worship

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Sing a New Song!

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“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)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Reconciled!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Reconciled!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on our being reconciled to God with the task of facilitating reconciliation with others.  Each month I receive a bank statement and my accounting software asks me to reconcile my account.  The purpose, I think, is to bring my record of expenditures and deposits into balance and agreement with what the bank has recorded.  Webster’s dictionary says that reconcile means “to bring one thing into correspondence with another.”  When we are reconciled to God, it is through the blood of Jesus that the line of communication has been opened between us and God.  It is only through Christ that we can be brought into balance and agreement with God.  As we are reconciled to God, He calls us to be involved in not only helping others to experience reconciliation with God, but to work at the ministry of reconciliation with one another.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you walk in balance with Him.  Pray about the reconciliation you need with God and with others.  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 both the reconciliation that you have in Christ and any aspect of your life where you need to work at being reconciled to someone.

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:  Reconciled Before Worship.  Pray that you would  have the courage to be reconciled to others so that your worship would be pleasing and acceptable to God.  “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”  Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Reconciled with Adversaries.  Pray that you would make a sincere effort to be reconciled to those who are against you.  “As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.”  Luke 12:58 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Reconciled with One Another.  Pray that you would listen to the attempts of people when they try to help you be reconciled to others.  “The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’”  Acts 7:26 (NIV)

Thursday:  Reconciled through Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would always seek to be reconciled to God through Jesus and that you would see Jesus as the means for all reconciliation.  “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”  Romans 5:10-11 (NIV)

Friday:  Ambassador of Reconciliation.  Pray that you would actively be involved in calling people to be reconciled to God.  “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

Saturday:  Reconciled to Be Holy.  Pray that you would value the cost of reconciliation by pursuing a holy life in Christ.  “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”  Colossians 1:22 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Lifestyle of Worship!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus:  Lifestyle of Worship!

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides are training and equipping you in the practice of prayer.

This week we will focus on different aspects of worship from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone has an idea of what worship ought to be, but what does God say about it?  We have a tendency to make worship about what I want, like, or am comfortable with.  Real worship comes when I decide it’s all about God and what He says, wants, and desires and not about me!  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   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 for a heart that seeks God in a lifestyle of worship.  Pray this for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  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: Exclusive Worship.  Pray that you would reject every temptation to worship anyone, or anything, but God.  “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”‘”  Matthew 4:10 (NIV)

Tuesday: Heart Involved Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would always come from a heart that seeks God and not just be following the motions of tradition — old or new.  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.   They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”  Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV)

Wednesday: True Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in both spirit and truth as a lifestyle, not confined to a specific place and time.  “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”  John 4:23 (NIV)

Thursday: Informed Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would draw you into a greater knowledge and intimacy with Him.  “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.”  Acts 17:23 (NIV)

Friday: Sacrificial Worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in such a way as to “cost you something”.  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.”  Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Saturday:  Acceptable Worship.  Pray that your worship of God never forgets who He is compared to who we are.  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”  Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Jesus (Week 2)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: Jesus!

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:15

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer.  This week we finish a two-week series of praying about who Jesus is, or should be, in our life.  Over the two weeks we are using many of the titles/descriptions of Jesus found in the gospel of John.  As you are growing in the practice of prayer, I also encourage you to grow in the practice of journaling your prayers, your requests, your praises, and make note of how you see God working in each.   As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of believers who meet there.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

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 each day praying about how God describes who Jesus is through the gospel of John.  With that in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: The Gate.  Pray that you would recognize Jesus as the gate that must be entered through in order to be saved.  “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”  John 10:9

Tuesday: The Good Shepherd.  Pray that you would always know Jesus as the good shepherd who laid down his life to protect you from the judgment to come.  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11

Wednesday: The Way.  Pray that you would follow Jesus fully as the way in which you should go.  “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”  John 14:6

Thursday: The Truth.  Pray that you would know Jesus as complete truth.  “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”  John 14:6

Friday: The Life.  Pray that you would have life itself through your relationship with Jesus who is life.  “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”  John 14:6

Saturday:  The True Vine.  Pray that you would remain attached to Jesus as the true vine that provides the life and nourishment that you need.  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”  John 15:1

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Jesus (Week 1)

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: Jesus!

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:15

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer.  This week we begin a two-week series of praying about who Jesus is, or should be, in our life.  Over the two weeks we will be using many of the titles/descriptions of Jesus found in the gospel of John.  As you are growing in the practice of prayer, I also encourage you to grow in the practice of journaling your prayers, your requests, your praises, and make note of how you see God working in each.   As you pray, listen for what God would have you to do.  Pray each day for the individuals of the church congregation you attend as well as the body of believers who meet there.  Continue to use the prayer guides/lists from the past weeks.

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 each day praying about how God describes who Jesus is through the gospel of John.  With that in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Lamb of God.  Pray that you would know Jesus as the Lamb of God who was sacrificed to pay for your sin.  “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'”  John 1:29

Tuesday: Son of God.  Pray that the presence of Jesus in your life causes you to testify that He is God’s Son.  “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”  John 1:34

Wednesday: Messiah.  Pray that you would both believe and tell others that Jesus is the anointed one that God has promised.  “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).”  John 1:41

Thursday: Son of Man.  Pray that you would recognize the depth of understanding God has of you through the role of Jesus as the Son of Man.  “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”  John 1:51

Friday: Bread of Life.  Pray that you would be filled with the life-sustaining bread that is Jesus.  “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'”  John 6:35

Saturday:  Light of the World.  Pray that you would constantly walk in the light that is Jesus as you follow Him with each step you take.  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”  John 8:12

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Turn To God!

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer” 

 This week’s prayer focus: Turn To God!

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 
2 Chronicles 7:14

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer.  This week we will pray about turning to God as we humble our self, pray, and seek His face.  As you pray, allow God to change you to be more like Jesus each day.   As you are growing in the practice of prayer, I also encourage you to grow in the practice of journaling your prayers, your requests, your praises, and make note of how you see God working in each.   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 each day praying about how God would have you respond to that day’s “turn to God” focus.  With that in mind, pray for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the “one anothers” we’ve been praying for over the past weeks.

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: With A Whole Heart.  Pray that you would turn to God with your whole heart as you obey His commands.  “If you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”  Deuteronomy 30:10

Tuesday: In Worship. Pray that your remembering God’s work in your life would lead you to turn to Him in worship.  “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him.”  Psalm 22:27

Wednesday: For Healing.  Pray that you would turn to God in every life situation where healing is needed.  “They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.”  Isaiah 19:22

Thursday: For Salvation.  Pray that you would always turn to God for your salvation, understanding that there is no other way.  “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”  Isaiah 45:22

Friday: For Mercy.  Pray for the courage to turn to God for mercy when His Spirit convicts you of wicked ways and evil thoughts.  “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.  Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”  Isaiah 55:7

Saturday:  In Repentance.  Pray that you would turn to God in a manner that shows a complete change of direction because of your faith in Him.  “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”  Acts 20:21

 

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Lifestyle of Prayer: Worship

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“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

 

 This week’s prayer focus: Worship!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

“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)

A Lifestyle of Prayer should be just that — a lifestyle, not simply an event.  View prayer as your first priority, not as the last resort.  It is my prayer that these weeks of “topical” prayer guides have been training and equipping you in the practice of prayer. 

This week we will focus on different aspects of worship from God’s perspective.  It seems nearly everyone has an idea of what worship ought to be, but what does God say about it?  We have a tendency to make worship about what I want, like, or am comfortable with.  Real worship comes when I decide it’s all about God and what He says, wants, and desires and not about me!  Use the suggestions each day but most of all allow God’s Word to soak into your life and direct how you pray and who you pray for.   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 for a heart that seeks God in a lifestyle of worship.  Pray this for yourself, your family, your friends, neighbors, and all the other “one anothers” in your life.  Thank you!

Sunday: Pray for Tom Lemler and the work God is doing through Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Exclusive worship.  Pray that you would reject every temptation to worship anyone, or anything, but God.  “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”‘”  Matthew 4:10

Tuesday: Heart involved worship.  Pray that your worship of God would always come from a heart that seeks God and not just be following the motions of tradition — old or new.  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.   They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”  Matthew 15:8-9

Wednesday: True worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in both spirit and truth as a lifestyle, not confined to a specific place and time.  “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”  John 4:23

Thursday: Informed worship.  Pray that your worship of God would draw you into a greater knowledge and intimacy with Him.  “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.”  Acts 17:23

Friday: Sacrificial worship.  Pray that your worship of God would be done in such a way as to “cost you something”.  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.”  Romans 12:1

Saturday:  Acceptable worship.  Pray that your worship of God never forgets who He is compared to who we are.  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”  Hebrews 12:28