“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8).
No parent can claim that his relation with his child was a straight path without hiccups. In almost every relation there often happens estranged moments particularly where the child goes astray and the parent has to reprimand against whatever denials or pleas of innocence. However, the relation would survive such strain because of love. Love ensures the bond survives the friction.
Likewise, in the relation every believer has with God, there can be moments of strain. But what sustains our relation with God is love. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). One long married couple once observed where there is lack of love a car parked wrongly can be the cause of a storm. However, with love, where an item is misplaced, it can only bring the couple together.
It is through love that whatever is causing dissension can be dispelled. Love is the bridge to any misunderstanding. The conflicts that we see around the world spilling into wars of great proportion and havoc are caused because of the absence of love. Yes, certainly few would argue the world needs more of love than hate. And so, are many of our personal relationships.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, for all the hurt that we see in the world, today I pray that you teach us to love one another, just as you did by laying down your life for us, and with that love help us find what is more common than what divides us, so that we are one, as is your desire, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
Related upcoming events
-
17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
