FEBRUARY 2020 MBUMC FOCUS PRAYER
You are invited to join the Prayer Ministry team in praying this prayer.
“Israel, remember this! The Lord—and the Lord alone—is our God. Love the Lord your Godwith all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 GNT & Mark 12:29-30)
Holy God, Moses spoke your word to Israel many generations ago, and also to us saying, “The Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure. The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from slavery and oppression… Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. He will love you and bless you, and he will give you many children… (Deuteronomy 7:6-9, 13 NLT)
Moses continues, “Now, people of Israel, listen to what the Lord your God demands of you: Worship the Lord and do all that he commands. Love him, serve him with all your heart. The Lord’s love for your ancestors was so strong that he chose you instead of any other people, and you are still his chosen people. (Deuteronomy 10:12,15 GNT)
A teacher of the Law listened to Jesus speak with the Sadducees. Then the teacher asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more important than these two.” (Mark 12:29-31 GNT)
Jesus spoke to his disciples and also to us, “I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.” (John 15: 9-10, 12 GNT)
Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another. (Romans 12:9-10 GNT). Dear friends, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. (1 John 3:18 GNT) May it be so this day; we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love confess,
But not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship, and are freed.
H408, The Gift of Love, words & music Hal Hopson, 1972.
