Advice We Can All Use…

Scripture is a living document and is many things for those who will access it daily. Sometimes it is a source of comfort, sometimes a voice of reason, sometimes it is just plain wisdom. Such is the case with 1 Peter 4:7 (TPT):

Since we are approaching the end of all things, be intentional, purposeful, and self-controlled so that you can be given to prayer.

This is an interesting admonition. It specifically refers to the last days with three things that are necessary for prayer: intentionality, purpose, self control. These things are all important in their own right, but it is interesting that they are singled out as being necessary for prayer. Reflecting on it a moment, I saw why those things are important.

We should never just throw up “bless me” prayers, we should be intentional. Specific prayers for specific requests. Prayer is talking to God and petitioning Him for what we think we need. If our intention is good, then we will not be offended when He talks back to us – either through our spirit or through circumstances. If our intent is walk in the will of God than we will be satisfied with the way of God.

Secondly, being purposeful is a close cousin. Our days should be filled with the purpose of God, not our own purpose. We should seek Him early to determine the way we should take. This is an important part of prayer.

Third, self-control is essential in living the Christian life. We are all bent toward wanting our own way. From infancy, it really never changes, we just learn to “control” it. Wailing about like an infant will not get you very far in this life; education if it does nothing else it helps you learn self-control in order to successfully navigate through it.

Successful attributes in the world, don’t stem from the world. They stem from the passages of the Book of Life that God gave us. If we want to be successful, if we want to be content, if we want to be joyful, the words above in 1 Peter 4:7 and all the other words found in this Book will lead us to those things.

Selah,

Maria