“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

A Time to Grow!

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
Ephesians 4:14-15 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to grow! When the Bible talks about our need to grow, it is most often talking about the individual Christian growing so that the body as a whole will be healthy and grow as God intends. When we spend time with God seeking to grow in Christ, we find that we are less distracted by the things the enemy will use in an attempt to keep us from maturing. When we grow in Christ, we become a healthy part of the body and as the body increases in health, it will grow both naturally and supernaturally. As you pray this week, ask God to help you see how you need to grow. Pray that you would never lose sight of the need for growth in your life. Pray that you would experience healthy growth in Christ that will benefit the entire body of Christ. Pray that your growth would be according to the instruction from your Head, Christ.

“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 growing as you should.

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: Grow By God’s Power. Pray that you would know and follow the source of true growth. Pray that you would be actively involved in helping your own growth even as you trust God’s power to cause it. Pray that you would plant and water in spiritual ways that cultivate God’s power. “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7 (NIV)

Tuesday: Grow In Love. Pray that you would grow in love as you do your part in caring for others. Pray that you would live in a way that everything in your own life, and in the life of each person you serve, is held together by godly love. “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

Wednesday: Grow In Knowledge. Pray that you would grow in knowledge where it counts — knowledge of God. Pray that your knowledge would help you live a life that pleases the Lord. “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10 (NIV)

Thursday: Grow In Faith. Pray that you would grow in the faith required to love others. Pray that you would live by faith in a way that increases your love for others. Pray with thankfulness for what God is doing in the lives of others “We ought always to thank God for you, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

Friday: Grow In Your Salvation. Pray that you would crave the things of God that will help you grow in your salvation. Pray that the goodness of the Lord would increase your desire to grow in Him. Pray that you would grow in your full acceptance of the salvation that only comes through Jesus. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)

Saturday: Grow In Grace. Pray that your knowledge of God would help you grow in the grace which He has extended to you. Pray that God’s grace in your life would help you to grow in the grace you are willing to extend to others. Pray about how living a grace-filled life will help you to give glory to God in all things. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)