Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 2:4
Reflection
Any relationship, however, the length or strength, has the potential to disintegrate or go array. It takes prayer, determination, and commitment to make it work. It’s important for each person to sacrificially give and learn to receive love.
In our current culture of miscommunication, pride and selfishness, broken relationships, and especially broken families, are becoming increasingly common in America today, and many suffer the mental and emotional fallout from these broken circumstances. Unforgiveness, bitterness, pain, fear, anger, rejection, loss of confidence and self-esteem are just some of the issues that people wrestle with as a result.
However, the best relationships are those that are filled with Christian love.
1 Peter 4:8 (AMP) states, "Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]." As the body of Christ lovingly nurtures relationships with our physical family and most definitely with sisters and brothers in our churches and the community around us, we must bear witness to Christ’s love in action.
How We Can Pray
Being humble, gentle, and patient in love draws people into relationships founded on Christ’s love. As we, the Church, continue to nurture these relationships, God ultimately draws people to a new or deepening relationship with Him. Let us all cry out for deeper, more meaningful connection with at least one other person. As King Solomon states in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them fall down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
Today – Prayerfully consider how you can nurture a relationship with someone in your family, church, school, workplace or community with an attitude of humble, gentle, and patient love. What is one thing you can do today to show humility, gentleness, or patience?
Would you please pray with me now?
Father, You are all-loving. Thank You for teaching us how to build healthy relationships and how to love others the way Jesus loves us. Teach us to extend Christlike love and humility to those around us so that we can deepen the relationships we have and ultimately draw people to You. Lord, be our mediator and give us extra patience when relationships get tense. Help us to quickly forgive, communicate well, and negotiate well in every relationship in our lives. In Christ's name we pray, amen.
With Great Expectation,
Gwen Bradley
National Liaison For Prayer Mobilization and Partnerships
National Area Leader – Southeast
