Love Is More Important - Your Nightly Prayer - March 31st

Love Is More Important
Your Nightly Prayer
by Amanda Idleman

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Matthew 22:37-39

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Jesus fully embodies this command. He loved God, his Father, with all his heart, mind, and soul. He was committed to obeying his Father’s will, even to the point of death on the cross. Despite his great distress in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus surrendered himself over to the authorities, knowing that it was God’s plan for him to die.  

He loved us so much that he beat death through the cross and resurrection. He knew that without his willing sacrifice, humanity was without hope. Jesus embodied care for his neighbor in the way he relieved the suffering of others when he performed countless miracles. How he respected authority, lived peacefully, and pursued Kingdom living. Jesus shows us how to love others well. 

We honor Jesus when we follow his example. We are called to be light to the world. Our lives are to be a living sacrifice to the Lord, sharing his love with others. As we are faithful to love God with all that we are, it becomes more natural for us to be able to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Jesus,
Thank you for being the ultimate example of love for us. I am forever grateful for your willingness to give your life for me on the cross. Show me how to love you and love others well. Give me your eyes for the people around me. Quiet my selfish thoughts and show me how to live sacrificially as you did.
Amen. 

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Give thanks to Jesus for his example, death, and resurrection. 

2. How can you practically love your neighbor as yourself this week?

3. How have you best experienced God’s love through others in your life? 

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Elena Golotsvan

Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

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