Saturday, February 8, 2020

EACF 40 Days of Prayer - February 8, 2020

EACF 40 Days of Prayer 2020
Day 39: Pray for Increasing Love

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. - 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 ESV

What holds us back from loving others? Fear? Hurt? Judgment? Selfishness? Which do you identify with strongest?

Jesus said the most important commandment was loving God, and then He quickly added that loving others is just like it. Paul celebrates that the Thessalonian Christians have faith that is growing abundantly and love of everyone of you for one another in increasing measure. They are growing in love. They are growing in their capacity to love. They are growing in their expressions of love.

What a church! What allows us to grow in these ways? When we receive God's love, we have love to give. As God works in us to humble our hearts, convict us of sin, and to move us off of our sinful, judgmental perches, we are given over to love from Him, love for Him, and love for others. God wants us to be marked by love. God does not want us to hold back. This is His goodness working through or relationships. So here is the question: do you love the people in your church? Are you growing to love all of them more and more?

Pray for two others to grow in loving one another! Pray for reconciliation where there have been broken relationships - this is not to be in the family of God! Pray for healing and grace, for mended marriages and friendships. Send notes to those for whom you pray and ask them how you can pray for them beyond this as well. This is day 39 of praying for good!

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