“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Christmas Joy!

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
Matthew 2:10 (NKJV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living with great joy. Many times it is the intensity of our longing or search for something that is reflected in the joy we are able to express. Our seeking of God ought to fill us with great joy because He promises to be found when we seek Him with our whole heart. As you pray this week, join with the Magi in rejoicing “with exceedingly great joy” because you have experienced the light of Jesus in your life. Pray for the courage to be filled with great joy in the midst of circumstances which are difficult to rejoice in. Pray for a contagious joy that helps comfort those who see little to rejoice about. Pray that you would be diligent in searching for the light of Jesus and in being the light of Jesus so that His joy would abound. Pray for wisdom in sharing the great joy that God has put within you. Pray that your expressions of joy would help others see Jesus more clearly.

“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’s help in knowing and sharing the joy of Christmas.

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: Great Joy For Everyone. Pray that you would know the fullness of God’s joy. Pray that you would take to heart the message of the angel that the good news of Jesus is meant to be for all people. Pray that fear would not keep you from experiencing the great joy found in Jesus. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 (NIV)

Tuesday: Great Joy From Worshiping God. Pray that your times of worshiping God would fill you with great joy. Pray that the joy you experience through your times of worship and pursuing God would fill you wherever you go. Pray that the joy of worship would go with you each day that you live. “Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” Luke 24:52 (NIV)

Wednesday: Great Joy That Spreads. Pray that the work of God in your life would help there to be great joy all around you. Pray that your community would experience great joy as the people embrace the transforming power of God to rescue them. Pray that you would be involved in bringing the joy of Jesus to your city. “So there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:8 (NIV)

Thursday: Great Joy Through the Love of Others. Pray that you would know the joy that comes from the encouragement of others. Pray that the love you express to others would fill them with great joy. Pray that you would share joy as your life refreshes the people around you. “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 1:7 (NIV)

Friday: Great Joy From Fruitful Work. Pray that the work you do in sharing the good news of Jesus would bring you great joy as it bears much fruit. Pray that the people who taught you about Jesus would be filled with great joy because of your faithfulness to the truth. “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.” 3 John 1:3 (NIV)

Saturday: Presented Before God With Great Joy. Pray that you would trust God to hold you and prepare you to be presented before Him with great joy. Pray that you would help others to know the faithfulness of Jesus to present them before God with great joy. Pray that your life would declare the ability of God to do what He promises. “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” Jude 1:24 (NIV)