A Prayer of Love from 1 Corinthians 13
By Debbie McDaniel
“Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:8
Known as the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the greatest reminders to us today of what real love looks like. And what it doesn’t look like. Widely read at weddings or written all over love notes, these words may become so familiar over time; they can almost lose some of their important message.
As we read this portion of Scripture today, let’s ask God for help in soaking in every truth as we pray His powerful words back to Him. Let’s ask for the freshness of His Spirit to bring His message of love alive within our hearts and flowing through our lives. We can’t do it on our own. We’d never be able to muster enough strength within us. It’s only possible through Him. And more than ever before, our world needs to see what true love looks like. We can do a lot of good things in this life, we can give gifts, and even make notable sacrifices for others. But if we do not have Christ’s love within us, compelling us, filling us, every moment of every day, “it profits me nothing.”
His words of truth and love:
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails…But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” From 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13
Dear God,
Thank you that you are a loving, gracious God. Thank you that you’ve offered us forgiveness and the gift of new life in you. Thank you that your love is perfect, it never fails, and that nothing can separate us from your love.
We pray that our lives would be filled and overflowing with the power of your love so we can make a difference in this world and bring honor to you. We ask for your help in reminding us that the most important things are not what we do outwardly, it’s not based on any talent or gift, but the most significant thing we can do in this life is simply to love you and to choose to love others.
Lord thank you that your love is patient. Help us show patience with those around us.
Lord thank you that your love is kind. Help us to extend kindness to others.
Lord thank you that true love is not jealous. Help us cast aside feelings of jealousy or hatred towards others.
Lord thank you that your love does not brag and is not arrogant. Help us not to live with pride or arrogance, but to choose to walk with humility and grace.
Lord thank you that true love does not act unbecomingly. Lord help us to extend kindness instead of rudeness towards others. Help us to lay aside the critical tone and tearing down with our words, so that we can truly walk in peace.
Lord thank you that true love does not seek its own. Lord help us not to live selfishly, looking only to our own interests.
Lord thank you that true love is not provoked. Lord help us not to become easily angered. Help us not to be so quickly reactive, but instead slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Lord thank you that your love does not take into account a wrong suffered. Lord help us not to hold grudges, but to choose to forgive, even when it’s difficult.
Lord thank you that your love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Lord help us to love your words of truth, may we walk in your freedom and wisdom. Let it be what drives our lives and choices every day.
Lord thank you that your love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, thank you that your love never fails.
Help us to love as you love. Fill us with your Spirit so that we can choose what is best. We are weak Lord, but we know also, that even when we are weak, you are strong within us. Thank you that it’s not all up to us. Thank you that you equip us to face each day with the power of your love, your forgiveness, and your grace.
We love you Lord, and we need you today, and every day,
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Find more by Debbie at www.debbiemcdaniel.com, or
www.crosswalk.com
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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