Ephesians 4:25-28
Reflect
Our reading today continues the description of what it means to “put on the new self.” Check out Leviticus 19:13, 16-18 and Psalm 4:4. Paul’s description of the new self reflects parts of the Law, helping us understand what it means to be the community of God.
“Do not let the sun go down on your anger” is often referenced at weddings. I know couples who felt they needed to take this direction quite literally and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning trying to argue their way to a resolution. But there are few people that apply this similarly with other family members, neighbors, colleagues, etc. Allowing our anger to fester leads to judgement and bitterness. This is where Satan gets his foothold in our lives.
Is there anyone you need to forgive today? While it is preferable to speak truthfully with others, it is simply not always possible. We can still walk in forgiveness, putting our anger down even without the other person present. Consider this prayer:
By a choice of my will, I choose to forgive (name) for (what they did or failed to do). When this happened, I felt (name the painful emotions). I also choose to forgive them for the consequences this has had in my life. I now release (name) from my judgement and place them into God’s loving and just hands. I choose not to hold onto my resentment and bitterness in Jesus’s name. I now ask You, Lord Jesus, to bless (name). Amen.
Pastor Melissa
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.
- Pray for our Worship Ministries Assistant, Daniel Zander.