For the sake of prayer!

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Scripture

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
(1 Peter 4:7 NASB)

 

Observation


Peter is talking to followers of Christ and encouraging them in the spiritual walk. Prayer is to be a central focus for one who desires to know Christ. However, prayer doesn't just "happen" on its own. Instead, there are choices which must be made for the sake, or purpose of prayer. Followers of Christ must have sound judgment and a sober spirit.

 

Application


What does sound judgment and a sober spirit look like. Actually it seems that if one has sound judgment and a sober spirit they will spend time in prayer, and if they spend time in prayer the result will be sound judgment and a sober spirit. Too often we equate prayer with simply bringing requests before God and we fail to realize that it is in the time of prayer, in times of intimacy with Christ, that we ourselves are shaped and formed.

Therefore, we must ask ourselves whether sound judgment and a sober spirit are actually characteristics of Christ which are passed on to those of us who are being shaped into his image! I believe that they certainly are his characteristics. First of all we are encouraged to imitate Christ and so, we may begin by working at having sound judgment and a sober spirit. However, that will lead us to better times of prayer, which will develop within us Christ's sound judgement and sober spirit.

But what exactly is sound judgement and a sober spirit? Too often peer pressure can encourage us to make decisions which are simply not wise. This week we have seen the punishment for Penn State as a result of unsound judgement. There are times when we have to make decisions which will be extremely unpopular and will have a trickle-down effect. Maybe we do discover that there is some kind of evil happening where we are -- just as what was happening at Penn State. Who in the world wants to rock that boat? And yet -- that is what happens when sound judgement takes over in our lives. No matter what, we are compelled to move forward with the truth -- with the right thing. This same problem has infused the Church in many ways. Think of the scandals we are seeing within the Roman Catholic Church of priests who have molested little boys. Those in leadership did not have sound judgement for they chose not to deal with the issues which were being presented to them. This is why sound judgement requires time in prayer for only there do we acquire the strength and courage of Christ which is needed to deal with difficult issues.

What is a sober spirit? It must be the opposite of a drunken spirit and a drunken spirit would lead an individual to making unwise choices and decisions about life. When people are under the influence of too much alcohol they can no longer make rational decisions and the results are often ruinous. How often do people have terrible car accidents when they've had too much to drink. Lives are lost! Or how often do people go home with someone they barely know and "sleep" with them when then are not sober. When they awaken in the morning they wonder what in the world they have done. To have a sober spirit is to remain in control of our faculties -- to be able to make wise decisions about life and not be carried off by whims that you may regret.

And all of this is done for the sake of prayer! Somehow prayer has taken a backseat in the lives of believers. We have not wanted to take the time to simply sit in God's presence on a regular basis because we are too busy. However, it is only in the place of prayer that God can shape us and mold us into the children he desires for us to be. It is only in the place of prayer that we will gain the strength that we need to go against the grain of society and be faithful. It is only in the place of prayer that we can enjoy intimacy with our Lord where we experience his love and comfort and peace.
The early church knew what it meant to make prayer a priority. They were willing to sacrifice to make it a reality. If we are to know Christ the way that he desires, it must be a priority for us as well. We must exercise personal self-discipline, having wise judgement and a sober spirit, for the sake of prayer!

 

Prayer


Lord, thank you for your powerful and peaceful presence. Please, help my life to be shaped by wise judgement and a sober spirit. Amen.

Comments

  1. Sue C.July 26, 2012 at 4:19 AM

    Thank you for this wonderful post. Our pastor's wife forwarded this link to all the Lydia Prayer warriors at our church. Hope they get a chance to read it.

    ReplyDelete

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