praying effectively: Work on Relationships (Col.3:12-4:1)

(Colossians 3:12-25)  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

(Colossians 4:1)  Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. 

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 wives should respect and listen to their husbands, unless it is outside of God's will (3:18)

- that husbands should love their wives (3:19)

- that husbands do not resent their wives (3:19)

- that parents do not exasperate their children (3:21)

- that children always respect and listen to their parents (3:20)

- that employees work diligently for their employers with sincere hearts (3:22)

- that employers treat their employees fairly and justly, as to serve and please God (4:1)

- that we do everything heartily as to serve and please God, not with the mindset of earning favor with others (3:23-24)

- that we let the word of Christ richly dwell within us (3:16)

- that we teach and guide one another in Christ's wisdom, with God's words, and spiritual songs (3:16)

- that we continually try to accept and get along with our fellow believers (3:13)

- that we continually forgive our fellow believers, as Jesus forgives us (3:13)

- that we always live in unity with our fellow believers (3:14-15)

- that we always love our fellow believers (3:14)

- that we let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (3:15)

- that we put on a heart of compassion (3:12)

- that we put on a heart of kindness (3:12)

- that we put on a heart of humility (3:12)

- that we put on a heart of gentleness (3:12)

- that we put on a heart of patience (3:12)

- that we are thankful (3:15)

- that we sing with heartfelt thankfulness to God (3:16)

- that we express our thankfulness to God (3:17)

- that we desire to glorify Christ in whatever we say and do (3:17)

Today's prayer:

 

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness, grace, love and guidance.  May our hearts always be opened to hearing Your word, and letting You change us from the inside out, so that we will desire to carry out Your will with steadfast and sincere hearts.  

Help us put all these things into practice - towards all those around us - and most especially to our fellow believers.  May the world see You through Your children, as they live in Your peace, love and unity.  Guide us with every step we take, so that whatever we say and do will be done to Your glory.  Amen.