Growing in Love

 Let’s begin ABIDE by lifting up prayers of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for how our lives are forever changed because of Him.

Prayers of Praise

Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. (Psalm 107:31)

Prayer:  Lord, your love for us is great. There is no greater love than the love you have for us and there is none above you who can love with greater depth. Your love has no ends and has been the source of wonderful gifts in our lives. Lord, we praise you for evidence of your daily love toward us. Lord, you are _________________. (who is He to you?)

Prayers of Thanksgiving

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives our fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19)

When we stand in the love God provides, fear has no choice but to flee. It does not belong in the hearts and minds of His children – standing daily in God’s love for us brings victory over any evil that comes against us.

Prayer: Father, we thank you for your perfect love that drives out fear. We are thankful for your Son, Jesus Christ, who you brought us to model such a perfect love. He showed us that as we stand in your perfect love, not even death can consume us with fear. We thank you for your love that ___________________. (name something His love has done for you)

Prayer for Hearts

I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. (John 13:34)

Love is patient and kind. It is often difficult to give when our home is a mess, children have seemingly endless needs, work is stressful, or when life just feels heavy, and you are running on empty. Thankfully, we do not have to love out of our love, we get to love out of His abundant love.

Prayer: Father, I want to live a life full of abundant love for all who surround me. I confess that ___________________ (name something that prevents you from loving well) causes me to react at times, not showing the love you freely give to me. I give my heart to you fully, may your Spirit who dwells within me grow your abundant love. 

Prayer for Others

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)

Prayer: Father God, we dwell with you. You are our perfect Shepherd who guides and protects us. I thank you for __________________ (name a friend or family the Lord brings to mind) and I ask that your perfect love which pursues me each day overflows to them. I ask that the abundance of love in their life continues to pour out to those around them, ever continuing to spread the love you provide. May the ones I love dear live in Your house forever.

Closing Prayer

Lord there is no love like the love you have brought into this world. You have modeled the perfect love and called us to higher standard of living out of that love. Thank you for your unconditional love. Your free mercy and grace. May your Spirit of love grow within us as we honor you each day.