praying effectively: Be Hospitable and Loving (Heb.13:1-8,16-21)

(Hebrews 13:1-8)  Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. 4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” 6 so that we confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”

7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

(Hebrews 13:16-21)  And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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 keep marriage and marital relationships pure, and not have sex outside of marriage (13:4)

- that we are free from the love of money (13:5)

- that we are content with what we have (13:5)

- that we are able to say the Lord helps us, because we trust that He will provide everything we need (13:5-6)

- that we do not fear anything or any person (13:5-6)

- that we pray for and help the persecuted believers (13:3)

- that we never stop showing hospitality to strangers, and always be welcoming (13:2)

- that we never stop loving our fellow believers (13:1)

- that we pray for and help those who are our spiritual leaders (13:7)

- that we pray for our spiritual leaders to remain steadfast and righteous (13:18)

- that we obey and respect our spiritual leaders so that they do not have to reprimand us (13:17)

- that we imitate those who are steadfast in faith (13:7)

- that we do not stop sharing or doing good things (13:16)

- that we ask and allow God to work in us and equip us in every thing to do His will, to His glory (13:20-21)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for helping us and providing for us.  Help us to be content with what we have, in all things.  May our focus always be on You.  May we keep our marriages and relationships pure.  And help us to be loving and hospitable to all people.  

Equip and guide all believers to seek Your will, and to serve You and each other.  Remind us to pray for all fellow believers, especially those who are in leadership.  Keep them righteous and steadfast, as good examples for us to follow.  And Lord, protect those who are being persecuted.  And if there is anything we can do to help, show us the way.

Keep us from evil and keep us from being discouraged.  May we always look to You for our strength and for all Your provisions and blessings.  To Your glory, amen.