I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says,
“When He ascended on high He led a host of captives,
and He gave gifts to men.”(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:1-16 ESV
Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:1-16. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.
Thank. In the scripture for the week, Paul talks to the Ephesians about maintaining “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” He also says, “There is one body and one Spirit.” How marvelous that He made us to be unique individuals, capable of a personal relationship with our God, while at the same time giving us unity in the Spirit and oneness in the body of Christ! Thank God today for His glorious design: He made you the way you are, uniquely gifted as an individual with a distinct purpose as a member of the body of Christ.
Adore. God’s design is truly awe inspiring. From the intricate design of our human bodies, to the magnificent design of the heavens and the earth, to the grace filled design of our relationship with Him, there is no greater mind than that of our God’s. Let’s praise Him today as the perfect designer.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of His great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26
Confess. God is the creator and sustainer of all things, yet He wants to be in a personal relationship with each of us. Remembering the times that we turn away from such a profound offer of relationship leads us naturally to confession. Turn toward God and confess the times you have not sought to be near Him. He is waiting for you.
Others.
| CU Church: Pray protection and provision specifically for the pastors, leaders and staff at CU Church. Pray that their families’ needs are met and they are protected physically and spiritually. |
| Community: Pray for C-U Canteen Run. Pray that God will bless their ministry to show the love of Christ by providing clothes, toiletries and food to our community members without addresses. cucanteenrun.com |
| Global Church: Pray for the work of LIA in Muslim countries. Jordan shares that their missionaries in those countries “carry with them our holistic model that we hope will provide opportunities for those who come to faith in Jesus to be able to provide for themselves despite any persecution or rejection they experience from friends or family members.“ Pray for those whose decision to follow Jesus means the loss of relationship with family and friends as well as persecution. lifeinabundance.org |
Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.