Philemon

Dear Father God,
you desire your people to be a well-ordered family of God. However, your Word sometimes gives instruction that seem difficult, even inappropriate for us in our cultural reality. When that happens, give us Spirit-driven wisdom and encouragement that does justice to your way and kingdom.

May we have love for all your people, and faith in Jesus Christ to guide us as we try to find a faithful and obedient way to live in our time, so that faith may be effective, especially as we see all the good we may do today.

Sometimes we need to do our duty out of a sense of obedience, but help us to go beyond this and do the right thing out of love.

Moreover, when it is our place to speak a word of admonition to each other, may our appeals be on the basis of love.

And may all our good deeds be voluntary, not forced upon us so that there may be room for your grace to shape and bless our spirits.