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. Throughout this week’s scripture passage, Paul emphasizes that we must do all things in love. We are to bear with one and another in love (vs. 2), speak the truth in love (vs. 15) and build up the body of Christ in love (vs. 16). Today thank God for someone who demonstrates Paul’s instruction, who patiently loves you through tough times or speaks truth to you with love.
Adore. All love comes from God. It is the fabric of his Being. It is at the core of all He does. Praise God today for His infinite love that He pours out to us through grace and mercy.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
Psalm 103:1-4 NLT
Confess. Reflecting on Paul’s words causes us to realize that often we don’t reflect God’s love as we love one another. Ask God to forgive you for the times you fall short of Christ’s command, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34
Others.
| CU Church: Pray for our Children’s ministry. Pray that the volunteers who teach Sunday School and the staff (Leah and Margo) who plan the activities will be energized and radiate God’s love. Pray for the children who attend, that they will be engaged and transformed. |
| Community: Pray for Self-Made Kingz, Dreeam and Lyuando Boxing, that they will continue to reach students in our community. |
| Global Church: Pray for the boys that Blackbox International has saved and are working to holistically rehabilitate. Pray that the power of the Holy Spirit transforms them and fills them with the love of God. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 blackboxinternational.org |
Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.