Encouragement and Prayer: Help When Mercy Is Needed! (4/24/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Help When Mercy Is Needed! (4/24/24)

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This is the audio from the April 24, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about learning to ask for help as we build for revival.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it often begins with our recognition that we need help.  It is in the most difficult of times that we often learn most clearly what our needs really are — and where our real help must come from.  Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Him as you seek the help you need.  Pray for the ability to notice His hand at work in all of the help you receive, and in all of the help you give to others.  Pray that God would meet your needs according to His riches in glory.  Pray for the humility to both request and accept help from God through others and to give help from God to others.  Pray that your testimony of God’s goodness and help would be clear and visible as you “do your good works so that people see them and glorify your Father in heaven.”

“Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help.”
Psalm 30:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you.  Pray for a greater realization of just how much you are in need of God’s mercy.  Pray that a proper understanding of what you do, and what you don’t, deserve would fill you with gratitude for God’s mercy.  Pray with thanksgiving for a God who hears and is merciful in your time of need.

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: Help When Weak! (4/23/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Help When Weak! (4/23/24)

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This is the audio from the April 23, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about learning to ask for help as we build for revival.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it often begins with our recognition that we need help.  It is in the most difficult of times that we often learn most clearly what our needs really are — and where our real help must come from.  Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Him as you seek the help you need.  Pray for the ability to notice His hand at work in all of the help you receive, and in all of the help you give to others.  Pray that God would meet your needs according to His riches in glory.  Pray for the humility to both request and accept help from God through others and to give help from God to others.  Pray that your testimony of God’s goodness and help would be clear and visible as you “do your good works so that people see them and glorify your Father in heaven.”

“But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.”
Psalm 22:19 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you.  Pray that you would always turn to God for help, but especially so when you recognize your own weakness.  Pray for an awareness of God’s nearness to you when you feel you can go no further.  Pray that you would know the perfect timing of God’s help when you need His strength.

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: Help When Distressed! (4/22/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Help When Distressed! (4/22/24)

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This is the audio from the April 22, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about learning to ask for help as we build for revival.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it often begins with our recognition that we need help.  It is in the most difficult of times that we often learn most clearly what our needs really are — and where our real help must come from.  Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Him as you seek the help you need.  Pray for the ability to notice His hand at work in all of the help you receive, and in all of the help you give to others.  Pray that God would meet your needs according to His riches in glory.  Pray for the humility to both request and accept help from God through others and to give help from God to others.  Pray that your testimony of God’s goodness and help would be clear and visible as you “do your good works so that people see them and glorify your Father in heaven.”

“In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.  From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”
Psalm 18:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you.  Pray that God would remove the stress from your distress as you cry out to Him for help.  Pray for the confidence in knowing that God has heard your prayers and His help is on the way.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Building For Revival: Ask For HELP! (Sermon Audio)
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Building For Revival: Ask For HELP! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 21, 2024 sermon, “Building For Revival: Ask For HELP!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Nehemiah 2

“I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a series from the book of Nehemiah about Building For Revival.  As with any construction project, building for revival takes a lot of work.  As God began to prepare His people for revival, a man named Nehemiah sat with God for the purpose of knowing, and getting on board with, God’s plan.  When we choose to join with God in His plan, it should become apparent we can’t build alone.  Revival comes when we are willing to humble ourselves and not only realize our need for help, but be willing to ask for help.  As we pursue God’s plan for revival, we discover a need to ask for . . .

  • Hearing: — Nehemiah 2:1-6, 1 John 5:14

    • I suspect that Nehemiah may have struggled greatly with how to gain a hearing with the king.  In fact, as chapter one ends we see Nehemiah asking God to grant him favor with the king.  When the opportunity came for Nehemiah to talk to the king about what God had put on his heart, Nehemiah was more concerned about hearing from God than he was about being heard.  As important as it is for us to know a God who hears us, when it comes to being revived it is more important that we learn to ask for God’s help in us hearing Him.

  • Equipping: — Nehemiah 2:7-9, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    • As Nehemiah asked to hear God, there was a recognition that he needed help from a God who could equip him for the task at hand.  While it may appear that the king was the one equipping Nehemiah, we must always remember Nehemiah was confident this help came from God alone.  As we desire revival, and build for it, we must discover the power of God’s Word which He says is powerful enough to thoroughly equip every one of us for every good work.

  • Learning: — Nehemiah 2:11-16, Psalm 25:4-5

    • When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem to begin the work God had set upon his heart to do, he discovered a need to move from stories to reality in learning about the work that would be required.  He set out in relative secrecy to allow God to influence his observations so that he would not be distracted by the human history of setbacks and failures.  Our pursuit of revival gains traction when we choose to learn from God the very things which He can and will do.  We find the help we need when we learn the ways of God are not just good suggestions, but the only way to experience the fullness of life eternal.

  • Protection: — Nehemiah 2:17-20, 2 Thessalonians 3:3

    • We learn from Nehemiah that hearing God, being equipped by God, and learning from God does not automatically add up to no opposition.  In fact, Jesus made it clear that as His followers we would face trouble in this world.  More often than not, the protection we are quick to ask for is a physical protection that shows more concern for the body than for the spirit.  When we learn to ask for, and claim, protection from the evil one, we don’t necessarily escape the troubles of this world but we find help in living the life of faithfulness God desires for each of us to live.

Today, how will you ask for HELP?

Encouragement and Prayer: Yield! (4/18/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Yield! (4/18/24)

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This is the audio from the April 18, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to build for revival on a foundation of prayer!  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 confronted with the devastating condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah  laid a foundation of prayer in order to see God’s perspective of what was needed.  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 desire for revival would be built upon a foundation of prayer.

“He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.'”
Matthew 26:42 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer, and to Him, that you are.  Empty yourself daily of your will so that the focus of your prayers would be fully yielded to God.  Pray that God’s will would not only be done, but that it is your priority.  Pray for a desire to build on the foundation laid by Jesus.

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: Act! (4/17/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Act! (4/17/24)

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This is the audio from the April 17, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to build for revival on a foundation of prayer!  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 confronted with the devastating condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah  laid a foundation of prayer in order to see God’s perspective of what was needed.  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 desire for revival would be built upon a foundation of prayer.

“If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”
James 2:16 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer, and to Him, that you are.  Spend the necessary time listening to God so that your prayers result in God-led action.  Pray that you would see and respond to the opportunities that God gives you.  Pray about how your action of spending time with God prepares you to build.

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: Repent! (4/16/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Repent! (4/16/24)

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This is the audio from the April 16, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to build for revival on a foundation of prayer!  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 confronted with the devastating condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah  laid a foundation of prayer in order to see God’s perspective of what was needed.  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 desire for revival would be built upon a foundation of prayer.

“Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”
Acts 8:22 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer, and to Him, that you are.  As you pray, listen for God to reveal not just actions, but even thoughts for which you need to turn to Him in repentance.  Pray that you would turn to God for the strength and courage to change the things that need revived in your life.

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: Pursue God! (4/15/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pursue God! (4/15/24)

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This is the audio from the April 15, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to build for revival on a foundation of prayer!  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 confronted with the devastating condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah  laid a foundation of prayer in order to see God’s perspective of what was needed.  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 desire for revival would be built upon a foundation of prayer.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer, and to Him, that you are.  Spend time with God considering, even writing out, what it would look like for you to pursue God wholeheartedly.  Pray that your whole heart would be involved in seeking God.  Pray that you would pursue God in a conversation with Him which leads you to a right foundation for revival.

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

In prayer,
Tom