Week 6 – Putting It In Action

Praying for Your Relationships

READ: Colossians 3:12–17

SOAP: Colossians 3:12–13

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

Into the text

This week, we aim to put what we have learned about prayer into action. We’ve understood the importance of prayer and why it is a necessity in our lives. We’ve learned how and why to prioritize prayer and pray with boldness. We’ve seen how God graciously answers our prayers when we come to Him, and we’ve learned how and why to commit to daily prayer.

Today, we begin by praying for our closest relationships: relationships with our spouses, friends, parents, or siblings. All of our relationships need work, and all of our relationships need prayer. Without a posture of humility in these relationships, we will be prone to selfishness and discord. Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae includes an exhortation to behave in unity and love.

As followers of Christ, we must first put on a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience as we walk in a relationship with one another. We must be quick to forgive and quick to ask for forgiveness. We must recognize our own need for forgiveness and how God has graciously forgiven each of us. Paul reminded the church in Colossae to let peace be the central force in their relationships, always striving to live in unity with one another.

Today, spend time praying for your closest relationships. Ask God to make you quick to forgive and quick to ask for forgiveness in your marriage. Pray for humility in your friendships and against a heart of comparison. Pray for unity in your family and for the willingness to resolve conflicts quickly. Seek the Lord on the best way to promote unity and comradery in your place of work and your neighborhood as you recognize the unique value each member of your workplace and community brings. Use Paul’s exhortation as a model for praying for these relationships this week.

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for these relationships in my life. Clothe me with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Help me bear with my (spouse, friend, parent, sister, brother) in love and help us both be quick to forgive. Give us peace in our relationship and help us resolve conflicts quickly. Keep us from a heart of comparison and competition. Let your peace rule our hearts and our relationship. In Jesus’ name, amen.