This is real love—
not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
Dear friends, since God loved us that much,
we surely ought to love each other.
No one has ever seen God.
But if we love each other, God lives in us,
and his love is brought to full expression in us.
1 John 4:10-12 NLT
***
What binds us together is not common education, common race,
common income levels, common politics, common nationality,
common accents, common jobs, or anything else of that sort.
Christians come together because they have all been loved by Jesus himself.
They are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake.
D. A. Carson
***
And this is his commandment:
We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another, just as he commanded us.
1 John 3:23 NLT
***
Heavenly Father,
In Your wisdom, You have called us into a community of believers,
united in faith, bound by love.
Today, we stand before You, conscious of our weaknesses and differences,
seeking Your divine grace to weave unity and harmony within our midst.
Grant us, O Lord, the strength to overcome division,
the patience to understand one another,
and the courage to forgive.
May Your love be the light that guides our path,
leading us towards mutual respect and compassion.
Bless us with the wisdom to value every voice, to celebrate our diversity
while nurturing the bonds that connect us as Your children.
In moments of discord,
remind us of the bond of peace that You have established.
Help us to act as instruments of Your peace,
where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
and where there is despair, hope.
We trust in Your unending mercy and love,
confident that through Your guidance,
our community will flourish in unity and harmony,
reflecting the glory of Your kingdom.
Amen.