praying effectively: Walk in a Worthy Manner (Eph.4:1-16)

(Ephesians 4:1-16)  Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high,
He led captive a host of captives,
And He gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.  

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 walk in a manner worthy of our calling (4:1)

- that we are humble in all things (4:2)

- that we are gentle (4:2)

- that we are patient (4:2)

- that we tolerate our fellow believers (4:2)

- that we show love to our fellow believers (4:2)

- that we diligently keep peace with each other, with the unity of the Holy Spirit (4:3)

- that we mature in our faith, understanding God's doctrines (4:14-15)

- that we speak the truth in love (4:15)

- that we use our gifts to equip fellow believers (4:12)

- that we use our gifts to build up the Church and fellow believers in unity and faith, with the knowledge of Christ (4:12-13)

- that we all use our gifts, working together to build up unity and love in each member and the entire church (4:16)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love, unity and guidance.  May we all hunger to know more and more of You and Your words.  May we all allow You to work within our hearts and minds, so that our faith will continue to grow and mature.  Guide us to use the spiritual gifts which You have given to each one of us.  Help us to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, so that everything we do and say will be to - NOT tear down, but - build up our fellow believers and the Church, all to Your glory.  Amen.