Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
As we begin this series about Loving God and Loving People, let’s take a moment and pray this Scripture together over our hearts and our minds.
God,
Your perfect and complete love is patient and kind. It isn’t envious or proud. You are humble and so Your love is never boastful. You always love us in ways that honor who we are meant to be. The very nature of how You showed us Your love through the sacrifice of Your Son is evidence of the unselfish way You love. Far more often than what we deserve, You look on us with forgiveness instead of anger, and You rejoice when truth wins in our lives instead of saying ‘I told you so’. Your love is a protection You spread over us giving us the freedom to choose You – but always desiring us and pursuing us. Over the next few weeks as we dive deeper into what Your love looks like, help us to discover ways to love others in the ways that You show Your love to us. We thank You for the gift of Your love and we ask that You would impress upon us the desire and the drive to pursue loving You and loving people with all that we are. Amen.
