A Prayer of Love for God and Our Neighbor
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 113, John 13:34-35
Reflections of the Heart:
The greatest gift given by God is love. God is love and with His love we can love Him and our neighbor. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son for our lives. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love never fails. As you pray today, think about your love for Christ and for your neighbor. Does God have your whole heart? Do you love others unconditionally? Love never gives up, never loses faith, and is always hopeful.
Scriptural Prayer:
Our Father, today, we praise You with our whole heart. We will tell of all Your marvelous works. We will be glad and rejoice in You; we will sing praises to Your Name. We cry out with a loud voice, “Thanks be to our God.” As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is Your mercy toward those who fear You; as far as the east is from the west, You have removed our transgressions from us. Thank You for being our Father and calling us Your children. Thank You for loving us unconditionally. Thank You for creating us for Your good pleasure.
Father, You have asked us to continue to love one another, for love comes from You. Anyone who loves is Your child and knows You. Those who do not love do not know You, for You are love. You have shown how much You loved us by sending Your one and only Son, Jesus, into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love – not that we loved You, but You loved us and sent Your Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Thank You, Jesus, for giving Your life for ours. We were not worthy, yet, You made us worthy to love and know You. Thank You! Today, we confess that we will love You with all of our hearts, souls, strength and minds, and we will love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
Father, show me how to strengthen my relationship with You and (list the names of people who you need to strengthen your relationships with):
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Holy Spirit, because God loves us so much, help us to love our neighbor. We have never seen God, but if we love each other, we know that God will live in us and His love will be brought to full expression in us. Holy Spirit, we do not want to grieve You by the way we live. You are the One who has identified us as Your own, guaranteeing that we will be saved on the day of redemption. In this season of reflection and repentance, help us to let go of any bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, help us to be kind to all people, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven us. Break any bondage(s) that is keeping us from loving and caring for people. Help us as a Church Family to draw closer to God, our Father, and Jesus, our Lord, through loving each other. Holy Spirit, heal broken relationships.
Holy Spirit, show me what is preventing Your love from shining through me toward others:
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Lord, forgive us for not loving and caring for all people. Forgive us for not loving You with our whole hearts. Forgive us for holding grudges and remembering old debts. Forgive us for judging others before getting to know them. Forgive us for being proud, impatient, stubborn, rebellious, or jealous. Please forgive us for not forgiving other people. Remind us to forgive others; and we shall be quick to forgive.
Think about any relationships in your life that are strained or broken. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any bitterness, anger, or disappointment that you may have towards them. Acknowledge it, and forgive that person(s):
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Father, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Lord, You are high above all nations, and Your glory is above the heavens. Who is like You, the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Yourself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? You have declared, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Scripture References for the Written Text: Psalm 9:1-2, Psalm 103:11-12, I John 4:7-10, I John 4:11, Ephesians 4:30-31, Luke 10:27, Matthew 6:13, Psalm 113:4-6, Psalm 46:10
Today, I will trust God to:
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