praying effectively: Be Imitators of Christ (1 Cor.11:1-15)

(1 Corinthians 11:1-22)  Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. 5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.  

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 in Christ, men and women are equal (11:11-12)

- that we should understand:  just as God is the head of Christ Jesus and the Trinity is one, a husband and wife are one, and the husband should be responsible as the spiritual leader of the family (11:3)

- that a husband should not hide from his responsibility of being the spiritual leader of his family (11:4-10)

- a wife should not portray herself as the spiritual leader and/or a prostitute, as back then prostitutes shaved their heads and  acted as "spiritual leaders" of pagan temples (11:4-10)

- that we are all imitators of Christ Jesus (11:1)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being a God of order.  Help us to understand that men and women are equal.  Help us also understand that as spiritual leaders of their families, the men have to step up and humbly be responsible to lead their families.  Guide husbands to realize that as spiritual leaders, they are to lead by example, striving to be Christ-like.  Help wives realize that they are to honor and support their husbands - to work as a team - and also strive to be Christ-like.  Help us all be imitators of You.  Amen.