September 15, 2019 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Place To Belong!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Place To Belong!

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on having a place where we belong. Most of us have times in our life when we struggle with feelings of not fitting in or knowing where we belong. The enemy is good at creating division and feelings of exclusion, but God has a lot to say about where we belong as His children. To all who feel pushed aside and excluded by those who feel they are more important, Jesus calls us to come to Him as a little child and know that we belong in His kingdom. As you pray his week, pray that your sense of belonging would be restored and refreshed as you approach God with the heart and faith of a child. Pray about how you view others, especially those who are different from you in some way, and ask God to help you value the way He has made them. Pray that God would use you to help others know that they too belong. Pray that the church gathering you participate in would always be a place where all who approach God as a little child can belong. Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another. 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 as one who belongs and to accept others as those who belong.

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: Belong to Jesus Christ. Pray that you would recognize the value you have as one who has been called to belong to Jesus. Pray that the people around you would know you as one who belongs to Christ. Pray for the courage to help others have a desire to belong to Jesus. “And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:6 (NIV)

Tuesday: Belong to One Another. Pray that you would live as a valuable part of the body of Christ as you belong to one another. Pray that you would value others as a member of the body you are a part of. Pray for the humility needed to practice this reciprocal belonging to one another. “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5

Wednesday: Belong to the Lord. Pray that your life would be lived for the Lord in all that you do. Pray that the people around you would know you as one who belongs to the Lord. Pray for the wisdom to help other see how they can belong to the Lord. “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8 (NIV)

Thursday: Belong to the Day. Pray that your actions would express to others that you belong to the day because you have put aside the deeds of darkness. Pray that the people around you would know you as one who is self-controlled. “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)

Friday: Belong to God. Pray that you would declare the praises of God as you live as one who has been chosen to belong to Him. Pray that the people around you would hear from you how belonging to God has transformed your life. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Saturday: Belong to the Truth. Pray that your heart would be at rest as you belong to the truth. Pray that the people around you would know rest through an acceptance of the truth. Pray for discernment to share truth in ways that help others find peace and rest in Christ. “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.” 1 John 3:19 (NIV)

September 8, 2019 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Church!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: The Church!

“To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours.”
1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will be focused on praying for the church. As Paul writes to the Corinthians, he defines the church as being the people who have been set apart in Christ Jesus for a life of holiness. When the New Testament writers mention the church it is done in both the context of a local gathering of believers and also as the bride of Christ encompassing all who are in Christ world-wide. How we live as the church locally will generally determine how we see the church globally. As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in a desire to see the church become what He wants. Pray that you would understand that He is the one that adds each member to the body, meaning they all have value and belong. Pray for the courage and humility needed to set aside your plans for the church in order to hear and follow God’s plans. Pray about how you represent Christ to others within the church so that together your witness to the world would be untarnished. Pray that “your church” would become Christ’s church and in doing so would consider the needs of all generations, races, income levels, and any other groups the world wants to divide us into, as being equal. Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another. 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 as a functioning part of His body, the church.

Monday: A Church Which Prays Earnestly. Pray that God would help you examine accurately just how earnestly you pray for others. Ask God to help you to grow in a lifestyle of prayer that turns to Him in the midst of problems experienced by yourself and by others. Ask God to put people in your life that pray earnestly for you. “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:5 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Church Which Sends From Within. Pray that you would be involved in helping the church send people out to share the good news of Jesus. Pray for an openness to God’s Spirit should you be one whom He is preparing to be sent out. “Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.” Acts 15:21 (NIV)

Wednesday: A Church Which Makes Known the Wisdom of God. Pray that you would live life with the wisdom that God promises to give freely to all who ask. Pray that your relationships with other believers would be such that God’s wisdom would be proclaimed throughout the heavenly realms. “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 3:10 (NIV)

Thursday: A Church With Jesus As the Head. Pray for the humility to accept Jesus as the head of all things. Pray that all decisions made, both individually and with others, would be done so in submission to the headship of Christ. “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:18 (NIV)

Friday: A Church With Proper Conduct. Pray for the wisdom to know how a person of God ought to live — both individually and in relationship with others. Pray that the conduct within the church would be built upon a foundation of truth. “If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 (NIV)

Saturday: A Church That Helps People With Real Needs. Ask God to help you care for those who are your responsibility. Pray for wisdom to understand, and help, those who are really in need. “If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.” 1 Timothy 5:16 (NIV)

September 1, 2019 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Living As a Kingdom Worker!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living As a Kingdom Worker!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

With Labor Day Weekend arriving here in the United States, I’ve chosen the topic of work for this week’s prayer focus. Working for the Lord is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with. Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive. The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us. When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King. As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with. Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God. Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work. Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work. Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward. Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do. Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another. 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 as a kingdom worker.

Monday: Work That Is Established. Pray that you would seek the favor of God in all of the work He sets before you. Pray that your work would be established by God as you choose to do the very work He has created in advance to be done through you. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Work That Is Shared. Pray that you would look for opportunities to share in the work God is doing through others. Pray for wisdom in partnering with people who will increase the effectiveness of the work you do for the Lord. Pray for humility which allows you to ask for help in the work you do. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)

Wednesday: Work That Helps the Weak. Pray that God would purify your motives in the work you do. Pray that you would follow the examples of those who work hard to help others. “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 (NIV)

Thursday: Work That Bears Fruit. Pray that your work would please the Lord as it bears fruit to His glory. Pray that you would be an example to others as you live a life God would call worthy. “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)

Friday: Work That Is Remembered. Pray that you would not become weary in helping others through the work you do. Pray that you would be encouraged by knowing God will always remember your work done in love. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)

Saturday: Work That Is Known By God. Pray that your work would be done in such a way that it brings you peace to have it known by God. Pray that all of your work would be done with an awareness that it doesn’t escape God’s notice. Pray about how you can help others to rejoice in what God knows about their deeds. “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.” Revelation 2:2 (NIV)

August 25, 2019 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Living With Contentment!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Contentment!

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will be on learning to live with contentment. Contentment is a very godly character quality but one that is difficult to live — especially in a culture that is so focused on convincing people that they need what others have and they need more than what others have. When Paul writes about learning contentment, the focus is on discovering that God is enough in the midst of any circumstance. As you pray this week, ask God to help you rejoice in the happiness of others. Pray that you would learn a spirit of contentment that comes from a complete trust in God. Pray that the things of this world, and the things that others have, would not become a snare to you. Ask God to teach you how to be content with what He has given and strive to make the most of it for His glory. Pray that your lifestyle of contentment would lead others to know the abundance of God can be found in a relationship with Jesus. Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another. 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 contentment.

Monday: Contentment from a Fear of the Lord. Pray that you would have contentment through a life lived with a fear of the Lord. Pray that you would experience times of contented rest as you live with a healthy fear of the Lord. Pray that others would know a rest that can only come from godly contentment. “The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)

Tuesday: Contentment with Your Income. Pray that you would learn to live within your means and be content with the pay you have agreed to. Pray that a contentment with your income would lead you to a heart of generosity. “Then some soldiers asked him, ‘And what should we do?’ He replied, ‘Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely — be content with your pay.’” Luke 3:14 (NIV)

Wednesday: Contentment in All Circumstances. Pray that your relationship with Christ would teach you the secret of being content in all circumstances. Pray that the people around you would see your contentment and give glory to God. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

Thursday: Contentment with Godliness. Pray that you would seek to live a life of godliness and experience great gain as you become content with God being the center of your life. Pray that the people around you would be amazed at the attitude of abundance that God wants to fill you with. Pray that your contentment would be contagious. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)

Friday: Contentment with Basic Needs. Pray that you would have God’s view of necessities and learn to be content even if that is all you have. Pray that your contentment with what you need would lead you to a life of joy that helps others to see Jesus in you. Pray that your life of contentment would lead you to a desire to share “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:8 (NIV)

Saturday: Contentment with God’s Presence. Pray that you would know the contentment of God’s abiding presence. Pray that the allure of money would not distract you from finding contentment in simply having God with you. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

August 18, 2019 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Thinking About Whatever!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Thinking About Whatever!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about some things that God says we ought to think about. How’s your thought life? Do you realize how important and powerful your thoughts are? Thoughts become ideas, ideas become actions, actions become habits, and the sum of your habits become your character — who you really are! This week’s prayer focus is on the “Whatever” kind of things that ought to fill your thought life so that they become your character! As you pray, ask God to help you take every thought captive as you make each one obedient to Him. Pray that God’s Spirit would empower you to train your mind so it would think upon the things of God. Pray that you would be quick to put away any thoughts that would not be beneficial for you or others. Pray for the courage and humility needed to seek help from God and others when your thoughts are not what they should be. As you continue to grow in A Lifestyle of Prayer, it is important to remember prayer should be a lifestyle, not an event. Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another. 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 submit your thought life to Him.

Monday: Whatever is True. Pray that your thoughts would constantly run through the filter of God’s Word as the standard for truth. Pray that your life would be set apart by truth and then pray for the courage to consistently live that life. Pray for the wisdom to know truth as revealed by God rather than accepting the world’s version of truth. “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Whatever is Noble. Pray that your thoughts would be productive as you think on things that will bear a great kingdom harvest. Pray that you would always seek the “higher things” to set your mind on. “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8:15 (NIV)

Wednesday: Whatever is Right. Pray that your thoughts would consistently be trained on doing what is right no matter what. Pray for the courage to reject sin as you fill your mind, and actions, with the things which are right. “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7 (NIV)

Thursday: Whatever is Pure. Pray that your thoughts would always be pure as you draw near to God for His cleansing. Pray for the humility needed to consistently draw near to God for the cleansing of your thoughts so they would not waver between good and evil. “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 (NIV)

Friday: Whatever is Lovely. Pray that your mind would be filled with the loveliness of God’s dwelling as you long for your eternal home. Pray that you would look for that which is lovely in the people and scenes around you. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2 (NIV)

Saturday: Whatever is Admirable. Pray that your thoughts would be focused on an admiration of the work of Jesus in your life and in the lives of others. Pray that your life would present a believable testimony of Jesus as you actions follow thoughts which are admirable. “When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” 2 Thessalonians 1:10 (NKJV)

August 11, 2019 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Kingdom Citizen!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Kingdom Citizen!

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis is about some qualities that we ought to be experiencing in increasing measure as citizens of the kingdom of God! Living as a citizen of a country here on earth usually carries with it a combination of privileges, expectations, and responsibilities. As a child of God, our citizenship is in heaven and it also comes with a set of privileges, expectations, and responsibilities even as we journey through life on this earth. As you pray this week, ask God to help you value the citizenship He has given you in His kingdom. Pray that you would live a life that seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Pray about how you will help others know the joy of living as a kingdom citizen. Pray for the courage to live with an allegiance to God that is greater than that which you pledge to any nation or institution on earth. Pray for the transforming power of God to make you more like Christ each day that you live. Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another. 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 as a kingdom citizen.

Monday: Born Again Citizen. Pray that you would understand that Jesus is the only way for anyone to become a kingdom citizen. Pray for the courage to declare the truth of Jesus to all who would desire to be a citizen in the kingdom of God. Pray that a new birth would result in a new life. “In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” John 3:3 (NIV)

Tuesday: Powerful Citizen. Pray that your life as a kingdom citizen would know the power of God in a way that goes beyond mere words. Pray for the wisdom to allow God’s power to work through you so that the words you use about your faith would contain the power of salvation for all who would hear. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)

Wednesday: Worthy Citizen. Pray that you would live your life in such a way that it honors the righteous judgments of God. Pray for the humility needed to live as one who is counted worthy of being a citizen of God’s kingdom. “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” 2 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV)

Thursday: Thankful Citizen. Pray that you would live a thankful life as you consider the unshakeable kingdom that God has called you to. Pray that your worship of God would be appropriate and acceptable as you live a life of thanksgiving. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

Friday: Rich Citizen. Pray that you would value the riches of the kingdom of God more than you value the riches of this world. Pray that your faith would grow in ever-increasing measure as you look forward to the promised inheritance that is yours. “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5 (NIV)

Saturday: Eternal Citizen. Pray for a greater knowledge of the eternal nature of your kingdom citizenship. Pray about how God would have you welcome others into an eternal kingdom which they can belong to for an eternity that has already begun. Pray that your life as a kingdom citizen now would recognize the eternal nature of what God has given. “And you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:11 (NIV)

August 4, 2019 by Tom

Lifestyle of Prayer: Knowing Christ!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Knowing Christ!

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ”
Philippians 3:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis is a selection of things we ought to know in greater measure as we seek to know Christ. The daily topics are part of a 31-day devotional book I am currently writing, “The Heart Of a Child”, with each day focused on something different to pray about for a child of any age . . . including your age! As we seek to know Christ in a greater way, we not only learn from Him, we also look to the One he is an exact representation of — His Father. As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a greater desire to know Him. Pray that you would be faithful in your representation of Jesus so others would also know Him. Pray for all who would come to God as little children seeking to know the love of a good Father. Pray that your desire would be to really know Christ, not just know about Him. Pray that your life as a child of God would compel you to share that life with the children around you. Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another. 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 know Christ more fully.

Monday: Know the Fear of the Lord. Pray that you would listen to the Word of God with the intent of understanding and pursuing a healthy fear of the Lord. Pray that you would be involved in teaching others about how a fear of the Lord can dispel all unhealthy fears from your life. “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” Psalm 34:11 (NIV)

Tuesday: Know the Compassion of the Lord. Pray that you would recognize the compassion of God toward you in the midst of your suffering. Pray that your compassion toward others would serve as an example for them to seek and know the compassion of God. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13 (NIV)

Wednesday: Know the Faithfulness of God. Pray that you would recognize the faithfulness of God in your life and be consistent in praising Him for it. Pray for boldness in sharing with others about God’s faithfulness in your life. Pray that you would use your example to help others know of God’s faithfulness. “The living, the living — they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.” Isaiah 38:19 (NIV)

Thursday: Know the Peace of God. Pray that you would spend time in God’s Word seeking instruction to guide all aspects of your life into peace with Him. Pray that God’s instruction would fill you with a peace that you are able to share with the people around you each day. “All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.” Isaiah 54:13 (NIV)

Friday: Know the Goodness of God. Pray that your desire to give good things to others would represent God’s desire to give good gifts to His children. Pray for the humility to ask God to supply your needs out of the abundance of His goodness. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11 (NIV)

Saturday: Know the Victory of God. Pray for a spirit of submission to God that recognizes the power within you is not you. Pray that you would live as one who is victorious as you accept the victory God has given. Pray about how you exemplify the greatness of God in you. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (NIV)