A love prayer filled with human relationships
By Heidi Beg
Bible Reading:
“May the Lord increase your love, and do our things for you, for one another and for all others.” -1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)
Listen or read:
My son has just graduated from high school. This week was a flood of emotions pouring from my heart, organising party planning, welcome to suburban guests, and ceremonial logistics. My prayers to him that day were easy. He will feel loved and celebrated. I wanted his heart to burst into love on this milestone day.
And God replied. Our house was full of guests I didn’t expect to come. I was afraid that the 16 pounds of pulled pork would be a food. More importantly, my son was surrounded by love, concrete, powerful, and encouragement. Not only through gifts, but also through existence, sincere words and genuine celebrations. It was beautiful and unforgettable.
As I got older, one truth became blindly revealed. Relationships are one of the most important parts of life, second only to our relationship with Jesus. That sounds obvious, but we often take our relationship for granted, especially when we have always been surrounded by love.
But God calls us to love in a way that reflects his heart, not the trickle of love, but the kind of love filled with overflowing, rich, spirit.
So, how do we like that? By being first filled.
Romans 5:5 says:
“And hope does not shame us, as God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
God’s love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit is our confident source of hope and the source of love we are called to share.
Overflowing love looks like this:
Choose to reduce selfish motivations to pursue peace. It wraps up tired people.
Relentlessness can hinder our ability to love. It hardens our hearts and directs our focus to res instead of grace. But when we let the Holy Spirit cleanse those places, we make space for His love. And when it does, we begin to reflect Jesus. We strengthen relationships, build communities and stand out. And it opens the door to sharing the gospel with those who wonder whether it makes us different.
So ask yourself: Who in your life should experience Jesus’ overflowing love today? You don’t need to love others on your own power. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you every day. And see how his love naturally flows into your marriage, your friendship, your parenting, and your community.
Let’s pray:
Lord, I am short every day because I strive to love others as you love me. I need you to fulfill me with your love.
Show me the bitter or hardened place in my heart. Cleanse them so that there is room for your spirit to work. Tell me to love you more. See the needs of others and help you respond with your compassion.
Please forgive any thoughts, attitudes or words that do not reflect your mind. Stop me when someone is on a negative path that can prevent you from feeling your love through me.
You’re writing the greatest love story ever. I hope that the truth will be reflected in my life. Please help me highlight how I respond to this world. Let me love you as I love you even when the world misunderstood it.
Lord, I trust you. I believe that your way is true and that your love is eternal. Use me as a ship and be filled with your love for the wounded world.
I pray in your precious name,
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©getTyimages/natali_mis
Heidi Beg is a writer, speaker and ministry leader living in West Washington. She is the remarried mother of four who navigated mixed family life after losing her first husband to cancer in 2013. She longs to use her writing as a way to encourage others who have experienced loss and have led her path to healing. She contributed to her blog found at www.mrsheidivegh.com and shares stories and devotions of her loss and healing, her mother, and her mixed and complicated family. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in creative writing and English, and is working on her first book. Heidi is the director of the local church’s Women’s Ministry and has a deep heart to share Jesus with women and encourage them on walks of faith. When she isn’t writing, she loves to travel, read, craft and experiment in the kitchen. For more information, visit her Facebook and Instagram (@mrsheidivegh).
Pray through Psalm 15: Prayer to those who never shake up
Are you tired of being spiritually exhausted? You’ve come to the right place! Join us in the age of prayer, reflection and meditation. Put your day’s luggage behind you, refresh, update, and reconnect with God. Who is the one who never shakes you up? Explore poem sal 15 with today’s 10 minutes of devotion. If you like what you hear, you won’t miss an episode.
Because you prayed, do you need someone to pray for you? Click the button below
