Wednesday, February 8—Ephesians 5:21-6:9
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord... Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish... Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” ... Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,... Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
- pray that we would submit our wisdom and ways to Christ, seeking to honor Him in our roles and relationships, pursuing His goals for us in our dealings with others
- pray that husbands would love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her
- pray that wives would respect their husbands in a way that recognizes Christ’s design for them
- pray for parents in raising their children in the fear of the Lord and obedience to His commands, equipping them to honor God in hostile world
- pray for children to be teachable, growing in wisdom and stature, favor with God and men
- pray for those unmarried to sanctify themselves to the Lord, honoring and serving Him in this station of their lives
- pray that we would do all our work—in the home, school, the workplace, the church— unto the Lord, sanctifying every part of our lives for His service
