thankful for the way God is growing faith in others. “We ought always to thank God for you, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

Friday: Grow In Your Salvation. Pray that you would crave the things of God that will help you grow in your salvation. Pray that the goodness of the Lord would increase your desire to grow in Him. Pray that all people would taste the goodness of the Lord and seek to grow in salvation. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)

Saturday: Grow In Grace. Pray that your knowledge of God would help you grow in the grace of God extended to you. Pray that God’s grace in your life would help you to grow in the grace you are willing to extend to others. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

September 1, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Vision To Return!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Vision To Return!

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we, and those around us, would return to Him whenever we stray. One of the greatest promises of God is that there is always a way home from wherever we are. Foundational to the vision God desires each of us to live with is an awareness we can always come home. As you pray this week, consider if there are areas of your life in which you need to return to God. Pray for those you know, perhaps even yourself, who are distant from God and need to know they can return. Pray that your life would reflect the openness of God to those who are looking for a way home. Pray that you would know how to return to God so that you would be able to help lead others back to Him also. Pray for a heart of compassion that accepts those returning to God with the same joy that He has.

“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 with, and share, a message of returning to Him.

Monday: Return In Obedience. Pray for the humility needed to repent of any disobedience as you return to God fully. Pray for discernment to know a way home when the troubles you face are the result of straying away from God. “When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him.” Deuteronomy 4:30 (NIV)

Tuesday: Return To Find Compassion. Pray that God’s compassion would be evident to others in the way He treats you. Pray that you would have compassion for others because of the compassion God has for you. “If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate.” 2 Chronicles 30:9

Wednesday: Return With Joy. Pray that God would give you a glimpse beyond your current sorrow to see the joy that comes in His harvest. Pray for a heart that goes out to people as you plant the seeds of the gospel through all that you say and do. “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5-6

Thursday: Return With a Whole Heart. Pray that you would accurately examine how much of your heart you have surrendered to God. Pray that you would realize the heart God has given you is one that was created to seek after Him with a whole heart. “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7

Friday: Return With Love and Justice. Pray that love and justice would always be at the core of your relationship with God. Pray that the people around you would return to God to find true love and justice. Pray that you would not give up on yourself, others, or God as you maintain love and justice. “But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.” Hosea 12:6 (NIV)

Saturday: Return and Give Praise To God. Pray that you would always be grateful for the work God is doing in your life. Pray for a heart of gratitude that continually gives praise to God. Pray for a recognition of all that God is doing for you as you constantly return to Him with praise. “Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’” Luke 17:18 (NIV)

August 25, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Chosen To Be Patient!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Chosen To Be Patient!

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

You’ve likely been warned about praying for patience but I want to remind you that living with patience is not only instructed by God but it is also part of His gift to us. This week we will be praying about some qualities that God wants to grow within us as we live with patience. We will also spend time praying about how God has equipped us to live with patience. Part of the beauty that is present in all of God’s instructions, including living with patience, is that the ability to follow His instructions comes from Him. While commanding us to be patient may seem like an impossible instruction to obey, He gives us everything we need to walk in complete obedience. As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value of waiting patiently on Him each day. Pray that you would allow the gifting of His Spirit to work within your life to produce a patience that doesn’t come naturally. Pray that you would live with patience in such a way that others can imitate your obedience to 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 6:18 (NIV)

Please pray each day for God to help you live with patience.

Monday: Patient As You Cry Out To God. Pray that you would be confident of God listening to your cries even as you wait for His answer. Pray that you would not become weary in the waiting as you cry out to God. Pray that your life would be an example to others as they learn to wait while they cry out to God. “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 (NIV)

Tuesday: Patient In the Midst Of Suffering. Pray that you would learn patient endurance through the example of others being comforted in their distress. Pray that you would live as an example to others as you live with patience in the midst of suffering. “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:6 (NIV)

Wednesday: Patient Through God’s Spirit. Pray that you would know God’s presence as you live with patience. Pray that a growing patience in your life would be the result of God’s Spirit living within you. “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)

Thursday: Patient With Everyone. Pray that you would live with patience in every manner of interaction with others. Pray that your patience with others would allow you to warn, encourage, and help them in appropriate ways according to their need. “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)

Friday: Patient To Receive What Is Promised. Pray that you would know the difference between patience and laziness — and choose patience. Pray that your active waiting would prepare you to receive what God has promised to those who live by faith. “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:12 (NIV)

Saturday: Patient As You Wait On the Lord’s Coming. Pray that you would not become weary in doing good as you wait for the Lord’s return. Pray that your patience would lead you to do the work which is appropriate for the current season. “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.” James 5:7 (NIV)

August 18, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Chosen To Be Pure!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Chosen To Be Pure!

“Even a child is known by his actions,
by whether his conduct is pure and right.”
Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer emphasis on the subject of living with pure and right conduct. While it seems that most conversations and teaching about purity center around the topic of sexual purity, I believe the Bible teaches that it is often the impurities in other aspects of our life that leads to sexual impurity. The door of impure action is often opened by having an impure heart, attitude, thought, or speech. Pure conduct doesn’t just happen on its own, so this week we will be praying about transforming some areas of our life in order to produce conduct which is pure and right. As you pray each day this week, pray for a greater desire for, and practice of, the purity that God desires for you to have. Pray that you would be known by your actions as a follower and pursuer of Christ. Pray for the courage to walk each day by the Spirit’s leading and conviction. Pray that your representation of Jesus would reflect His purity. 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 live with the purity God has chosen you to have.

Monday: Pure Wisdom. Ask God to fill you with a wisdom that comes from above and is far greater than human wisdom. Pray that your life would show to those around you the conduct which comes from pure wisdom. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Pure Heart. Pray that you would seek and allow God to create a pure heart within you. Pray that the people around you would see your persistence in allowing God’s Spirit to purify your heart. Pray that your pure and right conduct would flow from a heart which has been transformed by God. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Wednesday: Pure Way. Pray that you would be a faithful student of God’s Word for the purpose of keeping your way pure. Pray that the people around you would come to know God’s Word as a protection to keep their life pure. Pray that purity would be an identifying mark of your conduct in this world. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.” Psalm 119:9 (NIV)

Thursday: Pure Speech. Pray that God’s guard over your mouth would keep your speech pure in all situations. Pray that the people around you would hear a consistent message of your faith as you ask God to watch what comes from your lips. Pray that the purity of your speech would be reflected in the things you do. “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

Friday: Pure Thoughts. Pray that your thoughts would only be of things that are pleasing to God. Pray that the people around you would understand how important their thought life is and that nothing you do would cause them to have impure thoughts. Pray that your actions would reflect a thought life which is pure. “The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.” Proverbs 15:26 (NIV)

Saturday: Pure Offerings. Pray that the greatness of God’s name would cause you to examine the purity of your offerings to Him. Pray that your offerings to God would be pure in every way. Pray that your life would be an offering of purity to God. “‘My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Malachi 1:11 (NIV)

August 11, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Chosen To Be Sure!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Chosen To Be Sure!

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”
Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with a confidence that you can be sure of. I suspect that at one time or another most of us have put our confidence in something that has disappointed or failed us. God does not want us to live in fear and doubt, but to live with confidence that is well placed because it comes from a trust in Him. Yes, it may be easier to put our confidence in ourselves or in things we can control, but doing so will always leave us feeling empty and disappointed. Putting our confidence fully in God will always require faith, but it is a faith that will be rewarded with His blessing. As you pray, ask God to help you see just what, or who, it is that you tend to put your confidence in. Pray that you would recognize your need to put your confidence in God above all else. Pray that you would be sure of your place in God’s kingdom, not because you’re so good but because God’s so good. Pray that you would be able to live with confidence more fully each day as you allow God to increase your faith and trust in Him.

“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 with confidence because of Jesus.

Monday: Confidence in the Lord’s Goodness. Pray that you would live with a confidence that comes from knowing God’s goodness. Pray that God would open your eyes to see His goodness around you each day. Pray that you would share the goodness of God in every way possible wherever you go. “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: Confidence that Lasts Forever. Pray that you would seek a life of righteousness that would fill you with quietness and confidence. Pray that the fruit of God’s righteousness in you, through a quiet and peaceful life, would result in a confidence that lasts forever. “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)

Wednesday: Confidence to Approach God. Pray that your faith in Jesus would give you a confidence to approach God. Pray that the freedom you have in Christ would fill you with confidence as you approach God. Pray that the confidence you have in your relationship with God would help others approach Him. “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

Thursday: Confidence that is Rewarded. Pray that you would have a confidence in the work of God that cannot be taken away. Pray that you would hold fast to the confidence you have in Christ as you await your eternal reward. Pray that you would share with others about the importance of holding on to a confident faith. “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:35 (NIV)

Friday: Confidence in the Lord’s Help. Pray that your confidence in the Lord’s help would be greater than your fear of what people might do or say. Pray that the Lord’s help would give you the confidence to overcome fear that is caused by those who oppose God. Pray that you would be an instrument of God’s help so that others would experience it more fully. “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

Saturday: Confidence on the Day of Judgment. Pray that God’s love would be made complete in you so that you would have confidence on the day of judgment. Pray that you would be diligent in sharing the love of God with others so that they could also have confidence on the day of judgment. “In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.” 1 John 4:17 (NIV)

August 4, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Chosen To Be Sheep!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Chosen To Be Sheep!

“Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”
Psalm 100:3 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about being chosen by God to be sheep of His pasture. If you spend much time with sheep, you will likely discover that this isn’t the most complimentary word picture God could have used for us — though rather fitting. The great part about being sheep is that we are chosen by the greatest Shepherd to be His sheep and His care for us is always for our good. As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one chosen by Him. Pray that you would desire to be a “sheep of his pasture”. Pray that you would live as one who knows and listens to the voice of Jesus through His Word and His Spirit. Pray for those whom God has called within His church to be shepherds of people. Pray for human shepherds who serve with the same spirit as the Good Shepherd they serve under. Pray that the people around you each day would hear and know the voice of the Good Shepherd, and choose to follow Him.

“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 one of the sheep of His pasture.

Monday: Called Sheep. Pray that you would be inclined to respond to the call of Jesus as He asks you to be His. Pray that your representation of Jesus would open the gate for others to respond to His calling them by name to come belong to Him. “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3 (NIV)

Tuesday: Led Sheep. Pray that you would desire to follow Jesus in all you think and do. Pray for a willingness to be led by God’s Spirit and His Word. Pray that the voice of Jesus would be familiar to you because you have chosen to follow Him in all things. “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:4 (NIV)

Wednesday: Fed Sheep. Pray that you would be filled with all good things as you enjoy the pasture of God’s Word. Pray that your desire to feast upon the Word of God would be satisfied as you grow in Christ. Pray that you would share the pasture of God’s Word with all who are hungry. “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” John 10:9 (NIV)

Thursday: Protected Sheep. Pray that you would know and share Jesus as the One who laid down His life for all who would come to Him. Pray that your desire to be protected would extend beyond simply seeking safety in this life but would rather be focused on protection from the evil one who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (NIV)

Friday: Known Sheep. Pray that you would be able to rejoice in the knowledge of being known fully by the Good Shepherd. Pray that you would live with your life as an open book before God — because it is. Pray for humility in the way you share with others about a God who knows them and loves them fully. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” John 10:14 (NIV)

Saturday: Included Sheep. Pray with great thankfulness that God has chosen to include you in His flock. Pray for a heart and life that chooses to love all whom God loves — that’s everyone — and pray that they would also listen to His voice. Pray for a unity of spirit and purpose among all who would respond in obedience to the voice of the Good Shepherd. “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:16 (NIV)

July 28, 2024 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Chosen To Be Righteous!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Chosen To Be Righteous!

“Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”
Philippians 3:9 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about being chosen by God to be righteous — the righteousness of God that ought to be reflected in our life. Yes, it is true that the Bible says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” But that is a statement made about our own ability to be, and become, righteous. We are not righteous of our own will and effort, but we can be declared by God to be righteous because of our faith in the power of Christ’s blood to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As you pray this week, ask God to help recognize, and admit, that you will never become righteous through your own efforts or deeds. Pray that your obedient response to God’s Word would be what you rely on fully for righteousness to be credited to you by God. Pray that you would seek to live the righteous life God has called you to. Pray for a humility which makes a life of righteous attractive even to the unrighteous. Pray that your life would be a testimony to others of the power of God to make a person righteous.

“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 be clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Monday: Protected by Righteousness. Pray that your heart would be protected by righteousness as you put on the full armor of God. Pray that the righteousness you have in Christ would serve as your protection against the attacks of the evil one. “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.” Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)

Tuesday: Pursue Righteousness. Pray that you would be active in pursuing a life of righteousness along with others who seek God. Pray that your pursuit of righteousness would include a deliberate fleeing from evil desires. “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)

Wednesday: Trained in Righteousness. Pray that you would be a good student of God’s Word so that it would be used accurately in your life. Pray that the training in righteousness you receive from God’s Word would equip you for every good work. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Thursday: Harvest of Righteousness. Pray that you would accept God’s discipline as a means of producing righteousness. Pray that you would share with others the peace that you have because of God’s discipline. “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)

Friday: Live for Righteousness. Pray that you would understand the price paid to declare you righteous. Pray that you would live for righteousness by dying to sin daily. Pray that you would share a message of healing through choosing 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: A Home of Righteousness. Pray that your eyes would remain fixed on a home of righteousness. Pray that your desire for that home would lead you to pursue God’s righteousness each day. Pray that others would accept the promises of God which lead them to a righteous home. “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13 (NIV)