“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Road of Stewardship!

“’Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. He said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”
Luke 20:24-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about God’s desire that we live as stewards of His. Perhaps the most difficult part of doing that is the first hurdle of acknowledging His ownership of everything. Many people hear the word stewardship and their first reaction is to tune out the person speaking because “they’re just wanting my money.” There are two problems with that thought — one, it assumes stewardship is only about money; and two, it assumes your ownership of anything you’ve been entrusted with. Godly stewardship recognizes that we do not have anything that we have not received from God, and what we have received God expects us to use for the benefit of others as He advances His kingdom through us. As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with His perspective on the purpose of “things”. Pray that you would seek to be a good steward as you spend time listening for how the Owner would want His things used . . . and yes, that includes the money that you think is yours. Pray that you would learn to live with a loose grip on the things you have been entrusted with.

“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 understanding His ownership and our stewardship.

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: Stewardship of People. Pray that you would be known as both faithful and sensible in the way you deal with the people God surrounds you with. Pray that part of your stewardship would involve giving to others as they have need. “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?’” Luke 12:42 (NASB)

Tuesday: Stewardship of God’s Mysteries. Pray that you would recognize the mysteries of God that He has entrusted you with. Pray that even when the nature of God remains mysterious, you would be known as one who is a good steward of those mysteries. “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1(NASB)

Wednesday: Stewardship that is Trustworthy. Pray that the way in which you use the things God has entrusted you with would be worthy of His trust. Pray that others would know you as trustworthy because of the visible way you use the resources you have received from God. “In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NASB)

Thursday: Stewardship of God’s Word. Pray that you would view God’s Word as a valuable resource He expects you to be a wise steward of. Pray that you would use God’s Word fully as you serve people. “Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God.” Colossians 1:25 (NASB)

Friday: Stewardship that is Above Reproach. Pray that you would be known as one who uses God’s resources for the good of others above your own. Pray that your lifestyle would show you to be above reproach as you manage the things God has given you. “For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain.” Titus 1:7 (NASB)

Saturday: Stewardship of God’s Grace. Pray that you would know the gifting of God in your life and be a good steward of each aspect of that grace. Pray that you would serve faithfully with the grace God has given you. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NASB)