September 23, 2018 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Walk Humbly!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Walk Humbly!

“He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our need to “walk humbly with your God.” Humility seems to be one of those traits that we may admire in others but we tend to avoid pursuing because “that’s not what gets you ahead in this world.” Yet humility is a trait that is not only admirable, God says it is required! When we humble ourselves, we deliberately place our self and our needs below that of others. While this humility begins by placing our self under the will of God, it continues into considering the needs of others above our own. True godly humility isn’t really about thinking less of our self, rather it is about thinking more of others. As you pray this week, ask God to help you be confident of the great value you have in His eyes that is not lessened by serving others. Pray that you would start each day with a deliberate decision to live under the authority of God in all things. Pray that you would walk in humility as you interact with people — especially those with whom you find it most difficult to view highly. Pray that God would help you both notice and care about the needs of others as you trust Him to lift you up. Pray for a spirit of unity within your church congregation and within the body of Christ as a whole. Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 to help you walk, and live, with the humility that God requires.

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 the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Walk Humbly In What Is Right. Pray that you would accept the guidance that God gives to those who walk in humility. Pray that you would live a life of humility as you learn to walk in the ways of God. “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9 (NIV)

Tuesday: Walk Humbly With Salvation. Pray that you would know the delight of the Lord as you walk humbly in the salvation He offers. Pray for the humility necessary to both accept salvation from God and to share it with others so they would also know His delight. “For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 (NIV)

Wednesday: Walk Humbly With Rejoicing. Pray that you would learn to rejoice because of the humility you walk in. Pray that your humility would help you rejoice in your times of need and that others would rejoice in God because of your humility. “Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 29:19 (NIV)

Thursday: Walk Humbly As God’s Child. Pray that you would learn the humility of a child as you walk humbly as God’s child. Pray that you would value your position in the kingdom of heaven more than you seek greater position in this world. “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 (NIV)

Friday: Walk Humbly With One Another. Pray that you would walk humbly with the people around you as you learn to care for others above yourself. Pray that your interactions with others would be centered in a genuine love that comes through humility. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Saturday: Walk Humbly Before the Lord. Pray that you would daily choose to walk humbly before the Lord in everything you do. Pray that you would trust God to lift you up even as you lift up others through genuine humility. Pray for a heart that is willing to walk humbly before the Lord. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Wise Words!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Extra Focus: Pray for those in the midst of, and recovering from, storms. As I write this, there is currently a major hurricane headed for the eastern US coast and a major typhoon bearing down on the Philippines and surrounding areas. As you pray for those experiencing disaster, ask God about how He would have you help . . . then do it!

This week’s prayer focus: Wise Words!

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on using wise words as we allow God’s Spirit to direct what comes out of our mouth. It seems many expect more purity in the things that go into their mouth than in what they allow to come out in their words. In many ways, our words can either strengthen or destroy the witness for Christ we have in our community. While many would consider the book of James as being all about “actions speak louder than words”, in reality James seems to be saying that our actions and words must be speaking the same thing or they will cancel each other out. This week we will apply to our speech the characteristics that James gives us about wisdom which comes from heaven. As you pray, ask God to help you examine how you use words and how well those words represent Him. Pray for the self-control to manage your words in ways that honor God both in speech and writing. Pray that you would choose wise words that promote peace in all of your surroundings. Pray for a spirit of unity within your church congregation and within the body of Christ as a whole. Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 to help you use wise words in every situation.

Monday: Words That Are Pure. Pray that you would use words that come from a heart purified by God. Pray that your words would bring honor to God. Pray that your choice of words would reveal God as your friend to those who listen. “He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” Proverbs 22:11 (NIV)

Tuesday: Words of Peace. Pray that you would use words that promote peace among people. Pray that your words would help the people around you to find peace with God. “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” Acts 10:36 (NIV)

Wednesday: Words That Are Considerate. Pray that you would use words that always consider the needs of others. Pray that your words would be beneficial to others — both to those you are speaking to and to those who are also listening. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Thursday: Words That Are Submissive. Pray that you would use words that are submissive to God and to one another. Pray that your words would seek to honor Christ by your submissive words that look out for the interests of others. Pray that submissive words would be a natural product of your submissive life. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

Friday: Words That Are Merciful. Pray that you would always use words that are full of mercy. Pray that you would constantly live with an awareness of God’s mercy toward you. Pray for wisdom that leads you to share words of mercy with the people around you. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 (NIV)

Saturday: Words That Are Impartial and Sincere. Pray that you would use words that don’t change depending on who you are talking to. Pray that the thoughts behind your words would lead you to speak with a sincerity that honors God. Pray for the courage to speak with impartiality and sincerity. “My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know.” Job 33:3 (NIV)

September 9, 2018 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Faith In Action!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Faith In Action!

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on putting our faith into action. James tells us that we will either have faith in action or we will have faith inaction, the choice is ours. Since faith is required to please God, it is vital that we hold on to the seeds of faith which have been planted in us and nurture them so they grow into an ever-increasing active faith. Faith includes a huge element of belief, but it also is made up of confidence and trust which should lead us to do something about what we believe. As you pray, ask God to increase your belief in a way that gives you confidence to do the things of God. Pray that you would rightly examine what your faith is currently leading you to do. Pray that you would be wise in living life by faith and not use faith as an excuse for foolish decisions. Pray that your life of active faith would be centered in a relationship with God as you seek to represent Jesus well to those around you. Pray that the people around you would be more aware of Jesus because of your faith. Pray for a spirit of unity within your church congregation and within the body of Christ as a whole. Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 to help you put your faith into action.

Monday: Faith That Is Visible. Pray that you would live with a faith that can be seen. Pray that your faith would be put into action in ways that are not only noticed, but ways that help others. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” Mark 2:5 (NIV)

Tuesday: Faith That Is Growing. Pray that you would understand the need to constantly grow in your faith. Pray that you would always go to God as both the source of your faith and the source of its growth. Ask God to increase your faith. “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” Luke 17:5 (NIV)

Wednesday: Faith That Encourages Others. Pray that your faith would be practiced in such a way that others are encouraged by it. Pray that you would know the encouragement that comes from being with people of faith. Ask God to help you grow through a shared faith. “I long to see you so that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Romans 1:11-12 (NIV)

Thursday: Faith That Is Tested. Pray that you would be strong in faith as you experience times when it is tested. Pray that you would accurately examine your faith as you consider the fruit it is producing. Ask God to fill you with a faith that will pass every test it is put through. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Friday: Faith That Protects. Pray that you would put your faith into action in such a way that it protects you from the attacks of the enemy. Pray that you would be aware of the temptations of the evil one, and in faith resist and overcome them. “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)

Saturday: Faith That Produces Work. Pray that your faith in action would produce good works that honor God. Pray that you would live a life of thankfulness as you consider the work God has produced in others through their faith. Ask God to help you recognize His work being done in the lives of others. “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

September 2, 2018 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Something For Everyone!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Something For Everyone!

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on the work God has called us to do as individuals within a body — the body of Christ. When I was studying computer coding in the early ‘80’s, so much of the work involved “if/then” statements. If a certain thing was true, then the code specified what the result needed to be. Through the apostle Paul, God provides a series of “if/then” statements regarding the importance each member of the body has in doing the work God has gifted them to do. If God has gifted a person in a specific way, he expects them to not only desire to use it but that others would “let them” put that gift into practice in ways that benefit the entire body. God’s gifting is generally given according to the need and will often even vary or change as God needs you to do differing works throughout your life. As you pray, ask God to help you understand how He has gifted you to benefit others. Pray that you would use your gifting for the good of the body and not as an excuse to avoid things that you decide “are not your gift”. Pray that you would be an encourager of the gifts God has place in the lives of others. Pray for a spirit of unity within your church congregation and within the body of Christ as a whole. Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 to help you put into use the gifting He has placed in your life.

Monday: Serving. Pray that you would learn to take on the characteristic of Jesus as being a servant of all. Pray that God would help you see, and do, your part in serving the physical and spiritual needs within the church family and beyond. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)

Tuesday: Teaching. Pray that you would recognize your responsibility from the Great Commission to teach the things of Christ. Pray that the teaching you do with your words and your life would always be in line with the commands of Jesus. “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

Wednesday: Encouraging. Pray that the encouragement you receive from God would fill you with the desire and ability to encourage others through your life. Pray that your attitude, words, and actions would be an encouragement to the people around you as you help them see Jesus in you. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Thursday: Giving. Pray that you would give deliberate thought to your giving so it would be a cheerful decision to honor God. Pray that your giving of time, money, and ability would be done cheerfully and in response to God’s great gift of everything through His Son. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Friday: Leading. Pray for those among you who serve as shepherds of the flock of God. Pray that you would lead well as people watch and listen to your life. Pray that all areas that you would lead in would be lead from the very heart of God. “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV)

Saturday: Mercy/Visiting. Pray that your understanding of God’s mercy extended to you would cause you to extend mercy to others. Pray for the ability to see Jesus in the lives of people as you extend mercy to them through your acts of visiting, sharing, and kindness. “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

August 26, 2018 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Abundance!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Abundance!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 (NASB)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on the abundant life Jesus came to give. Abundance can be a tough subject to talk about because many tend to immediately think of possessions. When we measure our “stuff” against what others have, we always find someone who has more. In fact, while there are likely a greater number in the world who have less, we rarely notice them when doing our comparisons. Yet Jesus said He came to bring life more abundant so this week we will pray about some of the abundant things Jesus wants to give us so that we would share them with others. As you pray this week, ask God to help you recognize His abundance in your life. Pray that you would reject the temptations of comparison and see your life in view of God’s great mercy. Pray that you would seek abundance in the things of God rather than in the things of the world. Pray that you would freely share out of the overflowing abundance God is pouring into your life. Pray for a spirit of unity within your church congregation and within the body of Christ as a whole. Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 to help you live with an abundance of Him.

Monday: An Abundance of Suffering and Comfort. Pray that you would know an abundance of comfort when you share in the sufferings of Christ. Pray that you would be a source of abundant comfort to those around you who are suffering. “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NASB)

Tuesday: An Abundance of Joy. Pray that you would be filled with an abundance of joy even in the midst of great affliction. Pray that you would be a sharer of abundant joy to the people around you who are in great need. “In a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.” 2 Corinthians 8:2 (NASB)

Wednesday: An Abundance for Doing Good. Pray that you would know God’s grace as the source necessary for you to do the good He desires. Pray that you would recognize, and do, the good deeds for which God has given you an abundance for. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NASB)

Thursday: An Abundance Beyond Our Imagination. Pray that you would seek and trust God to do more than you can think, imagine, or ask. Pray that you would allow God’s power to work through you as you share with others in ways you may not think possible. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (NASB)

Friday: An Abundance of Mercy and Grace. Pray that you would receive the abundance of mercy that God offers you through His grace. Pray that you would share both mercy and grace in abundance to the people around you. “Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:14 (NASB)

Saturday: An Abundant Entrance. Pray that you would seek and practice the things of God as He prepares an abundant entrance for you into His kingdom. Pray that you would not limit the abundance that God wants you to share with others so they too would enter His kingdom. “In this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” 2 Peter 1:11 (NASB)

August 19, 2018 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Sanctuary!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Sanctuary!

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Ephesians 3:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis is on being the sanctuary (dwelling) of God. One of my favorite songs says, “Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary. Pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.” The Bible teaches that we are built up individually, and as the body of Christ, to be the dwelling of God. As we pray this week, we will be praying about being the sanctuary God desires us to be. Pray that you would desire God to dwell within you at all times. Pray that you would allow God to do the necessary “remodeling” in your life to make you into a suitable dwelling for Him. Pray that you would live in a way that helps the entire body of Christ be the dwelling of God’s Spirit. Pray that your life choices would always help others see the presence of God living in you. Pray for eyes that can see all others as also being the dwelling, or at least the potential dwelling, of God’s presence. Pray for a spirit of unity within your church congregation and within the body of Christ as a whole. Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 to help you be a dwelling place for Him.

Monday: A Prepared Sanctuary. Pray that you would submit fully to God as He prepares you to be the dwelling place of His Spirit. Pray that you would be an active part of the body of Christ as allow God to build you together into His dwelling. “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Pure Sanctuary. Pray that you would seek God’s help in “cleaning house” daily so that you would be a pure dwelling for God. Pray that you would live with a reverence for God that gives you the desire to live in purity. “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

Wednesday: A Holy Sanctuary. Pray that you would live a life set apart for God’s exclusive use because of the purchase price Jesus paid with His own body. Pray that God’s Spirit would be the only one you allow to have residence in your body. “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 (NIV)

Thursday: A Tried Sanctuary. Pray for the courage to examine yourself for the purpose of confirming God’s dwelling within you. Pray that the testing of your faith would always produce affirmation of God’s presence with you. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Friday: A True Sanctuary. Pray that you would live as a true sanctuary created by God to be His dwelling. Pray that you would not settle for an attempt to contain God within some man-made structure. “We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.” Hebrews 8:1-2 (NIV)

Saturday: A Living Sanctuary. Pray that you would live in such a way that it is apparent that you are a child of God. Pray that you would make your life a living sanctuary for God as He moves and breathes through you in your community. “’For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17:28 (NIV)

August 12, 2018 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Teach!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Teach!

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis is on our responsibility to teach. After a week focused on praying about what we need to learn, it is time to pray about how we teach what we have learned. While some people have special roles of teaching, all of us are teachers of someone who is watching. So the question isn’t if you teach, but rather what are you teaching? God’s desire is that we learn and put into practice the truths of His Word so we would move beyond infancy and be able to teach accurately. As you pray this week, ask God to help you realize how He would have you teach. Pray that you would live with humility as you learn so that you would teach others the value of putting the things of God into practice. Pray for those who teach by the way they live — both those who teach professionally and those who teach more informally. Pray that you would be a teacher of the things you learn from God. Pray for a spirit of unity within your church congregation and within the body of Christ as a whole. Pray each day for the individuals of your congregation and for the body of Christ as a whole.

“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 to help you teach the things you have learned from Him.

Monday: Teach As a Disciple-Maker. Pray that you would know the things commanded by God well enough that you are able to teach them. Pray that you would be involved not only in introducing people to Christ, but also in teaching them the things of Christ. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Tuesday: Teach Without Stopping. Pray that you would always be aware of the teaching opportunities God gives you each day. Pray that you would never give up teaching about the good news of Jesus. “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:42 (NIV)

Wednesday: Teach With Godly Wisdom. Pray that you would always look to God for the wisdom necessary to teach perfection in Christ. Pray that your teaching would not only be lived by you, but would lead others to become more like Christ. “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28 (NIV)

Thursday: Teach the Usefulness of Scripture. Pray that you would know the necessity of Scripture in teaching that will bring about positive change. Pray that you would use scripture accurately in teaching that leads to a righteousness in your life and in those who learn from you. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

Friday: Teach Sound Doctrine. Pray that you would pay careful attention to sound doctrine as you teach with both your words and your life. Pray that you would continually seek God for His help in keeping your life and teaching in line with sound doctrine. “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1 (NIV)

Saturday: Teach With Integrity. Pray that you would be careful to make your lifestyle be a positive example of the godly teaching you share. Pray that your teaching would be filled with an integrity that can be seen in the good works that you do. “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity and seriousness.” Titus 2:7 (NIV)