Fully Equipped
May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
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Paul has just asked the Hebrew Christians to pray that he and his followers will have good consciences and live honorably in all they do. Then he promises that he will pray for them, especially that they will be obedient to the will of God. He asks God to bless them with peace, hope in Christ, and everything they need to live out the destiny he has called them to through the power of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s prayer for the Hebrew Christians can be a wonderful prayer for us to pray for ourselves and for those for whom we intercede: that God will prepare and equip us with everything we need for doing his will and that he will so work within us that our lives will be pleasing to him. None of this happens apart from the resurrection power of Jesus. Only Christ working in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Word of God can produce a life that pleases the Lord. So let this prayer be the cry of your heart.
Prayers:
LORD, strengthen and equip me with every good thing so that I can do your will. Prepare me for what you’re preparing for me. And open my heart wider to the working of your Spirit so that my life—inside and outside—will honor you. Produce in me, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to you.
Quotes:
Grant me grace, O merciful God, to desire ardently all that is pleasing to thee, to examine it prudently, to acknowledge it truthfully, and to accomplish it perfectly, for the praise and glory of thy name. Amen.
Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Ezekiel 33:1–34:31; Hebrews 13:1-25; Psalm 115:1-18 and Proverbs 27:21-22.
