Prayers to open your home and show hospitality
By Chelsey Dematteis
Bible Reading: “Be kind to each other without complaints.” – 1 Peter 4:9
Read or listen to the following:
Opening a house is certainly not something everyone likes, but when someone is kind to us, I think we can all agree that we love our feelings. Feeling invited and welcomed into someone else’s house, we know that we were seen, cherished and wanted. This is something I’ve always felt as I grew up at home. We didn’t have the biggest home, but my house was something my friends were always welcomed. They knew that no matter what, our family had a place for them.
This was what God made me realize as I was, and as I grew up and continued to give birth to my own family, God made me sharp. Our home wants everyone to be known as something they feel welcome, loved, cherished and seen. We don’t have the biggest home, the biggest backyard, or the best basement, but all we have to offer is what I think every heart is looking for – hospitality rooted in Jesus .
In his letter, Peter said, “More than anything, love covers many sins, so continue to love each other seriously. Show each other hospitality without complaining. God’s diverse. Grace: Glory and Dominion are forever as those who serve God’s holy man, as those who can glorify through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 4:8-11
Being kind is a gift from the Lord, and we consider it to be an order throughout the Bible, open our homes and offer in our midst of our lives what we can do with God. What the Lord used when he made our house open to encourage us to open more and more, was to prepare my son’s friend to leave our house These are words that you share when you are doing it.
I cannot tell you what gifts those words are to my heart, and I cannot tell you what they mean to your heart as you listen to them . You will be blessed when you gain confidence to open your home as a way to manage God’s grace in your life. Blessed with memories and blessed with love seeing you own in the hearts of those who have passed through your door.
Maybe you’re reading this thinking your space isn’t big enough, not big enough, there’s no great parking space and is too far for someone to come. Stop making doubts from the enemies get in your way. People aren’t looking for the “bigest” they are trying to include. People aren’t looking for “pretty”. They want to see it. People aren’t looking for the “best parking lot.” They just want to be invited. People don’t worry about being “far from the city you live in.”
Extend the invitation. Open the door. Let’s put people in. Show it to people. Let people know that God’s heart is evident in the walls of your home. Remind them that perfection is not a requirement, but their presence is highly desirable. Allow the gift of hospitality that comes from God Himself, and change the way people see them and love them.
Let’s pray:
Thank you, Dad for the hospitality gift. Grow in this area of my life and try not to stop me from extending my invitations so that I don’t lie from my enemies. Holy Spirit, tweak me, show me who you want my home to open and help me love them in the best way I have to offer. Thank you for inviting Jesus to me and creating space for me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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Chelsea is the voice of my life, who lives a life of Christ in a world centered around me, with few podcasts and 52 weeks dedicated to his author. I’m sending it. She writes Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and Devotions for Ibelieve.com. She also writes a Bible Reading Plan for the Youversion Bible app. Chelsea lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and her website chelseydematteis.com.
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