Two Essentials for Successful Praying

1 Peter 3:7 & 4:7--
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. And, The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 

Here are two verses in 1 Peter which attach successful praying to right ethical behavior. In the first instance, men are urged to love their wives with consideration so that their prayers would not be hindered. In other words, their devotion to God falls in direct line with their attitude toward their wives. What is particularly striking here is the fact that prayer is used as a sort of leverage to accomplish this. It's as if Peter (under Spirit guidance) assumes his readers pray, and that they will want to pray successfully! That's really amazing given the current climate in the churches today in terms of their desire for prayer. Would this type of inducement win the ear of today's Christian man? Would they care? 

The second verse urges upon us a sober mind and self-discipline in order to pray. Again, effective praying is the end goal. So, we must ensure that we remain in the right frame of mind in order to be effective. Matthew Henry said, 

"The right ordering of the body is of great use to promote the good of the soul. When the appetites and inclinations of the body are restrained and governed by God’s word and true reason, and the interests of the body are submitted to the interests and necessities of the soul, then it is not the soul’s enemy, but its friend and helper." 

He is on to something. The body and the soul are intimately connected. In a day when irresponsibility has achieved artistic status, it is timely to read these verses. Again, I ask the question: How would this directive be received today? Would successful praying rank high enough in most church-goers' minds to prompt humble application of discipline and spiritual sobriety in order to do it?

These two Scriptures apparently moved Peter's hearers. More importantly, do they move us today? Most assuredly they need to. By God's grace make this your aim this new year.