Prayer Tip--Lent and the Love Train
Daily Scripture
Psalm 33:20-22 (NIV), I Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV), John 13:34-35 (NIV)
“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”
“… 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. Love never fails… And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
“Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
In today’s hurried world, so much is measured by our accomplishments. Millions gather to watch professional athletes play (have you seen the reports of the amounts people are paying for tickets to today’s Super Bowl game?). You might be competitive, focusing on doing the very best you can in everything.
What measuring stick are you using for your life today? Remember, God loves you unconditionally–we know this because of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. If we live into God’s promises, we know that we do not need to compete for God’s love. God loves us just as we are, without comparing us to anyone else. We don’t need to win the race, the game, or get the promotion at work for God to see us. We can simply be loved unconditionally. It’s such a beautiful gift that it’s hard to accept that we don’t have to compete to receive it.
As we celebrate the gift of God’s absolute love; let us pray:
Prayer
Almighty God, we often compete in our lives. We know we can rely on your assurance that we are fully-seen, loved fiercely and accepted just as we are by you. What a wondrous love this is, to let us relinquish our full selves into your ever-present, magnificent love that overflows. Amen.
GPS Insights
Jessica Lovell
This week's prayer tip is by Jessica Lovell, who serves as a Connection & Care Pastor at Resurrection Overland Park. It is slightly adapted from one Jessica wrote in 2022, which was not for a Super Bowl Sunday.
