1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

Verses 10 and 11 of this chapter are extremely important and helpful in understanding and applying spiritual gifts, and I use them often. However this verse, though actually of equal importance, is not one I have quoted so much. From our perspective, we would say that Peter was off the mark in saying “The end of all things is near.” After all, it’s been almost 2000 years since he wrote this! However, from his perspective the end was only a couple of years off. We tend to forget that when we leave these bodies we are taken out of time, just as God is outside of time. For no one alive today is “the end of all things” more than 100 years away! That’s not to say that God isn’t going to bring an end to this world, just as He has said, but it is to say that speculation on an individual basis is meaningless. Every one of us has a distinctly limited time left, and we need to make the use of that time that God intends. Verses 10 and 11 deal with our external activities, and that is important, but this verse deals with our response to the “greatest commandment,” to love God with all we are. (Matthew 22:37-40) (Actually, verses 8 and 9 deal with the “second commandment.”) Our relationship with God, expressed and deepened through prayer, should be our first priority. Anything that gets in the way of a heart attitude of prayer needs to be dealt with. We tend to think of prayer as something apart from our daily lives, or at best an element of our lives. However, the Biblical ideal is constant fellowship with God. Paul said things like, “For me to live is Christ,” (Philippians 1:21) and “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me,” (Galatians 2:20) and he told us to “pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) When we are in constant fellowship with God we enjoy all that He intends for us, and we are open channels for that to flow through us to those around us.

Prayer has always seemed a very natural activity for me, but I realize that’s not the case for most people. At the same time, I don’t take full advantage of all the opportunities I have for prayer. I’m still growing! Frankly, as I realize that “the end of all things” for me is indeed nearer than it once was, it’s easier to make prayer a higher priority than before. I’ve got to remember that I don’t have to, nor should I, wait until I’m bedridden to “pray continually!” I still do things like get defensive or lose my temper, and those are clear evidence that I’m not in continual, full fellowship with my Lord. As a pastor, I am not only responsible for myself in this area, I am charged with helping everyone in the church progress as well. As in any church, they are all across the spectrum on this, so I need God’s wisdom and anointing in guiding them. I have preached the past two Sundays on “Knowing God,” which is a step in the right direction, but I desire that we all come to the place of such intimate fellowship with God that we express Christ fully in all we are, say, and do.

Father, You know even better than I do that this isn’t something I can even begin to accomplish on my own. I ask You to infill and use me by Your Spirit so that indeed, I will no longer live, but Christ lives in me in every detail, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!