“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Guard Your Steps!

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.  Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.  Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.  God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on aligning our lives with God’s desire that we Guard our Steps.  Last week I went on a hike that included a lot of steps — both the normal steps of walking and the many steps of a hillside staircase.  I find that my hikes are much more likely to end up where I want to be if after I set the course, I allow the trails and trail map to direct my steps.  While venturing off the directed path may lead to some short-term enjoyment, it often also leads me away from where I really want to go.  When we decide to follow Jesus and pursue a course that leads to everlasting life, the best way to have confidence in reaching our goal is to guard our steps and keep them on the path that God has laid out for us in His Word.  As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a commitment to allowing Him to direct your steps each day.  Pray that you would pay attention to the path He has marked out and be diligent in following it.  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 type of steps you take in your walk with 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:  Firm Steps.  Pray that the course of your day would be filled with firm steps as you hold on to the Lord’s hand.  Pray that your ways would be a delight to the Lord.  “If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Steps Prepared by Righteousness.  Pray that your steps today will have been prepared by righteous decisions.  Pray that your work would yield a great harvest of righteousness.  “The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.  Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”  Psalm 85:12-13 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Steps of Consideration.  Pray that you would consider the direction of each of your steps today.  Pray that a careful look at your steps would turn you toward an immediate obedience to God’s commands.  “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.  I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”  Psalm 119:59-60 (NIV)

Thursday:  Unhindered Steps.  Pray that your steps today would be filled with wisdom.  Pray that your walk with God would be unhindered as you pursue God’s wisdom.  “I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”  Proverbs 4:11-12 (NIV)

Friday:  Thought-filled Steps.  Pray that you would give careful thought to each step you take today.  Pray that you would test every step against God’s Word so that you are not deceived in your walk.  “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.”  Proverbs 14:15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Followed Steps.  Pray that your steps would follow the example of Christ in all things.  Pray for the courage to walk obediently even when it is accompanied by suffering.  “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?  But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”  1 Peter 2:20-21 (NIV)