A Prayer to Open Your Home and Show Hospitality - Your Daily Prayer - February 22

A Prayer to Open Your Home and Show Hospitality
By Chelsey DeMatteis

Bible Reading: “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” - 1 Peter 4:9

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Opening up one's home is certainly not everyone’s favorite thing, but I think we can all agree we love the feeling when someone is hospitable toward us. Feeling invited and welcomed into someone’s home tells us that we are seen, valued, and wanted. This is something that I always felt in my home growing up. We didn't have the biggest home, but my home was one where my friends always felt welcome. They knew, no matter what, there was a place for them in our family.

This shaped who I was and has been something God made me keenly aware of as I became an adult and have gone on to have my own family. I want our home to be known as one where everyone feels they are welcomed, loved, valued, and seen. We don't have the largest home, the biggest backyard, or the best basement, but what we do have to offer is what I think every heart is looking for - hospitality rooted in Jesus.

Peter noted in his letter, " Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:8-11

Being hospitable is a gift from the Lord and we even see it as a command throughout the Bible to open up our homes and offer what we can with those God has placed in our midst. Something the Lord has used as we've set out to open up our home more and more to encourage me is the words my son's friends share when they are getting ready to leave our house, "can we come back soon?"

I cannot tell you what a gift those words are to my heart and I cannot tell you what they will mean to your heart as you hear them as well. When you get the confidence to open up your home as a way to steward God's grace in your life, you will be blessed. Blessed by the memories and blessed by the love you see being sown into the hearts of those who've walked through your doors.

Maybe you're reading this thinking your space isn't big enough, pretty enough, there isn't great parking, or you’re too remote for someone to come. Stop allowing those doubts from the enemy to get in your way. People aren't looking for "bigger" they're looking to be included. People aren't looking for "pretty". They're looking to be seen. People aren't looking for the "best parking spot". They're just hoping to be invited. People aren't worried about how "far from the city you live," they are just hoping there is room for them at your table when they get there.

Extend the invitation. Open your doors. Let people in. Let people see. Let people know the heart of God is evident within the walls of your home. Remind them that perfection is not a requirement, but their presence is greatly desired. Allow the gift of hospitality, which came from God Himself, to change the way you see people and love people.

Let's Pray:

Father, thank you for the gift of hospitality. Help me to grow in this area of my life and not allow lies from the enemy stop me from extending invitations. Holy Spirit, nudge me and show me who you want me to open up my home to, Help me love on them in the best way I can with the best I have to offer. Thank you, Jesus for inviting me in and making room for me. In Jesus' name, amen.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/PeopleImages

Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.

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