praying effectively: Practice Kindness (Zech.7)

(Zechariah 7:9-10)  “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; 10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ 

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we do not plot evil against our fellow Christians, even in our hearts (7:10)

- that we do not oppress the vulnerable (7:10)

- that we are just (7:9)

- that we are kind to our fellow Christians (7:9)

- that we are compassionate to our fellow Christians (7:9)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your lovingkindness and compassion towards us.  Fill our hearts so that we may be kind and compassionate towards others, especially to our fellow Christians, and to the weak and vulnerable.  

Keep us from thinking ill-will thoughts towards others, and immediately convict our hearts when we start to go down that path, so that we may confess those sins to You.  Not only that, but if and when we see injustices - give us the wisdom and the courage to do what we should and protect us and our loved ones from evil.  Amen.