Today’s reading comes from 1 Peter 1-3 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.
How are you different now that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior? That question is worth considering. The Apostle Peter deals with personal holiness (living lives that are more like Jesus than who we used to be) in the first few chapters of 1 Peter. Christians are to be holy because we serve a holy God and if He is in us, then we should be becoming more like Him(1:15-16). We don’t become holy in order to get saved, we are saved by the blood of Jesus and made to be holy (1:18-21). Similarly we are not kept in holiness by our own power and strength, we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to move forward in our personal holiness (1:22-23).
Sometimes the way we treat other people hinders our ability to prayer or the effectiveness of our prayers. That’s at least what Peter says about how husbands ought to treat their wives (3:7). Our relationship to others really does matter when it comes to the business of prayer. How is your relationship with those closest to you right now? Have you been a good husband, father, mother, wife, son, daughter, etc. Are you honoring God in your relationships or do you sin quite often and still expect to go to God with grace and ease in your prayer life.
Sometimes the most effective thing we can do to increase our prayer life is to repent of our sin to those we have offended and seek healthy relationships (kind of like James 5)… Then our burdens flow freely to the Lord.
FATHER, Thank you for the cross and the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. I pray that we are conforming to your image and that we see holiness develop in our lives. I pray that we would keep short accounts with one another and be quick to confess our sins that our prayers may not be hindered. Thank you for the strength to lead your people. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.
What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.
The Hill House 