praying effectively: Love Fellow Believers (Rom.12:9-13)

(Romans 12:9-13)  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

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 abhor what is evil (12:9)

- that we cling to what is good (12:9)

- that we serve the Lord with diligence and enthusiasm (12:11)

- that we rejoice in hope (12:12)

- that we are persevering in tribulation (12:12)

- that we are devoted to prayer (12:12)

- that we are devoted to our fellow believers in brother love (12:10)

- that love is without hypocrisy (12:9)

- that we give preference to one another in honor (12:10)

- that we are contributing to the needs of the saints  (12:13)

- that we are practicing hospitality (12:13)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You are good.  Help us not only cling to You, and all that is good, but help us desire to serve You, by also desiring to serve those around us - especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Help us be hospitable, desiring to fellowship with one another as family members, and getting to know them and how we can better pray for them.  May we be devoted to prayer for one another.

When we see a need, help us see that we are the answer to fulfill that need - not just the person to find some other person to fulfill that need.  And may we give wisely and graciously.  

Help us to be uplifting, rejoicing in hope, even in times of tribulation - whether we are experiencing the tribulation or another Christian is experiencing tribulation.  As I have witnessed, believers are able to draw closer to each other in times of trials, but also help us to get along in times of peace!  Let our love for each other be sincere and honorable.  Amen.