“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Called to Serve!

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  
Mark 10:42-45 (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 we consider the commands and example of Jesus, our prayer emphasis this week will be on serving.  As Christians, each one of us have been called by God to serve.  What are you doing to serve and who are you serving?  Pray that each of us would better grasp the necessity of serving as a way of life.  As you pray, pay attention to any changes and/or actions God would be calling you to make in that area.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.  As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.

“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 call of Jesus for His followers to serve.  Pray for the courage to serve in the way God has created and called you to do.   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: Called to Share.  Pray that you would understand and practice your responsibility to share with those in need.  Pray for wisdom to know how to do that well.  “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Tuesday: Called to Equip.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word so that you would be equipped, and be able to equip others, 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)

Wednesday: Called to Rebuke and Repent.  Pray for the wisdom and grace to rebuke others in love and to repent when you are rebuked.  “So watch yourselves.  ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.’”  Luke 17:3 (NIV)

Thursday: Called to Visit.  Pray that you would notice the stranger, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned and visit them as if you are visiting Christ.  “When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”  Matthew 25:38-39 (NIV)

Friday: Called to Encourage.  Pray that your life would be an encouragement to others as you meet together on a regular basis.  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

Saturday:  Called to Serve Like Christ.  Pray that you would follow the example of Christ in serving others for their benefit.  “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV