Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

27 November 2025

Reading From I Peter 4

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

—I Peter 4:7-11

     The way in which we choose to live our lives has a direct impact on the effectiveness of our prayers.  When King Saul was persistent in sin, God stopped responding to his prayers and Saul turned to the witch of Endor.  I believe that when a person is in rebellion against God or has strayed so far off the straight and narrow that God stops responding, there is a prayer that God will always hear and that is a sincere prayer of repentance.  Heavenly Father knows that we will make mistakes, the difference is in how we deal with them.  Part of leading a righteous life is that when we do sin, we acknowledge it, repent, confess and receive His forgiveness along with strength and wisdom to resist temptation and walk in the newness of life and the freedom in the Spirit.

“Lord Jesus, thank You for forgiving me of my sins.  I pray that I would be faithful to You.  You are always faithful and true to me and all of Your people.  May I grow closer to You each day.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

—James 5:16