⁵ In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. ⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

¹⁰ In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. ¹¹ All power to him forever! Amen.

1 Peter 5:5-11

Dear God, I’m certainly not an elder in the church, as Peter addressed in verses 1-4. I am under the authority of the elders. These verses are for me. So here is a bullet-point list of what Peter is calling me to:

• Accept authority over me in the areas of church and work
• Be humble in appearance and posture
• Humble myself under your power and authority in my life
• Bring my worries and cares to you
• Stand firm against Satan
• Be strong in my faith
• Be encouraged that I am not alone as a believer in this world
• Look forward to the day when the New Earth will be come and I will be perfected in you

Father, I suppose that starts with today. Help me to accept the authorities you put over me. Help me to be a good and wise authority over others. When it’s time to worry or solve a problem, help me to remember to bring it to you in prayer. And lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from Satan. Help me to consider my life worth nothing to me. I believe. Help my unbelief. And help me to not only be encouraged by other believers, but to also be a source of encouragement to them as well. I do look forward to a day when I will get to be with you, but that moment has not come. In this moment, I am glad to finish the race and complete the task you have given to me. The task of testifying to your grace.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen