Love
Read Matthew 5:44-45.
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
We’ve been learning about what it means that perfect love came to earth through the birth of Christ. This single event—the reason we enjoy this Advent season and Christmas day—changed the course of history, but it should also change us personally. Jesus has shown us a new type of love, one that differs from our worldly definition of the word. So how can you and your family participate in that, now and throughout the rest of the year? There are two main ways: prayer and hospitality. Today, we’ll talk about prayer.
Does it surprise you that one of the great acts of love we can extend to those around us is prayer? You might have expected something that feels more tangible or that guarantees quicker results, but committed, focused prayerfulness is one of the greatest acts of love you can offer.
When we want to demonstrate our love for someone, we are usually quick to offer plans and solutions. And while those things aren’t bad, we skip a step when we don’t start by fervently pleading with the Lord on their behalf. When we want to love someone with the kind of love we’ve seen in Christ, we should first ask God to act in ways that only He can on behalf of them and their circumstances—something even our best laid plans could never do.
Does praying this way feel daunting or overwhelming? For many, the answer is yes, but prayer is simply talking to God. He has not asked us for eloquent speeches or words of grandeur—He simply wants an open channel of communication. The Christmas season presents opportunities to love others—everyone from family to strangers. So when you encounter one of these opportunities, try something different this year—start first with earnest prayer. You might be surprised by the way this grows your love for that person or situation, and what might come of that. Grow in your trust that taking things first to the Lord will yield far better results than you could ever imagine.
[Matt Chandler (2021). (p. 51). Family Advent Devotional - Bible Study eBook. Lifeway Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]