For the sake of your prayers

Minister Joaquin Chavez

1 Peter 4:7-11

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Self-controlled and sober-minded looks like

Peter exhorts believers to pray (v. 7b), 

to love one another (v. 8), 

to be hospitable (v. 9) 

to exercise their spiritual gifts (vv. 10–11a)

Background

The expressions here are to be understood as a twofold injunction to mental alertness, with the goal of having an effective prayer life. As was the case with the alert husband (3:7) and the obedient community (3:12), so here with the entire church. Thinking that the end of history is at the door and the Judge is about to enter through it can energize one’s prayers and lead to a specially effective focus in those prayers.

If they stay alert, they will be effective in prayer

Eph. 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

Col. 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving

Ask yourself if what you are doing will help or hurt your prayer time with God. How you lived the day will determine what you will ask for or whether you will want to pray afterwards. Jesus was only concerned about godly things so he could pray for God’s will and plans to happen.

Work hard to Love people: who are under spiritual attack, trials, family issues, financial struggles, relationship issues, racism, genderism, ageism, rebellious kids, challenging parents, lack of clarity from God, previous hurt and trauma, and sinful desires. Jesus understood everything people did and found a way to love them. It is easier to forgive someone you love when minor issues arise.

Hosting invites people to be a part of your whole life. (Church clothes and personality)

We need to let others host us. Check-in and drop by to show you want to have a bigger part of their life. When you are talking with someone and you know you won’t have enough time to investigate what they are going through, act in love, make time for them, and ask them over to keep talking more. Jesus even let sinners host him.

Use your gifts to show people why God gave them to you. Use your gift to show people how much you love them and how much you want them to grow closer to Jesus. Jesus didn’t use his powers once to prove he was God and then stop. Used them to bring glory to God and remind them they were loved by Heavenly Father.

Applications- Self-controlled to

Pray for godly things once a month

Check in once a month/(w/antagonizer)

Host a group once a month or drop-in

Serve once a month for love/God

Sober-minded on God after completing

How to become prayer warrior

Keep a journal of things the Bible says to pray for as you read

Make place in your home dedicated to prayer

Schedule a prayer time to stay consistent

List out people from church,

Friends, enemies, and non-believers in different categories to keep track of what kind of prayers they need

Begin prayer with asking God to remove anything that would lead to sinful prayers or anything that would not be what God wants

Find a prayer partner who will pray for you as well

Follow up with people and ask them if there is anything you can pray for.

Make a practice of praying for people that you see are struggling with something 

Effective checking in

Be merciful 

Be vulnerable 

Non-judgmental 

Quick to listen, slow to speak

Seek an answer from God 

Speak in love

Pray for them 

Follow up at a later time

Keep praying for them

Hosting

If someone comes to your mind and you want to know how they are doing, find a way to make time for them and reach out to hang out

Keep your place ready to host 

When you are talking with someone and you know you won’t have enough time to investigate what they are going through, act in love, make time for them, and ask them over to keep talking more

Show up to someone’s house when you know they will be there. Before someone goes home from church, ask them what time can you come over. Be persistent and have the intention to go after the 1 rather than just hanging out with the 99. If you don’t have a strong relationship yet, ask them to show you their favorite food spot, drink spot, or anything you know they are interested in and would be willing to meet you on a neutral site

Use your gifts

Take spiritual gifts test if you don’t know

Request sit down with Pastoral team to figure it out

List out the things that are bothering you

Pray and ask God if he is leading you to serve in any of those areas to fix the problems

Ask a friend or mentor to go over the list to see if they see any gifts that you have that could help fix those problems

Once you identify what you are gifted to serve in, schedule time to serve

Find others that you think are gifted in that area as well and ask if they are willing to join. Doesn’t have to be just church friends/believers. If you have non-believing friends that are gifted/compassionate for that cause, invite them and serve with them, while you honor Christ with your service