Thursday, September 19, 2019
Good morning, Jesus.
We’re thankful for your incredible love, Lord God. When we came to you in repentance, you changed our hearts and transformed our lives. Along with our salvation came this command: “Love your neighbor as yourself!” (Matthew 22:39) In our humanity, this is impossible to do in our own strength. We’re a spiritual work in progress and loving our “neighbor” presents challenges, especially when many neighbors will never make the “Nicest Person of the Week” list. Without your Spirit showing us how to love, and without your Spirit giving us your love, our neighbor will see through our insincere human love. They won’t hesitate to point out our hypocrisy. Before we came to you, Jesus, we reacted the same way.
Fill us daily with your Spirit, Lord God. We can’t live for you without your Spirit empowering us to fulfill our commission of sharing your message of love, grace and forgiveness. Your perfect love eased our fears of rejection, of being unloved, of the uncertainty of eternity and brought peace to our troubled souls. If we get the bighead and think we can live righteously on our own, remind us how our life was without you, Jesus. As we draw closer to you, Jesus, open us to more of your grace, so we can honor you in all we do and show our neighbors your love.
Bless our dear friends and family who face medical and physical challenges. For those in rehab, bless their effort, Lord. Give them a strength that is beyond them and a divine determination that with your help, they will overcome any affliction or illness. Nothing is insurmountable when we place our faith and trust in your strength, Lord God. You’re the God of mercy who stands with us, holding our hand while we battle the temporary limitations our body may have.
Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. Spark a spiritual renewal in each of us.
Loving our neighbor as ourselves, Jesus. Amen.
THANKFUL 
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