Joyful Moments in Christ

Some days, loving God and loving others feels natural and joyful. Other days, it feels like a battle against our own selfishness and weariness. The Christian life is filled with both victories and stumbles, and it is in these ordinary, uneven moments that we need to be reminded of God’s steady grace. He calls us to love with a whole heart, not because we are always strong, but because he is. This prayer is a simple invitation to confess where we fall short, to give thanks for the mercy that meets us there, and to ask for hearts that more fully reflect the love of Christ in both word and deed.

A Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

There are days when I find it easy to love you. Other days, I find it easy to love my neighbor. And still others, both are hard. Forgive me, Lord, for how quickly my heart forgets your goodness and how easily I become impatient, self-focused, or indifferent toward those around me. You are worthy of my whole heart, my whole soul, and my whole mind. You are the God who formed me, who sustains the world with your word, and who poured out mercy and grace through your son, Jesus. You are holy, yet you draw near to the broken and wayward. I adore you for who you are—perfect in love, constant in faithfulness, and abounding in compassion.

I confess that I am slow to learn and quick to wander. Even though I know the greatest commandments—to love you and to love others—I still fail to obey them with consistency. I nurse grudges, withhold kindness, and prioritize my own desires over obedience. I make time for distractions, but not always for prayer or scripture. I excuse my harsh words instead of owning them. Forgive me, Father.

And yet, you are so patient. Thank you for your gentleness toward me. Thank you for the moments when I do love well—those little glimpses of your Spirit working in me. Thank you that you do not leave me to figure it out on my own, but you discipline and shape me, as a loving father trains his child. Thank you for the cross, where Jesus perfectly demonstrated love for both you and his neighbor—even in suffering. Thank you for the Spirit who reminds me of truth and empowers me to live it out.

Please keep teaching me, Lord. Continue shaping my heart to reflect yours. Give me eyes to see others the way you do and a desire to serve instead of be served. Strengthen my love for you so that it overflows into love for others. Remind me that these commands are not burdens but invitations—to know you more deeply and to be part of what you’re doing in the world.

Make me your child not only in title, but in nature. Let my life reflect the family resemblance of Christ.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Respond

Please pray a prayer about loving both God and others.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, you can use the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:

• Adoration: Praise God. Does this topic bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
• Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this topic bring any specific sins to mind?
• Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this topic inspire gratitude?
• Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this topic inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.