“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Road of Sorrow!

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
Luke 19:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide begins a series that will look at snapshots from the week leading up to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. As we consider the path of Jesus to the cross and beyond, we will examine how we are called to walk with Him. While the week leading to the cross began with great excitement and celebration by the crowd, the response of Jesus was one of great sorrow. We learn much about being like Jesus when our own road to resurrection through the blood of Jesus begins on a road of sorrow. As you pray this week, ask God to help you understand the reasons Jesus wept. Pray that you would know the godly sorrow in your own life that would lead to your repentance. Pray that your times of sorrow would not only reflect the sorrow of Jesus, but would know and express the comfort of Jesus also. Pray that God would move you to a place of weeping over the lost and confused in your community.

“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 experiencing and responding to godly sorrow.

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: Sorrow Over Silence. Pray that your life would express a praise of God that is appropriate and fitting. Pray that a sorrow over the times of your own silence would lead to a purer representation of Jesus as your life cries out His name. Pray that the people around you would learn to replace sorrow with praise as they draw near to Jesus. “‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’” Luke 19:40 (NIV)

Tuesday: Sorrow Over Blindness. Pray that your eyes would be opened to the things of God which bring peace. Pray that a sorrow over the times of spiritual blindness would lead you to open your eyes fully to the things of God. Pray that your life would help others to see the things that bring peace. “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:42 (NIV)

Wednesday: Sorrow Over Opposition. Pray that the opposition of the enemy would not catch you unprepared. Pray for a godly sorrow that is concerned about the opposition faced by others. Pray that you would know and share a God who rescues His people. “The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.” Luke 19:43 (NIV)

Thursday: Sorrow Over Destruction. Pray that the destruction of the things of this world would not dissuade you from trusting God. Pray that a sorrow over the destruction caused by the enemy would lead you to know the protection of God. Pray for the courage to overcome in a way that helps others see God. “They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Luke 19:44 (NIV)

Friday: Sorrow Over Disrespect. Pray that your life would show an appropriate honor and respect for the things of God. Pray for a godly sorrow which would convict you of anything that would be disrespectful. Pray that the way you honor God and show respect to others would help them see a God who is worthy of all honor. “Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling.” Luke 19:45 (NIV)

Saturday: Sorrow Over Lack of Relationship. Pray that you would grow in relationship to God as He dwells within you. Pray that sorrow over an incomplete relationship with God would lead you to draw near to Him in your prayer life. Pray that your life as a dwelling place of God’s Spirit would lead others to seek a relationship with Him. “’It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.’” Luke 19:46 (NIV)