In my little Bible study group, I have (at times) been known as “the love guy.”
Its because the more we study our Bibles, the more I find that it really all does come down to love.
I see it an almost every verse and every situation in the Bible.
God created the universe and everything in it out of love. His unsearchable, never-ending, infinite love spoke all this into being in love for His glory because at His very essence, He IS love.
Throughout history, God’s people have gone back and forth between disobedience and repentance. From complaining about the manna, to sacrificing infants to idols, to killing His prophets, we have shown ourselves unworthy and undeserving of His love. But time and again, He has relented from His fierce and justifiable anger and saved us from ourselves out of that infinite love.
And the peak of that love, as you well know, was when He sent His only begotten Son to die for us on a cross and wipe away not only all our sins, but all our tears as well.
That’s why I think it’s so appropriate and such a good choice that’s been made by the National Day of Prayer task force for the verse that is being used for the event on May 2.
It’s what Jesus told his disciples right before He gave His life on the cross:
“Love one another. Just as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
It’s a simple command, but so difficult to live out when life overcomes you.
But it’s what we are called to do. It’s how the world is to be able to know that we are His disciples, His followers.
It’s the essence of this thing we call Christianity.
And so I urge you to participate in the National Day of Prayer by listening to Kinship Christian Radio on May 2, fasting if you choose to do so, and praying. A number of local churches and ministries will be holding events, which can be found on the Kinship Radio here: https://kinshipradio.org/home/national-day-of-prayer-2019/ You will hear Kinship Crossroads reports from some of these events throughout the day.
There’s also a wealth of wonderful information on the National Day of Prayer website.
In the past, I have written prayers for this event, but the one on the National Day of Prayer website does not need editing or modification. Please join me in praying this prayer:
ALMIGHTY GOD, our Heavenly Father, we look to You alone for the future of America. By Your providence, You have placed each of us here at this time in history to be in this nation. Thank You for this blessing. Thank You for America.
BUT ABOVE ALL, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. It is in His name, we come to You as we intercede in prayer for America.
FORGIVE US, OH LORD, for the sins we have committed against You in America. We are failing You by dishonoring one another through our harsh and bitter words about each other. We are failing You through broken relationships. We are failing You by devaluing human life from conception until death. We are failing You with the division in our nation.
LORD, WE TURN FROM these sinful actions and refuse to live this way. Please forgive us now and help us to choose love over hate, unity over division, and life over death.
WE CHOOSE to live by Jesus’ words: Love One Another. Therefore, upon the authority of Your Word in John 13:34, “Love one another. Just as I have loved you,” we pray for a future America that will choose to love willfully, sacrificially, and unconditionally just like Jesus loves us.
WE PRAY FOR THE CHURCH in America to love one another. Empower each church to be full of love for one another. Ignite a revival of love for one another. Since we are to be known by our love, help us to love one another.
WE PRAY FOR EVERY FAMILY, EVERY WORKPLACE, EVERY COMMUNITY, AND EVERY CITY IN AMERICA to choose love. We believe there is power in love. We believe love is the better way. We believe love is God’s Way. Oh Lord, change families, workplaces, communities, and cities through the power of love. Raise up a Love One Another movement across America.
WE PRAY FOR ALL ETHNICITIES AND PEOPLE IN AMERICA to love one another. Lord, tear down every wall of division and change any attitude that divides us today. Bind up our nation’s wounds and may the transforming love of God lead us to the day when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
WE PRAY FOR YOUR LOVE to surround America. We pray for Your love to surround and protect us in every public setting and private place. Protect us from harm.
WE BELIEVE ALL OF THESE THINGS, OH LORD, represent our deep need for the next great move of God across America. We ask You alone for the next Great Spiritual Awakening in America. Please, oh God, wake up Your church and revive Your people today. We ask You to begin a mighty spiritual awakening in every town, every city, and every county in America.
WE NEED AND DESIRE THIS SO MUCH, THAT BEGINNING RIGHT NOW, we are choosing love and forgiveness, love and restitution, love and healing, love and unity, and a future that will be transformed by the power of unconditional love. When we belong to You, we belong to love. We choose to Love One Another!
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, the only Savior and Hope in this world we pray.
AMEN!
Today’s Praise
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. Philippians 1:9 NLT