Today’s Bible reading was in the book of Joshua. The children of Israel have now conquered Jericho and a smaller group of men went to the city of Ai to overtake them. Instead, they were routed out and overtaken by the city’s army. It turned out a man had taken possessions from Jericho and hidden them for his own self. The sin was uncovered and the man plus his family were stoned.

I write this today because of yesterday’s study with the small group of men I’m meeting with on Saturday morning. A verse which stood out to me in part was I Peter 3:7. It says “…so that your prayers will not be hindered.” Its specific reference in the verse is regarding our marriage and our love and support to our wives. When I’d read it while doing the lesson its meaning went much broader (not to lessen the value of its specific application to marriage).

James 5:16 tells us that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective in support of one who confesses. In fact, it says the one who confesses will be healed when he confesses to a “righteous man” who prays for him. I couldn’t help but apply this specific verse to the I Peter scripture above. I don’t want my prayers to ever be hindered by my behaviors. I also don’t want to be counseling anyone who is wanting to grow in their walk with God and not include this hugely important piece of righteousness.

God is never done growing us in our walk with Him. I appreciate so much how He continues to open our eyes to not only see, but to take what He shows us and apply it to our daily living, “…one day at a time, one moment at a time and accepting any hardship as a pathway to peace.” (Taken from the Serenity Prayer)