INTRO //

Have you been offered the very thing you have been fasting yet? My coworker offered to buy me lunch and honestly, my heart sank. I love food and free food is even better! With an intentional smile, I said “no thank you, I have a shake.” She shrugged her shoulders and said “Ok, well that's good. Getting in a good fast to start the new year right!”

"Sure," I thought to myself. Of course there is a little more to it than that. I am doing this to get closer to God and to believe for others; others including her and everyone else in the office. I am praying that each one of them and that all of our neighbors would know Jesus. 

CONTEMPLATE //

What does it look like to love your neighbor?

Do you have difficult neighbors, coworkers, etc in your life?

Do you think that praying for your neighbors could make a difference in you?

READ //

Matt 22:34-40

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus, said that loving our neighbor as ourselves is just as important as loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This must be important. But isn’t it difficult to love our neighbors though? Im sure we all have some stories to tell.

Heres the thing, when we do start loving our neighbors we are welcoming them into a space with Christ. How? Because Christ is in you. His love is in you. Slowing down and taking the time to chat with someone can really make them feel seen and appreciated. It can help them to experience the love of God through you. Who knows, that may even open to oportunity to share Jesus with them in the future. Even more, praying regularly for them will not only invite God to get them ready to recieve Him, but it can help us to be ready when that time comes and God prompts our hearts. Praying for our neighbors opens up our heart to care for them and hear what God wants for them.

PRAYER POINTS //

• Help me to keep an awareness that God is with me.
• Help me to be aware of and courageous in moments to encouraging others, offering prayer, and inviting people to take a step towards Jesus.
• God, work behind the scenes in the lives of my family, co-workers, and friends to bring them to know you.