Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
Dear Father:
You say your love goes far beyond what I am able to conceive with my mind. My heart’s desire is to experience your kind of love. Your love endures long. You have a long temper, not a short fuse--you are the perfect example of patience. I am so grateful, because I have really needed your patience in my life. People’s patience runs out real fast, but not your’s, Father. You are not just waiting for me to get out of line so you can pour your wrath out on me. You gently teach me, prompt me and remind me to follow your Word. When I do, I see how much it pleases you.
Your love is kind. I’m sure there were times when you tried to show me the magnitude of your kindness, but I rejected it because I didn’t know you well enough to receive your grace and recognize what you were doing. Thank you for continuing to extend your kindness and not giving up on me.
And, thank you, Father, for never being envious or jealous. I don’t have to worry about you turning on me or rejecting me for no other reason than because I am who I am. You made me, Father, and you have absolutely nothing to lose by accepting me unconditionally, so I am safe with you, knowing you have my best interest at heart.
You never boast about your works or show vanity in your speech, and I want to be like you, Father. You do spectacular things, but you are meek and lowly in heart and I can always find rest for my soul with you. Simple things mean a lot to you, Father, so it must be easy to communicate with you. You said if I draw near to you, you would draw near to me, so I am going to believe that and take the first step.
Your ways are amazing, Father. I’m grateful at how you so divinely and meticulously orchestrate things, so I am eager to know more about how you make them happen. It helps me learn your true nature, makes me more mindful to take a back seat in my comings and my goings and lets you be the driver, as you so perfectly do. And as you say, I will let other men praise my works if it’s in their hearts to do so.
Father, help me to come to know [practically, through experience for myself] Your love, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that I may be filled [through all my being] with all Your fullness; that I may have the richest measure of Your divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with You....
Scripture Links: I Corinthians 13:4; Matthew 11:28-30; Proverbs 27:2; Ephesians 3:19
To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.
To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
