Lifestyle of Prayer: A Life of Praise!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Life of Praise!

“Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.”
Psalm 150 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living a life that praises God in all that we do.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you find joy in praising Him with every resource He has provided you.  Pray that your life of praise would lift up Jesus and reflect Him well to the community around you.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue greater obedience to God and love for one another.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue a greater obedience to God and love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as 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 a life that continually praises Him.

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: Praise God Thankfully.  Pray for a spirit of thanksgiving to fill you as you praise God for His righteousness and for the righteousness He has clothed you with in Christ.  Pray that your praise of God would always be filled with thankfulness as you offer yourself to Him.  “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”  Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Praise God Sacrificially.  Pray that you would offer God a sacrifice of praise in the way you give of your possessions and of yourself.  Pray that you would reflect the goodness of God as you give praise to Him that is generous and sacrificial.  Pray for a heart that longs to give.  “I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.”  Psalm 54:6 (NIV)

Wednesday: Praise God Wholeheartedly.   Pray that you would hold nothing back in your expressions of praise to God.  Pray that you would always desire to praise God with your whole heart as you offer Him all that you are.  Pray for a heart that fully seeks after God as you praise Him forever.  “I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”  Psalm 86:12 (NIV)

Thursday: Praise God Willingly.  Pray that your awareness of God’s laws would cause you to willingly praise God as you have a greater understanding of His love, mercy, and grace.  Pray for a spirit of joy to fill you as you grow in awareness of God’s acceptance of your willing praise.  “Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.”  Psalm 119:108 (NIV)

Friday: Praise God All Your Life.  Pray that you would always be found praising God each day that He gives you life.  Pray for eyes that see the many reasons to praise God each day.  Pray that you would daily offer to God the song of praise that He has already put in your heart.  “I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”  Psalm 146:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Praise God Together.  Pray that you would have a renewed commitment to gathering regularly with other believers, in whatever means possible, for the purpose of praising God together.  Pray that your desire to praise God together with others would be fulfilled in ways that include but are not limited to a Sunday gathering.  “Praise the LORD.  Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.”  Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Knowing the Joy of the Lord!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Knowing the Joy of the Lord!

“And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.”
Nehemiah 12:43 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing a joy of the Lord that is unquenchable.  While joy can often feel very elusive because of the way the world defines it, the joy of the Lord is very attainable by holding on to two things.  One, a recognition of the Lord’s presence, and two, an understanding of what the Lord has done that only He could do.  As you pray this week, spend time practicing an awareness of God’s presence.  Pray that you would always be mindful of the work He has done, continues to do, and will do in your life.  Pray that your joy would be such that it cannot be contained.  Pray for a transformed attitude that lives with real joy even when the circumstances of life are difficult.  Pray for an abiding joy that can be shared with others.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue greater obedience to God and love for one another.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them. Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue greater obedience to God and love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as for the body of Christ as a whole.

Bonus Prayer Focus — Restoration Church Planting:  Pray for Brett, Ingrid, and Uriel Mitchell and the work being done in the Philippines.  Pray that the details of their return to the Philippines can be worked out in a timely manner.

“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 a life that knows the joy that can only come from Him.

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: Knowing Complete Joy.  Pray that you would consistently spend time reading and hearing the words of Jesus that have been given so that you may have joy.  Pray that Christ in you would produce His joy in you.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus give you a joy that is complete.  “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  John 15:11(NIV)

Tuesday: Knowing Kingdom Joy.  Pray that God would transform your priorities as you live as a citizen of His kingdom.  Pray that God’s Spirit would fill you with a hunger and thirst for righteousness and the kingdom things which bring eternal joy.  “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17 (NIV)

Wednesday: Knowing Joy In Your Prayers.  Ask God to help you find joy in praying for others.  Pray that you would be persistent in praying for others as God fills you with the joy of seeing His work in them.  Pray that you would continually learn to “rejoice with those who rejoice” so that your joy in the Lord would be evident to all.  “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”  Philippians 1:4 (NIV)

Thursday: Knowing Great Joy.  Pray that the love you have for God and others would fill both your heart and theirs with great joy.  Pray that your life would be refreshing to others so that they would be filled with great joy.  Pray that Jesus would be evident to others as they see the great joy He has given you.  “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”  Philemon 1:7 (NIV)

Friday: Knowing Pure Joy.  Pray that God would refine your joy so that it is pure.  Pray for a transformation of your mind that allows you to consider the testings and trials of life as pure joy.  Pray for the courage to face the difficulties of life with a joy that is contagious as you grow from the lessons being taught by God’s Spirit.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”  James 1:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  Knowing Glorious Joy.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with a joy so glorious that it leaves you speechless.  Pray that the joy of the Lord in you would increase your faith and that your faith would increase your joy.  “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”  1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Returns Welcomed!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Returns Welcomed!

“When you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you.”
Deuteronomy 30:2-3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we, and those around us, would return to Him whenever we stray.  One of the greatest promises of God is that there is always a way home from wherever we are.  As you pray this week, consider if there are areas of your life in which you need to return to God.  Pray for those you know, perhaps even yourself, who are distant from God and need to know they can return.  Pray that your life would reflect the openness of God to those who are looking for a way home.  Pray that you would know how to return to God so that you would be able to help lead others back to Him also.  Pray for a  heart of compassion that accepts those returning to God with the same joy that He has.  Please continue to pray for one another in the midst of these confusing and changing times.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue greater obedience to God and love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as 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 a life that knows and shares about the opportunity to always return home.

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: Return In Obedience.  Pray for the humility needed to repent of any disobedience as you return to God fully.  Pray for discernment to know a way home when the troubles you face are the result of straying away from God.  “When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him.”  Deuteronomy 4:30 (NIV)

Tuesday: Return To Find Compassion.  Pray that God’s compassion would be evident to others in the way He treats you.  Pray that you would have compassion for others because of the compassion God has for you.  “If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate.”  2 Chronicles 30:9 (NIV)

Wednesday: Return With Joy.  Pray that God would give you a glimpse beyond your current sorrow to see the joy that comes in His  harvest.  Pray for a heart that goes out to people as you plant the seeds of the gospel through all that you say and do.  “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”  Psalm 126:5-6 (NIV)

Thursday: Return With a Whole Heart.  Pray that you would accurately examine how much of your heart you have surrendered to God.  Pray that you would realize the heart God has given you is one that was created to seek after Him with a whole heart.  “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”  Jeremiah 24:7 (NIV)

Friday: Return With Love and Justice.  Pray that love and justice would always be at the core of your relationship with God.  Pray that the people around you would return to God to find true love and justice.  Pray that you would not give up on yourself, others, or God as you maintain love and justice.  “But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.”  Hosea 12:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Return and Give Praise To God.  Pray that you would always be grateful for the work God is doing in  your life.  Pray for a heart of gratitude that continually gives praise to God.  Pray for a recognition of all that God is doing for you as you constantly return to Him with praise.  “Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’”  Luke 17:18 (NIV)

 

Lifestyle of Prayer: Knowing God’s Commands!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Knowing God’s Commands!

 

“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.”
James 1:25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing God’s commands in such a way that we put them into practice.  God’s desire is that we would gaze intently into His perfect law and find freedom.  We are promised God’s blessings when we put into practice the things we learn from obedience to God’s commands.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you know His commands in such a way that you eagerly put them into practice.  Pray that you would see His commands as a gateway to the freedom He desires you to have in Christ.  Pray that you would continually be perfected as you look into God’s laws and put them into practice.  Pray that your life would be a blessing to others as you walk in the path of God’s command each day.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue greater obedience to God and love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as 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 a life that knows and follows His commands.

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: Know God’s Command To Love Him.  Pray that you would know the importance of loving God with every aspect of who you are.  Pray that you would love God in such a way that others would know that He is the center of your life and the source of your love.  “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

Tuesday: Know God’s Command To Love One Another.  Pray that you would know the joy found in loving others as God has loved you.  Pray that your witness to the world would be bright because of the love you have for people.  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:35 (NIV)

Wednesday: Know God’s Command To Repent.  Pray that you would see in God’s law the changes that you need to make . . . and then allow God to make those changes in you.  Pray that you would not take sin lightly, whether it is in the life of someone else or in yours.  “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”  Acts 17:30 (NIV)

Thursday: Know God’s Command To Believe In Jesus.  Pray that your love for God and obedience to Him would lead you to fully believe in His Son, Jesus.  Pray that your belief in Jesus would free you to love others according to His command and His example.  “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”  1 John 3:23 (NIV)

Friday: Know God’s Commands Through His Spirit.  Pray that you would pay attention to the presence of God’s Spirit within you.  Pray that the Spirit’s presence in you would guide you into greater obedience to God’s commands.  “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”  1 John 3:24 (NIV)

Saturday:  Know God’s Command To Walk In Obedience.  Pray that your daily walk would be done in obedience to God.  Pray that your love for God would be expressed to Him, and to others, through your obedience to His commands.  Pray that God’s love would be seen in you by the way you walk in love.  “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”  2 John 1:6 (NIV)

 

Lifestyle of Prayer: A Life That Goes Well!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: A Life That Goes Well!

 

“Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.”
Deuteronomy 4:40 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living a life that goes well.  As I write this I’m thinking of a friend who this past weekend heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Living a life that goes well only really matters if you live it in Christ so that it goes well for you when this life ends.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see what a life lived well looks like from His perspective.  Pray that you would live each day in accordance with God’s Word by the power of His Spirit.  Pray about how God would have you to invest your life into the lives of others in ways that help each of you to have a life that goes well.  Pray for a greater understanding of how living by God’s decrees and commands will help your life to go well regardless of how the world would see it.  Pray that you would not lose sight of living a life that God would welcome to Himself with the words, “Well done.”  Pray for the faith to trust God in all circumstances as He makes all things well in His time.  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 church congregation as well as 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 a life that goes well according to His perspective.

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 Life That Goes Well As You Honor Your Parents.  Pray that you would find ways to honor your parents regardless of how deserving, or undeserving, you think they are.  Pray that you would honor God in the way you treat your parents.  “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV)

Tuesday: A Life That Goes Well As You Fear God.  Pray that you would live with a reverence for God in the ways you think, speak, and act.  Pray that your children would know the intimate love you have for God by the way they see you fear Him.  “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!”  Deuteronomy 5:29 (NIV)

Wednesday: A Life That Goes Well Through Humility.  Pray for a submissive spirit that lives with the humility needed to accept what God provides.  Pray that you would learn humility as you see God take  care of you in unexpected ways.  “He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.”  Deuteronomy 8:16 (NIV)

Thursday: A Life That Goes Well Through Obedience.  Pray that you would learn to obey God regardless of your opinion about what He asks.  Pray for a heart that desires to be obedient to all that God desires.  “Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the LORD our God.”  Jeremiah 42:6 (NIV)

Friday: A Life That Goes Well In Your Soul.  Pray that you would pay close attention to the things that feed your soul.  Pray that your attention to your spiritual health would be of even greater importance than your physical health.  “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”  3 John 1:2 (NIV)

Saturday:  A Life That Goes Well As You Love People.  Pray that you would love people in a way that helps them to see the love of God.  Pray that all of your interactions with others would be done in ways that are worthy of God.  Pray that your help to others would reflect God’s love.  “They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.”  3 John 1:6 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Still Together . . . Again!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Still Together . . . Again!

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)

As churches continue to find their own processes and timing of reopening their buildings, this week’s prayer emphasis will again focus on God’s desire that we do life together . . . both “here” and “out there”.  When the first century church gained the reputation of “turning the world upside down”, we find that the early believers met together daily in “the temple courts” as well as in their homes.  The nature of their coming together was such that they enjoyed “favor with all the people.”  The result of such favor was that “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the value of one another as we live this Christian life together.  Pray that you would interact with others in ways that promote favor and goodwill among people.  Pray that God would help you to see how your interactions with other believers can be a fruitful witness for the cause of Christ.  Pray that you would find joy in the coming together of the body of Christ whenever you have the opportunity to be together.  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 church family as well as for the body of Christ throughout the world. 

“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 life together with your brothers and sisters in Christ . . . and with those who still need to know Christ.

Sunday:  Pray for your church staff and leadership as they navigate the many complexities of leading and shepherding in these uncertain times.  Pray for the spiritual and financial health of the congregation to remain strong during this time of finding processes and procedures of joining together in person again.  Pray that God would work through you in a mighty way to encourage others this week.

Monday:  Together In Prayer.  Ask God to help you give greater value to the practice of praying together.  Pray that your church would be known as a “house of prayer” because its members are known as people of prayer.  Pray that you would be faithful in joining in prayer with others even when you are not able to be with them in person.  “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”  Acts 1:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Together With Joy.  Pray that you would bring joy to others when you are together.  Pray that you would know the refreshing from God that can come through joining together with your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Pray that you would find ways to spread the joy of Christ with others whenever and wherever you meet.  “By God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.”  Romans 15:32 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Together As God’s Dwelling.  Pray that you would see yourself not only as an individual dwelling of God’s Spirit, but also as a part of something larger as a member of His body.  Pray for eyes which see the household of God being built together of those who are in Christ.  “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”  Ephesians 2:22 (NIV)

Thursday:  Together In Unity.  Pray that you would clothe yourself in the love necessary to grow in unity.  Pray for a heart of love that would bind together all of the good things that Christ has put within you.  Pray for a spirit of understanding among people of differing opinions.  “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:14 (NIV)

Friday:  Together For Perfection.  Pray that your life in Christ would follow in the footsteps of those who have lived by faith so that together each would be made perfect.  Pray that your walk of faith would be perfected by those who follow in your footsteps.  “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:40 (NIV)

Saturday:  Together For Truth.  Pray that you would be welcoming and supportive of those who risk much to take the good news of Jesus to people both near and far.  Pray that you would be deliberate about working together with others to share the truth of Jesus wherever you go.  “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.”  3 John 1:8 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Clean Living!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: The Power of One!

 “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?  Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.”
Psalm 24:3-4  (NIV)

In keeping with this year’s theme of washing hands and disinfecting, this week’s prayer guide will focus on clean living.  While we spend much time emphasizing the cleansing of our bodies and the things we can touch, God is even more concerned about our living as those who are fully cleansed from the inside out.  As you pray this week, ask God to increase your desire to “ascend the hill of the Lord”.  Pray that your life would be fully open to God as you look for areas that may need some extra cleansing this week.  Pray that you would worship God only and would always reject the idols of this world.  Pray for the courage to reject that which is false and to resist the temptation to compromise with the enemy.  Pray that your life would be a shining example of one who walks with God each day.  Pray for the wisdom to know what needs to be cleansed from your life . . . and for the humility to be one who is fully cleansed by God.  Pray that you would always speak words of healing and cleansing to the people around you. 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 church family as well as for the body of Christ throughout the world. 

“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 clean hands and a pure heart.

Sunday:  Pray for your church staff and leadership as they navigate the many complexities of leading and shepherding in these uncertain times.  Pray for the spiritual and financial health of the congregation to remain strong during this time of not being able to meet together physically.  Pray that God would work through you in a mighty way to encourage others this week.

Monday:  Cleansed of All Sin.  Pray that you would be aware of the sin in your life that needs the cleansing only God can give.  Pray for the humility to reject all seeds of rebellion that the enemy tries to plant in your life.  Pray that your life would share a message of forgiveness of sins made possible by the cleansing power of Jesus.  “I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.”  Jeremiah 33:8 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Cleansed Through Compassion.  Pray that you would experience and be aware of the compassion of Jesus as He reaches out to you.  Pray that your desire for a complete cleansing would be met by an openness to receive that which God offers through His great compassion.  “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’”  Mark 1:41 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Cleansed By the Word.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word as you allow it’s message and it’s Author to cleanse you completely.  Pray that you would live as one who has been cleansed by the Word of God.  Pray that you would “accurately divide the Word of Truth” as you share it with others.  “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”  John 15:3 (NIV)

Thursday:  Cleansed To Be Useful.  Pray that you would live as one useful to God as you allow Him to cleanse you fully.  Pray for eyes that see, and a willingness to do, the good works God has prepared in advance for you to do.  Thank God for making you useful to Him, and to others, through His cleansing.  “If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”  2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)

Friday:  Cleansed By the Blood of Jesus.  Pray that you would know the completeness of God’s forgiveness as you are cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience to Christ would fill you with the assurance of being fully cleansed by His blood in accordance with His laws.  “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  Hebrews 9:22 (NIV)

Saturday:  Cleansed Conscience.  Pray that you would live life seeking to be near to God each day.  Pray that God’s cleansing of your life would include a cleansing of your conscience through your faith in His accomplished work.  Pray that you be cleansed completely by the washing that God offers to you.  “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”  Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: The Power of One!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: The Power of One!

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide is focused on praying about some things we ought to have in common.  The above verses list some of the “one” things that are foundational elements that we should build on as we pray this week.  As we pray each day about the power of one, our prayers will focus not so much on one person as on some things that ought to unite us as we pursue the same One.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you do your part in making “every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Pray that you would not lose focus in pursuing things which unite rather than divide.  Pray for the courage to live with God as the One who unites you to Himself and to one another.  Pray for the wisdom and discernment needed to avoid the distractions and schemes of the enemy which are designed to create confusion and discord.  Pray for a singleness of mind and heart that allows you to see how the “one things” of scripture will draw you closer to Him.  As you pray, be sure to listen for what God would have you to do . . . and then do it.  Pray for a growing spirit of unity to exist as people call out to the one 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 church family as well as for the body of Christ throughout the world. 

“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 in unity with Him and with one another.

Sunday:  Pray for your church staff and leadership as they navigate the many complexities of leading and shepherding in these uncertain times.  Pray for the spiritual and financial health of the congregation to remain strong during this time of not being able to meet together physically.  Pray that God would work through you in a mighty way to encourage others this week.

Monday:  One Request.  Pray that your requests of God would be refined to that which is most important.  Pray that your request to dwell in God’s presence would be a result of His presence dwelling within you and that you would see His beauty in response to your request.  “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”  Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

Tuesday:  One Reputation.  Pray that your work as an ambassador of Jesus Christ would uphold the reputation of God.  Pray that your actions would make it a good thing to be rewarded according to what you have done.  “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.  Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.”  Psalm 62:11-12 (NIV)

Wednesday:  One Need.  Pray that you would hear, and listen to, God — asking Him to reveal any “one thing” that stands between you and Him.  Pray that you would respond with obedience to God when He calls you to follow Him in all things.  “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”  Luke 6:9 (NIV)

Thursday:  One Admission.  Pray that you would have the courage to admit any areas of blindness so that Jesus can bring sight to you.  Pray that you would recognize and proclaim the mighty works of God in your life even when you do not fully understand how He has accomplished that work.  “He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!’”  John 9:25 (NIV)

Friday:  One Goal.  Pray that you would not be distracted by your past, or the present, as you press on to reach the goal of eternal life.  Pray that you would always be mindful of the heavenward calling God has issued to each person.  “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Saturday:  One Reminder.  Pray that God would help you to not judge His timetable but to learn His patience for those who are lost.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity as you are reminded that God works on a timetable much different than yours.  Pray that you would see each day as an opportunity to make God known.  “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”  2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Living With Discernment!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Living With Discernment!

 

“Who is wise? He will realize these things.
Who is discerning? He will understand them.
The ways of the LORD are right;  the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.”
Hosea 14:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is a return to a prayer guide I had written a few years ago about living with godly discernment.  Discernment is the quality necessary to live in the world between “everything is permissible” and “not everything is beneficial”.  Without discernment we will often find our self drifting to one extreme or the other.  We either latch onto the “everything is permissible” mantra and begin to live as if anything goes, or we focus almost exclusively on the “thou shalt not” mindset and limit what we approve only to the things we deem beneficial.  Discernment is a gift from God that helps us to live in the freedom of doing what benefits others according to their need.  As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a discernment that gives you a greater understanding of His righteous ways.  Pray that discernment would help you to choose the best — not only over what is bad, but perhaps more importantly, over what is simply “good enough”.  Pray for discernment in the midst of a flood of information that is often confusing and conflicting.  Pray for discernment in what you say and share, whether in person or on social media.  Pray for grace in how you deal with others, knowing that only God can be fully accurate in discerning the heart of someone else. 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 church family as well as 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 discernment.

Sunday:  Pray for your church staff and leadership as they navigate the many complexities of leading and shepherding in these uncertain times.  Pray for the spiritual and financial health of the congregation to remain strong during this time of not being able to meet together physically.  Pray that God would work through you in a mighty way to encourage others this week.

Monday:  Discernment to Understand God’s Laws.  Pray that you would serve God with discernment in order to understand how He works through His laws.  Pray for the discernment needed to accurately share the beauty of God’s laws with others.  Pray that your understanding would lead you to live according to the commands of God.  “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”  Psalm 119:125 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Discernment to Guide Your Understanding.  Pray for discernment to find God’s guidance in understanding the proverbs and parables of the Bible.  Pray that God’s Spirit would be the voice of discernment in your life.  Pray that your discernment would lead to knowing the truth found in the sayings of the wise.  “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance — for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”  Proverbs 1:5-6 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Discernment that Leads to Life.  Pray that you would hold on to the discernment that comes from sound judgment.  Pray that godly discernment would keep you from the paths that lead to destruction.  Pray that you would wear discernment in a way that brings life to you and to those around you.  “My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.”  Proverbs 3:21-22 (NIV)

Thursday:  Discernment that Leads to Wise Instruction.  Pray for a heart of wisdom that would lead to you being known as discerning.  Pray that God would grant you wisdom that reflects Him to each person you meet.  Pray for the discernment needed to share pleasant words that lead to the instruction of those who hear.  “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.”  Proverbs 16:21 (NIV)

Friday:  Discernment that Seeks True Knowledge.  Pray that the discernment you seek from God would lead to actual knowledge.  Pray that you would have “wise ears” that seek out the knowledge that comes through godly discernment.  Pray that the knowledge you find would accurately reflect the nature of God.  “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.”  Proverbs 18:15 (NIV)

Saturday:  Discernment that Leads to What is Best.  Pray that you would live with a discernment that comes from an abundance of love.  Pray that you would allow godly discernment to lead you in doing what is best, according to God, in all things.  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

Lifestyle of Prayer: Be Reconciled!

“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

This week’s prayer focus: Be Reconciled!

 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NIV)

In a time when the things which divide us from one another often seems greater than that which unites us, this week’s prayer focus is about being reconciled to God with the task of facilitating reconciliation with others.  Webster’s dictionary says that reconcile means “to bring one thing into correspondence with another.”  I really like that definition as it highlights the importance of dialogue and honest communication with one another.  When we are reconciled to God, it is through the blood of Jesus that the line of communication has been opened between us and God.  It is only through Christ that we can be brought into balance and agreement with God.  As we are reconciled to God, He calls us to be involved in not only helping others to experience reconciliation with God, but to work at the ministry of reconciliation with one another.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you walk in balance with Him.  Pray about the reconciliation you need with God and with others.  Pray that your ears, and heart, would be open to truly listen to others.  Pray that you would seek out ways to enter into “correspondence with another” as you seek to be reconciled to those you don’t currently understand.  Pray that you would be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” in all of your interactions with 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 church family as well as 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 to be reconciled to Him and to one another.

Sunday:  Pray for your church staff and leadership as they navigate the many complexities of leading and shepherding in these uncertain times.  Pray for the spiritual and financial health of the congregation to remain strong during this time of not being able to meet together physically.  Pray that God would work through you in a mighty way to encourage others this week.

Monday:  Be Reconciled Before Worship.  Pray for clarity in seeing how a lack of reconciliation has hindered your worship of God.  Pray that you would  have the courage to be reconciled to others so that your worship would be pleasing and acceptable to God.  “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”  Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Be Reconciled with Adversaries.  Pray for the courage needed to have conversations of reconciliation with those who oppose you.  Pray that you would make a sincere effort to be reconciled to those who are against you.  “As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.”  Luke 12:58 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Be Reconciled with One Another.  Pray that you would see the people around you as brothers and sisters who need each other.  Pray that you would listen to the attempts of people when they try to help you be reconciled to others.  “The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’”  Acts 7:26 (NIV)

Thursday:  Be Reconciled through Jesus Christ.  Pray that Jesus would be at the center of your conversations and desire for reconciliation.  Pray that you would always seek to be reconciled to God through Jesus and that you would see Jesus as the means for all reconciliation.  “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”  Romans 5:10 (NIV)

Friday:  Be An Ambassador of Reconciliation.  Pray that you would be an instrument of peace as you carry a message of reconciliation and call people to be reconciled to God and to one another.  Pray that you would actively be involved in calling people to be reconciled to God.  “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

Saturday:  Be Reconciled to Be Holy.  Pray that the holiness of Christ in you would be the center of your reconciliation with God and with others.  Pray that you would value the cost of reconciliation by pursuing a holy life in Christ.  “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”  Colossians 1:22 (NIV)