praying effectively: Be Filled with the Spirit (Eph.5:18-21)

(Ephesians 5:18-21)  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. 

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 get inebriated or high via substance abuse (5:18)

- that we are filled with the Holy Spirit (5:18)

- that we are always thankful for all things, giving credit to the Lord for the good things, and being thankful to the Lord for how He is going to bring us through the challenging things which will make us stronger in Him (5:20)

- that we write heartfelt godly songs and sing heartfelt godly songs to the Lord (5:19)

- that we speak and sing godly words to one another (5:19)

- that we are subject (submissively respectful) to one another in the fear of Christ, first dependent on the Lord, and then dependent on each other (5:21)

- that we fear (awesomely respect) the Lord (5:21)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, THANK YOU!!!  Thank You for all the good things in our lives with which You bless us.  And thank You for all the challenging things which You allow in our lives as a way to not only get our attention in order for us to stay focused on You, but to teach us to always be focused on You - and dependent on You - for everything!

Guide us towards unity, close fellowship and holy communion with fellow believers, as a result of Your purity, faithfulness and love.  May everything we do be edifying, with the purpose of carrying out Your will.  Amen.