 …GO AND MAKE PEACE WITH THAT PERSON, AND THEN COME… MATTHEW 5:24 |
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| Barrier No. 3 – unresolved conflict. If the Bible has got one big theme it is the theme of relationships. Being a Christian is about sorting out our relationship with God so that he can enable us to have amazing relationships with the people around us – leading them to God too. Take family for example; the Bible says, ‘children, obey your parents…’ (Ephesians 6:1 NIV) and also to parents, ‘…don’t make your children angry…’ (Ephesians 6:4 NLT).
Most of us underestimate how committed God is to building and maintaining loving relationships. If you want to get through to God in prayer stop freaking out at the people around you! John writes: ‘Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness’ (1 John 2:9 NIV ). God wants to meet with you in the light. God will help you deal with the thing that drove you and the other person apart, so you can mend the relationship. Of course it’s not always possible to make amends. Paul writes, ‘ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone’ (Romans 12:18 NIV); but sometimes the other person would rather keep the issue alive than accept your apology. If this happens, look deep into your heart. Have you really tried to put things right, or are you still holding something back? Do you really want peace, or would you rather be a blamer and let things fester? If your attempts have been wholehearted and honest, God will not let that broken relationship stand in the way of your prayers. But if your attempts have been half-hearted and self-serving, try again – this time for real. Join Bless India online prayer campaign to pray for India and be a blessing. |
