“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Living Submissively!

“’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.”
Luke 1:38 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living submissively as the Lord’s servant. I suspect that many of us struggle with the idea of submission because it can be difficult to put the needs of others ahead of our own. I believe it is often even difficult to submit to God because we tend to like the idea of being completely in charge of our self . . . and even of others. As you pray this week, consider what it will look like in every situation to say yes to God. Pray that God’s supremacy in all things would help you have a greater understanding of the nature of our submission to Him and to others. Pray that you would continually learn from the example of Jesus as He lived a life of submission to His Father. Pray about how God would have you honor Him in the way you responds to His message.

“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 living submissively.

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: Submit to Governing Authorities. Pray that your submission to governing authorities would come from a recognition of God’s authority over all things. Pray for humility in how you represent Jesus through your submission. Pray for wisdom in response to authority that seems ungodly. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” Romans 13:1 (NIV)

Tuesday: Submit to One Another. Pray that your reverence for Christ in all things would help you submit to others. Pray that God would help you see the value others have to Him so you would treat them with the same respect. Pray for a greater understanding of the needs of others and wisdom to respond in appropriate ways. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

Wednesday: Submit to Discipline by God. Pray that you would accept God’s discipline as the life-giving correction it is meant to be. Pray that you would learn to practice godly discipline through your experience of God’s discipline. “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!” Hebrews 12:9 (NIV)

Thursday: Submit to Leaders. Pray that your submission to leaders would make their work a joy. Pray for leaders who take their responsibility seriously. Pray for a heart which seeks to understand those who lead, even as they seek to understand you. “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

Friday: Submit to God. Pray that you would submit to God in all things so that the devil has no foothold in your life. Pray for a growing desire to submit to God even when doing so seems difficult. Pray that your submission to God would help you to stand firm in resisting the attacks of the enemy. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)

Saturday: Submit in Humility. Pray that you would be filled with humility and grace as you learn to submit to the wisdom of those who are older, whether by years or experience. Pray that you would live with a covering of humility in all of your relationships. “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)