Month: January 2024

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Godliness and Holiness! (1/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Godliness and Holiness! (1/12/23)

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This is the audio from the January 12, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you exhibit more of His qualities in the way you live each day.  Pray that you would know the value of preparing to live a life of godliness and holiness.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For a Peaceful and Quiet Life! (1/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For a Peaceful and Quiet Life! (1/11/23)

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This is the audio from the January 11, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you be a peacemaker.  Pray that you would seek to live at peace with all people in a way that helps them to see the peace of God dwelling within you.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For All In Authority! (1/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For All In Authority! (1/10/23)

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This is the audio from the January 10, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you know how to pray for those in authority on this earth.  Pray that you would learn to submit to all authority — especially His authority.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Everyone! (1/9/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Everyone! (1/9/23)

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This is the audio from the January 9, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you have compassion for everyone as you pray for both friends and enemies.  Pray that your love for God would be seen in the way you demonstrate His love toward both those you agree with and those you disagree with.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray In All Ways! (1/8/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray In All Ways! (1/8/23)

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This is the audio from the January 8, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.  As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.”
1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)

Ask God to help your prayer life to grow as you go to Him with your requests and prayers for yourself and on behalf of others.  Pray that God would help you to be thankful in all of your communication with Him.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Immeasurably More: Pray FIRST! (Sermon Audio)
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Immeasurably More: Pray FIRST! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 7, 2024 sermon, “Immeasurably More: Pray FIRST”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-5

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Today I began a sermon series designed to help us look at some of the immeasurably more God desires to do in us, through us, and for us.  Often when we think about immeasurably more, it focuses on what we want to receive.  God, on the other hand, is more concerned about what He will do to make the good news of the kingdom grow.  As we begin to consider what it looks like to experience the immeasurably more that God desires to do in the lives of His children, we begin with immeasurably more prayer.  This isn’t as much about praying more as it is about seeing God do immeasurably more through our prayers.  We put ourselves into a position for God to work through our prayers when we learn to pray . . .

  • Faithfully: — 1 Timothy 2:1

    • We pray first when we choose to pray faithfully in all circumstances.  I suspect there are things in life that most people try to work out on their own without ever considering talking with God about it . . . at least not until we’ve exhausted all other options.  When we grow as one who is faithful in prayer, we realize God has something to say about every detail of what we experience in life.  Rather than live by a “when all else fails, read the instructions”, we find God doing immeasurably more through our prayer life when we live with a faithful commitment to talk with God first about everything.

  • Intentionally: —  1 Timothy 2:2

    • We pray first when we pray intentionally for those in authority, but not necessarily seeking the selfish results we often want.  No, the intention of our prayers ought to be the seeking of a peaceful and quiet life that exhibits godliness and holiness in all things.  Particularly here in America, it becomes far too easy to get caught up in politics that often do nothing but cause division and hatred.  Rather than praying for the outcome God desires (peaceful and quiet lives), we pray for an agenda that fits what we think is right.  Because we serve a God who is holy and godly by His very nature, we find Him doing immeasurably more through our prayer life when we pray intentionally for the ability to lead a peaceful and quiet life that represents Jesus.

  • Respectfully: — 1 Timothy 2:3

    • We pray first when we pray respectfully in a way that pleases God.  The faithfulness of our prayers and the intentions of our prayers both reflect a respect, or lack thereof, for the One we are praying to.  The outcomes we desire from our prayers ought to be things which please God.  This doesn’t mean we erase our emotions from our conversations with God, rather it is a respect that can both praise and object in manners that recognizes God’s final authority.  There will be times we cry out in joy and times we cry out in anger but our respect will always listen for God’s answer.  We are able to see God do immeasurably more through our prayer life when we seek to please Him in all the ways we receive His responses with respect.

  • Submissively: — 1 Timothy 2:4

    • We pray first when we pray submissively to the will of God in all things.  While it is easy to get caught up in debates about what exactly is the will of God in any given situation, a primary will of God stated throughout scripture is that all people would come to know Him through a repentant life submitted to Jesus.  While few would care to admit it out loud, there are people that many would not consider to be wanted by God.  At times we fail to pray that all people be saved because we’ve already decided certain people shouldn’t be, or at least can’t be.  We can see God do immeasurably more in our prayer life when we pray submissively to His will that all be saved and we live as an example of the saving power of God.

  • Thankfully: — 1 Timothy 2:5

    • We pray first when we pray thankfully in all situations.  When we start talking about peaceful and quiet lives, about godliness and holiness, about respect, about submission, and about God wanting everyone to be saved, we ought to be led to an attitude of thankfulness to a God who makes all of that possible.  Knowing that Jesus is the mediator between God and mankind ought to fill our prayer life with thanksgiving because we know Him as a loving and fair mediator, full of all wisdom and grace.  Seeing God at work in our own life and in the lives of others ought to produce within us a thankfulness that is in itself proof that God is doing immeasurably more through our life of prayer.

Today, how will you see God do immeasurably more as you learn to pray FIRST?