By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35 (ESV)
Father Jesus, my soul rejoices today because I can say with certainty that I am one of Yours. You have called me out of a world of sin, bringing to life that which was dead, setting me apart, sealing me as Yours with Your Holy Spirit, and guiding me through the ups and downs. There has not been a time when You have not been with me. You have, in Your overwhelming love, laid out the path that You would have me to go, and by Your sovereign will have made a way for me through it all. And, if that was not enough, You have protected me from all hurt, harm and danger. What a mighty God You are!
Lord, I pray for peace between all those who profess that You are their King. I pray today that You would cause us not to see the color of skin, the neighborhood folks dwell in, the political parties that they support, or even the causes they pour themselves into. Instead, I pray You would compel us to live in peace with one another (Romans 12:18), looking to the needs of others before ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). Help us not to cause a brother or sister to stumble, but instead to hold and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Use me to be that messenger of God watching over my weaker sibling even as You use others to watch over me.
I pray today, in the midst of all the mayhem, dissension, animosity, and mistrust in this nation that You would remind those of us who love You of our call to love regardless. You said this would be the telltale sign that we are truly Yours. I confess it is difficult, especially when I hear some of the hate speech that comes out of their mouths. Yet, I cannot control them. I can only control me, and I don’t want to be that person, but instead want to look like my Savior, loving to the end (John 13:1).
So, continue to do Your glorious, sometimes uncomfortable work, within me. It is not given to me to separate the wheat from the tare. You have purposed for them to grow together. Mine is to just tend the garden (Matthew 13:24-30). And I shall to the best of my ability in You. Amen.