Prautēs

Prautēs is strength under deliberate control: power received, power restrained, power directed by grace.

Batch Batchelder

The Anti-Laws of Christian Behavior

- Prautēs - strength under control

- Devotion to Jesus’ and his way - not power nor prestige or ‘wins’

- Laying down one’s life for the good of others - give yourself away

- Trust in God’s provision

- Thirst for justice, hate evil

- Beware of temptations/distractions

Great God, make your church a magnificent witness to the nations, a wise and understanding people. Mark us with generous faith — a community that follows your commands and avoids evil, a people who single-mindedly love you and their neighbors. May your church be the cause of joy in the world. In Christ's name, amen.

My God, may I return, return, return to the one true God. The distractions of my mind are endless, my attention fleeting, my heart’s desires lead me astray. Again and again you call me back to you YHWH, to return to the ‘oneness’ of God, to rest, to bring my distraction and division and anxiety to you, reintegrating back into oneness modeled after

Breakup Dissonance: The internal conflict that arises when a leader's positive personal feelings toward a team member clash with evident professional underperformance. Most often, the leader will unconsciously devalue the relationship to justify the difficult decision to part ways.

To live continually in thoughts of ill will, cynicism, suspicion, and envy, is to be confined in a self-made prison hole. But to think well of all, to be cheerful with all, to patiently learn to find the good in all–such unselfish thoughts are the very portals of heaven; and to dwell day by day in thoughts of peace toward every creature will bring

James Allen • As a Man Thinketh

Relational Integrity: The practice of honoring a positive relationship while confronting hard truths. You hold both your care for the person and your responsibility to hold them accountable for their performance.

Relational Integrity doesn’t mean sugarcoating or avoiding decisions. It means being honest: using the strength of the relationship as a... See more

Lord Jesus, Shepherd and Warrior, carry me as your lamb.

Break me where I am proud like a king.

Teach me to shepherd those entrusted to me — gently, patiently, faithfully.

Teach me to fight as your warrior — resisting idols, confronting injustice, laying down comfort for your kingdom.

Let my small strength foreshadow your great justice,

until the day

God who calls us to your mission, I ask for leaders for your church. Not just any warm body, but Jesus-followers who model a servant leadership and help your people to live the gospel. May we see beyond the usual suspects to spot people who humbly carry your power and authority, serve the poor, stand against evil, and comfort the afflicted. Amen.

Though like Jacob I strive, I wrestle, I grasp,

I am not undone.

For the unchanging faithfulness of YHWH steadies me.

So today, I will rejoice (chairete),

pray (proseuchesthe),

and give thanks (eucharisteite)—

not when convenient,

but always (pantote),

constantly (adialeiptōs),

and in everything (panti).

Christ empowers me—

endynamounti me—strength put into

Rooted in Prautēs

A reflection on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Malachi 3:6; Philippians 4:13, August 21, 2025