praying effectively: Be Humble in Spirit (1Peter 3:8-12)

(1 Peter 3:8-12)  To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 “He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

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 try getting even with people (3:9)

- that we do not speak threats or lies (3:10)

- that we turn away from evil (3:11)

- that we do good (3:11)

- that we seek and pursue peace (3:11)

- that we try to be harmonious (3:8)

- that we are brotherly (3:8)

- that we are sympathetic (3:8)

- that we are kindhearted (3:8)

- that we are humble in spirit (3:8)

- that we bless everyone, even when they hurt or insult us (3:9)

- God hears the prayers of the righteous (3:12)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for hearing our prayers.  Help us to turn away from evil and from sin, so that our prayers will be more effective.  Guide us in Your will to live a righteous life, all to Your glory, amen.