“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Lifted Up!

“In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.”
Jonah 2:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being lifted up as we cry out to God when we face danger. Having times when we are experiencing fear and uncertainty isn’t unusual — many of the heroes of the faith that we read about in scripture found themselves in need of encouragement in the midst of their times of despair. As you pray this week, ask God to help you lift up your life to Him in ways that will allow Him to mend your brokenness, heal the hurt, and strengthen your weaknesses. Pray that your choice to “lift up” would encourage others as they go through times of feeling afraid. Pray that God would fill you with the humility that keeps others pointed to Jesus when you are lifted up. Pray for the courage to lift your life to Jesus when others want to push you down. Pray that you would be faithful in praising God even as you wait to be lifted up. Pray that your hope would not fade as you find yourself in need.

“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 being lifted up.

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: A Lifted Head. Pray that you would lift up your head, even in the midst of fear, to notice the works of God taking place around you. Pray that your head would be lifted up to see the completion of your redemption which has been purchased by the blood of Jesus. “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Lifted Heart. Pray that you would lift your heart to God as you open it for His examination. Pray that your heart would be lifted toward God in a way that draws you back to Him when you find fear creating a distance between you and God. “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven.” Lamentations 3:40-41 (NIV)

Wednesday: Lifted Hands. Pray that you would lift your hands to God in prayer — both as a sign of surrender and as an invitation for Him to fill them. Pray that the lifting of your hands would be consistent with your need to hold on to Jesus as the source of courage in the midst of fear. “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2 (NIV)

Thursday: A Lifted Voice. Pray that you would lift your voice to God as you seek His mercy. Pray that the lifting of your voice would not only seek mercy for yourself, but that your voice would be lifted on behalf of others. Pray that the people around you would lift their voices to God as they seek His mercy. “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.” Psalm 142:1 (NIV)

Friday: Lifted Eyes. Pray that you would lift up your eyes toward the one who sits enthroned above all the earth. Pray that the lifting of your eyes would help you to see things from a perspective that is not of this earth. Pray that the people around you would lift their eyes toward heaven as they seek the One who can save them. “I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.” Psalm 123:1 (NIV)

Saturday: A Lifted Soul. Pray that you would lift up your soul to God as an offering and as a dwelling for His Spirit. Pray that the lifting of your soul to God would fill you with a joy that you would eagerly share with others. Pray that the people around you would be filled with joy as they lift their soul to God. “Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 86:4 (NIV)