“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Sing a New Song!

“Praise the LORD.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.”
Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the songs that fill our heart as well as those that come from our mouth.  Music seems to be able to reach into most people in a way that little else can.  The songs that fill our soul and are expressed in a variety of ways, reflect off the waters that run deep within us.  I believe we ought to carefully guard the songs we allow into our heart and mind as they greatly influence the song we sing to our God.  Throughout scripture God talks about us singing a new song.  I think His call for us to sing a new song is because just as His mercies are new every day, our expressions of appreciation and worship should be new every day.  As you pray, ask God to help you evaluate the songs of your life.  Pray that you would not just sing, but live your life as a new song to God.  Pray that the song of your life would be acceptable worship to God in every circumstance.  Pray for a greater understanding and expression of the new song God desires to put in your mouth.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  

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

Please spend time praying each day about the song of your life and how it honors God.

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

Monday:  A Song of Praise.  Pray that your life would be a song of praise to God.  Pray that your praise would be more about offering your life to God than giving any other sacrifice.  “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.  This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.”  Psalm 69:30-31 (NIV)

Tuesday:  A Song of Wonder.  Pray that eyes and ears would be open to see and hear the wonders of God.  Pray that you would consistently express to others the marvelous work God has done in bringing salvation to you.  “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”  Psalm 98:1 (NIV)

Wednesday:  A Song of Obedience.  Pray that the songs you allow to fill your heart and mind would be reminders of God’s decrees.  Pray that you would live obediently to the laws of God as you keep them on your lips.  “Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.  In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law.”  Psalm 119:54-55 (NIV)

Thursday:  A Song of Strength.  Pray that your songs about God would strengthen you in times of trouble.  Pray that you would be filled with courage through your songs.  “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”  Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)

Friday:  A Song of Joy.  Pray that God would fill your heart with joy as you sings songs of comfort.  Pray that your awareness of God’s compassion would fill you with joy.  “Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains!  For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”  Isaiah 49:13 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Song of Thanksgiving.  Pray that God would help you let go of the things you cling to which have no lasting value.  Pray that God would fill you with a song of thanksgiving as you recognize it is your relationship with Him that has greatest value.  “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.  But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.  Salvation comes from the LORD.”  Jonah 2:8-9 (NIV)