Discipleship

Summer With the Son: Being Hungry! (Sermon Audio)
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Summer With the Son: Being Hungry! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 16, 2026 sermon, “Summer With the Son: Being Hungry!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Matthew 6:16-18

 

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”
Zechariah 8:19 (NIV)

Being Hungry is important as long as we are hungry for the right thing.  When we fast, we deliberately create a hunger which is resolved when we . . .

  • Examine:  Matthew 6:16

    • Being hungry will lead us to examine our own life against the standard of God’s Word.  When we fast in a way which pleases God, we develop a hunger that causes us to examine our motives for all things.  A true hunger for God will be displayed in humility as we set aside food, or any other distraction, in order to truly be filled.

  • Act:  Matthew 6:17

    • Being hungry will change the way we act.  Our activity of fasting will free us to help and serve others even as we draw nearer to God.  Choosing to listen to God with minimal distractions will allow us to more clearly hear how He wants us to live and how our life should be lived in relationship with others.

  • Trust:  Matthew 6:18

    • Being hungry will increase our trust of God as we discover His provision in our time of need.  When we choose to set aside immediate satisfaction for something not yet attained, we must trust that what God will provide is more useful and better than what we have let go of.

 

Today, how will you EAT in a way that honors God?

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray In the Holy Spirit! (8/15/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray In the Holy Spirit! (8/15/26)

 

This is the audio from the August 15, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being prayerful!  I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray — both qualities that will require God’s help.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your devotion to prayer grows.

“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”
Jude 1:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to make you more aware of His Spirit’s presence in your life as you pray.  Pray that your faith would be built up as you allow God’s Spirit to intercede for you when it seems your words of prayer are inadequate.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With a Clear Mind! (8/14/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With a Clear Mind! (8/14/26)

 

This is the audio from the August 14, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being prayerful!  I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray — both qualities that will require God’s help.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your devotion to prayer grows.

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you overcome distractions that keep you from praying as you ought.  Pray that you would recognize in the brevity of life the importance of praying with a clear mind and with self control.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray During Times of Trouble! (8/13/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray During Times of Trouble! (8/13/26)

 

This is the audio from the August 13, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being prayerful!  I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray — both qualities that will require God’s help.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your devotion to prayer grows.

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
James 5:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you look to him in times of trouble — whether it is trouble you face or trouble those around you experience.  Pray that you would know the praise of peace that comes to those who seek God in times of trouble.  Pray for the courage to have others pray for you during times of trouble.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Restoration! (8/12/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Restoration! (8/12/26)

 

This is the audio from the August 12, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being prayerful!  I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray — both qualities that will require God’s help.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your devotion to prayer grows.

“I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.”
Hebrews 13:19 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you notice those who are distant and need to be restored.  Pray that you would not only be restored to God, but that you would seek God’s help in seeing people restored to one another.  Pray about specific individuals and situations in which you need to be restored.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With Joy! (8/11/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With Joy! (8/11/26)

 

This is the audio from the August 11, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being prayerful!  I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray — both qualities that will require God’s help.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your devotion to prayer grows.

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”
Philippians 1:4 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to fill you with joy about Him and about those you pray for.  Pray that your joy would be expressed, and even increased, because of the way you pray for all of those around you.  Pray that you would live in such a way that others would be filled with joy in their prayers for you.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray Earnestly! (8/10/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray Earnestly! (8/10/26)

 

This is the audio from the August 10, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being prayerful!  I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray — both qualities that will require God’s help.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your devotion to prayer grows.

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”
Acts 12:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you pray earnestly for those whose situations may seem hopeless.  Pray that you would be serious in the content of your prayers and in the expectation that God will act for the good of His children.  Ask God to help you always keep on praying without giving up.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Summer With the Son: Being Prayerful! (Sermon Audio)
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Summer With the Son: Being Prayerful! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 9, 2026 sermon, “Summer With the Son: Being Prayerful!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Matthew 6:5-15

 

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

Being Prayerful moves us into communication with the living  God in a way which reveals a vibrant and growing relationship.  It is through this relationship that God calls us to . . .

  • Pursue:  Matthew 6:5-8

    • Being prayerful begins as we learn to pursue a relationship with the living God.  This pursuit requires conversations that take place in private.  We learn about God, and about our self, when we step aside from the distractions and engage in deliberate communication that is simply between us and God.  We not only speak more openly, we listen more intently when we are confident that our conversations are indeed confidential.  We pray real, meaningful, and substantial prayers when we pursue God wholeheartedly.

  • Respect:  Matthew 6:9-10

    • Being prayerful grows as we choose to respect God for who He is.  While it can be easy to quote scripture in a manner of praying and say “hallowed by thy name”, simply saying the words while not respecting God’s name in our everyday life really doesn’t carry the weight we may think it does.  When we truly respect God, we not only revere His name we also acknowledge that His will is what we desire.  It is this respect that prays for God’s will to be done not only in heaven, and not only in our nation or on this earth, but also for His will to be done in us.  We pray real, meaningful, and substantial prayers when we respect God fully.

  • Ask:  Matthew 6:11-12

    • Being prayerful also involves the most practiced part of prayer — the ask.  But the ask God wants us to make is often more specific than we tend to want.  We ask for today’s needs to be met.  We ask for forgiveness.  We ask for the ability to forgive.  We ask for our self.  We ask on behalf of others.  We ask God for our daily bread and we ask that He helps us to view that as being enough.  We pray real, meaningful, and substantial prayers when we ask God to work in us and through us according to His will.

  • Yield:  Matthew 6:13-15

    • Being prayerful will grow in our life in proportion to how we choose to yield.  Far often than we like to admit, we must choose between yielding to God or yielding to temptation.  When we pray, we yield our desires and interests to God in order to follow His desires and interests.  We tend to struggle with yielding because we don’t really want anyone to go ahead of us.  We begin to believe the lie of Satan that we are more important than anyone else . . . and even more important than God.  We pray real, meaningful, and substantial prayers when we fully yield to God in all things.

 

Today, how will you PRAY in a way that honors God?