praying effectively: Do Not Impose Personal Standards (Rom.14:1-12)

(Romans 14:1-12)  Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, 

every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue 

shall give praise to God.”

12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

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 accept the believer who is weak in faith (14:1)

- that we do not judge the believer who is weak in faith, who still doesn't fully understand doctrines, or what God's will is (14:1)

- that we do not hold each other to personal standards or liberties which we have decided for ourselves (14:2-4)

- that we realize we are all accountable to God, and God will look after each of His children (14:2-4)

- that each of us should personally seek out God's will and truth and do not waver from that;  for example, if we have chosen Sunday or Saturday to be our Sabbath, then honor that;  but other people may have to attend church services on different days, depending on their personal schedules (14:5-6)

Today's prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for giving each of Your children the guidance of Your Holy Spirit.  May we not think that we have the corner-market of Your guidance.  May we not interfere in trying to do Your job, but help us to trust You fully to teach, convict and discipline each of Your children.  You know all things, and You are faithful, and You love us so much, that You will not neglect any of Your children.

Thank You for Your patience!  I know that I must require lots of Your patience, and even now, after being a believer for over 50 years, I am still learning and growing;  so in the same way, help me to practice patience towards other believers.  Help us not expect new believers to know everything all at once. 

Guide us to mentor each other with love and grace, fully understanding that You have forgiven us of all our sins.  Thank You that You will not judge Your children for the sins which we have committed, but for the good deeds which we have done with pure movies. 

Guide Your children in studying Your word, so that we will be confident in what You expect from us.  Put an end to our efforts of infringing personal opinions, and really give us a desire to understand what You actually say.  Help us not to compare ourselves with others, but help us to be focused on our own personal walk with You.  Amen.