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.

praying effectively: Walk by Faith (2 Cor.4:1-5:9)

(2 Corinthians 4:1-5:9)  Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you.

13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

5 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

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 stop sinning (4:2)

- that we do not twist God's words (4:2)

- that we do not lose heart (4:1. 16)

- that we should always be of good courage (5:6)

- that we are encouraged with knowing we have an eternal home, not made with hands (5:1)

- that we look to the spiritual matters, which are unseen and eternal (4:18)

- that we rely on God's power and not our own power (4:7)

- that we walk by faith in God, and not by our own efforts (5:7-9)

- that we have an ambition and desire to be pleasing to God (5:9)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing and almighty power.  As we go through times of trials and through times of peace, help us to remain steadfast in Your will.  Help us grow in our faith, and trust in order to rest fully in Your strength and in Your promises.  Guide us towards a greater desire and ambition to serve and please You.  And in our ministries and efforts to witness, build us up with courage that comes from and through You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Comfort (2 Cor.1:1-11)

(2 Corinthians 1:3-11)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 

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 should be comforted by Christ (1:3-5)

- that we should comfort those who are struggling, no matter what that is, with the same comfort from Christ which we experience (1:3-5)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your comfort, and for Your understanding.  You know and understand all things, and therefore Your comfort will be most effective.  May we always run to You when we are struggling.  And when we come across others who are struggling, give us the wisdom, love and grace to know how to effectively comfort them with Your comfort, in Your will.  Amen.

praying effectively: Cleanse Ourselves (2 Cor.7:1-10)

(2 Corinthians 7:1-10)  Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. 3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. 4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— 9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 

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 people experience sorrow, which is in God's will, a conviction that leads to repentance and salvation, so they can then experience forgiveness, grace and freedom (7:9-10)

- that we cleanse ourselves from sinning in both the flesh and the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (7:1) 

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for creating us with feelings, which are there to help us enjoy life, as well as to alert us to danger and wrong behavior.  Sometimes we don't understand what we are feeling, and sometimes we twist around what we are feeling, so that our feelings can seem very fickle and misleading.

Give us wisdom when it comes to all our feelings - so that we can differentiate between the healthy and the unhealthy - so we can know when to embrace a situation, when to avoid a situation, when to confess a sin, when to apologize, and when to forgive.  Guide us to make decisions in Your wisdom, and in Your will!  Amen.

praying effectively: Examine Ourselves (2 Cor.12:19--13:12)

(2 Corinthians 12:19-21)  All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

(2 Corinthians 13:1-12)  This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, 3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

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 every fact should be confirmed by at least two or three witnesses if there are going to be any accusations (13:1)

- that we examine ourselves, and test ourselves to see if we are in the faith and that Jesus is in us (13:5)

- that we are made complete (13:9, 11)

- that we do no wrong and do what is right (13:7)

- that we are comforted (13:11)

- that we rejoice (13:11)

- that we are like-minded (13:11)

- that we live in peace (13:11)

- that we fellowship with one another in sincerity and purity (13:12)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your guidance.  Make Yourself very evident in all Your children's hearts and minds.  Help us to grow in our faith, trust and hope, knowing that You are in us and working in us.  May we allow You to work in and through us, so that we feel complete, as well as see the evidence of You being in us.

Help us to fellowship and work together in unity, in sincere and pure love, and in peace;  knowing that as we all grow closer to You, we will all grow closer to each other.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Reconciled to God (2 Cor.5:10-21)

(2 Corinthians 5:10-21)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

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 should live for Jesus, who died and rose again on our behalf (5:15)

- that as ambassadors for Christ, we should be reconciled to God (5:20)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for making salvation possible.  Thank You that when You save us, You do away with the old creature and make us new.  Thank You that because of You working in us, we are reconciled to God for all eternity.  Thank You that when we are done with this life here on earth, we do not have to fear Your judgement, because You have forgiven all our sins and chosen to remember them no more. 

So now, while we are still here on earth as ambassadors representing You, may our hearts desire to stay close to You, be obedient to You, and live for You.  Amen.