American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 56

ARC Prayer Meeting

The prayer focus for this week aligns with our series on the ARC Mark of Love. Sunday’s message will cover “Love is not envious.” Previously, Paul stated what is love. It is patient and it is kind. Now, he covers what it is not and what it should never do and that is become envious.

Paul also warned God’s people of comparing ourselves to others. It is unwise and a recipe for envy, covetousness, and jealousy, which is as cruel as the grave. 2 Corinthians 10:12 states, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

Once we make unjust and unwise comparisons, we are vulnerable to fall into two traps. First, we can put people on pedestals; lift them up, and in the secret chambers of our darkened hearts bid them jump to their downfall. Secondly, we, in arrogance and pride, condescend towards those we view as inferior. Either way, it is a lose, lose situation. We are not to have an inflated opinion of ourselves and think of ourselves more highly than we should (Romans 12:3).

Key elements to include in a prayer to overcome envy:

·         Acknowledgment of the problem is half the battle.

Express your awareness of the struggle with envy and covetousness. Ask God to help you overcome it. This is true with alcohol, porn, drugs, or any other addiction that we need freedom.

·         Request for protection:

Ask God to guard your heart and mind from these destructive thoughts and feelings. We are supposed renew our minds by meditating on God’s Word and think on things that “are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). 

·         Focus on gratitude:

Express thankfulness for the blessings you already have, shifting your focus away from what others possess. We are to be thankful in all things not necessarily for all things. Develop an attitude of gratitude. It is an antidote to the poison on envy.  

·         Seeking contentment:

Pray for a heart filled with contentment, accepting your circumstances as God's plan for your life. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Paul stated, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:12). 

·         Celebrating others' success:

Ask God to help you genuinely rejoice in the achievements of others. We are called of God to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

American Reformation Church Website: