End-Times Praying | Resources
Passage:
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” 1 Peter 4:7
Devotional:
Right praying requires right thinking.
In this text, Peter tells us that our prayers, in some sense, depend on the condition of our hearts and minds. Think about it, if we aren’t careful to remember who God is, if we don’t reckon with the danger He’s saved us from, if we neglect recounting to ourselves all of His gospel promises, then we shouldn’t be surprised at the anxious condition of our hearts. Peter doesn’t want us to be tossed here and there by the latest headline.
Instead, he’s encouraging us to be self-controlled and to remember the strength and power of our God. He wants you to keep a level head knowing that whatever happens, happens according to the plan of a good Father who will never forsake his children. He wants us to pray this way because the end of history will soon be upon us. Today you have friends. You work for or learn under others, or perhaps a couple of hungry mouths look up to you. But all of this rests on borrowed time. Remember, we are elect exiles. This world is not our home; we’re just passing through.
Though it is hard to imagine anything other than life as we currently know it, the truth is that all of this will change when Christ returns. So, in light of that end, let’s continue in sober-minded prayer for the saving of souls, the building up of the brothers, and the glory of our great God.
by John Howe
Scripture Reading:
Sunday: Judg. 14; Acts 18; Jer. 27; Mark 13
Monday: Judg. 15; Acts 19; Jer. 28; Mark 14
Tuesday: Judg. 16; Acts 20; Jer. 29; Mark 15
Wednesday: Judg. 17; Acts 21; Jer. 30-31; Mark 16
Thursday: Judg. 18; Acts 22; Jer. 32; Ps. 1-2
Friday: Judg. 19; Acts 23; Jer. 33; Ps. 3-4
Saturday: Judg. 20; Acts 24; Jer. 34; Ps. 5-6
Memory Verse:
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” 1 Peter 4:7
Discussion Questions:
What in our text this week stands out as interesting, confusing, or challenging?
What does “the end of all things is at hand” mean? What did Peter mean by that? What does that mean for us today?
What does self-controlled mean and what does it look like? How are you doing obeying this command?
What does sober-minded mean and what does it look like? How are you doing obeying this command?
How is your prayer life right now? How does self-control and sober-mindedness affect our prayer lives?
In light of what we have studied this week, how should you respond in obedience?