Prayer Tip--Life, Light, and Love
Daily Scripture
1 John 1:1-2, 5, 2:10, 1 John 4:16b
That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon, and which our hands have handled concerning the Word of LIFE; and the LIFE was made visible and we have seen and bear witness and announce to you the ETERNAL LIFE that was with the Father and which was made visible to us.
This is the message that we have heard from him and announce to you: “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all”…The person loving a brother and sister stays in the light.
We have known and have believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who remain in love remain in God and God remains in them.
Helpful information from Pastor Hamilton about the translation of 1 John 1:1-2: “This translation is from the Greek, drawing upon the Interlinear Greek New Testament. All of the standard translations have to change the Greek up in order to supply a verb up front that doesn’t show up until the end of a three-line sentence. But the Greek is more forceful, and I wanted people to have a more literal translation of the text. On several of the Greek words, I looked up the lexical range of meanings to make sure I was capturing it well.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
It’s hard to miss all that’s happening in our world–it all can feel overwhelming and sometimes even scary and sad. The instant, constant feeds are hard to escape. Last Thanksgiving, when I was home visiting my mom, she had the Christian radio station on, and they were playing Christmas music. Driving home from that trip, I decided to keep listening–not only because it was Christmas music, but because I felt great comfort and peace listening to some of my childhood Christian artists. What I noticed is that they don’t report news–at all. They don’t talk about politics… ever. And I realized that for my 20-minute commute to and from work each day… I need that break from the noise, the division, and the events in our country and around the world.
I need to fill my heart with encouraging music that pours into me the love, light, and life of Christ. It changes how I see the world and people around me. God working through that little ol’ Christian radio station puts God and divine love front and center–that’s the lens I’ve begun seeing through. Not the lenses of fear and negativity that news and social media too often make us see through. I’ve found that I have less room for hatred and fear–love and light overshadow all that. I’m not saying I don’t want to be an informed person. I’m just reminded daily of who is actually in control. That’s what the words in 1 John remind us of–don’t let the world dictate how you live and work and speak. Remind yourself daily of God’s commandment to love. It’s so simple (albeit challenging) that it gets lost in all the complexity and division around us.
Here’s what I want to offer you–find whatever fills your heart with God’s love and light. Maybe it’s your own little radio station, maybe it’s opening your Bible in the morning, maybe it’s those quiet moments when you can just breathe and remember who God is. When we create room for God’s truth to pour into our lives, there’s less room for all the fear and anger trying to take over. God’s love, and his command to love others, changes how we move through the world and how we respond to the people around us. That choice happens in these small, daily moments when we pause and let his love remind us of what’s actually true. The world is loud, but God’s voice is still there, still speaking love over all of it. We just have to make space to hear it.
Join me in this prayer.
Prayer
Dear God, in a world that feels so divided and overwhelming, I come to you with a heart that sometimes struggles to choose love over fear. The constant noise of anger and division feels so loud, and I confess at moments I let it drown out your voice of peace. Thank you for the simple gifts that remind me of your presence–the song that lifts my spirit, the quiet moment with your word, the breath that reminds me you are near. Help me come to know and believe the love that you have for me. You are love, and when I abide in love, I abide in you, and you abide in me.
When the world feels chaotic and uncertain, remind me that you are the ultimate Ruler–that you set the world in motion and know what the future holds. Help me make space for your love to fill my heart so that the love, light, and life of Christ can pour into how I see people and events around me. When fear tries to take root, crowd it out with your light. Let my life be a reflection of your love, in all that I say and do. Amen.
GPS Insights
Mindy LaHood
Mindy LaHood, who serves as Worship Communications and Design Manager, wrote this week's Prayer Tip. Mindy blends her passion for writing with crafting clear and engaging content across various platforms. Her calling as a writer shapes her approach to creating meaningful connections through visual design and thoughtful communication strategies.
