praying effectively: Work Together with God (2 Cor.6:1-18)

(2 Corinthians 6:1-18)  And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says,

“At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— 3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. 13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.

14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,

“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

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 are not bound together with unbelievers (6:14)

- that we do not partake or appear to partake in things which oppose God (6:17)

- that we do not do things that are unrighteous (6:17)

- that we do not take God's grace for granted (6:1)

- that we do not do anything to discredit a ministry (6:3)

- that we work together in Christ (6:1)

- that we are approving of each other's service (6:4)

- that we endure and press on no matter what hardships we experience, even when someone is slandering us (6:4-10)

- that we endure in the power of God (6:4-7)

- that we endure in the Holy Spirit (6:4-5)

- that we endure in the word of truth (6:4-7)

- that we endure in knowledge, not ignorance (6:4-5)

- that we endure in righteousness (6:4-8)

- that we endure in purity (6:4-5)

- that we endure in patience (6:4-5)

- that we endure in kindness (6:4-5)

- that we endure in genuine love (6:4-5)

- that we endure in joy (6:4-10)

- that we continue to enrich the lives of others (6:4-10)

- that we realize everything we possess belongs to God, and that God supplies our needs abundantly beyond the physical things, making us spiritually rich (6:4-10)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us purpose.  Guide us to the ministries where we should serve, and help us to equip and encourage each other, no matter which hardships we may experience.  Help us press on.  May we continually strive together in Your will, in unity.  Help us remain steadfast, always with the right attitudes.  Help us to do everything in You - in Your power - in Your truth - in Your wisdom - in Your righteousness - in Your love - in Your joy.  Amen.