Considerate Prayers

7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

1 Peter 3:7

I wonder if you find those last few words as confronting as I do. The thought of my prayers being hindered makes me picture maybe not a brick wall, but at least a hedge of some sort between my prayers and God’s ear.

And it just feels so disconcerting, the thought that God might not be listening to my prayers. We know that he won’t answer all our prayers, but the thought that he wouldn’t listen at all feels really different.

But why should he?

It’s a bit like Jesus’ words in his famous sermon, “would a good Father give a child a stone when they ask for bread.” What should we expect God to do if we actually ask for a stone or a snake? For ourselves or for someone else?

The truth is, when we aren’t being considerate or respectful to wives or anyone else, there is a good chance our prayers won’t be very considerate either. And like a good parent, God isn’t interested in listening to their children when they are being mean.

Today:

• How are you going at being considerate and respectful of others (particularly your wife if you have one).
• Are your prayers considerate of others? Or just considerate of yourself?
• Who is someone you should consider prayer for today?

Pray:

• Praise the Father that he listens to the prayers of his people.
• Give thanks for Jesus who prays considerate prayers for us.
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you consider others and pray for them.