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. “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…” (verses 11-12) We have thanked God for giving us purpose. Let’s also give God thanks for the people, the apostles, the prophets, the shepherds and the teachers, who show us the way. Thank God for a specific person who taught you about Jesus.
Adore. Like yesterday, this verse reminds us that God has a perfect design, not only for the workings of the physical world, but also for the workings of the body of Christ. His design is marvelous. Our place in His design is humbling. Let’s adore God for His infinite wisdom.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!
Romans 11:33
Confess. As we praise God for His wisdom and the perfection of His design, we should recognize the times we fail to show humility in light of his glory. Confess the times you have behaved as though you have the wisdom of God. Turn toward God and humbly ask for forgiveness.
Others.
| CU Church: Pray for our ministry to friends without addresses and our Thursday night meals. Pray for the staff (Tony, Kyle, Julie) and volunteers. Pray that more people volunteer to serve on Thursday nights. Pray that our friends without addresses are able to come for a meal and feel welcome to stay for the service. |
| Community: Pray for The Well Experience as they work to heal, engage, restore and empower historically disadvantaged and marginalized people in our community. thewellexperience.org |
| Global Church: Pray for Black Box International. Blackbox is a faith-based, Christ-centered, not-for-profit organization that exists to holistically rehabilitate formerly sex-trafficked boys and young men. They ask for prayer that their work can start in Haiti where they have had trouble getting off the ground due to construction delays. blackboxinternational.org |
Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.