PRECONDITIONS FOR PRAYER
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Lord God, for always being for me and always being at work on my behalf. Make me more aware of your presence and your care that sustains me. Help me respond with greater thanksgiving and praise.
Read 1 PETER 3:1–7
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Reflect
What might you want to change in your family relationships?
Peter reiterates his core insight of a united inner and outer world in the context of marriage. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Peter emphasizes how we can influence another person without uttering a single word. In family life, actions go much further than mere words. In verses 3 and 4, Peter reiterates a key principle: God cares about why we do what we do, and our motivations come from within. The vocabulary here is focused on the conduct of women, but there is nothing in Scripture that limits these dispositions. Men and children will also profit by taking to heart the idea of thinking of others as more valued than themselves. This concept is present throughout the Bible.
Such passages can and have been abused. Bible verses should not be taken out of context. This basic rule of studying the Bible as a whole helps us avoid misunderstandings and misapplications. We should never use the Bible as ammunition! Verses 5 and 6 can be difficult for many of us today to understand in our context. I try to remember the principle that Scripture interprets Scripture. Let’s obey what we do understand, and in time, the Holy Spirit will help us when we need to obey that which we do not comprehend today.
Finally, Peter invites husbands to live considerately and respectfully with their wives (v. 7). It is clear that God watches how husbands live with their wives at least as closely as he receives (or rejects) their prayers. One will reflect the other. Home and hearth, and how we conduct ourselves in our marital lives, are a matter of close interest for our heavenly Father.
Apply
God cares about our relationships in family life. Reflect on what you need to be in your relationships so that ‘nothing will hinder your prayers’ (v. 7).
Closing prayer
Lord God, give me wisdom to be angered by the things that are an affront to you and to respond in ways that bring you glory.
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