Father,
These three verses seem to be the building blocks of developing agape love. I Corinthians 13 love. This tells me that without faith in you, true sacrificial love is not fully possible on a sustained basis. Without a desire to do good and be good, agape love does not happen. Without a knowledge of you and your word, we are not able to know and understand what you mean by love. Without the ability to control our own impulses and actions, we will fail in our attempts to show love. Without our ability to follow-through on our promises we cannot fully love. Without showing and reflecting the attributes of your nature, we will show love that is incomplete and distorted. All of that leads us to the ability to show true kindness, but then you take our response to the next level - showing sacrificial love.
I pray that these children grow to understand these building blocks and then to understand that love is not a feeling, but a decision. A decision to show the attributes of love to those you give to them to love. Help them to learn that at an early age so that in this respect, at least, they develop a spiritual maturity far beyond their years. By that, I pray that their marriages are able to be spared some of the trials caused by selfishness as they seek to show agape love to their spouse. As these verses loop back to the beginning, strengthen their faith so that they can endure and keep in perspective the pain that they will invariably endure when they commit to showing selfless love as you keep before them the perfect example of your Son and his sacrifice for them.
Amen
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Add to your Godliness, Brotherly Kindness. II Peter 1:7
Dear Father,
All of the attributes of II Peter 1 up to now have focused on our own self-improvement of our character. But then, as you always do, you turn the discussion to make it clear that everything ultimately comes down to relationship. As your servant Paul says in I Corithians 13, without love, without exhibiting the behavior that builds and sustains relationship, all of our "godly" actions count for nothing. These verses tell us that the foundation of being able to properly build relationship is that we must have a deep faith in you, we must strive to do good and be good, we must have a good knowledge of you, your nature and your teachings, we must have self-control, we must stick to our promises and commitments, and we must strive to exhibit your attributes. But those are, indeed, foundational to being able to show brotherly kindness and love. They are foundational because showing brotherly kindness is unnatural. It is easy when people are likable, but it is hard and unnatural when people of difficult to get along with. Only with the foundation given in verses 5 and 6 can we begin to show the kind of brotherly kindness you have in mind.
I pray that you build in these children a foundation that allows them to show kindness to people who are unlikeable. That will be hard. It is hard for me. But if they are able to do that, they will truly shine like stars and they will be an agent for your peace. Give them the wisdom to choose words that will calm the troubled hearts that underlie the unlikeable behavior. Give them the gift of peace making and the talent to reach out and touch the social lepers. May it be said of them that they love the unlovable.
Amen
All of the attributes of II Peter 1 up to now have focused on our own self-improvement of our character. But then, as you always do, you turn the discussion to make it clear that everything ultimately comes down to relationship. As your servant Paul says in I Corithians 13, without love, without exhibiting the behavior that builds and sustains relationship, all of our "godly" actions count for nothing. These verses tell us that the foundation of being able to properly build relationship is that we must have a deep faith in you, we must strive to do good and be good, we must have a good knowledge of you, your nature and your teachings, we must have self-control, we must stick to our promises and commitments, and we must strive to exhibit your attributes. But those are, indeed, foundational to being able to show brotherly kindness and love. They are foundational because showing brotherly kindness is unnatural. It is easy when people are likable, but it is hard and unnatural when people of difficult to get along with. Only with the foundation given in verses 5 and 6 can we begin to show the kind of brotherly kindness you have in mind.
I pray that you build in these children a foundation that allows them to show kindness to people who are unlikeable. That will be hard. It is hard for me. But if they are able to do that, they will truly shine like stars and they will be an agent for your peace. Give them the wisdom to choose words that will calm the troubled hearts that underlie the unlikeable behavior. Give them the gift of peace making and the talent to reach out and touch the social lepers. May it be said of them that they love the unlovable.
Amen
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Add to your Perseverance, Godliness II Peter 1:6
Dear Father,
I will admit that I do not comprehend godliness. It seems to say that we are trying to be like you. That goal is incomprehensible to me. You and I are not comparable in the least. Even Jesus, your example in human form, is, to say the least, out of my league. To me it is like saying that I need to learn to fly. I can jump off the ground a few inches and flap my arms, but that pretty much makes a joke of it. Such is how I feel with any attempt to be like you. So how to I pray "godliness" for these children when I don't understand it myself?
But I do see attributes of you that we can attempt to emulate. Mercy, compassion, forgiveness, true justice in defending the powerless, anger against oppressors, holiness - these are aspects of you that you show us over and over again in scripture. The last attribute, holiness, is equally difficult. What does it mean to be holy as you are holy?
My prayer for these children is that they seek you and seek your face and that as they seek you, they learn of you. And as they learn of you, please draw them to you and teach them what it means to be holy. Teach them what it means to be merciful and compassionate. Teach them what it means to administer true justice, defending the powerless and confronting the oppressors. And as you teach them this, fan the flame of desire within them to follow after these attributes of yours. Guide them in that path so that they are a beacon of your nature in the world.
Amen
I will admit that I do not comprehend godliness. It seems to say that we are trying to be like you. That goal is incomprehensible to me. You and I are not comparable in the least. Even Jesus, your example in human form, is, to say the least, out of my league. To me it is like saying that I need to learn to fly. I can jump off the ground a few inches and flap my arms, but that pretty much makes a joke of it. Such is how I feel with any attempt to be like you. So how to I pray "godliness" for these children when I don't understand it myself?
But I do see attributes of you that we can attempt to emulate. Mercy, compassion, forgiveness, true justice in defending the powerless, anger against oppressors, holiness - these are aspects of you that you show us over and over again in scripture. The last attribute, holiness, is equally difficult. What does it mean to be holy as you are holy?
My prayer for these children is that they seek you and seek your face and that as they seek you, they learn of you. And as they learn of you, please draw them to you and teach them what it means to be holy. Teach them what it means to be merciful and compassionate. Teach them what it means to administer true justice, defending the powerless and confronting the oppressors. And as you teach them this, fan the flame of desire within them to follow after these attributes of yours. Guide them in that path so that they are a beacon of your nature in the world.
Amen
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Add to your Self-Control, Perseverance II Peter 1:6
Father,
I know that all of the faith, desire to do good, knowledge and self-control matter little if we do not follow-through on our commitments. We, of course, in our human frailty will fall short on follow-through, but your expectation of us is to continue striving and re-committing as a life-long process.
I pray that you fill these children with strength to carry on when they are tired and weary of doing the right thing. Show them your pleasure in their efforts. Give them the blessing of seeing the fruit of their labor. And in those dark times when they see no fruit, give them wisdom and perspective that allows them to look at the long term. Give them cheerleaders and encouragers. Give them examples of people who have kept the course and thereby good things were accomplished. Give them the ability to ignore criticism, but yet the ability to glean from such criticism words of wisdom. Also help them to learn that the only way to avoid criticism is attempt nothing noble.
In all things help them to see that this life is a gift from you to be surrendered to you as they live an extraordinary life. That they will not be on this earth very long and that pouring themselves into noble efforts, regardless of the related hardship is what you intend for them to be about all of their lives.
Amen
I know that all of the faith, desire to do good, knowledge and self-control matter little if we do not follow-through on our commitments. We, of course, in our human frailty will fall short on follow-through, but your expectation of us is to continue striving and re-committing as a life-long process.
I pray that you fill these children with strength to carry on when they are tired and weary of doing the right thing. Show them your pleasure in their efforts. Give them the blessing of seeing the fruit of their labor. And in those dark times when they see no fruit, give them wisdom and perspective that allows them to look at the long term. Give them cheerleaders and encouragers. Give them examples of people who have kept the course and thereby good things were accomplished. Give them the ability to ignore criticism, but yet the ability to glean from such criticism words of wisdom. Also help them to learn that the only way to avoid criticism is attempt nothing noble.
In all things help them to see that this life is a gift from you to be surrendered to you as they live an extraordinary life. That they will not be on this earth very long and that pouring themselves into noble efforts, regardless of the related hardship is what you intend for them to be about all of their lives.
Amen
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Add to your Knowledge, Self-Control. II Peter 1:6
Dear Father,
Faith, a desire to be good, and knowledge are of little value if we are unable to control our impulses. I have seen many good church people who would say and do things that caused great harm to individuals and to the church. They were knowledgeable in scripture and lived a life of "goodness", but within them was an unkind spirit that would speak words that cut and maimed. I have seen "good" church people who had secret indulgences that eventually came out and created disillusionment within those who held them in high esteem.
Father, I earnestly pray that these children rise up as examples of what it means to follow you and that their spheres of influence be expanded greatly. But Lord, keep ever before them the awareness that in such a position, they have the ability to both encourage and wound. Give them an extra measure of self-control over their tongue. Help them to realize the power their words will have when they are in a position of influence and that such power must be closely controlled. Help them also to understand that many will look up to them as examples, and consequently they must be on their guard to distance themselves from temptation. Help them to realize their own human frailty and susceptibility to falling into temptation. Help them to keenly realize the damage that would be done if they fell.
Simply put, Lord, give them the sense and the desire to think before they act and before they speak, such that their lives are blessings to those around them and that they are ambassadors for your Son through whom their lives are given meaning.
Amen
Faith, a desire to be good, and knowledge are of little value if we are unable to control our impulses. I have seen many good church people who would say and do things that caused great harm to individuals and to the church. They were knowledgeable in scripture and lived a life of "goodness", but within them was an unkind spirit that would speak words that cut and maimed. I have seen "good" church people who had secret indulgences that eventually came out and created disillusionment within those who held them in high esteem.
Father, I earnestly pray that these children rise up as examples of what it means to follow you and that their spheres of influence be expanded greatly. But Lord, keep ever before them the awareness that in such a position, they have the ability to both encourage and wound. Give them an extra measure of self-control over their tongue. Help them to realize the power their words will have when they are in a position of influence and that such power must be closely controlled. Help them also to understand that many will look up to them as examples, and consequently they must be on their guard to distance themselves from temptation. Help them to realize their own human frailty and susceptibility to falling into temptation. Help them to keenly realize the damage that would be done if they fell.
Simply put, Lord, give them the sense and the desire to think before they act and before they speak, such that their lives are blessings to those around them and that they are ambassadors for your Son through whom their lives are given meaning.
Amen
Monday, February 20, 2012
Add to your Goodness, Knowledge II Peter 1:5
Dear Father,
We live in a post-modern society that questions the existence of absolute truth. But we believe that you are a Creator of order, not chaos. We easily observe that when mankind (society) takes it upon itself to determine truth, things do not go well. Society in Germany decided it was good to kill Jews. Society in America decided slavery and then segregation was good. History is replete with examples of societies that have determined any number of injustices and atrocities to be "good".
But we believe that your revealed word tells us what is "good", a standard on which we can rely. Following the teachings of your Son and his disciples - truly following them and not distorting them for our own benefit - provides order and prevents chaos. Without knowledge, attempts at goodness are like shooting with eyes closed. However, knowledge without goodness is selfish at best and malicious at worst.
I pray that these children have a heart to desire goodness and that they strive to do good and be good. But I also pray the they fully understand that attempts at goodness without the knowledge of your revealed will is fruitless and likely will do more harm than good. Give them a desire to know your word. Give their parents faithfulness in teaching them your word and living out its truth. And may they all know the most important of truths - the truth of your Son and his sacrifice for us which allows us to come to you with confidence.
Amen
We live in a post-modern society that questions the existence of absolute truth. But we believe that you are a Creator of order, not chaos. We easily observe that when mankind (society) takes it upon itself to determine truth, things do not go well. Society in Germany decided it was good to kill Jews. Society in America decided slavery and then segregation was good. History is replete with examples of societies that have determined any number of injustices and atrocities to be "good".
But we believe that your revealed word tells us what is "good", a standard on which we can rely. Following the teachings of your Son and his disciples - truly following them and not distorting them for our own benefit - provides order and prevents chaos. Without knowledge, attempts at goodness are like shooting with eyes closed. However, knowledge without goodness is selfish at best and malicious at worst.
I pray that these children have a heart to desire goodness and that they strive to do good and be good. But I also pray the they fully understand that attempts at goodness without the knowledge of your revealed will is fruitless and likely will do more harm than good. Give them a desire to know your word. Give their parents faithfulness in teaching them your word and living out its truth. And may they all know the most important of truths - the truth of your Son and his sacrifice for us which allows us to come to you with confidence.
Amen
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Add to your Faith Goodness II Peter 1:5
Dear Father and Your Transforming Spirit Who Lives Within Us:
I pray that you take the seed of faith that is being planted within each of these children and grow that seed into the tree on which birds can nest. (Luke 13:19) Beyond that, though, do not let their hearts be comfortable with mere belief. Through teaching, through example, through your word and by the power of your Spirit, show them that a faith that does not lead to action, is truly a dead faith. (James 2:26) Show them the magnitude of their gift of salvation so that they understand just how much you have given them and let the gratitude that comes from that knowledge and faith motivate them to reach out to others and motivate them to be examples of goodness to others.
Of course they will have their moments and times of failure in this, but may you bring people into their lives who by influence and example, turn them back to the way of goodness and may their hearts ever desire, by the prodding of your Spirit, the path of goodness, always born out of a deep faith and belief in your goodness toward them.
Amen
I pray that you take the seed of faith that is being planted within each of these children and grow that seed into the tree on which birds can nest. (Luke 13:19) Beyond that, though, do not let their hearts be comfortable with mere belief. Through teaching, through example, through your word and by the power of your Spirit, show them that a faith that does not lead to action, is truly a dead faith. (James 2:26) Show them the magnitude of their gift of salvation so that they understand just how much you have given them and let the gratitude that comes from that knowledge and faith motivate them to reach out to others and motivate them to be examples of goodness to others.
Of course they will have their moments and times of failure in this, but may you bring people into their lives who by influence and example, turn them back to the way of goodness and may their hearts ever desire, by the prodding of your Spirit, the path of goodness, always born out of a deep faith and belief in your goodness toward them.
Amen
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